KR20200038106A - Ice maker and Refrigerator having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a control method of an ice maker, including: a first water supply step of supplying water to a tray; a step of cooling water to make ice; a second water supply step of supplying water to the tray in which ice is made; and a step of making ice in a state in which water and ice are mixed.

Description

Ice maker and refrigerator including same {Ice maker and Refrigerator having the same}

The present invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same, and more particularly, to an ice maker capable of providing transparent ice in a spherical shape and a refrigerator including the same.

When water is frozen, if supercooling occurs, phase change occurs rapidly and opaque ice occurs. Supercooling refers to a state in which no phase change occurs at a temperature below the freezing point and no latent heat is released. When ice is frozen in the freezer, opaque ice is easily observed. This is the result of the supercooled water becoming cloudy due to the rapid phase change. In order to control the transparency of ice, it is important to control the supercooling. In order to make transparent ice, a method to prevent or prevent supercooling is required.

It is difficult to find a technology that considers supercooling of water in relation to ice making in a general refrigerator. This is thought to be because the development of ice-making technology was focused on ice-making speed rather than ice quality.

The most widely used method for reducing supercooling is the addition of a nucleation agent. The nucleating agent may lower the supercooling degree of the material through the effect of lowering the nucleation barrier and reducing the crystallization time.

However, this supercooling-related technology is difficult to apply to the production of ice for food and beverage. The use of nucleating agents is subject to several limitations in the manufacture of ice for food and beverage, and is sometimes inappropriate. In the extension of water intake, ice containing additives that are not clean and pure ice can be a source of objection to consumers.

In addition, it is expected that it will be very difficult to find an additive that is harmless to the human body while having the effect of preventing the supercooling, and the nucleating agent must be stored in the refrigerator and injected during ice making.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, the present invention is to provide an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same that can quickly escape the supercooling phenomenon even if a supercooling phenomenon does not occur or a supercooling phenomenon occurs.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in order to cancel supercooling of water, the supercooling state is determined by using the temperature of the tray, and when it is determined that the supercooling is determined, the supercooling state is canceled by rotating the lower tray at an angle. At this time, it is preferable that the rotational angle of the lower tray should be selected and performed so that water does not overflow. The rotation of the tray can be performed repeatedly while the supercooling is canceled. When the temperature of the tray suddenly rises, it can be determined that the supercooling has been canceled and the tray stops rotating and returns to the initial ice-making position.

In another embodiment of the present invention, by adding a small groove through which the crystal nuclei, which are frozen when the supercooling is canceled, can be transferred to the cell-to-cell partition wall, the supercooling cancellation generated in one cell can propagate to the other cells.

In another embodiment of the present invention, after the tray is cooled, water is supplied to the tray, so that water in contact with the tray is not supercooled and ice can be generated. That is, crystal nuclei are activated through contact of the surface of the cooled tray with water, and ice may be formed along the contact surface.

In another embodiment of the present invention, in order to produce transparent ice, the water is divided to form ice cubes in the primary water supply, and the remaining water is iced in the watered state. Since the nuclei are activated by using ice in water initially supplied in a small amount, supercooling may not occur. Since the amount of water initially supplied is small, ice can be generated faster than the method of supplying water all at once. Therefore, the situation in which supercooling occurs is quickly terminated or the supercooling does not occur.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method for stimulating supercooled water with sparks discharged at a high voltage, thereby generating freezing nuclei and energy imbalance to cancel supercooling. Supercooling is a phenomenon in which water is cooled to a stable state and remains at water even if it is lowered to a temperature below the freezing point. When spark is applied, it can be released from supercooling and converted into ice.

The present invention comprises the steps of measuring the time corresponding to 0 degrees Celsius by measuring the temperature of the tray by supplying water and cold air to an ice maker that freezes water and measuring the temperature of the tray by a tray temperature sensor; Measuring a time when the temperature additionally measured by the tray temperature sensor reaches a specific temperature; It provides a control method of an ice maker comprising; if the time reached is shorter than a specific time, determining that supercooling has occurred and generating sparks in the tray in which the water is stored.

It is also possible to further include; measuring the tray temperature again after generating the spark.

If the temperature measured again is equal to or lower than the previously measured temperature, it is possible to generate sparks again.

It is possible that the electrodes generating sparks are spaced apart from the upper surface of the water.

The tray may include an upper tray and a lower tray, and the electrode may be disposed to penetrate the opening of the upper tray.

In addition, a tray in which water is stored; A tray temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the tray; An electrode disposed to be spaced apart from the water; And a control unit that generates a high voltage spark at the electrode when it is determined that the water accommodated in the tray is in a supercooled state according to the temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor.

The electrode may be disposed to penetrate the opening of the tray so that the surface of the water is spaced apart.

It is possible that the electrode is disposed at the center of the opening of the tray.

The present invention comprises the steps of measuring the time corresponding to 0 degrees Celsius by measuring the temperature of the tray by supplying water and cold air to an ice maker that freezes water and measuring the temperature of the tray by a tray temperature sensor; Measuring a time when the temperature additionally measured by the tray temperature sensor reaches a specific temperature; It provides a control method of an ice machine comprising; if the time reached is shorter than a specific time, determining that supercooling has occurred and rotating the tray in which water is stored.

After rotating the tray, measuring the tray temperature again; it is possible to further include.

If the temperature measured again rises above the previously measured temperature, it is possible to stop the tray from rotating.

If the temperature measured again is equal to or lower than the previously measured temperature, it is possible to rotate the tray again.

The tray includes an upper tray and a lower tray, the upper tray is fixed, it is possible that only the lower tray is rotated.

In this case, the specific temperature may be 0 degrees or less.

The present invention is to block the flow path in the water supply valve for opening and closing the flow path for supplying water to the ice machine; Cooling water is supplied to the ice maker while water is not supplied to the ice maker, so that the ice maker is cooled; Opening a flow path in the water supply valve, and supplying water to the ice maker; It provides a method of controlling an ice maker comprising a; ice is supplied to the ice maker, the step of generating ice.

The ice maker includes an upper tray and a lower tray where ice is generated, and it is possible that any one of the upper tray and the lower tray is cooled in the step of cooling the ice maker.

In the cooling step, it is possible to cool any one of the upper tray and the lower tray to 0 degrees or less.

It is possible that the temperature of the water supplied to the ice maker is higher than the temperatures of the upper tray and the lower tray.

In the step of supplying the water, it is possible to supply the set amount of water without interruption.

In the ice generation step, it is possible to generate ice by supplying cold air without additional supply of water.

The present invention is a first water supply step of watering the tray; Cooling the water to produce ice; A second water supply step of supplying water to the ice-generated tray; Providing a control method of an ice maker comprising; generating water in a state where water and ice are mixed.

It is possible to further include a step of confirming whether ice has been formed before the second water supply step.

It is possible to determine that ice has been generated when the temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor is below a certain temperature.

When a predetermined time has elapsed after the first water supply step is completed, it is possible to determine that ice has been generated.

In the first water supply step and the second water supply step, it is possible to continuously supply cold air to the tray.

In the first water supply step, it is possible to supply less water than the second water supply step.

The present invention is an upper tray having a plurality of cells having a hemispherical shape; And a lower tray having a plurality of cells having a hemispherical shape, and having a communication hole connecting cells disposed adjacent to each other, wherein the upper tray and the lower tray are disposed to be rotatable with each other, and the upper side. When the tre and the lower tray are combined, when the plurality of cells are arranged to form a spherical shape, the communication hole provides an ice maker characterized by connecting each cell.

It is possible that the communication hole is disposed on the upper surface of the lower tray.

It is possible that the communication hole has a semi-circular cross section.

The communication hole may be disposed on an extension line connecting the centers of each of the cells of the hemispherical shape.

It is possible that the communication hole is disposed in the upper tray.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when supercooling occurs, supercooling may be canceled through rotation of the tray. Supercooling can be canceled by adding only the logic to rotate the tray without the need for a separate device for supercooling cancellation.

As a result of the experiment, supercooling that occurs near -3 ℃ does not significantly affect transparency, so it is possible to determine whether to overcool to -3 ℃ and if supercooling continues to occur after that, the supercooling can be canceled by rotating the tray.

Furthermore, it is possible to cancel the supercooling by continuously measuring the temperature of the tray and performing it repeatedly until the cancellation of the supercooling is confirmed.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, each cell can be connected to each other to transfer the effect of canceling supercooling in one cell to another cell. By forming a small groove between the partition walls between cells, if the supercooling is canceled from one side, it is transferred to the other cell, and eventually the supercooling may be canceled in all cells. As a result, it is possible to cancel the supercooling of all cells by canceling the supercooling of only one cell without having to cancel the supercooling of all cells in the tray.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is an appropriate and safe method for food and beverage by not adding foreign substances such as nucleating agents and other parts other than the tray during ice making, without contact with water and ice. There is no structure to consume or wear, so the effect does not deteriorate even after repeated operation. It is also a safe way to apply in the refrigerator. It has the advantage of not causing noise and vibration during operation, and does not cause inconvenience to adjacent users.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to cancel the supercooling at the initial stage where supercooling occurs, thereby providing transparent ice. In particular, it can be prevented from becoming opaque when the supercooling is canceled in a state where the difference is not more than 3 degrees from the freezing temperature.

1 is a view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a refrigerator in which an ice maker is installed.
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a front view showing an ice maker.
5 is an exploded perspective view of the ice maker.
6 to 11 are views showing a state in which some components of the ice maker are combined.
12 and 13 are views for explaining the process of water supply to the ice maker.
14 is a view for explaining the process of being iced in the ice machine.
15 is a control block diagram according to an embodiment.
16 is a view illustrating a process of canceling supercooling according to an embodiment.
17 is a view showing a lower tray and related parts according to another embodiment.
18 is a plan view of FIG. 17;
19 is a view for explaining an ice making method according to another embodiment.
20 is a view for explaining an ice making method according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention capable of specifically realizing the above object will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In this process, the size or shape of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description. In addition, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. Definitions of these terms should be made based on the contents throughout this specification.

1 is a view illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a refrigerator in which an ice maker is installed.

As shown in Figure 1 (a), the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of doors (10, 20, 30) for opening and closing the storage room. The door (10, 20, 30) includes a door (10, 20) for opening and closing the storage chamber in a rotating manner and a door (30) for opening and closing the storage chamber in a sliding manner.

1 (b) is a sectional view seen from the rear of the refrigerator, and the refrigerator cabinet 14 may include a refrigerator compartment 18 and a freezer compartment 32. The refrigerator compartment 14 is disposed on the upper side, and the freezer compartment 32 is disposed on the lower side, so that each storage compartment can be individually opened and closed by each door. Unlike the present embodiment, the present invention is applicable to a refrigerator in which a freezer compartment is disposed on the upper side and a refrigerator compartment is disposed on the lower side.

The freezer compartment 32 may have an upper space and a lower space separated from each other, and the lower space is provided with a drawer 40 capable of drawing in and out of the space. The freezer compartment 32 may be provided to be separated into two spaces, even if it can be opened and closed by one door 30.

An ice maker 200 capable of manufacturing ice may be provided in an upper space of the freezer 32. An ice bucket 600 in which ice produced by the ice maker 200 is dropped and stored may be provided below the ice maker 200. The user can take out the ice bucket 600 and use the ice stored in the ice bucket 600. The ice bucket 600 may be mounted on an upper side of a horizontal wall separating an upper space and a lower space of the freezer 32.

Referring to FIG. 2, the cabinet 14 is provided with a tuck 50 for supplying cold air to the ice maker 200. The duct 50 discharges the cold air supplied from the evaporator in which the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is evaporated, thereby cooling the ice maker 200. Ice may be generated inside the ice maker 200 by the cold air supplied to the ice maker 200.

In FIG. 2, the right side may be a rear portion of the refrigerator, and the left side may be a front portion of the refrigerator, that is, a portion in which the door is installed. At this time, the duct 50 is disposed at the rear of the cabinet 14 to discharge cold air toward the front of the cabinet 14. The ice maker 200 is disposed in front of the duct 50.

The outlet of the duct 50 is located on the ceiling of the freezer 32, so it is possible to discharge cold air to the upper side of the ice maker 200.

3 is a perspective view showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a front view showing an ice maker, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ice maker.

3A and 4A are views showing a bracket 220 for fixing the ice maker 200 to the freezer 32, and FIGS. 3B and 4B are views showing a state in which the bracket 220 is removed. Each component of the ice maker 200 is provided inside or outside the bracket 220, so that the ice maker 200 may constitute one assembly. Therefore, the ice maker 200 may be installed on the ceiling of the freezer 32.

A fill cup 240 is installed on an upper side of the inner side of the bracket 200. The pill cup 240 is provided with openings on the upper and lower sides, respectively, to guide water supplied to the upper side of the pill cup 240 to the lower side of the pill cup 240. The upper opening of the fill cup 240 is larger than the lower opening, thereby limiting the discharge range of water guided downward through the fill cup 240.

A water supply pipe through which water is supplied is installed at an upper side of the fill cup 240, so that water is supplied to the fill cup 240 and may be moved downward. The fill cup 240 may prevent water from being discharged from the water supply pipe from falling at a high position, thereby preventing water from splashing. Since the pill cup 240 is disposed below the water supply pipe, water is guided without splashing to the pill cup 240, and it is possible to reduce the amount of water splashed even if it is moved downward by the lowered height.

The ice maker 200 includes an upper tray 320 and a lower tray 380. The upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 may include a plurality of cells in which a plurality of ices can be generated. When the cells provided in the upper tray 320 and the cells provided in the lower tray 380 overlap, when water is supplied and cooled in a spherical shape, spherical ice may be generated.

The upper tray 320 is provided with openings on the upper and lower sides, respectively, so that water falling from the upper side of the upper tray 320 can be moved to the lower side.

An upper tray cover 340 is provided below the upper tray 320. The upper tray cover 340 has openings formed to correspond to respective cell shapes of the upper tray 320, and thus may be coupled to the lower surface of the upper tray 320.

The upper tray case 300 is coupled to the upper side of the upper tray 320 to maintain the appearance of the upper side of the upper tray 320. An upper heater case 280 is provided in the upper tray case 300. A heater is provided in the heater case 280 to supply heat to the top of the ice maker 200. The heater may be provided in a manner embedded in the heater case 280 or installed on one side.

The upper tray case 300 is provided with a guide groove 302 in which the upper side is inclined and the lower side is vertically extended. The guide groove 302 may be provided inside the member extending upwards of the tray case 300.

The guide protrusion 262 of the upper pusher 260 is inserted into the guide groove 302, and the guide protrusion 262 may be guided along the guide groove 302. The upper pusher 260 is provided with an extended portion 264 that is the same as the number of each cell of the upper tray 320, so as to push ice located in each cell.

The guide protrusion 262 of the upper pusher 260 is coupled to the pusher link 500. At this time, the guide protrusion 262 is coupled to the pusher link 500 so as to be rotatable, and when the pusher link 500 moves, the upper pusher 260 may also move along the guide groove 302.

The lower tray cover 380 is provided on the upper side of the lower tray 380 so that the appearance of the lower tray 380 can be maintained. The lower tray 380 forms a shape protruding upward so that a plurality of cells constituting a space in which each individual ice can be generated is distinguished. The lower tray cover 360 can wrap a cell protruding upward. have.

A lower tray case 400 is provided below the lower tray 380 to maintain a cell shape protruding to the lower portion of the lower tray 380. A spring 402 is provided on one side of the lower tray case 400.

A lower tray heater case 420 is provided below the lower tray case 400. A heater is provided on the lower tray heater case 420 to supply heat to the lower portion of the ice maker 200.

The ice maker 200 is provided with a motor unit 480 providing rotational force.

A through hole 282 is formed in an extension portion extending downward on one side of the upper tray case 300. A through hole 404 is formed in an extension portion extending on one side of the lower tray case 400. A shaft 440 penetrating the through hole 282 and the through hole 404 together is provided, and rotating arms 460 are provided at both ends of the shaft 440, respectively. The shaft 440 may be rotated by receiving rotational force from the motor unit 480.

One end of the rotating arm 460 is connected to one end of the spring 402, so that when the spring 402 is tensioned, the position of the rotating arm 460 may be moved to an initial value by a restoring force.

A motor and a plurality of gears may be coupled to each other in the motor unit 480.

The full ice sensing lever 520 is connected to the motor unit 480, and the full ice sensing lever 520 may be rotated by the rotational force provided by the motor unit 480.

The full ice sensing lever 520 may have a 'c' shape as a whole, and may include a part extending vertically at both ends and a horizontally arranged part connecting two parts extending vertically. One of the two parts extending vertically is coupled to the motor unit 480, and the other is coupled to the bracket 220, so that the full ice sensing lever 520 is rotated to the ice bucket 600. Stored ice can be detected.

The lower pusher 540 is provided on the inner lower side of the bracket 220. The lower pusher 540 is provided with a coupling piece 542 coupled to the bracket 220 and a plurality of extensions 544 installed on the coupling piece 542. The plurality of extensions 544 are provided to be the same as the number of the plurality of cells provided in the lower tray 380, so that ice generated in the cells of the lower tray 380 is separated from the lower tray 380. It performs the function of pushing to be possible.

The upper tray case 300 and the lower tray case 400 are rotatably coupled to each other with respect to the shaft 440, so that the angle may be changed around the shaft 440.

The upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are each made of a material that is easily deformed, such as silicon, so that when it is pressed by each pusher, it is instantaneously deformed so that the ice generated can be easily separated from the tray. .

6 to 11 are views showing a state in which some components of the ice maker are combined.

6 is a view illustrating a state in which the bracket 220, the peel cup 240, and the lower pusher 540 are combined. The lower pusher 540 is installed on the inner surface of the bracket 220, the extension portion of the lower pusher 540 is disposed so that the direction extending from the engaging piece 542 is not vertical but inclined downward.

7 is a view showing a state in which the upper heater case 280 and the upper tray case 300 are combined.

The upper heater case 280 may be disposed such that a horizontal surface is spaced downward from a lower surface of the upper tray case 300. The upper heater case 280 and the upper tray case 300 have openings corresponding to each cell of the upper tray 320 to allow water to pass through the upper side, and the shape of each opening is respectively It is possible to form a shape corresponding to the cell.

8 is a view showing a state in which the upper tray case 300, the upper tray 320, and the upper tray cover 340 are combined.

The tray cover 340 is disposed between the upper tray 320 and the upper tray case 300.

The upper tray case 300, the upper tray 320, and the tray cover 340 are combined as one module, so that the upper tray case 300, the upper tray 320, and the tray cover 340 ) Is arranged to be rotatable together as one member on the shaft 440.

9 is a view showing a state in which the lower tray 380, the lower tray cover 360, and the lower tray case 400 are combined.

With the lower tray 380 therebetween, the lower tray cover 360 is disposed on the upper side, and the lower tray case 400 is disposed on the lower side.

Each cell of the lower tray 380 has a hemispherical shape to form a lower portion of spherical ice.

10 is a view showing a state in which the lower tray cover 360, the lower tray 380, the lower tray case 400, and the lower heater case 420 are combined.

The lower heater case 420 is disposed on the lower surface of the lower tray case, and can fix a heater that supplies heat to the lower tray 380.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a state in which FIGS. 8 and 10 are combined, and the rotary arm 460, the shaft 440, and the pusher link 500 are combined.

One end of the rotating arm 460 is coupled to the shaft 440, and the other end is coupled to the spring 402. One end of the pusher link 500 is coupled to the upper pusher 260, and the other end is arranged to be rotated relative to the shaft 440.

12 and 13 are views for explaining a process of water supply to the ice maker.

12 is a view illustrating a process in which water is supplied while looking at the ice maker from the side, and FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a process in which water is supplied while looking at the ice maker from the front.

12A, the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and as shown in FIG. 12B, the lower tray 380 is rotated toward the upper tray 320. At this time, a portion of the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 overlap, but the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are completely engaged so that the inner space does not have a spherical shape.

As shown in Figure 12c, water is supplied into the tray through the fill cup 240. Since the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are not in a fully engaged state, a portion of water is passed out of the upper tray 320. However, since the lower tray 380 has a portion formed to surround the upper side of the upper tray 320 to be spaced apart, water does not overflow the lower tray 380.

FIG. 13 is a view for specifically explaining FIG. 12C, in which the state changes in the order of FIGS. 13A and 13B.

When water is supplied to the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 through the fill cup 240 as shown in FIG. 12C, the fill cup 240 is biased toward one side of the tray.

That is, the upper tray 320 is provided with a plurality of cells (322, 324, 326) for generating a plurality of independent ice. The lower tray 380 is also provided with a plurality of cells 382, 384, 386 for generating a plurality of independent ices. One spherical ice may be generated when cells disposed in the upper tray 320 and cells disposed in the lower tray 380 are combined.

In FIG. 13, the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are not completely engaged as in 12c so that water in each cell can move between cells, and the front side is opened.

As shown in FIG. 13A, when water is supplied to the upper side of the cells 322 and 382 located on the left side, water moves into the cells 322 and 382. At this time, if the cell 382 located at the lower side is overflowed, water may be moved to the cells 384 and 486 located at the left side. Since the plurality of cells are not completely isolated from each other, when the water level in the cell rises above a certain level, the water can move to the surrounding cells and fill each cell with water.

When the predetermined water is supplied from the water supply valve disposed in the water supply pipe provided outside the ice maker 200, the flow path may be closed to prevent water from being supplied to the ice maker 200 any more.

14 is a view for explaining the process of being iced in the ice maker.

Referring to FIG. 14, when the lower tray 380 is further rotated counterclockwise based on the drawing in FIG. 12C, the upper tray 320 has a lower tray 380 and a cell as shown in FIG. 14A. It can be arranged to form a shape. The lower tray 380 and the upper tray 320 may be completely combined and disposed to separate water in each cell.

When cold air is supplied for a predetermined time in the state of FIG. 14A, ice is generated in the cells of the tray. While the water is changed to ice by cold air, the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are engaged with each other, as shown in FIG. 14A, so that water is not moved.

When ice is generated in the cells of the tray, as shown in FIG. 14B, while the upper tray 320 is stopped, the lower tray 380 is rotated clockwise.

At this time, since the ice has its own weight, it may fall from the upper tray 320. In this case, ice may be prevented from adhering to the upper tray 320 while the upper pusher 260 descends on the upper tray 320.

Since the lower tray 380 supports the lower portion of the ice, even when the lower tray 380 is moved in a clockwise direction, ice is held in the lower tray 380. As shown in FIG. 14B, ice may be attached to the lower tray 380 even when the lower tray 380 is rotated to a degree exceeding a vertical angle.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower pusher 540 deforms the bottom of the lower tray 380, and the adhesive force between ice and the lower tray 380 is weakened as the lower tray 380 is deformed, so that ice is lowered. It may fall off the tray 380.

Thereafter, ice is not shown in FIG. 14, but may be dropped into the ice bucket 600.

15 is a control block diagram according to an embodiment.

15, an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a tray temperature sensor 700 for measuring the temperature of the upper tray 320 or the lower tray 380.

The temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor 700 is transmitted to the control unit 800.

The control unit 800 may control the motor unit 520 to control the motor to rotate in the motor unit 520.

The control unit 800 may control the water supply valve 740 that opens and closes the flow path of water supplied to the ice maker 200, so that water is supplied to the ice maker 200 or supply is stopped.

When the motor unit 520 is operated, the lower tray 380 or the full ice sensing lever 520 may be rotated.

A first heater 430 is provided on the lower heater case 420. The first heater 430 may be disposed in the lower heater case 420 to supply heat. Since the first heater 430 is disposed under the tray, it may mean a lower heater.

A second heater 290 is provided on the upper heater case 280. The second heater 290 may be disposed on the upper heater case 280 to supply heat. Since the second heater 290 is disposed on the upper portion of the tray, it may mean an upper heater.

Power may be supplied to the first heater 430 and the second heater 290 according to the command of the control unit 800 to generate heat.

16 is a view illustrating a process of canceling supercooling according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, after water is supplied to the ice maker 200, cold air is supplied to the ice maker 200 through a duct 50.

The temperature is measured by the tray temperature sensor 700 while ice is generated in the tray.

When the temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor 700 falls to 0 degrees Celsius and then decreases to -3 ° C within a certain time, it may be determined that supercooling occurs. That is, the controller 700 determines that supercooling occurs when the temperature of the tray drops to 0 degrees and then drops to 3 degrees below zero at a relatively high speed.

At this time, the control unit 800 rotates the lower tray 380. That is, in the state in which the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are engaged with each other as shown in FIG. 16A, the lower tray 380 is rotated clockwise as shown in FIG. 16B, so that the upper tray 320 and the One end of the lower tray 380 may be configured to be spaced apart. Therefore, as the movement occurs in the water accommodated in the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380, supercooling may be canceled.

Then, the lower tray 380 is returned to the position as shown in Figure 16a after rotating to a certain angle.

After the lower tray 380 rotates, when the temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor 700 rises to -3 ° C or higher, it is determined that the supercooling has been canceled and may not rotate any more.

Meanwhile, even after rotating the lower tray 380, if the temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor continues to drop, it may be determined that supercooling has not been canceled and the lower tray 380 may be further rotated.

17 is a view showing a lower tray and related parts according to another embodiment, and FIG. 18 is a plan view of FIG. 17.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, in another embodiment, a communication hole 390 connecting each cell 382, 384, 386 of the lower tray is provided.

The communication hole 390 connects each of the cells 382, 384, and 386 with the cells 382, 384, and 386 provided adjacent to the cells. Although it is not easy for water to freely move between each of the cells 382, 384, and 386 through the communication hole 390, each cell 382, 384, and 386 is formed because the communication hole 390 exists. It is not completely isolated.

When the supercooling is canceled in any one of the cells 382, 384, and 386, the effect that the supercooling is also canceled to the other cells of the cells 382, 384, and 386 through the communication hole 390 can be continuously generated. have.

Since the plurality of cells 382, 384, and 386 can all achieve the same effect as a container through the communication hole 390, the effect of canceling the supercooling can be transferred to other cells.

The communication hole 390 is provided to be smaller than the size of the cells 382, 384, and 386, and the cross-section can form a semicircle or polygonal shape. The communication holes 390 may be implemented such that each cell 382, 384, 386 is provided at a position adjacent to each other, so that the length of the communication hole 390 can be shortened as much as possible.

The communication hole 390 may be connected to each cell 382, 384, 386 to have a straight line distance, so that the volume occupied by the lower tray 380 may be reduced. The communication hole 390 may be disposed on an extension line connecting the center of each of the hemispherical cells.

The communication hole 390 may be disposed on the upper surface of the lower tray. Each of the cells 382, 384, and 386 has a hemispherical shape as a whole, and when each cell is combined with a cell of the upper tray, it has a spherical shape as a whole. The upper surface of the lower tray 380 may mean a hemispherical upper surface constituting the cells 382, 384 and 386.

Since the communication hole 390 is not a passage for moving water between each of the cells 382, 384, and 386, the communication hole 390 may be formed to have a smaller size than a flow path for moving the water. The ice crystal nuclei generated when the supercooling is canceled in one of the cells 382, 384, and 386 through are propagated to other cells, so that the supercooling can be canceled in all the cells. When water is filled in the communication holes 390 and the cells 382, 384, and 386, the moment the supercooling is canceled in any one cell, such an effect is caused by the entire cell through each communication hole 390 ( 382, 384, 386). This is because the communication hole 390 is filled with water in the process of supplying water to the lower tray 380.

The communication hole 390 has a cross-sectional size such that it does not significantly deform the spherical ice, and may be separated from the spherical ice when the final ice is provided to the user. In the process of ice being iced, it falls to the ice bucket 600. At that time, the ice generated in the spherical ice due to the communication hole 390 is separated from the spherical ice, and the spherical ice can be maintained. have.

On the other hand, when the cold air is supplied to the ice maker 200 in the state where the lower tray 380 and the upper tray 320 are completely coupled to each other, the communication holes 390 are provided with respective cells 382, 384, and 386. Keep connected to each other.

Unlike FIGS. 17 and 18, the communication hole 390 may be disposed in the upper tray 320 rather than the lower tray 380. Also, the communication hole 390 may be simultaneously disposed in the lower tray 380 and the upper tray 320.

Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 15.

In another embodiment, after the temperature of the tray is lowered, water is supplied to produce a small amount of ice to prevent overcooling.

15, in another embodiment, cold air is supplied to the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 through the duct 50. At this time, water is not supplied to the lower tray 380.

That is, since the flow path is not opened in the water supply valve 740, water is not supplied to the ice maker 200. In this state, since the cold air is supplied to the ice maker 200 through the duct 50, the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are cooled. That is, since the lower tray 380 is cooled in a state in which no water is stored, the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 may be cooled to 0 degrees or less faster than the state in which water is present.

The temperature of the upper tray 320 or the lower tray 380 is measured through the tray temperature sensor 700. At this time, it is determined whether the temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor 700 is lower than the set temperature.

At this time, the set temperature is preferably 0 degrees or less. For example, although it may mean below 10 degrees Celsius, it is preferable to keep below 0 degrees because ice may be formed at a temperature below 0 degrees Celsius.

When the temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor 700 is lower than the set temperature, the flow path may be opened in the water supply valve 740 to supply water to the lower tray 380. Since the temperature of the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 is considerably low, the temperature may drop faster as the supplied water exchanges heat with the upper tray 320 or the lower tray 380. Therefore, as ice is generated faster, ice may be generated without going through a supercooling state.

In this embodiment, the tray is cooled by cooling air before supplying water to the tray. Since the water is not supplied, the temperature of the tray is lowered relatively quickly. If water is supplied while the temperature of the tray is sufficiently low, the water is cooled rapidly and does not undergo supercooling, or it quickly escapes from supercooling and becomes ice. Change can be made.

After the tray has cooled sufficiently, it starts to supply water. When water starts to be supplied, the water is advanced by a set amount without stopping the water supply. After the water supply is completed, cold air is continuously supplied to the tray to produce ice. While the ice is being produced, no additional water is supplied, and the initial supply amount is maintained, and cold air is supplied to finally produce ice.

19 is a view illustrating an ice making method according to another embodiment.

In another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 19.

In another embodiment, the water is primarily supplied to the tray, that is, the lower tray 380, as in FIG. 19A. Then, as shown in FIG. 19B, cold air is supplied to the tray to cool the water to generate ice. At this time, the tray temperature sensor 700 may measure the temperature of the tray or determine whether a specific time has elapsed to detect whether ice is frozen.

When it is determined that ice is frozen, water is supplied to the lower tray 380 in which ice is generated, as in 19c. Then, since the density of water is greater than that of ice, as shown in FIG. 19D, ice rises and water descends.

In this state, when cold air is supplied to the ice maker 200 and cooled, crystallization proceeds around ice that has already been generated. Therefore, in the process of generating ice after the second water supply, the supercooling of water does not occur. Therefore, transparent ice can be produced.

To explain with a more specific example, water is supplied about 10 grams, and the ice maker is cooled. It is possible to detect whether the temperature of the tray measured by the tray temperature sensor 700 has reached 10 degrees Celsius or approximately 60 minutes has elapsed since the completion of the primary water supply. If one of the two conditions is satisfied, or both are satisfied, the water is supplied to the tray by secondary water supply. At this time, in the second water supply, sufficient water is supplied so that spherical ice can be generated from the tray, and no additional water supply is performed until the ice is discharged.

Cooling may be performed by supplying cold air to the ice maker through the duct 50 while further supplying water. When sufficiently cooled, the additionally supplied water is also cooled with ice, so that a spherical transparent ice can be provided to the user.

In this embodiment, since water is watered in stages, the initially supplied water can be rapidly cooled to ice, compared to the way in which water is watered at once to produce ice. In the process of freezing the ice by the additional water supply, when water is supplied in the presence of ice, supercooling is not performed, and thus, supercooling does not occur, so that transparent ice can be provided to the user. After the initially supplied water is converted to ice, since the ice functions as a crystal nucleus, the additionally supplied water is not supercooled, and a phase change can be made with ice.

Of course, instead of dividing and supplying water, it is also possible to generate transparent ice by supplying water while ice is initially added. It is possible that the phase change to ice is performed immediately without the supercooled state in the process of freezing water, since the ice injected initially performs the nucleation function.

On the other hand, the process of dividing water supply can be divided into a primary water supply for supplying water initially and a secondary water supply for supplying water later. At this time, in the second water supply, it is possible to supply more water than the first water supply, thereby generating ice faster in the first water supply.

In addition, it is also possible to implement such that the temperature of the ice maker may decrease in the process of supplying water by continuously supplying cold air to the ice maker in both the primary and secondary feedwaters.

20 is a view illustrating an ice making method according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 20, in the process of freezing ice while heating water by a heater, the cooling rate of water is slowed. Therefore, water is cooled slowly while forming a stable state, so supercooling can easily occur.

In the supercooled state, which is maintained in the liquid state below the freezing point, the time during which the supercooling is canceled and phase changes to ice is very short. When a phase change occurs due to a large temperature difference in a short time, there is a high possibility that opaque ice is generated because air cannot escape from the ice. Therefore, in order to make transparent ice, supercooling should not occur or supercooling must be canceled at the initial stage of supercooling. In this embodiment, supercooling may be canceled by generating spark nuclei and energy imbalance by applying sparks discharged at high voltage to water.

When a high voltage is applied between conductors that are not in contact with each other, air as an insulator loses insulation and a discharge phenomenon in which electric current flows into it occurs. The discharge spark generating device 900 may be configured using this phenomenon.

Since general water acts as a conductor, sparks may be generated on the surface of the supercooled cooling water by using a wire 910 connected to the discharge spark generator 900 and an electrode 920 connected to one end of the wire. The spark generated in the discharge spark generating device 900 is a method for effectively canceling supercooling by generating ice nucleation and energy imbalance in the supercooled water.

The discharge spark generating device 900 may be located in the control unit of the ice maker or in the refrigerator. Since the discharge spark must be applied to the upper surface of the exposed water, the electrode 920 is fixed adjacent to the position where the water is supplied so as to be insulated from the upper tray 320. At this time, the upper surface of the water and the exposed electrode 920 is maintained at a distance of 1 to 3 mm so as not to contact. In addition, the upper tray 320 and the exposed electrode 920 secure a distance of 5 mm or more so that the discharged spark does not occur in the upper tray 320. The electrode 920 is disposed at the center of the opening formed in the upper tray 320, and is disposed so as not to contact the opening.

When the temperature of the water is measured by the tray temperature sensor 700 and becomes a certain temperature (-3 ° C to -1 ° C) that is supercooled, a spark is generated at the electrode 920 once. If the temperature of the water is measured after an arbitrary time (for example, 5 minutes) and the supercooling is not canceled (0 ° C reached), it is possible to generate additional sparks until the supercooling is canceled. It can be determined by the temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor 700 that the supercooling has not been released.

The temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor 700 is similar to the temperature of water stored in the tray.

In addition, if the supercooling is not canceled, it is possible to continuously generate sparks at a specific cycle. At this time, the specific period may be an interval of 1 second, and may be an interval greater than that.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and as can be seen in the appended claims, modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

A first water supply step of watering the tray;
Cooling the water to produce ice;
A second water supply step of supplying water to the ice-generated tray;
A method of controlling an ice maker comprising; generating ice in a state where water and ice are mixed. According to claim 1,
And confirming whether ice has been generated before the second water supply step. According to claim 2,
A method of controlling an ice maker, characterized in that it is determined that ice is generated when the temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor is below a specific temperature. According to claim 2,
A control method of an ice maker, characterized in that it is determined that ice has been generated when a predetermined time has elapsed after the first water supply step is completed. According to claim 1,
A control method of an ice maker, wherein cold air is continuously supplied to a tray even in the first water supply step and the second water supply step. According to claim 1,
In the first water supply step, the control method of the ice maker, characterized in that a small amount of water is supplied compared to the second water supply step.

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