KR20100137234A - Method for controlling refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerator control method is provided to smoothly supply water when a water supply signal is simultaneously or successively generated from a plurality of ice makers. CONSTITUTION: A plurality of ice maker controllers generate a water supply signal simultaneously or successively(S11,S12). Water is successively supplied to the plurality of ice makers according to a water supply order or water supply signal generation order when the supply signal is simultaneously generated(S14). Ice is successively made from the ice maker in which the waster supply is completed or after the water is completely supplied to all ice makers(S16). The set supply order is determined by the communication between the plurality of ice maker controllers or main controller which controls the plurality of ice makers. The plurality of ice makers respectively correspond to the plurality of ice maker controllers. A flow line is connected to the plurality of ice makers. An open and close valve is provided to the flow line. The open and close valve is controlled by the ice maker controller or main controller.

Description

Method for controlling refrigerator [0002]

The present invention relates to a control method of a refrigerator.

Generally, a refrigerator is a device for low-temperature storage of food, and it is configured to be able to refrigerate or refrigerate food according to the condition of the food to be stored.

The interior of such a refrigerator is cooled by continuously supplied cold air, and this cold air is continuously generated through heat exchange with a refrigerant that repeatedly performs a cycle of compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation. The cold air supplied to the inside of the refrigerator is uniformly transferred to the inside of the refrigerator by the convection so that the food inside the refrigerator can be stored at a desired temperature.

Such a refrigerator is in a tendency of becoming larger and multifunctional according to diversification of users' preferences and dietary habits, and products having various configurations are being released.

In particular, the refrigerator is provided with an ice maker for making ice in the hearth for supplying ice. Such an ice maker has various forms according to the operation mode, and can be mounted in various positions of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment.

In addition, the refrigerator door is provided with a dispenser capable of taking out the ice made by the ice maker, so that the user can more easily take out the ice.

In a refrigerator in which a plurality of ice makers are provided in one refrigerator and a dispenser for extracting drinking water and ice is provided, water is supplied smoothly when a water supply signal is generated from the dispenser and a plurality of ice makers To a control method for controlling the operation of the apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a refrigerator, comprising: simultaneously or sequentially generating a water supply signal from a plurality of ice maker control units; Sequentially supplying water to the plurality of ice makers according to a predetermined water supply sequence applied when the water supply signal is generated simultaneously, or an order in which the water supply signal is generated; And a step of performing a deicing process sequentially from the ice maker for which water supply has been completed to the ice maker sequentially or after the supply of water to all of the plurality of ice makers is completed, Or is determined by a main controller that controls the plurality of ice makers.

According to the control method of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention, water supply is smoothly performed when a water supply signal is generated simultaneously or sequentially in a plurality of ice makers.

In addition, when a water supply signal for drinking water is generated during the supply of water to the ice maker, water supply to the dispenser for taking out drinking water is preferentially performed, which is advantageous in ease of use.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings, and that other embodiments falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention may be easily devised by adding, .

In the embodiments of the present invention, a bottom freeze-type refrigerator has been described as an example for convenience of explanation and understanding. However, the present invention is also applicable to other types of refrigerators having two or more divided storage spaces .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing a door of a refrigerator opened according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cabinet 10 in which a storage space is formed, a door 20 for selectively opening and closing an opened front face of the storage space, ).

In detail, the cabinet 10 is divided into upper and lower parts by a barrier or an inner case 12 forming an inner space of the storage space, and a refrigerating chamber 30 and a freezing chamber 40 are formed at upper and lower parts, respectively .

The door 20 is hinged to the cabinet 10 so as to be rotatable and includes a pair of refrigerating compartment doors 22 for selectively opening and closing the refrigerating compartment 30, And a freezing chamber door (24) for selectively opening and closing the freezing chamber (40).

A plurality of storage members such as shelves, drawers, and baskets may be provided in the refrigerating compartment 30 and the freezing compartment 40 and the refrigerating compartment door 22 and the freezing compartment door 24, Can be accommodated.

A dispenser (26) is provided on a front surface of the refrigerator compartment door (22) on one side of the pair of refrigerator compartment doors (22). The dispenser 26 is formed to be able to communicate with the first ice maker 100 to be described below, and is configured to allow ice and / or drinking water to be taken out from the outside by a user's operation.

On the other hand, an ice making chamber 28 may be formed on the rear surface of the refrigerating chamber door 22. The ice making chamber 28 is a space for accommodating the first ice maker 100 and the ice bank 110 for making and storing ice, and may be formed as a heat insulating space independent of the inside of the refrigerating chamber.

In detail, the ice making chamber 28 may be formed by a door liner forming the back surface of the refrigerating chamber door 22, and may be configured to be openable and closable by an ice making chamber door 29 mounted to be openable and closable have. The inner side of the ice making chamber 28 is communicated with the dispenser 26 to allow the ice to be taken out through the dispenser 26.

A cool air duct for guiding cool air for making ice into the ice making chamber 28 may be provided on one side wall of the refrigerating chamber 30. [ The cool air duct communicates with the ice making chamber 28 by communicating with the ice making chamber 28 and the heat exchange chamber 50 (see FIG. 4) having the evaporator when the refrigerator door 22 is closed. Then, cool air is supplied from the heat exchange chamber (50), and the temperature of the inside of the ice making chamber (28) is kept at a subzero temperature.

In addition, the first ice maker 100 may be provided in the ice making chamber 28. The first ice maker 100 generates ice with water supplied from a water supply channel 200 to be described below. The ice maker 100 receives a predetermined amount of water for ice making, and makes ice by cooling the water until the preset time or the set temperature is reached. In addition, the ice can be automatically separated and transferred to the ice bank 110 side.

In addition, the first ice maker 100 may be configured to detect whether or not there is a predetermined amount of ice in the ice bank 110, and stop the ice making operation of the first ice maker 100.

Meanwhile, the ice bank 110 may be provided in the ice making chamber 28. The ice bank 110 is disposed below the first ice maker 100 and stores ice separated from the first ice maker 100. The ice bank 110 communicates with the dispenser 26 side to supply the ice stored in the dispenser 26 side.

In addition, an auger is provided inside the ice bank 110 so that the ice stored in the ice bank 110 can be prevented from being entangled with each other. Accordingly, a plurality of ice pieces can be moved to the dispenser 26 in a separated state without being clumped together. The ice bank 110 may further include a crusher for finely crushing stored ice, so that crushed ice powder may be provided.

A water tank 120 may be provided inside the refrigerator compartment door 22. The water tank 120 temporarily stores the water supplied to the dispenser 26 and may be provided on the lower side of the refrigerator compartment door 22.

A water filter (130) is provided on the inner upper surface of the refrigerating chamber (30). The water filter 130 is for purifying water supplied to the first ice maker 100 and / or the dispenser 26, and may be provided inside the refrigerating chamber 30 in a replaceable manner.

Meanwhile, a second ice maker 140 is provided on the upper edge of the freezing compartment 40. The second ice maker 140 may be mounted so as to be exposed to the inside of the freezing chamber 40 by supplying water flowing along the water supply channel 200 to make ice.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view showing the interior of the freezing compartment according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line A-A 'in FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the second ice maker 140 generates ice using water supplied along the water supply channel 200, and supplies a predetermined amount of water for ice-making to the ice maker 140 Cool to make ice. Then, the iced ice is automatically separated and dropped into the ice container 150.

In addition, the second ice maker 140 may be controlled to continue or stop the ice-making operation depending on whether or not the ice stored in the ice container 150 has reached the preset amount.

A part of the top surface of the freezing chamber 40 corresponding to the upper part of the second ice maker 140 is opened and the water supply channel 200 connected to the second ice maker 140 through the opened part, (162) are guided into the freezing chamber (40).

A bracket 160 may be mounted on an open portion of the upper surface of the freezing chamber 40. The bracket 160 may have a size and shape to shield the opened portion of the freezing chamber.

The water supply channel 200 and the electric wire 162 are guided to the second ice maker 140 through the bracket 160 and the second ice maker 140 is fixed to the bracket 160 .

The water supply channel 200 and the electric wire 162 guided to the second ice maker 140 through the bracket 160 are exposed to the outside through the channel connection portion 70 formed on the rear surface of the cabinet 10, And may be connected to the other water supply channel 200 and the electric wire 162 at the channel connection portion 70.

The bracket 160 and the second ice maker 140 are connected to each other by an ice maker holder 170. The ice maker holder 170 can securely mount the second ice maker 140 on the bracket 160 so that the second ice maker 140 can be mounted on the inner wall surface of the freezing chamber 40, So as to be spaced apart from the bracket 160.

Meanwhile, the side wall of the freezing chamber 40 may be provided with an ice-making cool air duct 180 for allowing the heat exchange chamber 50 and the ice making chamber to communicate with each other. The ice making cool air duct 180 has a cool air discharge opening 182 formed on an inner side wall of the freezing chamber 40 adjacent to the second ice maker 140. Accordingly, the cool air flowing along the ice-maker cool air duct 180 is discharged to the second ice maker 140 through the cool air discharge port 182.

The cool air discharge port 182 is provided for freezing the second ice maker 140 separately from the main discharge port 42 provided on the rear wall of the freezing chamber 40. Since the cool air discharged through the cool air discharge port 182 is directly supplied to the second ice maker 140, the ice making time is shortened.

An ice container 150 is disposed inside the freezing compartment 40 below the second ice maker 140. The ice container 150 stores ice stored in the second ice maker 140 and may be shaped like a general drawer.

In detail, the ice container 150 can be provided to be pulled out by a rail member provided in the freezing chamber 40, and the inside can be partitioned by a divider 152. The divider 152 may be configured to be movable left and right so that ice can be stored in a part of the ice container 150 and food can be stored in the remaining part.

The ice container 150 may be formed to have a width corresponding to an inner lateral length of the freezing compartment 40. If necessary, the width of the ice container 150 may be reduced, .

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a water supply channel of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 and 6, the first ice maker 100, the second ice maker 140, and the dispenser 26 are connected to a water supply source 60 such as a faucet by a tube-shaped water supply channel 200, And receives the ice-making and drinking water directly from the water supply source 60.

The water supply passage 200 may include a main passage 210, a first branch passage 220, and a second branch passage 230. The main passage 210, the first branch passage 220 and the second branch passage 230 may be connected to the branching means 240 to communicate with each other.

The main flow path 210 connects the water supply source 60 such as a faucet and the branching means 240 so that the water of the water supply source 60 reaches the refrigerator 1 first. The branching means 240 may be disposed on the flow path connecting portion 70 side. Accordingly, the end of the main flow path 210 extending from the water supply source 60 is connected to the branching means 240 at the flow path connecting portion 70.

The first branched flow path 220 extends from the branching means 240 toward the refrigerating compartment door 22 so that water branched by the branching means 240 flows into the first ice maker 22 of the refrigerating compartment door 22 100) and the dispenser (26). The first branch flow channel 220 is connected to the water filter 130 provided inside the refrigerating chamber 30 so that water passing through the first branch flow channel 220 can be purified.

The first branched flow path 220 is connected to the branching means 240 at the flow path connecting portion 70 and extends upward along the rear wall of the cabinet 10 and is inserted into the cabinet 10 And is connected to the inlet side of the water filter 130.

The first branched flow passage 220 extending from the outlet side of the water filter 130 extends along the upper wall of the cabinet 10 and then extends through the door hinge 14 of the refrigerating chamber door 22, To the inside of the refrigerator compartment door (22).

The first branched flow path 220 guided into the refrigerating chamber door 22 is connected to the ice maker side flow path 222 and the dispenser side flow path 220 by the first valve 250 mounted inside the refrigerating chamber door 22, (224).

The first valve 250 is used to supply the water supplied from the first branch flow path 220 to the first ice maker 100 and the dispenser 26 and includes a first ice maker control unit 310) or the dispenser control unit (330).

The dispenser-side flow path 224 extending from the first valve 250 to the dispenser 26 side is provided with a water tank 120 in which the supplied water is temporarily stored. Therefore, even if the flow rate supplied to the first branch flow path 220 is reduced during the operation of the dispenser 26 for taking drinking water, the water can be uniformly taken out from the dispenser 26.

The ice maker-side flow path 222 is extended to the first ice maker 100 to supply water to the first ice maker 100.

Meanwhile, the second branched flow path 230 is connected to the branching means 240 at the flow path connecting portion 70. 4 is guided into the partition wall separating the refrigerating compartment 30 and the freezing compartment 40 and the second branching passage 230, that is, the water supplying passage 200 shown in FIG. 4, And extend into the freezing chamber 40 through the through- The end of the second branch passage 230 extending to the inside of the freezing chamber 40 may be directed toward the second ice maker 140.

At this time, the partition wall is a space formed by the inner case 12 forming the refrigerator compartment 30 and the freezer compartment 40, and a barrier made of a heat insulating material is inserted into the compartment wall, May be filled with a heat insulating material.

A second valve 260 may be connected to the second branch passage 230. The second valve 260 may be configured to be selectively operated by the second ice maker controller 320 to selectively supply water to the second ice maker 140.

The branching means 240 is disposed on the flow path connection portion 70 formed on the rear surface of the cabinet 10. The branching means 240 can supply the water supplied from the water supply source 60 to the first branched flow path 220 and the second branched flow path 230, have.

The inner diameter of the portion where the first branched flow path 220 of the branching means 240 is inserted and the portion where the second branched flow path 230 is inserted may be formed differently. Therefore, when the branching means 240 is connected to the water supply channel 200, the first branch flow channel 220 and the second branch flow channel 240 are coupled and assembled Can be prevented.

For example, the inner diameter of one side of the branching means 240 connected to the first branching flow path 220 is 5/16 inch and the other side of the branching means 240 connected to the second branching flow path 230 The inner diameter of one side is formed to be 1/4 inch, and the inner diameter of the portion connected to the first branch flow path 220 can be made larger. The inner diameter D1 on the other side of the branching means 240 connected to the main flow path 210 may be the same or larger than the inner diameter D3 of the second branch flow path 230. [

The first ice maker 100 and the dispenser 26 can supply a larger amount of water to the first ice maker 100 and the dispenser 26 than the second ice maker 140, 26), it is possible to supply water stably.

The branching unit 240 may be a three-way valve whose operation is controlled by a first ice maker control unit 310, a second ice maker control unit 320, or a dispenser control unit 330 .

The branching means 240 is disposed on the flow path connecting portion 70 after being connected to the main flow path 210, the first branch flow path 220 and the second branch flow path 230 at a high outer side, The electric wire 162 connected to the power supply 140 can also be connected to the external power supply at the channel connection part 70. The flow path connecting portion 70 is shielded by the connecting portion cover 72.

7 is a block diagram showing a water flow and a control signal flow of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7, the first ice maker control unit 310, the second ice maker control unit 320, and the second ice maker control unit 320 are connected to the first ice maker 100, the second ice maker 140, and the dispenser 26, And a dispenser control unit 330 are provided.

The first ice maker control unit 310 controls the operation of the first ice maker 100 and is provided on a side adjacent to the first ice maker 100. The first ice maker 100 ). The first ice maker control unit 310 is also electrically connected to the first valve 250 so as to control the operation of the first valve 250 provided on the first branch flow path 220 .

The dispenser control unit 330 controls the operation of the dispenser 26 and is disposed at a side adjacent to the dispenser 26 and is electrically connected to the dispenser 26. The dispenser controller 330 is also electrically connected to the first valve 250 so as to control the operation of the first valve 250.

The first ice maker control unit 310 and the dispenser control unit 330 may both be disposed inside the refrigerator door 22 and may be formed as one module as needed to form the first ice maker 100 , The dispenser (26), and the first valve (250).

The second ice maker control unit 320 controls the operation of the second ice maker 140 and is disposed on a side adjacent to the second ice maker 140. The second ice maker control unit 320 controls the operation of the second ice maker 140, And is electrically connected. The second ice maker controller 320 is also electrically connected to the second valve 260 so as to control the operation of the second valve 260 provided on the second branch passage 230 .

Meanwhile, the first ice maker control unit 320, the dispenser control unit 330, and the second ice maker control unit 320 may be configured to communicate with each other. The first ice maker control unit 320 and the dispenser control unit 330 and the second ice maker control unit 320 are connected to the first ice maker 100 and the second ice maker 140 and the dispenser 26 through wireless communication, So that the operation of the first ice maker 100, the second ice maker 140 and the dispenser 26 and the operation of the components related to the operations of the first ice maker 100 and the second ice maker 140 and the dispenser 26 can be determined.

The first ice maker control unit 320 and the dispenser control unit 330 and the second ice maker control unit 320 may be connected to each other by a wired connection or may be connected to the flow connection unit 70 or one side of the refrigerator 1 The electric wire 162 connected to the control unit of the controller 160 may be extended and connected to each other.

The first ice maker control unit 310 and the second ice maker control unit 320 receive the operation information of the respective ice makers according to the operation states of the first ice maker 100 and the second ice maker 140 It is possible to control the first ice maker 100 and the second ice maker 140 to operate preferentially.

The first ice maker control unit 310 and the second ice maker control unit 320 adjust the operations of the first valve 250 and the second valve 260 to control the operations of the first and second ice makers 100 and 2 It is also possible to control the supply of water to the ice maker 140.

At this time, the priority order determined by the first and second ice maker control units 310 and 320 may be operated in preference to the ice maker that has been driven first. If necessary, It may be possible for the specific ice maker to operate preferentially through the setting operation.

Of course, when it is determined that the supplied flow rate is sufficient, both the first ice maker 100 and the second ice maker 140 are driven, and the first valve 250 and the second ice maker 140 2 valve 260 may be controlled.

The priority order determined by the first ice maker control unit 310 and the second ice maker control unit 320 is a priority order when any one of the ice bank 110 or the ice container 150 is filled with ice After one of the ice makers is operated, the other ice makers may be controlled to operate.

At this time, the ice produced by the first ice maker 100 is stored in the ice bank 110 and is taken out in a small amount through the dispenser 26. However, since the second ice maker 140 has a high frequency of use, It is possible to operate with higher priority. On the contrary, the ice produced by the second ice maker 140 is stored in the ice container 150 and consumed in a large amount by the user at a time, but the use frequency is low. Therefore, the second ice maker 140 Can be controlled to operate after the full ice detection of the ice bank 110. [

Of course, the first ice maker 140 may be controlled to operate in preference to the first ice maker 140. If the ice container 150 is filled with ice, the first ice maker 100 may be controlled to operate It will be possible.

Meanwhile, the first ice maker control unit 310 and the second ice maker control unit 320 may control the operation of each ice maker depending on whether the dispenser 26 is operating.

The operation of each of the ice maker and the dispenser 26 and the valves is controlled according to the operation states of the first ice maker 100, the second ice maker 140 and the dispenser 26, It is possible to prevent deterioration of the cooling efficiency and to keep the flow rate of the supplied water constant.

8 is a block diagram showing a water flow and a control signal flow of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Another embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the first ice maker 100, the second ice maker 140 and the dispenser 26 are controlled by a single controller 300, The same reference numerals are used for the same components as those of the above-described embodiments.

8, the first ice maker control unit 310, the second ice maker control unit 320, and the dispenser control unit 330 are connected to the main control unit 300.

More specifically, the first ice maker control unit 310 and the second ice maker control unit 320 receive the sensing signal transmitted from the ice-filled sensing unit and determine whether to start the water supply or stop the water supply. The main control unit 300 receives the signals transmitted from the first and second ice maker control units 310 and 320 and controls the valve opening / . For example, when a freezing signal is generated from the full ice sensing unit of the first ice maker 100, the first ice maker control unit 310 receives the ice-block signal. The first ice maker control unit 310, which has received the full ice signal, transmits a signal for stopping the water supply to the main control unit 300. Then, the main controller 300 may send a signal to close the first valve 250 to close the first valve 250. Specifically, if the water stop signal is sent from the main controller 300 to the integrated circuit (IC), the IC may supply a current to operate in a direction in which the first valve 250 closes. The same is true in the case of generating a deicing water supply signal or in the case of generating a water supply signal for taking out drinking water. In this manner, the main controller 300 controls the opening and closing of the valves so that communication between the first ice maker controller 310 and the second ice maker 320 and the dispenser controller 330 need not be performed. Of course, it will be programmed in the main control unit 300 to determine where the priority is given when the water supply signal is simultaneously generated in the three parts.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a water supply control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart related to a control method performed when a water supply signal is generated from a plurality of ice makers.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator in which the first ice maker 100 and the second ice maker 140 are provided will be described as an example.

Referring to FIG. 9, an ice-making water supply signal is generated from the first ice maker 100 and the second ice maker (S11). Strictly speaking, it refers to a case where a water supply signal is generated from the first ice maker control unit 310 and the second ice maker control unit 320.

Then, it is determined whether or not the water supply signals are generated simultaneously (S12), and the opening order of the first valve 250 and the second valve 260 is determined. Whether or not the water supply signals are simultaneously generated from the ice makers 100 and 140 can be determined through wired or wireless communication between the ice maker controllers 310 and 320 or by determining the arrival of the water supply signal transmitted to the main controller 300 It can be judged by priority.

In detail, when communication is performed between the ice maker control units 310 and 320, the water supply priority is determined by the program stored in each control unit.

Also, in the case of a system for controlling whether or not the valve is open in the main controller 300, a water supply signal is transmitted from the ice maker controllers 310 and 320 to the main controller 300. The main controller 300 senses the arrival time of the water supply signal transmitted from the ice maker controllers 310 and 320 and determines whether the water supply signals are generated simultaneously or sequentially. The opening order of the first valve 250 and the second valve 260 is determined according to the determination result.

Meanwhile, when the water supply signal is generated at the same time, the first and second valves 250 and 260 are sequentially opened according to the set order of the programs stored in the respective ice maker control units 310 and 320. That is, the ice-making water is sequentially supplied to the first ice maker 100 and the second ice maker 140 (S14). When the supply of water to one of the ice makers is completed, the water is supplied to the other ice maker. When the water supply is completed (15), a control process for ice-making is performed (S16).

When the water supply signal is generated sequentially, the valve of the ice maker which generates the water supply signal first is opened and water is sequentially supplied (S13).

In the present flowchart, the ice-making control process is performed after the water supply to the first ice maker 100 and the second ice maker 140 is completed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. . That is, when water supply to one ice maker is completed, cold air may be supplied immediately, and at the same time, water may be supplied to another ice maker.

10 is a flowchart showing a water supply control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart related to a control method performed when a water supply signal is generated from a plurality of ice makers and a dispenser.

9, the plurality of ice makers include the first ice maker 100 and the second ice maker 140 as an embodiment. It is found that the water supply signal generated from the dispenser is a water supply signal for taking out drinking water.

The most significant feature of the present invention shown in this flowchart is that, when a dispenser feed signal is generated, water is preferentially supplied to the dispenser irrespective of the priority order of the feed water signals generated from the ice maker controllers 310 and 320.

Referring to FIG. 10, first, an ice-making water supply signal and a dispenser water supply signal are generated (31). Then, it is determined whether or not the feed signals are generated at the same time (38). 9, it is possible to judge whether the water supply signals are simultaneously generated or not by the mutual communication between the ice maker control units 310 and 320 and the dispenser control unit 330, or to comprehensively judge them in the main control unit 300.

In detail, when water supply signals are generated at the same time, water is preferentially supplied to the dispenser (33). When the water supply to the dispenser is completed, water is sequentially supplied to the first and second ice makers 100 and 140 according to the setting order stored in the controllers 310, 320, and 330 or the main controller 300 (35) . Here, the time point at which the water supply to the dispenser is completed can be the time when the container is released from the take-out button provided on the dispenser or a button for stopping the take-out is pressed.

More specifically, when water supply to the ice makers 100 and 140 is completed (36), the ice-making control process is performed (37). Of course, the cool-air supply timing for ice-making can be determined as described in Fig.

On the other hand, when the water supply signal occurs with a time difference, it is determined whether the initial signal is a dispenser water supply signal (38). When the initial signal is a dispenser feed signal, the control process is performed in the same manner as when the feed signal is generated at the same time.

On the other hand, when the first water supply signal is generated from either the first ice maker 100 or the second ice maker 140, water supply is performed to the ice maker that generated the water supply signal first (39). Then, it is continuously detected whether a water supply signal is generated from the dispenser in the process of supplying water to any one ice maker (40). When a water supply signal is generated from the dispenser in the process of supplying water to any one ice maker, the supply of water to any one of the ice makers is stopped (41). Then, the water supply to the dispenser is switched (42) so that the user can immediately take out the drinking water through the dispenser. When the supply of water to the dispenser is completed (43), the supply of water to the ice maker where the supply of water is stopped is resumed (44). When the supply of water to any one of the manufacturers is completed, Water is supplied to one ice maker. Then, when the water supply is completed (45), the ice-making control process is performed (37).

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a front view showing a door of a refrigerator opened according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a partial perspective view showing the inside of a freezing compartment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line A-A 'in Fig. 3; Fig.

5 is a rear view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a perspective view schematically showing a water supply channel of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a water flow and a control signal flow of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a water flow and a control signal flow of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a water supply control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart related to a control method performed when a water supply signal is generated from a plurality of ice makers.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a water supply control method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart related to a control method performed when a water supply signal is generated from a number of ice makers and a dispenser.

Claims (7)

Generating water supply signals simultaneously or sequentially from a plurality of ice maker control units; Sequentially supplying water to the plurality of ice makers according to a predetermined water supply sequence applied when the water supply signal is generated simultaneously, or an order in which the water supply signal is generated; And Wherein the ice making process is performed sequentially after the water supply is completed, or after the water supply is completed to all the plurality of ice makers, Wherein the predetermined order of water supply is determined by a communication between the plurality of ice maker controllers or by a main controller that controls the plurality of ice makers. The method according to claim 1, A plurality of ice makers corresponding to the plurality of ice maker control units, Each of the flow channels connected to the plurality of ice makers and And a plurality of open / close valves provided in the respective flow paths, Wherein the plurality of open / close valves are controlled by the plurality of ice maker control units, respectively, or are controlled by the main control unit. The method according to claim 1, A dispenser for taking out drinking water, And a dispenser control unit for controlling the operation of the dispenser and generating a drinking water supply signal, And generating a water supply signal from the dispenser control unit. The method of claim 3, When the water supply signals generated from the plurality of ice maker control units and the dispenser control unit are generated at the same time, Wherein the water supply to the dispenser is preferentially performed. The method of claim 3, When a water supply signal is generated from the dispenser control unit during water supply to any one of the plurality of ice makers, Wherein the water supply to one of the ice makers is stopped, and water is supplied to the dispenser. 6. The method of claim 5, Wherein after the water supply to the dispenser is completed, the supply of water to any one of the ice makers is resumed. 3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the plurality of ice makers include a first ice maker placed in an interior space of the refrigerator compartment in a closed state of the refrigerator compartment door, And a second ice maker provided in the freezing chamber, Wherein the water supply to the first ice maker takes priority over the supply of water to the second ice maker when the water supply signal is generated at the same time.

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