KR20180009505A - Ice maker and refrigerator including same - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an ice maker included in a refrigerator including a door for opening and closing a refrigerating chamber or a freezing chamber comprises: an ice tray having a plurality of ice making spaces for accommodating ice making water; an ice dissolving heater provided under the ice tray; an ejector for dissolving ice in the ice tray; and a control box arranged on one side of the ice tray, and including a control unit for controlling an operation of the ice maker, a motor for rotating the ejector, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the ice dissolving heater. The control unit controls the power supply unit according to whether the door or an ice making chamber door for opening or closing an ice making chamber where the ice maker is disposed is opened or closed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an icemaker and a refrigerator including the icemaker,

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same.

Generally, a refrigerator has a main body having a refrigerating chamber for refrigerating and storing foods and a freezing chamber for refrigerating and storing food, and a compressor for compressing the refrigerant and a heat exchanger for generating cold air are installed at the rear of the main body. The cold air generated by the heat exchanger is supplied to the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment by the fan and circulated in the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment to supply the heated air to the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment through the heat exchanger. State. At this time, an ice maker for producing ice is installed in the freezing room or the refrigerating room.

The ice maker provided in the refrigerator automatically supplies water to the ice maker and checks the ice making condition, and when the ice maker is finished, the ice cubes are automatically released from the ice maker to be loaded on the ice maker. It is widely used in recent years because it can obtain ice without any special operation.

Such an ice-maker includes a tray for receiving purified water made of ice, an ejector for extracting ice by sweeping the tray when the water in the tray is frozen, a motor for providing power for rotating the ejector, And an ice storage container for storing ice.

In the ice-making machine having such a configuration, when the tray storing the purified water receives the cold air and the ice-making is completed, the heater installed at the lower end of the tray is operated to separate the ice from the tray and remove the ice from the tray by the ejector, So that the ice is dropped and loaded.

At this time, the ice making room in which the ice maker is disposed includes the ice making chamber door, and the ice making chamber can be opened and closed by the ice making chamber door. However, when the ejector and the freezing heater are driven to sweep the inside of the tray when all the water in the tray is frozen, when the user opens the door of the ice making room, ice catches are generated. As a result, .

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0068566 (June 27, 2012)

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ice maker and a refrigerator including the ice maker, wherein the ice making operation of the ice maker is stopped when the door or the ice making chamber door is opened.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide an ice maker and a refrigerator including the ice maker to prevent ice jamming and ice escape when the door or ice tray door is opened.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide an ice maker and a refrigerator including the ice maker that prevent an image caused by a freezing heater when the door or the ice making chamber door is opened.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide an ice maker capable of minimizing power consumption.

However, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker included in a refrigerator including a door for opening and closing a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment, the refrigerator comprising: an ice tray having a plurality of ice-making spaces for receiving ice- A freezing heater provided under the ice tray; An ejector for releasing ice in the ice tray; And a control box disposed at one side of the ice tray, the control box including a control unit for controlling the operation of the ice maker, a motor for rotating the ejector, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the ice-making heater, And controls the power supply unit according to whether the ice making chamber door that opens and closes the ice making chamber where the ice maker is located is opened or closed.

A first opening / closing sensing part electrically connected to the control part, for sensing opening / closing of the door, and a second opening / closing sensing part sensing opening / closing of the ice making room door.

The sensing result of at least one of the first opening / closing sensing part and the second opening / closing sensing part may be transmitted to the control part.

The control unit may control whether the power is supplied through at least one of the first opening / closing sensing unit and the second opening / closing sensing unit.

When the ice in the ice tray is unloaded, when the door or the ice tray door is opened, the power supply unit interrupts power supply to the ice-making heater and the motor, and driving of the ice-making heater and the ejector may be interrupted.

The door or the ice-making chamber door is closed, and after a predetermined time, the power supply unit can supply power to the freezing heater and the motor again.

And a state unit electrically connected to the control unit and sensing a state of the ice tray.

The state unit may sense a water supply change in the ice tray.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: an ice making chamber including a door for opening and closing a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment; An ice maker disposed in the ice making chamber; And a refrigerator control unit for controlling operation of the refrigerator, wherein the ice-maker includes: an ice tray having a plurality of ice-making spaces for receiving iced water; A freezing heater provided under the ice tray; An ejector for releasing ice in the ice tray; And a control box disposed on one side of the ice tray and including a motor for rotating the ejector and a power supply unit for supplying power to the ice-making heater, wherein the refrigerator control unit controls the opening / closing of the door or the ice- Thereby controlling the power supply unit.

A signal depending on whether the ice heater and the ejector are driven may be transmitted to the refrigerator controller.

And a state part electrically connected to the refrigerator control part and sensing the state of the ice tray.

The state part senses a water supply change in the ice tray, and a signal of the water supply change can be transmitted to the refrigerator control part.

The refrigerator control unit may control whether the ice-free water is supplied according to the signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same, wherein the door or ice tray door is opened to stop the ice making operation of the ice maker.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker and a refrigerator including the ice maker, wherein when the door or the ice making chamber door is opened, the ice making operation of the ice maker is stopped to prevent ice sticking and ice escape.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker and a refrigerator including the ice maker, wherein when the door or the ice making chamber door is opened, the ice making operation of the ice maker is interrupted to prevent an image caused by the ice maker.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker and a refrigerator including the ice maker, wherein power can be selectively supplied to the ice maker when the door or the ice tray door is closed to minimize power consumption.

1 is a view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing an icemaker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a process of maintaining or shutting off a power supply according to whether a door or an ice tray door is opened or closed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, this is an exemplary embodiment only and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. The following terms are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and may be changed according to the intention or custom of the user, the operator, and the like. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

The technical idea of the present invention is determined by the claims, and the following embodiments are merely a means for efficiently describing the technical idea of the present invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

The ice maker 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be included in a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment.

1 is a view showing a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator 1 may include a refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment, a refrigerator compartment door 2, and a freezer compartment door 4.

First, in the refrigerator 1, the refrigerator compartment may be disposed above the freezer compartment. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment may be disposed on the left and right sides, respectively, or the refrigerating compartment may be disposed on the lower side of the freezing compartment.

A refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a case where a refrigerating chamber is disposed above a freezing chamber.

A refrigerator compartment door 2 and a freezer compartment door 4 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, respectively. Handles 6 and 8 may be mounted on the front surfaces of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, respectively.

In addition, it may include a first opening / closing sensing unit (not shown) for sensing the opening or closing of the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the freezer compartment door 4. The first opening and closing sensing part may be provided in the refrigerator compartment door (2) or the freezing compartment door (4). The first opening and closing sensing unit according to an embodiment of the present invention may be a sensing unit provided in the refrigerator door 2 to sense the opening and closing of the refrigerator compartment door 2. [

The ice making chamber 200 may be disposed in the refrigerator door 2. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the ice making chamber 200 may be disposed at one side of the refrigerator or the refrigerator. In the present invention, a case where the ice making chamber 200 is disposed in the refrigerator door 2 will be described.

The ice making chamber 200 may include an ice maker 100 for making ice, an ice making chamber door 210 for opening and closing the ice making chamber 200, and an ice bin 220 for storing ice. In addition, the ice making chamber 200 may include a second opening / closing sensing unit 230 for sensing the opening / closing of the ice making chamber door 210. The first opening and closing sensing part and the second opening and closing sensing part 230 are electrically connected to the control part 120 so that the sensing result of at least one of the first opening and closing sensing part and the second opening and closing sensing part 230 is transmitted to a control part 120 so that the operation of the ice maker 100 can be controlled.

A wireless communication unit may be provided to connect the first opening and closing sensing unit and the second opening and closing sensing unit 230 and the controller 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Since the first opening and closing sensing part is provided in the refrigerator door 2 and the second opening and closing sensing part 230 is provided in the ice making chamber door 210 and the control part 120 is provided in the control box 110, The sensing unit, the second opening / closing sensing unit 230, and the controller 120 may be wirelessly connected.

2 and 3 are views showing an ice maker 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 3, the icemaker 100 may include an ice tray 102, an ejector 104, and a control box 110.

The ice tray 102 may have an ice-making space for receiving water therein. A plurality of partition walls are formed in the ice tray 102 to divide the ice-making space into a plurality of spaces. At this time, each separated ice-making space in the ice tray 102 may be formed corresponding to the ejector pin 104-2 of the ejector 104. [ The inner circumferential surface of the ice tray 102 may be provided in a semicircular shape having a radius corresponding to the length of the ejector pin 102-2 so that the ejector pin 104-2 can rotate and freeze the ice.

The ejector 104 can serve to freeze the ice in the ice tray 102. The ejector 104 includes an ejector shaft 104-1 connected to the motor 130 in the control box 110 and a plurality of ejector pins 104-2 spaced apart from each other on the ejector shaft 104-1 . The ejector pin 104-2 can be rotated around the ejector shaft 104-1 to allow ice in the ice tray 102 to be released.

The ice-making heater 108 may be provided under the ice tray 102. At this time, the ice-making heater 108 may be provided in surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the ice tray 102. The heating heater 108 can generate heat over a predetermined area. The deicing heater 108 may be made of one of a sheath heater, a cord heater, and an area heater. Alternatively, it may be a form in which the coat heater is insulated by a planar insulator. The heating heater 108 can be made thin. By making the ice-making heater 108 thin and reducing the heat capacity of the ice-making heater 108, the ice-making heater 108 can be quickly raised to a predetermined temperature. In this case, power consumption of the heating heater 108 can be reduced.

The control box 110 may be coupled to the ice tray 102 at one side of the ice tray 102. The control box 110 may be provided with a controller 120 for controlling the operation of the ice maker 100. In addition, the control box 110 may be provided with a motor 130 for rotating the ejector 104. The control box 110 may be provided with a motor 130 and a power supply unit 140 for supplying power to the heating heater 108. The power supply unit 140 can maintain or interrupt the supply of power depending on whether the ice making chamber door 210 is open or closed. This will be described later.

Here, the controller 120 can control the on / off operation of the ice-making heater 108 according to the rotational position of the ejector 104 or the elapsed time of operation of the ejector 104, for example. Specifically, the controller 120 can operate the ice-making heater 108 when the temperature of the ice tray 102 reaches the set ice-making temperature (that is, the temperature at which the ice-making water in the ice tray 102 is filled).

Next, the control unit 120 rotates the ejector 104 to start the ice in the ice tray 102.

The control box 110 may include a state part (not shown) electrically connected to the control part 120 and sensing the state of the ice tray 102. The state unit can sense various states in the ice tray 102. For example, it is possible to sense a state in which ice-making water is supplied to the ice tray 102, a state in which ice-making water is iced in the ice tray 102, or a state in which ice-making is completed. However, the state unit according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in the case of sensing the water supply change in the ice tray 102. That is, it is possible to sense the supply of the ice-making water to the ice tray 102 and the state of the ice-making water. For example, the state of the ice-making water may include a state in which water or icing water is supplied to ice.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a process of maintaining or shutting off the power supply depending on whether the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice-making compartment door 210 is opened or closed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The supply of power to the motor 130 driving the ice-maker heater 108 and the ejector 104 according to whether the door 2 or the ice-making chamber door 210 is opened or closed according to an embodiment of the present invention is maintained or maintained Can be blocked.

Specifically, the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice-making compartment door 210 can be opened by the user. The first opening and closing sensing part senses the opening of the ice making chamber door 210 and the refrigerating chamber door 2 and the second opening and closing sensing part 230 can detect the opening of the ice making chamber door 210 and at least one sensed result can be transmitted to the controller 120 . The control unit 120 may control the supply of power through at least one of the first opening / closing sensing unit and the second opening / closing sensing unit 230. At the same time, the state unit (not shown) can sense the state in the ice tray 102. For example, the ice making water in the ice tray 102 may be iced to generate ice, and the ice making heater 108 and the ejector 104 may be driven to freeze the ice.

The controller 120 controls the operation of the ice heater 108 and the ejector 104 when the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice tray door 210 is opened when the ice in the ice tray 102 is removed. can do. That is, the control unit 120 causes the power supply unit 140 to cut off the supply to the motor 130 for driving the ice-maker heater 108 and the ejector 104. Accordingly, the ice-making heater 108 and the ejector 104 can be stopped. When the door 2 or the ice-making chamber door 210 is opened when the ice in the ice tray 102 is removed, the power supply unit 140 cuts off the power supply to the ice-making heater 108 and the motor 130, The driving of the ejecting heater 108 and the ejector 104 can be stopped.

When the ice heater 108 and the ejector 104 are driven, the ice in the ice tray 102 can be released and can be moved to the ice bin 220. In this case, when the ice making chamber door 210 is opened, since the temperature of the ice making chamber 200 is raised because the power is supplied to the ice making heater 108 in order to take out the ice, The driving of the heating heater 108 may be interrupted.

In addition, as the ejector 104 moves the ice, a pinch may occur between the ejector 104 and the ice-ice guide portion (not shown), or the ice may be removed while being moved. As a result, the ice making can not be performed until the ice sticking is resolved. Accordingly, when the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice tray door 210 is opened, the controller 120 can control the power supply of the power supply unit 140 according to the state of the ice tray 102.

Further, after the predetermined time, the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice tray door 210 is closed and the power supply unit 140 can supply power for driving the ice heater 108 and the ejector 104 again. Here, the predetermined time may be about 10 seconds or less. This is because the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice-making compartment door 210 can be opened again by the user. The control unit 120 outputs the control signal (the driving signal of the ice heater 108 and the ejector 104) to the ejector (not shown) when the opening of the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice tray door 210 is not sensed for a predetermined period of time 104 to the power supply unit 140 for driving.

The power supply unit 140 supplies power to the heating heater 108 and the motor 130 again. So that the ejector 104 can be rotated to complete the icing of the ice. Thus, when the ice-making is completed, the ice-making water is supplied into the ice tray 102 again.

When the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice-chamber door 210 is opened, the power supplied to the ice-maker heater 108 and the ejector 104 is stopped, Not only the temperature rise can be minimized, but also the risk of burning of the user can be prevented. Further, it is needless to say that the power consumption consumed in the deicing can be reduced. It is also possible to prevent the phenomenon of ice stuck and the dislodgement of ice as the ice moves.

In addition, the power supply unit 140 can selectively supply the power of the heating heater 108 during the freezing period. Here, the idling period may mean a period of time until ice in the ice tray 102 is completely ice-cooled and ice in the ice tray 102 is released. For example, as described above, when the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice-making compartment door 210 is opened, the power supply unit 140 stops power supply to the ice-maker heater 108, When the ice chamber door 210 is closed, the power supply unit 140 supplies power again to the freezing heater 108.

When the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice tray door 210 is closed, the power supply unit 140 can keep the power to the freezing heater 108 in a stopped state. This is because the ice tray 102 is sufficiently heated by the ice-making heater 108 to freeze the ice before the refrigerator-compartment door 2 or the ice-making chamber door 210 is opened, Power can be supplied to the ejector 104 to perform the ice-removing operation. As described above, by selectively supplying power to the heating heater 108, power consumption can be minimized while performing a freezing operation.

In the refrigerator 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention, a door 2 for opening and closing a refrigerating or freezing compartment, an ice making chamber 200 including an ice making chamber door 210, And a refrigerator control unit (not shown) for controlling the operation of the ice maker 100 and the refrigerator 1. The ice maker 100 includes an ice tray 102 having a plurality of ice- An ice tray 108 provided below the tray 102, an ejector 104 for releasing ice in the ice tray 102 and a motor 130 for rotating the ejector 104 And a power supply unit 140 for supplying electric power to the ice-making heater 108 and the ice-making heater 108. The refrigerator control unit controls the operation of the electric power supplying unit 140 depending on whether the door 2 or the ice- (140).

The description of the configuration corresponding to the foregoing embodiment will be omitted. A signal by whether the ice making heater 108 and the ejector 104 are driven may be transmitted to the refrigerator control unit depending on whether the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice making chamber door 210 is opened or closed.

Specifically, the refrigerator compartment door 2 or the ice-making compartment door 210 can be opened by the user. The first opening and closing sensing unit senses the opening of the ice making chamber door 210 and the at least one sensed result to the refrigerator control unit. The refrigerator control unit can control the driving of the ice heater 108 and the ejector 104. That is, the refrigerator control unit causes the power supply unit 140 to cut off the supply to the motor 130 for driving the moving heater 108 and the ejector 104, And the power supplied to the ejector 104 are stopped and the driving of the ejecting heater 108 and the ejector 104 can be stopped.

That is, the refrigerator control unit can control the power supply unit 140 to stop the driving of the ice-making heater 108 and the ejector 104 when the refrigerator door 2 or the ice-making chamber door 210 is opened. When the refrigerator door 2 or the ice tray door 210 is closed, the refrigerator control unit may supply power from the power supply unit 140 so that the ice-making heater 108 and the ejector 104 are driven again.

Accordingly, when the refrigerator door 2 or the ice-making chamber door 210 is opened, the refrigerator control unit stops the power supplied to the ice-maker heater 108 and the ejector 104, 200 can be minimized and the risk of burns of the user can be prevented. Further, it is needless to say that the power consumption consumed in the deicing can be reduced. It is also possible to prevent the phenomenon of ice stuck and the dislodgement of ice as the ice moves.

And a state part (not shown) electrically connected to the refrigerator control part and sensing the state of the ice tray 102. The state unit can sense various states in the ice tray 102. For example, it is possible to sense a state in which ice-making water is supplied to the ice tray 102, a state in which ice-making water is iced in the ice tray 102, or a state in which ice-making is completed. However, the state unit according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in the case of sensing the water supply change in the ice tray 102. The state part senses the water supply change in the ice tray 102, and a signal of the water supply change can be transmitted to the refrigerator control part. Accordingly, the refrigerator control unit can supply ice-making water to the ice tray 102 so that ice in the ice tray 102 is released and ice-making is started. That is, the refrigerator control unit can control whether or not to supply the icemaking water with a signal for supplying the ice-making water through the water-feeding valve. Accordingly, the refrigerator control unit can control whether or not the deicing water is supplied according to the signal (the water supply valve opening / closing signal).

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. I will understand. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, but should be determined by equivalents to the appended claims, as well as the appended claims.

1: Refrigerator
2: Refrigerator door
4: Freezer door
100: Ice machine
102: Ice tray
104: Ejector
104-1: Ejector shaft
104-2: Ejector pin
108: Ice heater
110: control box
120:
130: motor
140: Power supply
200: Ice making room
210: The ice tray door
220: ice bin
230: second opening / closing sensing part

Claims (13)

1. An ice maker included in a refrigerator including a door for opening and closing a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment,
An ice tray having a plurality of ice-making spaces for accommodating ice-making water;
A freezing heater provided under the ice tray;
An ejector for releasing ice in the ice tray; And
And a control box disposed at one side of the ice tray and including a control unit for controlling the operation of the ice maker, a motor for rotating the ejector, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the ice-
Wherein the control unit controls the power supply unit depending on whether the door or the ice making chamber for opening and closing the ice making chamber in which the ice-maker is located is opened or closed.
The method according to claim 1,
And a second opening / closing sensing part electrically connected to the control part and sensing a opening or closing of the door, and a second opening / closing sensing part sensing opening / closing of the ice making door.
The method of claim 2,
And a sensing result of at least one of the first opening / closing sensing unit and the second opening / closing sensing unit is transmitted to the control unit.
The method of claim 2,
Wherein the control unit controls whether the power is supplied through at least one of the first opening / closing sensing unit and the second opening / closing sensing unit.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein when the ice in the ice tray is unloaded, the door or the ice tray door is opened, the power supply unit interrupts power supply to the ice heater and the motor, and stops driving the ice heater and the ejector.
The method according to claim 1,
The door or the ice-making chamber door is closed, and after a predetermined time, the power supply unit supplies power to the freezing heater and the motor again.
The method according to claim 1,
And a state part electrically connected to the control part and sensing a state in the ice tray.
The method of claim 7,
And the state part senses a water supply change in the ice tray.
In the refrigerator,
A door for opening and closing the freezing compartment or the freezing compartment,
An ice making chamber including an ice making chamber door;
An ice maker disposed in the ice making chamber; And
And a refrigerator control unit for controlling the operation of the refrigerator,
The ice-
An ice tray having a plurality of ice-making spaces for accommodating ice-making water;
A freezing heater provided under the ice tray;
An ejector for releasing ice in the ice tray; And
And a control box disposed on one side of the ice tray and including a motor for rotating the ejector and a power supply unit for supplying power to the ice-
Wherein the refrigerator control unit controls the power supply unit according to whether the door or the ice making chamber door is opened or closed.
The method of claim 9,
And a signal by whether the ice-making heater and the ejector are driven is transmitted to the refrigerator control unit.
The method of claim 9,
And a state part electrically connected to the refrigerator control part and sensing a state in the ice tray.
The method of claim 11,
Wherein the state part senses a water supply change in the ice tray and a signal of the water supply change is transmitted to the refrigerator control part.
The method of claim 12,
And the refrigerator control unit controls whether or not the iced water is supplied according to the signal.

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