KR20140078108A

KR20140078108A - Motor driving apparatus and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: KR20140078108A
Application number: KR1020120147075A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 김성경; 정일욱
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2012-12-17
Filing date: 2012-12-17
Publication date: 2014-06-25

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor drive apparatus. A motor drive apparatus according to one aspect includes: a motor including a permanent magnet, a coil, a commutator connected to the coil, and a plurality of brush units in contact with the commutator and each having a plurality of brushes; A power supply for supplying power for operating the motor; And a switch operative to deliver power from the power supply to any one of the plurality of brush units.

Description

[0001] Motor driving apparatus and refrigerator [0002]

The present specification relates to a motor drive apparatus and a refrigerator.

Generally, the motor drive apparatus may include a motor and a power supply unit for supplying power to the motor.

Among the motors, the DC motor may include a permanent magnet, a coil positioned inside the permanent magnet, a commutator electrically connected to the coil, and a brush unit forming a pair of brushes in contact with the commutator have.

The brush unit supplies power to the commutator. When power is supplied to the commutator, the commutator and the brush unit rub together with the coil.

However, according to the conventional motor driving apparatus, since a single brush unit is provided in the motor, when the motor is used for a long time, sparks due to friction between the brush unit and the commutator are generated, And commutator contact failure. In this case, if the power is supplied to the motor, the motor does not operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a motor drive device in which the life of a motor is extended and a refrigerator including the same.

A motor drive apparatus according to one aspect includes: a motor including a permanent magnet, a coil, a commutator connected to the coil, and a plurality of brush units in contact with the commutator and each having a plurality of brushes; A power supply for supplying power for operating the motor; And a switch operative to deliver power from the power supply to any one of the plurality of brush units.

According to another aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet forming a storage compartment; A refrigerator door for opening / closing the storage room; An operating object provided in the cabinet or the refrigerator door; A motor generating a motive power for operating the operating object and having a brush unit which contacts the commutator and has a plurality of brushes; A power supply for supplying power for operation of the motor; And a switch operative to deliver power from the power supply to any one of the plurality of brush units.

According to the proposed invention, a plurality of brush units are brought into contact with the commutator, and power can be supplied to the commutator through one of the plurality of brush units.

Therefore, even if a contact failure occurs between a brush unit and the commutator, power can be supplied to the commutator by another brush unit, so that the motor can be continuously used without replacing the motor. Therefore, there is an advantage that the life of the motor is prolonged.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where a part of a refrigerator door is opened according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a refrigerator door in an opened state of an ice tray door according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
4 is a perspective view of a refrigerator compartment door in a state where an icemaker assembly is removed from an ice maker chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 and 6 are perspective views of an icemaker assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a block diagram of a motor drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a schematic diagram of a motor drive apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view for explaining a control method of a motor driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a view for explaining a control method of a motor driving apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

1 and 2, the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment may include a cabinet 10 having an external shape and refrigerator doors 11 and 14 movably connected to the cabinet 10 .

In the cabinet 10, a storage room for storing food may be formed. The storage chamber includes a refrigerating chamber 102 and a freezing chamber 104 positioned below the refrigerating chamber 102. In this embodiment, for example, a bottom freeze type refrigerator in which a refrigerating chamber is disposed in an upper portion of a freezing chamber will be described. However, it should be noted that the idea of the motor driving device in the present invention can be applied to any kind of refrigerator without limitation.

The refrigerator doors 11 and 14 may include a refrigerating chamber door 11 for opening and closing the refrigerating chamber 102 and a freezing chamber door 14 for opening and closing the freezing chamber 104.

The refrigerator compartment door (11) may include a plurality of doors (12, 13) arranged laterally. The plurality of doors 12 and 13 may include a first refrigerator compartment door 12 and a second refrigerator compartment door 13 disposed on the right side of the first refrigerator compartment door 12. The first refrigerator compartment door (12) and the second refrigerator compartment door (13) can be independently moved.

The freezer compartment door 14 may include a plurality of doors 15 and 16 arranged in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the freezer compartment door 14 may be a single door.

The plurality of doors 15 and 16 may include a first freezing chamber door 15 and a second freezing chamber door 16 positioned below the first freezing chamber door 15.

The first and second refrigerating chamber doors 12 and 13 can rotate and the first and second freezing chamber doors 15 and 16 can slide.

Meanwhile, a door of either the first or second refrigerating chamber door may be provided with a dispenser 17 for taking out water or ice. In FIG. 1, for example, the dispenser 17 is shown in the first refrigerator compartment door 12.

One of the first and second refrigerating chamber doors may be provided with an ice making assembly (to be described later) for generating and storing ice.

In this embodiment, the dispenser 17 and the icemaker assembly may be provided in the first refrigerator compartment door 12 or the second refrigerator compartment door 13. The dispenser 17 and the ice maker assembly will be described below as being disposed in the refrigerator compartment door 11 collectively referred to as a first refrigerator compartment door 12 and a second refrigerator compartment door 13.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a refrigerator compartment door in an opened state of an ice-making compartment door according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a refrigerator compartment door in an ice- to be.

1 to 4, the refrigerator compartment door 11 may include an outer case 111 and a door liner 112 coupled to the outer case 111.

The door liner 112 forms the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 11. A heat insulating material may be provided between the outer case 111 and the door liner 112.

The door liner 112 is provided with a cabinet sealing part 115. The cabinet sealing portion 115 may be a gasket of an elastic material, for example.

The cabinet sealing part 115 is in close contact with the front surface of the cabinet 10 in a state where the refrigerating compartment door 11 closes the refrigerating compartment 102. The cabinet sealing part 115 prevents the cold air in the refrigerating compartment from leaking when the refrigerating compartment door 11 closes the refrigerating compartment 102. In other words, the cabinet sealing portion 115 prevents communication between the refrigerating chamber 102 and the outside of the refrigerator.

The door liner 112 forms an ice compartment 120. In the ice making chamber 120, an ice making assembly 200 for generating and storing ice may be disposed. The ice making chamber 120 is opened and closed by the ice making chamber door 130. The ice-making chamber door 130 is rotatably connected to the door liner 112 by a hinge 139. The ice making chamber door 130 is provided with a handle 140 for engaging with the door liner 112 when the ice making chamber door 130 is closed.

The door liner 112 is formed with a handle engagement portion 128 to which a part of the handle 140 is coupled. The handle engaging portion 128 receives a part of the handle 140.

The ice making chamber door 130 may be provided with a plurality of sealing portions 133 and 134 for preventing cold air from leaking from the ice making chamber.

The plurality of sealing portions 133 and 134 may include a first sealing portion 133 and a second sealing portion 134 sealing the inside of the first sealing portion 133.

The cabinet 10 includes a main body supply duct 106 for supplying cool air to the ice making chamber 120 and a main body recovering duct 108 for recovering cool air from the ice making chamber 120. The main body supply duct 106 and the main body recovery duct 108 may communicate with a space where an evaporator (not shown) is located.

The refrigerator compartment door 11 is provided with a door supply duct 122 for supplying cool air of the main body supply duct 106 to the ice making chamber and a cool air supply duct 122 for recovering the cool air of the ice making chamber 120 to the main body recovery duct 108 And may include a door recovery duct 124.

The door supply duct 122 and the door recovery duct 124 extend from an outer wall 113 of the door liner 110 to an inner wall 114 forming the ice making chamber 120. The door supply duct 122 and the door recovery duct 124 are vertically disposed and the door supply duct 122 is disposed above the door recovery duct 124. However, in this embodiment, there is no limitation on the positions of the door supply duct 122 and the door return duct 124. [

When the refrigerator compartment door (11) closes the refrigerating compartment (102), the door supply duct (122) is aligned with and communicates with the main supply duct (106), and the door return duct (124) And communicates with the recovery duct 108 in an aligned manner.

The ice making chamber 200 is provided with a cool air duct 290 for guiding cool air, which has flowed through the door supply duct 122, to the ice making assembly 200. A coolant flow path is formed in the cool air duct 290 and cool air having flowed through the cool air duct 290 is finally supplied to the icemaker assembly 200 side. Since the cool air can be concentrated to the icemaker assembly 200 by the cool air duct 290, it is possible to rapidly generate ice.

Meanwhile, the refrigerator compartment door (11) is provided with a first connector (125) for supplying power to the icemaker assembly (200). The first connector (125) is exposed to the ice making chamber (120). In addition, the refrigerator compartment door 11 is provided with a water supply pipe 126 for supplying water to the icemaker assembly 200.

The water supply pipe 126 is disposed between the outer case 111 and the door liner 112 and one end is located in the ice making chamber 120 through the door liner 112.

An ice opening 127 through which ice is discharged is formed below the inner side wall 114 of the door liner 112 forming the ice making chamber 120. An ice duct 150 communicating with the ice opening 127 is disposed below the ice making chamber 120.

5 and 6 are perspective views of an ice maker assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 to 6, the ice making assembly 200 of the present embodiment includes an ice maker 210 for defining a space in which ice is generated and supporting the generated ice, And a driving source 220 for providing power for automatically rotating the ice maker 210 to separate the ice maker 210 from the ice maker 210.

The ice maker assembly 200 may further include a power transmission box 226 for transmitting the power of the driving source 220 to the ice maker 210, A cover 230 for covering the ice maker 210 and a water guide 240 for guiding the water supplied from the water supply pipe 126 to the ice maker 210.

The ice maker assembly 200 includes a support mechanism 250 having a mounting portion 215 on which the ice maker 210 is mounted and an ice bin 300 for storing ice separated from the ice maker 210 A full ice detector 270 for sensing ice cubes of the ice bin 300 and a motor assembly 280 selectively connected to the ice bin 300.

The electric wire connected to the motor assembly 280 and the electric wire connected to the driving source 220 are connected to the second connector 282. The second connector (282) is detachably connected to the first connector (125).

The support mechanism 250 may include a first support portion 252 and a second support portion 260 coupled to the first support portion 252. [

The first support portion 252 is seated in the ice making chamber 120. The motor assembly 280 is mounted on the first support portion 252. An ice hole 253 through which the ice discharged from the ice bin 300 passes is formed on the bottom surface of the first support portion 252. The ice bin 300 is seated on the first support portion 252. That is, the first support part 252 supports the ice bin 300.

When the ice bin 300 is mounted on the first support portion 252, the motor assembly is connected to the ice bin 300. The state in which the ice bin 300 is seated in the first support portion 252 means that the ice bin 300 is received in the ice making chamber 120. In this embodiment,

The seating part 215 on which the ice maker 210 is mounted is installed on the second supporting part 260. One side of the ice maker 210 includes a rotating shaft 212 and the rotating shaft 212 is rotatably connected to the receiving part 215. The other side of the ice maker 210 is connected to an extension (not shown) extending from the power transmission box 226.

The ice detector 270 is installed in the second support part 260 at a position spaced apart from the ice maker 210. The ice detector 270 is located below the ice maker 210.

The ice detector 270 includes a transmitter 271 for transmitting a signal and a receiver 272 for separating the transmitter 271 and receiving the signal from the transmitter 271. The transmitting unit 271 and the receiving unit 272 are located in the inner space of the ice bin 300 in a state where the ice bin 300 is seated on the first supporting unit 252.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a motor driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a motor driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 to 7, the motor driving device 440 of the present embodiment includes a driving source 220 for generating power for rotating the ice making device 210, A power supply unit 430 for supplying power to operate the driving source 220 and a control unit 430 for determining whether the driving source 220 is operated 410).

In detail, the driving source 220 may include a DC motor 221 (hereinafter referred to as "motor"). The motor 221 may include a commutator 224 and a plurality of brush units 222 and 223 contacting the commutator 224. The plurality of brush units 222 and 223 may include a first brush unit 222 and a second brush unit 223. Each of the brush units may include a plurality of brushes (generally, a pair of brushes) in contact with the commutator. In FIG. 7, it is shown that the motor includes, for example, two brush units. However, the number of brush units in the present embodiment is not limited. In this embodiment, the first brush unit includes a plurality of first brushes, and the second brush unit can be described as including a plurality of second brushes.

In the present invention, the motor 221 includes a plurality of brush units, and other structures may be implemented by known techniques, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The motor driving apparatus 400 includes a switch 440 for supplying the power supplied from the power supply unit 430 to one of the first brush unit 222 and the second brush unit 223 .

For example, when the switch 440 is connected to the first brush unit 222, the power of the power supply unit 430 is supplied to the commutator 224 through the first brush unit 222. On the other hand, when the switch 440 is connected to the second brush unit 223, the power of the power supply unit 430 is supplied to the commutator 224 through the second brush unit 223.

Meanwhile, the rotation of the ice maker 210 can be sensed by the rotation sensing unit 420. The rotation sensing unit 420 may include a magnet provided in the ice maker 210 and a hall sensor provided in the seating unit 215. However, in this embodiment, as long as the rotation sensing unit 420 can sense the specific position of the ice maker 210 and the rotation of the ice maker 210, the type of the rotation sensing unit 420 is not limited Leave.

9 is a view for explaining a control method of a motor driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the controller 410 generates a motor driving signal (S1). The motor driving signal may be generated when the generation of ice is completed in the ice maker 210, for example. That is, the control unit 410 can recognize that the ice making process in the ice maker 210 is completed, and generate the motor driving signal when the ice making process in the ice maker 210 is completed.

In the standby state before the motor drive signal is generated, the switch 440 is kept connected to any one of the brush units. In this embodiment, the switch 440 is kept connected to the first brush unit 222, for example.

When the motor driving signal is generated, the power of the power supply unit 430 is supplied to the first brush unit 222 (or the first brush). Then, the rotation axis of the motor 221 can be rotated. When the rotation shaft of the motor 221 is rotated, the ice maker 210 may be rotated by a power transmission unit connected to the rotation shaft.

The rotation sensing unit 420 senses whether the ice maker 210 rotates and the controller 410 determines whether the ice maker 210 is in a normal state based on the information sensed by the rotation sensing unit 420, It is determined whether it is rotated (S3). The step of determining whether the ice maker 210 is normally rotated in the present embodiment may be explained as a step of determining whether the motor 221 is operating normally. This is because the ice maker 210 rotates normally when the motor 221 operates normally.

That is, the rotation sensing unit 420 senses whether the ice maker 210 is rotated.

If it is determined in step S3 that the ice maker 210 is normally rotated, the controller 410 determines whether the ice maker 210 has been rotated (S4). If it is determined that the rotation of the ice maker 210 is completed, the controller 410 generates a stop signal of the motor. Then, power supply to the first brush unit is interrupted (S5).

In this embodiment, when the motor 221 operates normally, the entire ice maker 210 is rotated in one direction by a predetermined angle, and then rotated in the other direction to return to the original position.

In this embodiment, the ice is separated by the twisting action according to the rotation of the ice maker 210 in one direction. During the twisting operation of the ice maker 210, one end and the other end of the ice maker 210 move relative to each other and twist occurs, so that the ice can be separated from the ice maker 210. Since the principle of twisting operation of the ice maker 210 is the same as that of the known ice maker, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

If it is determined that the ice maker 210 does not rotate normally, the controller 410 controls the switch 440 so that the switch 440 is operated by the second brush unit 223, Or the second brush). Then, the power source may be supplied to the second brush unit 223 (S6). In this embodiment, step S3 may be referred to as a step of determining whether or not the switching condition is satisfied.

When the ice maker 210 does not rotate normally, the rotation axis of the motor 221 is not rotated due to a contact failure between the first brush unit 222 and the commutator 224, It means that it is not rotated.

When the power is supplied to the second brush unit 223 (or the second brush), the commutator 224 is rotated, so that the rotation axis of the motor 221 can be rotated.

Then, the controller 410 determines whether the ice maker 210 has been rotated (S7). When it is determined that the rotation of the ice maker 210 is completed, the controller 410 generates a stop signal of the motor. Then, power supply to the second brush unit is interrupted (S8). Then, the operation of the motor 221 is stopped.

At this time, the switch 440 is maintained in a state of being connected to the second brush unit 223 (power can be supplied to the second brush unit), and when the drive signal of the motor is generated in the future, 430 may be supplied to the second brush unit 223 (S9).

According to the present invention, a plurality of brush units are brought into contact with the commutator, and power can be supplied to the commutator through one of the plurality of brush units. Therefore, even if a contact failure occurs between a brush unit and the commutator, power can be supplied to the commutator by another brush unit, so that the motor can be continuously used without replacing the motor. Therefore, there is an advantage that the life of the motor is prolonged.

10 is a view for explaining a control method of a motor driving apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 410 generates a motor drive signal to separate ice from the ice maker 210 (S11).

Next, the controller 430 determines whether the number of times the motor is driven exceeds the reference number (S12). In the present embodiment, one motor drive means that the ice maker 210 is rotated in one direction and then rotated in the other direction until it is returned to the original position.

As a result of the determination in step S12, if the number of times the motor is driven to the present time is less than the reference number, the switch 440 remains connected to the first brush unit 222. [ Accordingly, the power of the power supply unit 430 is supplied to the first brush unit 222 (S14).

On the other hand, when the number of times of motor driving up to the present time exceeds the reference number, the controller 410 controls the switch 440 to connect the switch 440 to the second brush unit 223. In this embodiment, step S12 may be referred to as a step of determining whether or not the switching condition is satisfied.

Then, the power of the power supply unit 430 is supplied to the second brush unit 223 (S13).

When the electric power is supplied to the commutator 224 through a brush unit 222 or 223, the rotation axis of the motor 221 is rotated and the rotation force of the rotation axis is transmitted to the ice maker 224 through the power transmission unit 227. [ And the ice maker 210 is rotated.

When the ice maker 210 is rotated, the ice is separated from the ice maker 210 as described above.

Then, the controller 410 determines whether the ice maker 210 has been rotated (S15). When it is determined that the rotation of the ice maker 210 is completed, the controller 410 generates a stop signal of the motor. Then, power supply to the first brush unit 222 or the second brush unit 223 is interrupted (S16). Then, the operation of the motor 221 is stopped.

That is, according to the present embodiment, power is supplied to the commutator through the first brush unit until the number of times of motor drive exceeds the reference number, and after the number of times of motor drive exceeds the reference number, To the commutator.

Also in this embodiment, since the second brush unit can be used after the first brush unit is used, there is an advantage that the service life of the motor is prolonged.

Although the motor driving apparatus for rotating the ice maker has been described in the above embodiment, the idea of the present invention can be similarly applied to a motor for driving a door for opening and closing an ice duct (150 in FIG. 4) .

In addition, it is clear that the idea of the present invention can be equally applied to electric appliances other than a refrigerator or a refrigerator, as well as a motor that generates power for operating an operating object.

In the above embodiment, the ice-making assembly is provided in the refrigerator compartment door. Alternatively, the ice-making assembly may be provided in the refrigerator compartment, the freezer compartment, and the freezer compartment door.

221: motor 430: power supply unit
440: Switch

Claims

A motor including a permanent magnet, a coil, a commutator connected to the coil, and a plurality of brush units each of which contacts the commutator and each has a plurality of brushes;
A power supply for supplying power for operating the motor; And
And a switch operable to transfer power from the power supply to any one of the plurality of brush units.

The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a control unit for controlling the switch,
Wherein the control unit judges whether or not the operating condition of the switch is satisfied and controls the switch so that the switch connected to one of the brush units is connected to the other brush unit when the operating condition is satisfied.

3. The method of claim 2,
And when the operating condition of the switch is satisfied, the rotating shaft of the motor does not rotate normally.

3. The method of claim 2,
And when the operating condition of the switch is satisfied, the number of driving times of the motor exceeds a reference number.

A cabinet forming a storage chamber;
A refrigerator door for opening / closing the storage room;
An operating object provided in the cabinet or the refrigerator door;
A motor generating a motive power for operating the operating object and having a brush unit contacting each commutator and each having a plurality of brushes;
A power supply for supplying power for operation of the motor; And
And a switch operable to deliver power from the power supply to any one of the plurality of brush units.

6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the operation object is an ice maker for generating ice.

6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the operation object is a door that opens and closes an ice duct through which ice generated by the ice maker passes.

6. The method of claim 5,
A rotation sensing unit for sensing rotation of the operation object,
And a control unit for controlling the switch based on the detection information of the rotation sensing unit.

6. The method of claim 5,
Further comprising a controller for determining whether the number of times the motor is driven exceeds a reference number, and controlling the operation of the switch according to a determination result.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9,
Wherein when the switch is operated by the control unit, the switch connected to one of the brush units is connected to the other brush unit.