KR20210003537A - Ice maker and refrigerator including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are an ice maker having a simple structure to accurately detect full of ice stored in an ice box, and a refrigerator having the same. To this end, according to the present invention, the ice maker comprises: an ice tray having an ice-making groove formed thereon; an ice separation motor operated to separate the ice from the ice-making groove; a control box storing the ice separation motor therein and disposed on one end of the ice tray; a drain plate coupled to the control box and receiving moisture falling from the ice tray to discharge the moisture; and an optical sensor installed in the drain plate and sensing full of the ice separated from the ice-making groove to be stored in the ice box disposed on a lower side of the drain plate.

Description

Ice maker and refrigerator including the same {ICE MAKER AND REFRIGERATOR INCLUDING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same.

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance for storing food in a low-temperature state, and includes at least one of a refrigerator compartment for storing food in a refrigerated state and a freezer compartment for storing food in a frozen state.

The refrigerator may supply cold air to at least one of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber by using a refrigeration cycle in which a refrigerant circulates a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator.

In addition, an ice maker is installed in at least one of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber. The ice maker is a device that performs a function of manufacturing ice by receiving ice-making water.

The ice maker includes an ice tray in which an ice making groove is formed. After the ice-making water is supplied to the ice-making groove, ice may be generated by freezing the ice-making water supplied to the ice-making groove.

Methods of freezing the ice-making water supplied to the ice-making groove include a cold-cooled ice-making method and a direct-cooled ice-making method. The cold-cooled ice making method is a method of supplying cold air heat-exchanged with an evaporator of a refrigerator to a space in which the ice tray is disposed, and freezing the ice water supplied to the ice making groove by the cold air.

The direct cooling type ice making method is a method of freezing the ice-making water supplied to the ice making groove by the coolant by supplying a coolant that has passed through an expansion mechanism of a refrigerator to a coolant pipe installed in the ice tray.

On the other hand, when the ice making is completed in the ice making groove, ice is iced in the ice making groove through the ice making means and stored in the ice box.

The ice making method in the ice making groove is a twist method in which the ice fixed in the ice making groove is moved to the ice box by twisting the ice tray, and the ice making heater installed in the ice tray heats the ice tray. There is an ejector method in which the ice adhered to the groove is slightly melted and then the ice is pushed from the ice making groove into the ice box with an ejector.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0012238 (2019.02.08. Publication date) (hereinafter referred to as'conventional technology') discloses the ejector type'ice machine, ice-making module, and refrigerator including ice-making module'. have.

In the prior art, the ice made from the ice tray is iced by rotating an ejector, and the ice iced from the ice tray by the ejector is dropped and stored in a storage unit.

In addition, in the prior art, a full ice lever for detecting a state in which ice stored in the storage unit is full is provided.

When the ice maker of the prior art detects that the ice stored in the storage unit is filled, the ejector is prevented from being iced from the ice tray to the storage unit, even if ice is iced in the ice tray. Do not rotate.

However, in the ice maker of the prior art, since the ice maker has a mechanical structure driven by a cam installed in the control box, the weight of the ice maker is increased, and the ice maker malfunctions due to ice stored in the storage unit. There was a problem that could cause.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0012238 (2019.02.08. Publication date)

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ice maker capable of accurately detecting ice content stored in an ice box with a simple structure, and a refrigerator including the same.

The subject of the present invention is not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the ice maker according to the present invention is composed of an ice tray, an ice-breaking motor, a control box, a drain plate, and an optical sensor. An ice making groove is formed in the ice tray. The ice-breaking motor drives ice to be iced in the ice-making groove. The ebbing motor is accommodated in the control box. The control box is disposed at one end of the ice tray. The drain plate is coupled to the control box. The drain plate receives and discharges moisture falling from the ice tray. The optical sensor is installed on the drain plate. An ice box is disposed under the drain plate. The optical sensor detects the full ice of ice that is iced in the ice making groove and accommodated in the ice box.

At one end of the drain plate, a first sensor installation part protruding to one side may be formed. A second sensor installation part protruding to one side may be formed at the other end of the drain plate. The second sensor installation part may face the first sensor installation part. The optical sensor may include a light emitting part and a light receiving part. The light emitting part may be installed in any one of the first sensor installation part and the second sensor installation part. The light emitting unit may emit light. The light receiving unit may be installed on the other of the first sensor installation unit and the second sensor installation unit. The light receiving unit may receive light from the light emitting unit.

An opening may be formed in the control box. A cover portion covering the opening may be formed at one end of the drain plate. The first sensor installation part may form a part of the cover part.

The other end of the ice tray may have a locking shaft protruding toward one side. The other end of the drain plate may be provided with a locking portion that is caught on the locking shaft. The cover part may be bolted to the control box.

A refrigerant pipe may be installed in the ice tray. The refrigerant pipe may cool the ice tray. An ebbing heater may be installed in the ice tray. The ice-breaking heater may heat the ice tray. An anti-icing heater may be installed on the drain plate. The anti-icing heater may heat the drain plate.

A drain plate cover may be coupled to the drain plate. The drain plate cover may be disposed on a lower surface of the drain plate. The anti-icing heater may be disposed between the drain plate and the drain plate cover.

The anti-icing heater may be formed of a planar heater that generates heat by electricity.

The ebbing heater may be formed of a tubular heater that generates heat by hot gas flowing therein.

A circulation fan may be installed in the control box. A first air guide may be disposed on one side of the ice tray. A first air guide hole through which ambient air passes may be formed in the first air guide by rotation of the circulation fan. A second air guide may be disposed below the ice tray. A second air guide hole through which ambient air passes may be formed in the second air guide by rotation of the circulation fan.

The ice maker according to the present invention may further include an ejector. The ejector may be rotated in the circumferential direction by the driving force of the eaves motor. An eject pin may be formed on the circumferential surface of the ejector. When the ejector is rotated, the eject pin may move ice from the ice making groove.

A re-entry prevention plate may be disposed on the upper side of the ice tray. The re-inflow prevention plate may prevent re-inflow of ice iced from the ice-making groove into the ice-making groove. An eject pin passage hole through which the eject pin passes when the ejector rotates may be formed in the re-inflow prevention plate.

The refrigerator according to the present invention includes the ice maker.

Details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

The ice maker according to the present invention and the refrigerator including the same detect the ice box in full ice through an optical sensor installed on the drain plate, so that the structure of the ice maker is simplified and the ice box can be accurately detected in the ice box. It works.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is a view showing a refrigerator equipped with an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a side view schematically showing the ice maker shown in FIG. 1;
3 is a front perspective view showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a rear perspective view showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a cut-away perspective view showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention,
6 is an exploded perspective view showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a view showing a refrigerator equipped with an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an ice maker 100.

The refrigerator 1 may include a cabinet forming a storage compartment with an open front side and at least one door 8 and 9 opening and closing the opened front side of the storage compartment.

The storage compartment may include at least one of a refrigerator compartment for storing food in a refrigerated state and a freezing compartment for storing food in a frozen state. The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment is illustrated as including both the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, and the refrigerating compartment may be provided above the freezing compartment.

The doors 8 and 9 may include a refrigerating compartment door 8 for opening and closing the refrigerating compartment, and a freezing compartment door 9 for opening and closing the freezing compartment. The refrigerating compartment door 8 is provided in two pieces arranged left and right to each other, and the left refrigerating compartment door 8 can open and close the left, which is a part of the refrigerating compartment, and the right refrigerating compartment door 8, open and close the right, which is the rest of the refrigerating compartment I can.

The ice maker 100 may be installed in at least one of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber. In the refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment, an ice maker 100 may be installed in the upper left of the refrigerating compartment.

The ice maker 100 can receive ice-making water from the refrigerator 1, and can make the ice by turning the ice-making water into ice by cold air supplied to the storage compartment from the refrigeration cycle circuit of the refrigerator 1 have.

2 is a side view schematically showing the ice maker shown in FIG. 1.

1 and 2, an ice box 3 may be installed in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1. The ice box 3 may be disposed under the ice maker 100. The ice box 3 may be formed in a cylindrical shape with an open upper side. Ice made by the ice maker 100 may be iced from the ice maker 100 and then accommodated and stored in the ice box 3.

In the ice box 3, an auger 5 may be arranged. The auger 5 may be rotatably installed in the ice box 3 in the circumferential direction. Both ends of the auger 5 may be rotatably coupled to both sides of the ice box 3, respectively. A spiral groove may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the auger 5. When the auger 5 rotates, the ice stored in the ice box 3 may be transferred to the outside of the ice box 3 through the spiral groove.

An auger motor 7 may be disposed outside the ice box 3. The axis of rotation of the auger motor 7 may be connected to one end of the auger 5 through a coupler. The axis of rotation of the auger motor 7 and the auger 5 may be disposed coaxially. The auger 5 can be rotated by the driving force of the auger motor 7. The rotational force of the rotating shaft of the auger motor 7 can be transmitted to the auger 5. The auger 5 can be rotated simultaneously with the axis of rotation of the auger motor 7.

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

3 to 6, the ice maker according to the present invention may include an ice tray 10, an ice-breaking motor 20, a control box 30, a drain plate 40, and an optical sensor 51, 52. have.

An ice making groove 15 may be formed in the ice tray 10. The ice making groove 15 may be formed of a plurality of ice making grooves 15 spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the ice tray 10. The ice making groove 15 may be formed on the upper surface of the ice tray 10.

The control box 30 may be formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape. The control box 30 may be disposed at one end of the ice tray 10. One end of the ice tray 10 may be disposed on one side of the control box 30. The length of the ice tray 10 may extend horizontally from one side of the control box 30. A water supply unit 65 may be disposed at the other end of the ice tray 10. The water supply unit 65 may be formed on the ice maker cover 60 to be described later. The water supply unit 65 may be formed at one end far from the control box 30 of both ends of the ice maker cover 60. The water supply unit 65 may form a flow path for supplying ice-making water to the ice-making groove 15. Ice-making water may be supplied from the water supply unit 65 to the ice-making groove 15. The ice-making water supplied to the ice-making groove 15 may be cooled by cold air in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 and may be turned into ice.

The control box 30 may include a control box case 31 and a control box cover 32. The control box case 31 and the control box cover 32 may be formed in the shape of a square cylinder with open surfaces facing each other. After various internal parts including a gearbox 21, a fan housing 86, and a control unit 91, which will be described later, are installed in the control box case 31, the control box cover 32 is opened in the control box case 31. It can cover one side.

An ice maker cover 60 may be installed on the control box 30. The ice maker cover 60 may include a first ice maker cover part 61 covering the upper side of the control box 30. The ice maker cover 60 may include a second ice maker cover part 62 extending horizontally from the first ice maker cover part 61 to cover the upper side of the ice tray 10.

The first ice maker cover part 61 may be mounted on the upper surface of the control box 30. A fastening part 68 extending to the side of the control box 30 may be formed on the side of the first ice maker cover part 61, and the fastening part 68 is attached to the control box 30 through a screw 69. Can be fastened.

The second ice maker cover portion 62 may include an upper surface portion 62A, a first side portion 62B, and a second side portion 62C.

The upper surface portion 62A may face the upper surface of the ice tray 10. The upper surface portion 62A may be spaced upward from the upper surface of the ice tray 10. When the eject pin 26 to be described later removes ice from the ice making groove 15, the ice is outside of the ice maker 100 through the space between the upper surface 62A and the re-inflow prevention plate 83 to be described later. After exiting into, it is dropped into the ice box 3 and can be accommodated in the ice box 3.

The first side portion 62B may extend downward from the side surface of the upper surface portion 62A and may be vertically disposed together with the side rib 12 to be described later. When the ice maker 100 is installed in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, the first side portion 62B may be disposed close to the sidewall of the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 and may be installed on the sidewall of the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1. When the ice maker 100 is installed in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, the ice maker cover 60 may function to support components other than the ice maker cover 60 of the ice maker 100 from above.

The second side portion 62C may extend downward from one end far from the control box 30 of both ends of the ice maker cover 60. The second side portion 62C may be vertically disposed above the other end of the ice tray 10.

The ice maker cover 60 can prevent the inflow of foreign substances into the ice making groove 15, cover the ejector 25 to be described later to make the appearance beautiful, and the user's hand is an ejector formed on the circumferential surface of the ejector 25 Injury by the pin 26 can be prevented.

One end of the ice tray 10 may be disposed on one side of the control box case 31.

An eaves motor 20 may be accommodated in the control box 30. The ice-breaking motor 20 may drive ice so that ice is iced in the ice-making groove 15.

The ejector 25 may be disposed at a position spaced upward from the ice tray 10. The ejector 25 may be formed with a constriction extending in the horizontal direction from one side of the control box 30. The ejector 25 may be formed with a constriction extending in the horizontal direction from one side of the control box case 31. The ejector 25 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the ice tray 10.

One end of the ejector 25 may be rotatably installed on one side of the control box 30. One end of the ejector 25 may be rotatably installed on one side of the control box case 31. One end of the ejector 25 may be inserted into the control box 30.

The ejector 25 may be rotated in the circumferential direction by the driving force of the eaves motor 20. Eject pins 26 may protrude from the ejector 25. The eject pin 26 may be formed to protrude in the radial direction on the circumferential surface of the ejector 25. The eject pin 26 may be formed of a plurality of eject pins 26 spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the ejector 25. The plurality of eject pins 26 may be disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of ice making grooves 15.

When the ejector 25 is rotated, the eject pin 26 may be inserted into the ice making groove 15 to move ice from the ice making groove 15. Ice ravaged by the eject pin 26 in the ice making groove 15 may fall and be accommodated and stored in the ice box 3.

A re-inflow prevention plate 83 may be disposed on the upper side of the ice tray 10. The re-inflow prevention plate 83 may cover one side of the upper surface of the ice tray 10. The re-inflow prevention plate 83 may cover one side of the ice making groove 15 in the direction in which ice is taken out. The re-inflow prevention plate 83 may prevent re-inflow of ice that has been iced in the ice-making groove 15 by the eject pin 26 into the ice-making groove 15.

A pair of coupling ribs 83B may be formed on the lower surface of the re-entry prevention plate 83. A pair of coupling ribs (83B) is spaced apart from each other, the coupling groove (83C) may be formed between the pair of coupling ribs (83B).

In addition, a coupling rib 11 inserted into a coupling groove 83C may be formed to protrude upward at an upper end of one side of the ice tray 10. The coupling rib 11 is inserted into the coupling groove 83C, so that the re-entry prevention plate 83 may be installed on the ice tray 10. A side rib 12 may be formed to protrude upward on the top of the other side of the ice tray 10. The side rib 12 may be vertically disposed together with the first side portion 62B of the ice maker cover 60.

The re-inflow prevention plate 83 may have an eject pin passage hole 83A through which the eject pin 26 passes when the ejector 25 rotates. The eject pin through holes 83A may be formed of a plurality of eject pin through holes 83A spaced apart from each other along the length of the re-entry prevention plate 83. The eject pin passage hole 83A may also function as a hole through which cold air in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 passes. The eject pin through hole 83A allows cold air in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 to be easily supplied to the ice tray 10, so that ice-making in the ice making groove 15 can be easily performed.

A gearbox 21 may be installed in the control box 30. The gearbox 21 may be installed in the control box case 31. The eaves motor 20 may be installed on one side of the gearbox 21. A plurality of gears (not shown) may be installed in the gearbox 21. The plurality of gears may connect the rotation shaft of the eaves motor 20 and one end of the ejector 25. The plurality of gears may transmit the driving force of the eaves motor 20 to the ejector 25. The rotational force of the rotating shaft of the eaves motor 20 is transmitted to the ejector 25 by a plurality of gears, so that the ejector 25 may be rotated by the driving force of the eaves motor 20.

A refrigerant pipe 71 may be installed on the lower surface of the ice tray 10. The refrigerant pipe 71 may be a U-shaped center bent in the longitudinal direction. The refrigerant pipe 71 may cool the ice tray 10 by receiving a refrigerant from a refrigeration cycle circuit of the refrigerator 1. The refrigeration cycle circuit may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, and an evaporator, and the refrigerant pipe 71 may cool the ice tray 10 by receiving the refrigerant passing through the expansion mechanism. The refrigerant pipe 71 may cool the ice tray 10 so that the ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 is made faster than the ice-making water.

A pair of refrigerant pipe insertion ribs 13 may protrude on the lower surface of the ice tray 10. Each of the side portions of the refrigerant pipe 71 is partially inserted into a groove formed on the lower surface of the pair of refrigerant pipe insertion ribs 13, and thus may be installed in the ice tray 10.

An ice-breaking heater 72 may be installed on the lower surface of the ice tray 10. The eaves heater 72 may be a U-shaped tube whose center in the longitudinal direction is bent. Both ends of the ebbing heater 72 may be disposed in a direction opposite to both ends of the refrigerant pipe 71. Both ends of the eving heater 72 may be disposed in the control box 30. Both ends of the eving heater 72 may be disposed in the control box case 31. The ice-breaking heater 72 may heat the ice tray 10 by receiving a refrigerant from the refrigeration cycle circuit of the refrigerator 1. That is, the ice-breaking heater 72 may heat the ice tray 10 by receiving the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor. The eaves heater 72 may be formed of a tubular heater that generates heat inside by hot gas. The hot gas refrigerant that has passed through the compressor may flow in the ice-breaking heater 72.

After the ice making in the ice making groove 15 is completed, the ice making heater 72 heats the ice tray 10 to slightly melt the ice fixed in the ice making groove 15, and thereby the ice making groove ( In 15), you can make eaves easier.

Both side portions of the eaves heater 72 may be disposed outside both side portions of the refrigerant pipe 71. On the lower surface of the ice tray 10, a pair of ice heater insertion ribs 14 may be formed. Each of the both side portions of the ice-breaking heater 72 is partially inserted between the refrigerant pipe insertion rib 13 and the ice-breaking heater insertion rib 14, and thus may be installed in the ice tray 10. A groove may be formed on the lower surface of the pair of icebreaker insertion ribs 14 into which portions of both side portions of the icebreaker 72 are inserted, respectively.

A gasket 35 may be installed on one side of the control box 30. The gasket 35 may be installed on one side of the control box case 31. The gasket 35 may prevent hot gas from flowing out of the ice maker 100 from both ends of the ice maker 72.

The drain plate 40 may be coupled to the control box 30. The drain plate 40 may be coupled to the control box case 31. The drain plate 40 extends from one side of the control box 30 in a horizontal direction, and one end close to the control box 30 may be disposed to be inclined slightly higher in height than the other end. The drain plate 40 extends in a horizontal direction from one side of the control box case 31, and one end close to the control box case 31 may be disposed to be inclined slightly higher in height than the other end. Accordingly, moisture dropped from the ice tray 10 to the drain plate 40 may flow along the inclined surface of the drain plate 40 and be discharged to the outside of the drain plate 40.

The drain plate 40 may include a substantially rectangular lower surface and side surfaces extending upwardly from four sides of the lower surface. The drain plate 40 may be formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape with an open upper side.

The drain plate 40 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the ice tray 10 downward. The drain plate 40 may receive and discharge moisture falling from the ice tray 10. When ice-making water is oversupplied from the water supply unit 65 to the ice-making groove 15, the over-supplied ice-making water may fall from the ice tray 10 to the drain plate 40.

In addition, since the coolant pipe 71 and the ice-breaking heater 72 are installed on the lower surface of the ice tray 10, in the process of repeatedly cooling and heating the ice tray 10, the lower surface of the ice tray 10 After condensation of frost may change into moisture, the moisture generated in this way may fall to the drain plate 40.

The drain plate 40 is disposed between the ice tray 10 and the ice box 3 to prevent moisture falling from the ice tray 10 from flowing into the ice stored in the ice box 3. A drain portion 43 may protrude from the other end of the drain plate 40. A drain passage may be formed in the drain portion 43. Moisture that has fallen from the ice tray 10 to the drain plate 40 flows to the other end of the drain plate 40 by riding the inclined surface of the drain plate 40 and then passes through the drain plate 43 to the drain plate 40. Can be discharged to the outside.

An anti-icing heater 47 may be installed on the drain plate 40. The anti-icing heater 47 may heat the drain plate 40. Moisture falling from the ice tray 10 to the drain plate 40 may heat exchange with at least one of cold air in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 and the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe 71 to be frozen. When the ice that has fallen to the drain plate 40 is frozen, it may be difficult to discharge the moisture that has fallen to the drain plate 40. The anti-icing heater 47 may prevent freezing of moisture that has fallen from the ice tray 10 to the drain plate 40.

A drain plate cover 46 may be coupled to the drain plate 40. The drain plate cover 46 may be disposed on the lower surface of the drain plate 40. The anti-icing heater 47 may be disposed between the drain plate 40 and the drain plate cover 46.

Both sides of the drain plate 40 extend below the bottom surface of the drain plate cover 46, so that an empty space may be formed on the bottom surface of the drain plate cover 46, and the empty space is formed by the drain plate 40. Can be shielded. The anti-icing heater 47 may be in contact with the lower surface of the drain plate 40 and may be spaced upward from the drain plate cover 46.

It is preferable that the drain plate 40 is made of a material through which heat of the anti-icing heater 47 can be easily transferred. The drain plate 40 may be made of a metal material. The drain plate cover 46 is preferably made of a material capable of preventing heat from the ice box 3 from being transferred to the ice box 3. The drain plate cover 46 may be made of plastic.

The anti-icing heater 47 may be formed of a planar heater that generates heat by electricity.

A circulation fan 85 may be installed in the control box 30. The circulation fan 85 may be installed in the control box case 31. The circulation fan 85 may blow wind to the outside of the control box 30. At least one surface of the control box 30 may be formed with a blower port 32A through which wind generated by the rotation of the circulation fan 85 is blown from the control box 30 to the outside of the control box 30. The blower 32A may be formed in the control box cover 32. By the air blown out of the control box 30 through the ventilation opening 32A, the cold air in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 is smoothly circulated and moved to the ice tray 10, so that the ice-making water in the ice making groove 15 is quickly It can be made so that it can be made ice.

The circulation fan 85 may be installed in the fan housing 86, and the fan housing 86 may be installed in the control box 30. The fan housing 86 may be installed in the control box case 31.

A first air guide 81 may be disposed on one side of the ice tray 10. The first air guide 81 may extend horizontally from one side of the control box 30. The first air guide 81 may extend horizontally from one side of the control box case 31. The upper end of the first air guide 81 is coupled to one side of the re-entry prevention plate 83 and may extend downward. The first air guide 81 may be formed long in the longitudinal direction of the ice tray 10. The first air guide 81 may be integrally formed with the re-inflow prevention plate 83.

A first air guide hole 81A may be formed in the first air guide 81. The first air guide hole 81A may be formed of a plurality of first air guide holes 81A spaced apart from each other along the length of the first air guide 81. The air around the first air guide 81 passes through the first air guide hole 81A and moves to the ice tray 10 by rotation of the circulation fan 85, so that the ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 is rapidly It can be made to be made ice.

A second air guide 82 may be disposed under the ice tray 10. The second air guide 82 may extend horizontally from one side of the control box 30. The second air guide 82 may extend horizontally from one side of the control box case 31. The second air guide 82 may be formed to be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the ice tray 10.

The second air guide 82 may include a central portion 82B and both side end portions 82C, 82D, and 82E.

Both side ends 82C, 82D, 82E of the second air guide 82 are bent from the central part 82B of the second air guide 82, so that both side ends 82C, 82D, 82E of the second air guide 82 ) May be disposed above the central portion 82B of the second air guide 82. Both side ends 82C, 82D, 82E of the second air guide 82 may be coupled to the lower side of the ice tray 10, and the central portion 82B of the second air guide 82 is from the drain plate 40. It can be arranged spaced apart upwards.

A second air guide hole 82A may be formed in the second air guide 82. The second air guide hole 82A may be formed of a plurality of second air guide holes 82A spaced apart from each other along the length of the second air guide 82. The air around the second air guide 82 passes through the second air guide hole 82A and moves to the ice tray 10 by rotation of the circulation fan 85, so that the ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 is quickly It can be made to be made ice. The second air guide hole 82A may be formed in the central portion 82B of the second air guide 82.

The central portion 82B may be concave downward and open upward. The central portion 82B may include a lower surface and both side surfaces, and both side surfaces of the central portion 82B may extend obliquely upward from the lower surface of the central portion 82B. Both side surfaces of the central portion 82B may be wider from the lower surface of the central portion 82B toward the upper side. The second air guide hole 82A may be formed on the lower surface of the central portion 82B.

Both side ends 82C, 82D, and 82E may be bent at both side ends of the central portion 82B, respectively. Each of the both side end portions 82C, 82D, and 82E may include a first bent portion 82C, a second bent portion 82D, and a third bent portion 82E.

The first bent portion 82C may be bent at both side ends of the central portion 82B. The first bent portion 82C may extend in a horizontal direction at both side ends of the central portion 82B. Both side portions of the refrigerant pipe 71 may be seated in each of the first bent portions 82C.

The second bent portion 82D may be bent at both side ends of the first bent portion 82C. The second bent portion 82D may extend obliquely upward from both side ends of the first bent portion 82C. The second bent portion 82D may be wider from the first bent portion 82C as it goes upward.

The third bent portion 82E may be bent at both side ends of the second bent portion 82D. The third bent portion 82E may extend obliquely upward from both side ends of the second bent portion 82D. The third bent portion 82E may widen from the second bent portion 82D as it goes upward. Both side portions of the eving heater 72 may be seated on each of the third bent portions 82E.

Meanwhile, the control unit 91 may be installed in the control box 30. The control unit 91 may be installed in the control box case 31. The control unit 91 may include a printed circuit board (PCB). The controller 91 may control the ice breaking motor 20, the refrigerant pipe 71, the ice breaking heater 72, the ice preventing heater 47 and the circulation fan 85.

The control unit 91 may be connected to a refrigerator control unit installed in the refrigerator through the harness 92. The controller 91 may receive control power and a control signal from the refrigerator controller through the harness 92.

After the ice-making water is supplied to the ice-making groove 15, the controller 91 rotates the circulation fan 85 so that the cold air in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 moves smoothly to the ice tray 10, and the refrigerant pipe 71 ) By controlling the cold refrigerant to be supplied, the ice-making water can be quickly made ice.

In addition, the control unit 91 determines that ice-making has been completed after a set time has elapsed after the ice-making water is supplied to the ice-making groove 15, and controls the hot gas to be supplied to the ice-making heater 72, thereby removing ice in the ice-making groove 15. It can be slightly melted, and then, by controlling the ice-breaking motor 20, the ejector 25 is rotated so that the ejector pins 26 move the ice from the ice-making groove 15 to the ice box 3.

In addition, the control unit 91 controls the freezing prevention heater 47 to generate heat by supplying electricity to the freezing prevention heater 47, so that the moisture falling from the ice tray 10 to the drain plate 40 does not freeze. can do.

The photosensors 51 and 52 may be installed on the drain plate 40. The optical sensors 51 and 52 may detect the full ice of ice that is iced in the ice making groove 15 and accommodated in the ice box 3.

The signals of the optical sensors 51 and 52 may be input to the control unit 91, and the control unit 91 uses the signals input from the photosensors 51 and 52 to fill the ice received in the ice box 3 Can be judged. When determining the full ice of the ice contained in the ice box 3, the control unit 91 can prevent ice from being iced from the ice making groove 15 to the ice box 3 by not operating the ice ice motor 20. have.

A first sensor installation part 41 protruding toward one side may be formed at one end of the drain plate 40. The first sensor installation part 41 may be formed protruding toward the side of the drain plate 40 at one end of the drain plate 40 close to the control box 30.

A second sensor installation part 42 protruding to one side may be formed at the other end of the drain plate 40. The first sensor installation part 41 may protrude from the side of the drain plate 40 at the other end of the drain plate 40, which is far from the control box 30. The second sensor installation part 42 may face the first sensor installation part 41.

The photosensors 51 and 52 may include a light-emitting part 51 and a light-receiving part 52. The light-emitting part 51 may emit light, and the light-receiving part 52 may receive light from the light-emitting part 51.

The light emitting part 51 may be installed on either of the first sensor installation part 41 and the second sensor installation part 42. The light receiving unit 52 may be installed on the other of the first sensor installation unit 41 and the second sensor installation unit 42. In this embodiment, the light-emitting part 51 is installed on the first sensor installation part 41, and the light receiving part 52 is installed on the second sensor installation part 42. Of course, the light emitting part 51 may be installed on the second sensor installation part 42, and the light receiving part 52 may be installed on the first sensor installation part 41. Hereinafter, the description will be made limited to that the light-emitting part 51 is installed in the first sensor installation part 41 and the light receiving part 52 is installed in the second sensor installation part 42.

The first sensor installation part 41 is formed in a hollow structure, so that the light emitting part 51 may be inserted into the first sensor installation part 41. A hole through which the light emitting part 51 is exposed may be formed on a surface of the first sensor installation part 41 facing the second sensor installation part 42.

The second sensor installation part 42 is formed in a hollow structure, and the light receiving part 52 may be inserted into the second sensor installation part 42. A hole through which the light receiving part 52 is exposed may be formed on a surface of the second sensor installation part 42 facing the first sensor installation part 41.

Since the light-emitting part 51 and the light-receiving part 52 are provided with the first sensor mounting part 41 and the second sensor mounting part 42 facing each other, ice between the light-emitting part 51 and the light-receiving part 52 When ice contained in the box 3 is located, the light receiving unit 52 may not receive light from the light emitting unit 51 due to the ice. When the light-receiving part 52 is unable to receive light from the light-emitting part 51, the controller 91 may determine that ice in the ice box 3 is full.

An opening 33 may be formed in the control box 30. The opening 33 may be formed at the lower edge of the control box 30. The opening 33 may be formed in the control box case 31. The opening 33 may be formed at a lower edge of the control box case 31.

A cover part 45 covering the opening 33 may be formed at one end of the drain plate 40. The cover part 45 is coupled to the control box 30 so that the overall shape of the combined state of the control box 30 and the cover part 45 may be in a rectangular cylindrical shape. The first sensor installation part 41 may form a part of the cover part 45.

Meanwhile, a locking shaft 19 protruding to one side may be formed at the other end of the ice tray 10. The other end of the drain plate 40 may be provided with a locking portion 49 that is caught by the locking shaft 19. A groove into which the locking shaft 19 is inserted may be formed in the locking part 49. As the locking shaft 19 is inserted into the groove formed in the locking part 49, the locking part 49 can be caught in the locking shaft 19.

In addition, the cover part 45 formed at one end of the drain plate 40 may be fastened to the control box 30 through bolts. A hole through which the bolt passes may be formed in the lower surface of the cover part 45, and the lower surface of the cover part 45 may be fastened to the lower surface of the control box 30 through the bolt. The cover part 45 may be fastened to the control box case 31 of the middle control box 30 through bolts.

After the locking shaft 19 is inserted into the groove formed in the locking part 49 to lock the locking part 49 to the locking shaft 19, the cover part 45 is fastened to the control box 30 through bolts. You can do the job easily.

As described above, the ice maker 100 and the refrigerator 1 including the same according to the embodiment of the present invention monitor the ice box 3 in full ice through the optical sensors 51 and 52 installed on the drain plate 40. Since detection is performed, the structure of the ice maker 100 is simplified, and the ice box 3 can be accurately detected.

Those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims to be described later rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modified forms derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

1: refrigerator 3: ice box
10: ice tray 15: ice making groove
19: locking shaft 20: eaves motor
25: ejector 26: eject pin
30: control box 33: opening
40: drain plate 41: first sensor installation part
42: second sensor installation portion 45: cover portion
46: drain plate cover 47: anti-icing heater
49: locking portion 51, 52: optical sensor
71: refrigerant pipe 72: ebbing heater
81: first air guide 81A: first air guide hole
82: second air guide 82A: second air guide hole
83: re-inflow prevention plate 83A: eject pin through hole
85: circulation fan 100: ice maker

Claims (12)

An ice tray in which an ice making groove is formed;
An ice-breaking motor that drives ice to be iced in the ice-making groove;
A control box accommodating the ice-breaking motor and disposed at one end of the ice tray;
A drain plate coupled to the control box and receiving and discharging moisture falling from the ice tray; And
And an optical sensor installed on the drain plate to detect full ice ice from the ice making groove and accommodated in an ice box disposed under the drain plate. The method according to claim 1,
A first sensor installation part protruding to one side is formed at one end of the drain plate,
A second sensor installation portion protruding to one side and facing the first sensor installation portion is formed at the other end of the drain plate,
The optical sensor,
A light emitting unit installed in any one of the first sensor installation unit and the second sensor installation unit to emit light,
An ice maker including a light receiving unit installed on the other of the first sensor installation unit and the second sensor installation unit to receive light from the light emitting unit. The method according to claim 2,
An opening is formed in the control box,
A cover portion covering the opening is formed at one end of the drain plate,
The first sensor installation part is an ice maker forming a part of the cover part. The method of claim 3,
A locking shaft protruding to one side is formed at the other end of the ice tray,
The other end of the drain plate is formed with a locking portion that is caught on the locking shaft,
The ice maker is bolted to the control box with the cover part. The method according to claim 1,
A refrigerant pipe installed on the ice tray to cool the ice tray;
An ebbing heater installed on the ice tray to heat the ice tray; And
An ice maker further comprising an anti-icing heater installed on the drain plate and heating the drain plate. The method of claim 5,
Further comprising a drain plate cover coupled to the drain plate and disposed on a lower surface of the drain plate,
The ice maker is disposed between the drain plate and the drain plate cover. The method of claim 6,
The ice maker is formed of a planar heater that generates heat by electricity. The method of claim 5,
The ice maker is formed of a tubular heater that generates heat by hot gas flowing therein. The method according to claim 1,
A circulation fan installed in the control box,
A first air guide disposed on one side of the ice tray and having a first air guide hole through which ambient air passes through rotation of the circulation fan;
An ice maker further comprising a second air guide disposed under the ice tray and having a second air guide hole through which ambient air passes by rotation of the circulation fan. The method according to claim 1,
The ice maker further comprises an ejector having an ejector pin formed on the circumferential surface, which is rotated in a circumferential direction by the driving force of the ice-breaking motor and moves ice from the ice-making groove during rotation. The method of claim 10,
It is disposed on the upper side of the ice tray, further comprising a re-inflow prevention plate for preventing the ice ice sieved from the ice making groove re-inflow into the ice making groove,
An ice maker having an eject pin passage hole through which the eject pin passes when the ejector rotates when the ejector is rotated. A refrigerator comprising the ice maker of any one of claims 1 to 11.

Images