KR20210005802A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator. According to the present invention, the refrigerator can comprise: a first tray assembly forming a portion of an ice-making cell; and a second tray assembly forming the other portion of the ice-making cell. The refrigerator can additionally comprise: a first edge having a surface pressurizing at least one among ice, the first tray assembly, and the second tray assembly to easily separate ice from the tray assemblies; a bar extended from the first edge; and a pusher having a second edge positioned in an end of the bar. At least one among the pusher and the second tray assembly is moved to change a relative position of the pusher and the second tray assembly.

Description

Refrigerator {Refrigerator}

This specification relates to a refrigerator.

In general, refrigerators are home appliances that allow low-temperature storage of food in an internal storage space that is shielded by a door.

The refrigerator uses cold air to cool the inside of the storage space, so that stored foods can be stored in a refrigerated or frozen state.

Usually, an ice maker for making ice is provided in the refrigerator.

The ice maker generates ice by cooling water after receiving water supplied from a water supply source or a water tank in a tray.

In addition, the ice maker may ice the ice which has been de-iced in the ice tray using a heating method or a twisting method.

In this way, the ice maker, which is automatically watered and iced, is formed to open upwards and pumps the ice formed.

Ice made in an ice maker with such a structure has a flat surface such as a crescent shape or a cubic shape.

On the other hand, when the shape of the ice is formed in a spherical shape, it may be more convenient to use ice, and a different feeling of use may be provided to the user. In addition, it is possible to minimize the sticking of ice by minimizing the area in contact with each other even when the ice is stored.

An ice maker is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1850918 (hereinafter referred to as "priority document 1"), which is a prior document.

In the ice maker of Prior Document 1, a plurality of hemispherical upper cells are arranged, an upper tray including a pair of link guides extending upward from both sides, and a plurality of hemispherical lower cells are arranged, and the upper A lower tray rotatably connected to a tray, a rotation shaft connected to the rear end of the lower tray and the upper tray so that the lower tray rotates with respect to the upper tray, one end connected to the lower tray, and the other end A pair of links connected to the link guide unit; And an upper ejecting pin assembly connected to the pair of links, respectively, with both ends being fitted in the link guide part, and moving up and down together with the link.

In the case of Prior Document 1, a sphere-shaped ice can be generated by the hemispherical upper cell and the hemispherical lower cell, but since the ice is simultaneously generated in the upper and lower cells, air bubbles contained in water are completely discharged. There is a drawback that the ice formed by the air bubbles dispersed in the water is opaque.

An ice-making apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei 9-269172 (hereinafter referred to as "priority document 2"), which is a prior document.

The ice-making apparatus of Prior Document 2 includes an ice-making dish and a heater that heats the bottom of water supplied to the ice-making dish.

In the case of the ice making apparatus of Prior Document 2, water on one side and the bottom of the ice making block is heated by a heater during the ice making process. Thus, solidification proceeds on the water surface, and convection occurs in the water, so that transparent ice can be produced.

As the growth of transparent ice progresses and the volume of water in the ice-making block decreases, the solidification rate gradually increases, and sufficient convection suitable for the solidification rate cannot occur.

Therefore, in the case of Prior Document 2, when approximately 2/3 of the water is solidified, the heating amount of the heater is increased to suppress an increase in the solidification rate.

However, according to Prior Document 2, simply increasing the heating amount of the heater is disclosed when the volume of water is reduced, and the structure and heater control logic for generating ice with high transparency while reducing the reduction of the ice making rate are not disclosed. can not do it.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator capable of generating ice with uniform transparency by reducing heat transferred to an adjacent tray from a heater operated during an ice making process to an ice making cell formed by another tray.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator having a uniform transparency for each unit height of ice while forming transparent ice.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator in which ice can be easily separated from a tray assembly during a moving process.

The present exemplary embodiment provides a refrigerator in which an ice maker is compact while increasing a moving distance of a pusher for smooth ice removal.

A refrigerator according to an aspect may include a first tray assembly forming a part of the ice making cell and a second tray assembly forming another part of the ice making cell.

A pusher may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the first and second tray assemblies. An icebreaking heater may be provided adjacent to at least one of the first and second tray assemblies. The control unit may control the ice-breaking heater to be turned on so that ice can be easily separated from the tray assembly before the second tray assembly moves in a forward direction to the ice-breaking position. The tray assembly may be defined as a tray. The tray assembly may be defined as a tray and a tray case surrounding the tray. Any one of the first and second tray assemblies may be closer to the ice-breaking heater than the other tray assembly. The ice-breaking heater may be disposed on any one of the tray assemblies.

When the ice making process is completed, the degree of adhesion between the ice of the ice making cell and the tray may be greater in one tray than in the other tray. The pusher may be advantageously disposed on a tray having a large degree of adhesion between the ice and the tray. The high degree of adhesion may be defined as a high angle of bonding between the ice of the ice-making cell and the tray. The bonding angle may be a material characteristic of the tray. An adhesion degree between ice of the ice making cell and the tray may be smaller than an adhesion degree between ice of the ice making cell and the tray case. This configuration can reduce the adhesion of ice of the ice making cell to the tray during the ice making process. An adhesion degree between ice of the ice making cell and the tray case may be smaller than an adhesion degree between ice of the ice making cell and the case of the refrigerator. In general, the case of the refrigerator may be made of a metal material including iron. The metal material may be advantageous in terms of heat transfer, but may be disadvantageous in terms of adhesion to ice. The high degree of adhesion may be defined as a long time when the ice of the ice making cell and the tray are combined. As an example, if ice is generated from the ice making cell of the first tray to the ice making cell of the second tray during the ice making process, the degree of adhesion between the ice and the first tray is May be greater than the degree of adhesion.

The refrigerator may further include a driving unit. It is possible to control the position of the second tray to be determined according to the movement position (linear/rotary movement) of the driving unit. After the water supply is completed, the control unit may control the second tray to move to the ice making position by changing the movement position of the driving unit in a reverse direction. The control unit may control the movement position of the driving unit to be additionally changed in a reverse direction so as to increase the coupling force between the first and second trays at the ice making position. A refrigerator provided with such a configuration may be advantageously provided with the pusher. This is because the greater the bonding force between the first and second trays, the greater the degree of adhesion between the ice and the tray.

The pusher may be disposed on a tray having a high degree of adhesion to ice among the first and second trays. The pusher may include a first edge formed with a surface pressing ice or a tray to easily separate ice from the tray, a bar extending from the first edge, and a second edge positioned at an end of the bar. The controller may control a position of the pusher to change by moving at least one of the pusher and the second tray. The control unit may control to turn on the ice-breaking heater before at least one of the pusher and the second tray is moved. In this case, damage to the pusher or the second tray can be reduced. The control unit may control the position of at least one of the pusher and the second tray to change after the ibbing heater is turned off. In this case, it is possible to reduce the risk due to a short circuit of the electric wire supplying electricity to the eving heater. A section in which at least one of the pusher and the second tray moves and a section in which the icebreaker heater is turned on may overlap. The controller may control the position of at least one of the pusher and the second tray to change after turning on the ice-breaking heater and before turning off the heater.

Meanwhile, the pusher may include a first pusher disposed closer to one of the first tray and the second tray, and a second pusher disposed closer to the other of the first tray and the second tray. It may include a pusher.

The controller may control a first edge of the first pusher to pass through a through hole formed in one of the trays at a first point outside the ice making cell. The controller may control the first edge of the second pusher to contact at least a part of the other tray at a first point outside the ice making cell. The minimum distance between the first edge of the first pusher and the horizontal plane passing through the center of the ice making cell may be smaller than the minimum distance between the first edge of the second pusher and the horizontal plane passing through the center of the ice making cell. In this case, it may be advantageous that the first pusher is disposed on a tray having a high degree of adhesion to ice among the first and second trays. A distance between the first edge of the second pusher and the horizontal plane passing through the center of the ice making cell may be greater than 0 and less than 1/2 of the radius of the ice making cell.

Meanwhile, in the refrigerator, at least a portion of the cooler supplying cold so that the bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice making cell move toward liquid water from the portion where ice is generated to generate transparent ice. It may further include a heater turned on in the section. The heater may be a transparent ice heater. When the first pusher is disposed closer to one of the first and second trays, the transparent ice heater may be disposed closer to the other of the first and second trays. For example, when the transparent ice heater is disposed closer to the second tray, ice may be generated from the ice making cell of the first tray to the ice making cell of the second tray. In this case, a degree of adhesion between the ice and the first tray may be greater than a degree of adhesion between the ice and the second tray. Therefore, the first pusher may be advantageously disposed closer to the first tray on which the transparent ice heater is not disposed.

Meanwhile, the refrigerator may further include an accommodation chamber providing a space for accommodating at least a portion of the pusher whose position is changed. The accommodation room may include a first accommodation room that provides a space in which the second edge is located during the moving process. The accommodation chamber may further include a third accommodation chamber that provides a space in which the second edge is located at the water supply position or the ice making position, and is located outside the second edge. The third accommodation chamber may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the first accommodation chamber.

The control unit may control the first edge to be at different positions between the water supply position and the ice making position. In this case, water supplied to the ice making cell at the water supply position may be attached to the pusher to reduce freezing during the ice making process. As an example, the control unit controls the first edge to move in a first direction in the process of moving from the ice-breaking position to the water supply position, and in the process of moving from the water supply position to the ice-making position, the first edge May be controlled to further move in the first direction. As another example, the control unit controls the first edge to move in a first direction in the process of moving from the ice-breaking position to the water supply position, and in the process of moving from the water supply position to the ice-making position, the first The edge may be controlled to move in a second direction different from the first direction. Here, the motion of the first edge in the second direction may include a rotational motion. The movement of the first edge in the second direction may include a movement of an angle different from that of the first direction.

The control unit may control the position of the first edge to be determined by the motion of the driving unit. The controller may control the driving unit to move further after the first edge reaches the ice making position. In this case, water supplied to the ice making cell at the water supply position may be attached to the pusher to reduce freezing during the ice making process.

The position of the first edge may be determined by the movement of the driving unit. The control unit may control the driving unit to move further after the first edge reaches the ebbing position. In this case, the pressing force applied to the ice by the first edge at the ice breaking position may be increased. The tray may have a lower degree of deformation resistance and higher degree of restoration than that of metal. The tray may have a smaller degree of deformation and a higher degree of restoration than the tray case.

Meanwhile, the refrigerator may further include a bracket including a surface on which the second tray is supported. The refrigerator may include a first portion that forms a surface supported by the bracket. The refrigerator may further include a cover member having a third portion that forms a surface supported by the storage compartment.

The control unit may control the second edge to be positioned between a surface in which the second tray is supported by the bracket and a surface in which the bracket is supported by the first portion of the cover member at the moving position. The control unit may control the second edge to be positioned between a surface where the bracket is supported by the cover member and a surface where a third portion of the cover member is supported by the storage chamber at the water supply position. Such a configuration can make it possible to use a wide space of the storage room in which the first and second tray assemblies are disposed. That is, the more compact the first and second tray assemblies are arranged, the wider the remaining space of the storage compartment can be used.

The control unit may control the first edge to move in a direction away from the through hole provided in the water supply unit while the second tray moves from the eaves position to the water supply position. For example, the control unit may control the first edge to move to an upper end of the through hole. As another example, the controller may control the first edge to rotate in a direction away from the through hole. This configuration can reduce the freezing of the first edge. The through hole may be formed in a direction in which the water supply part faces the ice making cell.

The controller may control the second edge to move further while the second tray moves from the water supply position to the ice making position. The control unit may control the driving unit to additionally rotate in the ice making position. This configuration can increase the coupling force between the first and second tray assemblies.

A refrigerator according to another aspect includes a storage compartment in which food is stored; A cooler for supplying cold to the storage chamber; A first temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in the storage chamber; A first tray assembly forming a part of an ice making cell, which is a space in which water is phase-changed into ice by the cold; A second tray assembly that forms another part of the ice-making cell, and is connected to a driving unit such that it may contact the first tray assembly during an ice-making process and spaced apart from the first tray assembly in an ice-making process; A water supply unit for supplying water to the ice making cell; A second temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of water or ice in the ice making cell; A heater positioned adjacent to at least one of the first tray assembly and the second tray assembly; And a control unit for controlling the heater and the driving unit.

The controller may control the cooler to supply cold to the ice-making cell after moving the second tray assembly to the ice-making position after the water supply of the ice-making cell is completed.

After the ice making in the ice making cell is completed, the controller may control the second tray assembly to move in a forward direction to an ice making position and then in a reverse direction to take out ice from the ice making cell.

The control unit may start water supply after the second tray assembly is moved to the water supply position in the reverse direction after the ice-breaking is completed.

The refrigerator includes a first edge formed with a surface for pressing ice or at least one of the first and second tray assemblies so that ice is easily separated from the tray assemblies, and a bar extending from the first edge, It may further include a pusher having a second edge located at the end.

The controller may move at least one of the pusher and the second tray assembly to control a relative position between the pusher and the second tray assembly to change.

The refrigerator may further include a bracket including a surface on which the second tray assembly is supported.

A cover member having a first portion forming a surface supported with the bracket, a third portion forming a surface spaced apart from the first portion, and a second portion connecting the first portion and the third portion. It may contain more.

The control unit may control the position so that the second edge is positioned between the first portion and the surface on which the second tray assembly is supported by the bracket at the moving position.

The control unit may control the position so that the second edge is located between the first part and the third part of the cover member in the water supply position.

The control unit may control a position such that the first edge moves in a direction away from the through hole provided in the water supply unit while the second tray assembly moves from the eaves position to the water supply position.

The through hole may be formed in a portion where the water supply portion faces the ice making cell.

The control unit may control a position such that the first edge moves upward from one point of the through hole in the water supply position.

The control unit may control the position so that the first edge rotates in a direction away from the through hole while the second tray assembly moves from the eaves position to the water supply position.

The control unit may control a position such that the second edge moves additionally while the second tray assembly moves from the eaves position to the water supply position.

The control unit may control the driving unit to additionally rotate at the ice making position of the second tray assembly.

The control unit may control a position such that the first edge is at a different position between the water supply position and the ice making position.

The first tray assembly may further include an auxiliary storage chamber for guiding water from the water supply unit to the ice making cell.

The water supply unit may be supported in the auxiliary storage chamber. The lowermost end of the water supply unit may be located lower than the upper end of the auxiliary storage chamber.

The lowermost end of the water supply unit may be located in the auxiliary storage chamber. The pusher may pass through the auxiliary storage chamber and be introduced into the ice making cell during the ice-making process.

The refrigerator may further include an additional heater for easily separating ice from the first tray assembly. The control unit may control the additional heater to be turned on before controlling the position of the pusher to change.

According to the proposed invention, since the cooler turns on the heater in at least a portion of the section while supplying cold, the ice making rate is slowed by the heat of the heater, so that bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice making cell are generated. Clear ice can be created by moving from part to liquid water.

In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, by controlling one or more of the cooling power of the cooler and the heating amount of the heater to vary according to the mass per unit height of water in the ice making cell, ice having uniform transparency as a whole regardless of the shape of the ice making cell Can be created.

In addition, in this embodiment, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater and/or the cooling power of the cooler are varied in response to the variable heat transfer amount between the water in the ice making cell and the cold in the storage compartment, thereby generating ice with uniform transparency as a whole. can do.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, the pressing force for pressing the ice by the movable pusher is increased so that the ice can be easily separated from the tray assembly during the ice breaking process.

In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the second edge of the movable pusher is located in a space formed by the cover member, there is an advantage in that the ice maker is compact while increasing the movement distance of the pusher.

1 is a view showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a front view of the ice maker of Figure 2;
4 is a perspective view of the ice maker with the bracket removed from FIG. 3;
5 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 and 7 are perspective views of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a perspective view of a first tray as viewed from above.
9 is a perspective view of the first tray as viewed from the lower side.
10 is a plan view of a first tray.
11 is a cross-sectional view taken along FIG. 11 of FIG. 8.
12 is a bottom view of the first tray of FIG. 9;
13 is a cross-sectional view taken along 13-13 of FIG. 11;
14 is a cross-sectional view taken along 14-14 of FIG. 11;
15 is a cross-sectional view taken along 15-15 of FIG. 8.
16 is a perspective view of a first tray cover.
17 is a bottom perspective view of a first tray cover.
18 is a plan view of a first tray cover.
19 is a side view of a first tray case.
20 is a perspective view of a first heater case.
21 is a bottom perspective view of a first heater case.
22 is a partially enlarged view of the first heater case.
23 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupling relationship between a first heater case and a first tray.
24 is a plan view of a first tray supporter.
25 is a perspective view of a second tray viewed from above according to an embodiment of the present invention.
26 is a perspective view of the second tray as viewed from the lower side.
Fig. 27 is a bottom view of a second tray.
28 is a plan view of a second tray.
29 is a cross-sectional view taken along 29-29 of FIG. 25;
30 is a cross-sectional view taken along 30-30 of FIG. 25;
31 is a cross-sectional view taken along 31-31 of FIG. 25;
32 is a cross-sectional view taken along 32-32 of FIG. 28;
33 is a cross-sectional view taken along 33-33 of FIG. 29;
34 is a perspective view of a second tray cover.
Fig. 35 is a plan view of a second tray cover.
36 is a top perspective view of a second tray supporter.
37 is a bottom perspective view of a second tray supporter.
38 is a cross-sectional view taken along 38-38 of FIG. 36;
39 is a perspective view of a second heater case.
40 is a view in which a transparent ice heater is coupled to a second heater case.
41 is a cross-sectional view taken along 41-41 of FIG. 40;
42 is a partially enlarged view of the second heater case.
43 is a view showing a first pusher of the present invention.
44 is a view showing a state in which a first pusher is connected to a second tray assembly by a link.
45 is a perspective view of a second pusher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
46 to 48 are views showing the assembly process of the ice maker of the present invention.
49 is a cross-sectional view taken along 49-49 of FIG. 2;
50 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
51 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
52 is a view for explaining a height reference according to a relative position of a transparent ice heater with respect to an ice making cell.
53 is a diagram for describing an output of a transparent ice heater per unit height of water in an ice making cell.
54 is a cross-sectional view showing a positional relationship between a first tray assembly and a second tray assembly in a water supply position.
55 is a view showing a state in which water supply is completed in FIG. 54;
56 is a cross-sectional view showing a positional relationship between a first tray assembly and a second tray assembly in an ice making position.
57 is a view showing a state in which the pressing portion of the second tray is deformed in a state in which ice making is completed.
58 is a cross-sectional view showing a positional relationship between a first tray assembly and a second tray assembly during an eaves process.
59 is a cross-sectional view showing a positional relationship between a first tray assembly and a second tray assembly in an eaves position.
60 is a view showing an operation of a pusher link when a second tray assembly moves from an ice making position to an ice making position.
61 is a view showing a position of a first pusher in a water supply position when an ice maker is installed in the refrigerator.
62 is a cross-sectional view showing a position of a first pusher in a water supply position when an ice maker is installed in the refrigerator.
63 is a cross-sectional view showing a position of a first pusher in an ice-breaking position when an ice maker is installed in the refrigerator.
64 is a view showing the positional relationship between the through hole of the bracket and the cold air duct.
65 is a view for explaining a control method of a refrigerator when the amount of heat transfer between cold and water is varied during an ice making process.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to elements of each drawing, it should be noted that the same elements are assigned the same numerals as possible even if they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing an embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the constituent elements of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the component is not limited by the term. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, that component may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but another component between each component It should be understood that may be “connected”, “coupled” or “connected”.

The refrigerator of the present invention includes a tray assembly forming a part of an ice making cell, which is a space in which water is phase-changed into ice, a cooler for supplying cold to the ice making cell, and a water supply unit for supplying water to the ice making cell. And a control unit. The refrigerator may further include a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of water or ice in the ice making cell. The refrigerator may further include a heater positioned adjacent to the tray assembly. The refrigerator may further include a driving unit capable of moving the tray assembly. The refrigerator may further include a storage compartment in which food is stored in addition to the ice making cell. The refrigerator may further include a cooler for supplying cold to the storage compartment. The refrigerator may further include a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in the storage compartment. The control unit may control at least one of the water supply unit and the cooler. The control unit may control at least one of the heater and the driving unit.

After moving the tray assembly to the ice making position, the controller may control the cooler to supply cold to the ice making cell. The controller may control the tray assembly to move in a forward direction to the ice making position in order to take out the ice from the ice making cell after the ice making in the ice making cell is completed. The control unit may control to start water supply after the tray assembly is moved to the water supply position in the reverse direction after the ice-breaking is completed. The controller may control to move the tray assembly to the ice making position after the water supply is completed.

In the present invention, the storage compartment may be defined as a space that can be controlled to a predetermined temperature by a cooler. The outer case may be defined as a wall partitioning the storage compartment and the outer space of the storage compartment (ie, the outer space of the refrigerator). An insulating material may be positioned between the outer case and the storage compartment. An inner case may be positioned between the insulating material and the storage compartment.

In the present invention, the ice making cell is located inside the storage chamber and may be defined as a space in which water changes into ice. The circumference of the ice-making cell is irrespective of the shape of the ice-making cell and refers to an outer surface of the ice-making cell. In another aspect, the outer circumferential surface of the ice making cell may mean an inner surface of a wall forming the ice making cell. The center of the ice-making cell means a center of gravity or a volume center of the ice-making cell. The center may cross the line of symmetry of the ice making cell.

In the present invention, the tray may be defined as a wall partitioning the ice making cell and the storage compartment. The tray may be defined as a wall forming at least a part of the ice making cell. The tray may be configured to surround all or only part of the ice making cell. The tray may include a first portion forming at least a part of the ice making cell and a second portion extending from a predetermined point of the first portion. There may be a plurality of the trays. The plurality of trays may contact each other. As an example, the tray disposed under the lower portion may include a plurality of trays. The tray disposed on the upper portion may include a plurality of trays. The refrigerator may include at least one tray disposed under the ice making cell. The refrigerator may further include a tray positioned above the ice making cell. The first portion and the second portion are the heat transfer degree of the tray to be described later, the cold transfer degree of the tray, the inner deformation degree of the tray, the restoration degree of the tray, the supercooling degree of the tray, and solidification in the tray and the inside of the tray. The adhesion between the frozen ice may be a structure in consideration of the bonding force between one and the other in a plurality of trays.

In the present invention, the tray case may be located between the tray and the storage compartment. That is, at least a portion of the tray case may be disposed to surround the tray. There may be a plurality of tray cases. The plurality of tray cases may contact each other. The tray case may contact the tray to support at least a portion of the tray. The tray case may be configured to connect components other than the tray (eg, a heater, a sensor, a power transmission member, etc.). The tray case may be directly coupled to the component or may be coupled to the component through a medium between the component and the component. For example, if the wall forming the ice making cell is formed of a thin film and there is a structure surrounding the thin film, the thin film is defined as a tray, and the structure is defined as a tray case. As another example, if a part of the wall forming the ice-making cell is formed as a thin film, and the structure includes a first part forming another part of the wall forming the ice-making cell and a second part surrounding the thin film, the The thin film and the first part of the structure are defined as a tray, and the second part of the structure is defined as a tray case.

In the present invention, the tray assembly may be defined as including at least the tray. In the present invention, the tray assembly may further include the tray case.

In the present invention, the refrigerator may include at least one tray assembly configured to be movable by being connected to the driving unit. The driving unit is configured to move the tray assembly in the direction of at least one of X, Y, and Z axes or rotate around at least one of the X, Y, and Z axes. The present invention may include a refrigerator having the rest of the configuration except for the driving unit and a power transmission member connecting the driving unit and the tray assembly in the detailed description. In the present invention, the tray assembly may be moved in the first direction.

In the present invention, the cooler may be defined as a means for cooling the storage chamber including at least one of an evaporator and a thermoelectric element.

In the present invention, the refrigerator may include at least one tray assembly in which the heater is disposed. The heater may be disposed near the tray assembly to heat the ice making cell formed by the tray assembly in which the heater is disposed. The heater, in at least a portion of the section during which the cooler supplies cold so that the bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice making cell move toward the liquid water in the ice-generating portion to generate transparent ice. It may include a heater that is controlled to be turned on (hereinafter "transparent ice heater"). The heater may include a heater (hereinafter referred to as “ice-breaking heater”) that is controlled to be turned on in at least some sections after ice making is completed so that ice can be easily separated from the tray assembly. The refrigerator may include a plurality of transparent ice heaters. The refrigerator may include a plurality of ice heaters. The refrigerator may include a transparent ice heater and an ice ice heater. In this case, the controller may control the heating amount of the ice-breaking heater to be greater than the heating amount of the transparent ice-heating heater.

In the present invention, the tray assembly may include a first region and a second region forming an outer peripheral surface of the ice making cell. The tray assembly may include a first portion forming at least a portion of the ice making cell and a second portion extending from a predetermined point of the first portion.

For example, the first region may be formed in the first portion of the tray assembly. The first and second regions may be formed on a first portion of the tray assembly. The first and second regions may be part of the one tray assembly. The first and second regions may be arranged to contact each other. The first area may be a lower portion of the ice making cell formed by the tray assembly. The second area may be an upper portion of the ice making cell formed by the tray assembly. The refrigerator may include an additional tray assembly. Any one of the first and second regions may include a region in contact with the additional tray assembly. When the additional tray assembly is located under the first area, the additional tray assembly may contact the lower part of the first area. When the additional tray assembly is above the second area, the additional tray assembly and the top of the second area may contact each other.

As another example, the tray assembly may be configured in a plurality that may contact each other. Among the plurality of tray assemblies, the first region may be positioned on a first tray assembly, and the second region may be positioned on a second tray assembly. The first area may be the first tray assembly. The second area may be the second tray assembly. The first and second regions may be arranged to contact each other. At least a portion of the first tray assembly may be located under an ice making cell formed by the first and second tray assemblies. At least a portion of the second tray assembly may be positioned above the ice making cell formed by the first and second tray assemblies.

Meanwhile, the first region may be a region closer to the heater than the second region. The first region may be a region in which a heater is disposed. The second region may be a region in which a distance from the heat absorbing part of the cooler (ie, the heat absorbing part of the refrigerant tube or the thermoelectric module) is adjacent to that of the first region. The second region may be a region in which a distance between the cooler and a through hole for supplying cool air to the ice-making cell is adjacent to that of the first region. In order for the cooler to supply cool air through the through hole, an additional through hole may be formed in another component. The second region may be a region adjacent to the additional through hole than the first region. The heater may be a transparent ice heater. The degree of insulation of the second region against the cold may be less than the degree of insulation of the first region.

Meanwhile, a heater may be disposed in either of the first and second tray assemblies of the refrigerator. As an example, when the heater is not disposed in the other, the controller may control the heater to be turned on in at least some section while the cooler supplies cold. As another example, when an additional heater is disposed in the other, the controller may control the heating amount of the heater to be greater than the heating amount of the additional heater in at least some section while the cooler supplies cold. have. The heater may be a transparent ice heater.

The present invention may include a refrigerator having a configuration other than the transparent ice heater in the content described in the detailed description.

The present invention may include a pusher having a first edge formed with a surface pressing the ice or at least one surface of the tray assembly so that ice is easily separated from the tray assembly. The pusher may include a second edge extending from the first edge and positioned at an end of the bar. The control unit may control the position of the pusher to change by moving at least one of the pusher and the tray assembly. The pusher may be defined as a through-type pusher, a non-through-type pusher, a movable pusher, and a fixed pusher, depending on the viewpoint.

A through hole through which the pusher moves may be formed in the tray assembly, and the pusher may be configured to directly apply pressure to ice inside the tray assembly. The pusher may be defined as a through-type pusher.

The tray assembly may be provided with a pressing unit that presses the pusher, and the pusher may be configured to apply pressure to one surface of the tray assembly. The pusher may be defined as a non-penetrating pusher.

The controller may control the pusher to move so that the first edge of the pusher is located between a first point outside the ice making cell and a second point inside the ice making cell.

The pusher may be defined as a mobile pusher. The pusher may be connected to a drive unit, a rotation shaft of the drive unit, or a tray assembly that is movable by being connected to the drive unit.

The controller may control at least one of the tray assemblies to move so that the first edge of the pusher is positioned between a first point outside the ice making cell and a second point inside the ice making cell. . The controller may control at least one of the tray assemblies to move toward the pusher. Alternatively, the controller may control a relative position between the pusher and the tray assembly so that the pusher additionally presses the pressing part after the pusher contacts the pressing part at a first point outside the ice making cell. The pusher may be coupled to the fixed end. The pusher may be defined as a fixed pusher.

In the present invention, the ice making cell may be cooled by the cooler cooling the storage compartment. For example, a storage compartment in which the ice-making cell is located is a freezing compartment that can be controlled to a temperature lower than 0°C, and the ice-making cell may be cooled by a cooler that cools the freezing compartment.

The freezing compartment may be divided into a plurality of areas, and the ice making cell may be located in one of the plurality of areas.

In the present invention, the ice making cell may be cooled by a cooler other than a cooler that cools the storage compartment. For example, the storage compartment in which the ice-making cell is located is a refrigerating compartment that can be controlled to a temperature higher than 0°C, and the ice-making cell may be cooled by a cooler other than a cooler that cools the refrigerating compartment. That is, the refrigerator includes a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, the ice-making cell is located inside the refrigerating compartment, and the ice-making cell may be cooled by a cooler cooling the freezing compartment.

The ice making cell may be located in a door for opening and closing the storage compartment.

In the present invention, the ice making cell is not located inside the storage chamber and may be cooled by a cooler. As an example, the entire storage compartment formed inside the outer case may be the ice making cell.

In the present invention, the degree of heat transfer represents the degree of heat transfer from a hot object to a low temperature object, and is defined as a value determined by the shape including the thickness of the object, the material of the object, etc. do. In terms of the material of the object, a high heat transfer degree of the object may mean a high thermal conductivity of the object. The thermal conductivity may be an inherent material characteristic of an object. Even when the material of the object is the same, the heat transfer degree may vary depending on the shape of the object.

The heat transfer degree may vary according to the shape of the object. The degree of heat transfer from point A to point B may be affected by the length of a path through which heat is transferred from point A to point B (hereinafter, "Heat transfer path"). The longer the heat transfer path from the point A to the point B, the smaller the degree of heat transfer from the point A to the point B. The shorter the heat transfer path from the point A to the point B, the greater the degree of heat transfer from the point A to the point B.

Meanwhile, the heat transfer degree from point A to point B may be affected by the thickness of a path through which heat is transferred from point A to point B. As the thickness in the path direction in which heat is transferred from the point A to the point B is thinner, the degree of heat transfer from the point A to the point B may decrease. As the thickness in the path direction in which the heat from the point A to the point B is transferred increases, the degree of heat transfer from the point A to the point B may increase.

In the present invention, the degree of cold transfer refers to the degree of cold transfer from a low temperature object to a high temperature object, and is defined as a value determined by the shape including the thickness of the object and the material of the object. do. The cold transfer degree is a term defined in consideration of the direction in which cold flows, and can be regarded as the same concept as the heat transfer degree. The same concept as the heat transfer diagram will be omitted.

In the present invention, the degree of supercool refers to the degree of supercooling of the liquid, and the material of the liquid, the material or shape of the container containing the liquid, and external influences applied to the liquid during the solidification process of the liquid It can be defined as a value determined by factors, etc. The increase in the frequency at which the liquid is supercooled can be seen as an increase in the degree of subcooling. The decrease in the temperature at which the liquid is maintained in the supercooled state can be seen as an increase in the supercooling degree. Here, the supercooling refers to a state in which the liquid is not solidified even at a temperature below the freezing point of the liquid and is present in a liquid state. The supercooled liquid is characterized by rapid solidification from the point when the supercooling is terminated. When it is desired to maintain the rate at which the liquid solidifies within a predetermined range, it will be advantageous to design such that the supercooling phenomenon is reduced.

In the present invention, the degree of deformation resistance represents the degree of resistance of an object to deformation by an external force applied to the object, and is a value determined by the shape including the thickness of the object, the material of the object, etc. Is defined. For example, the external force may include a pressure applied to the tray assembly while water in the ice making cell is solidified and expanded. As another example, the external force may include a pressure applied to ice or a part of the tray assembly by a pusher for separating ice from the tray assembly. As another example, when the tray assemblies are coupled, the pressure applied by the coupling may be included.

Meanwhile, from the viewpoint of the material of the object, a high degree of deformation resistance of the object may mean that the object has high rigidity. The thermal conductivity may be an inherent material characteristic of an object. Even when the material of the object is the same, the degree of deformation may vary depending on the shape of the object. The degree of internal deformation may be affected by an internal deformation reinforcing portion extending in a direction in which the external force is applied. The greater the stiffness of the deformation resistant reinforcing portion, the greater the degree of deformation resistance may be. The higher the height of the extended internal deformation reinforcing portion, the greater the degree of deformation resistance may be.

In the present invention, the degree of restoration represents the degree to which an object deformed by an external force is restored to the shape of an object after the external force is removed and before the external force is applied, the shape including the thickness of the object, It is defined as a value determined by material, etc. For example, the external force may include a pressure applied to the tray assembly while water in the ice making cell is solidified and expanded. As another example, the external force may include a pressure applied to ice or a part of the tray assembly by a pusher for separating ice from the tray assembly. As another example, when the tray assemblies are coupled, a pressure applied by the coupling force may be included.

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of the material of the object, a high degree of restoration of the object may mean that the object has a large elastic modulus. The modulus of elasticity may be an inherent material characteristic of an object. Even when the material of the object is the same, the degree of restoration may vary depending on the shape of the object. The degree of restoration may be affected by an elastic reinforcing portion extending in a direction in which the external force is applied. As the elastic modulus of the elastic reinforcing part increases, the degree of restoration may increase.

In the present invention, the coupling force represents the degree of coupling between a plurality of tray assemblies, and is defined as a value determined by the shape including the thickness of the tray assembly, the material of the tray assembly, and the magnitude of the force combining the trays. .

In the present invention, the degree of adhesion indicates the degree to which ice and the container are attached in the process of turning water contained in the container into ice. It is defined as a value determined by

The refrigerator of the present invention includes a first tray assembly forming a part of an ice-making cell, a space in which water is phase-changed into ice by the cold, a second tray assembly forming another part of the ice-making cell, and the ice-making A cooler for supplying cold to the cell, a water supply unit for supplying water to the ice making cell, and a control unit may be included. The refrigerator may further include a storage compartment in addition to the ice making cell. The storage room may include a space for storing food. The ice making cell may be disposed inside the storage chamber. The refrigerator may further include a first temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in the storage compartment. The refrigerator may further include a second temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of water or ice in the ice making cell. The second tray assembly may be in contact with the first tray assembly during an ice making process, and may be connected to a driving unit to be spaced apart from the first tray assembly during an ice making process. The refrigerator may further include a heater positioned adjacent to at least one of the first tray assembly and the second tray assembly.

The control unit may control at least one of the heater and the driving unit. The controller may control the cooler to supply cold to the ice making cell after the second tray assembly is moved to the ice making position after the water supply of the ice making cell is completed. After the ice making in the ice making cell is completed, the controller may control the second tray assembly to move in a forward direction to an ice making position and then in a reverse direction to take out ice from the ice making cell. The control unit may control the water supply to start after the second tray assembly is moved to the water supply position in the reverse direction after the eaves are completed.

Explain in relation to transparent ice. Bubbles are dissolved in water, and the ice solidified while the bubbles are contained may have low transparency due to the bubbles. Therefore, in the process of solidifying water, by inducing the air bubbles to move from a part frozen first in the ice making cell to another part that has not yet been frozen, the transparency of the ice may be increased.

Through-holes formed in the tray assembly can affect the creation of transparent ice. Through-holes that may be formed on one side of the tray assembly may affect the creation of transparent ice. In the process of generating ice, by inducing the bubbles to move out of the ice-making cell in a portion where the ice-making cell first freezes, transparency of the ice may be increased. In order to induce the air bubbles to move to the outside of the ice making cell, a through hole may be disposed on one side of the tray assembly. Since the air bubbles have a lower density than the liquid, a through hole (hereinafter referred to as “air bleeding hole”) for guiding the air bubbles to escape to the outside of the ice-making cell may be disposed above the tray assembly.

The location of the cooler and heater can affect the creation of transparent ice. The location of the cooler and the heater may affect the ice making direction, which is a direction in which ice is generated in the ice making cell.

In the ice making process, by inducing bubbles to move or collect from a region where water is first solidified in an ice making cell to another certain region in a liquid state, transparency of the generated ice may be increased. A direction in which the air bubbles move or are collected may be similar to the ice making direction. The predetermined region may be a region desired to induce water to coagulate late in the ice making cell.

The predetermined region may be a region in which cold supplied by a cooler to the ice making cell arrives late. For example, in an ice-making process, in order to move or collect the air bubbles under the ice-making cell, a through hole through which the cooler supplies cool air to the ice-making cell may be disposed closer to an upper portion of the ice-making cell. As another example, the heat absorbing part of the cooler (ie, the refrigerant pipe of the evaporator or the heat absorbing part of the thermoelectric element) may be disposed closer to an upper portion of the ice making cell. In the present invention, the upper and lower portions of the ice making cell may be defined as an upper region and a lower region based on the height of the ice making cell.

The predetermined region may be a region in which a heater is disposed. For example, in the ice making process, the heater may be disposed closer to the lower portion of the ice making cell than the upper portion of the ice making cell in order to move or collect bubbles in the water to the lower portion of the ice making cell.

The predetermined area may be an area closer to an outer peripheral surface of the ice-making cell rather than a center of the ice-making cell. However, it does not exclude the vicinity of the center. When the certain area is near the center of the ice making cell, the opaque part due to the air bubbles moving or collected near the center may be easily visible to the user, and the opaque part may remain until most of the ice melts. have. In addition, it may be difficult to place the heater inside the ice making cell containing water. On the other hand, when the predetermined area is located on or near the outer circumferential surface of the ice-making cell, water may coagulate from one side of the outer circumferential surface of the ice-making cell to the other side of the outer circumferential surface of the ice-making cell, thereby solving the problem. . The transparent ice heater may be disposed on or near the outer circumferential surface of the ice making cell. The heater may be disposed on or near the tray assembly.

The predetermined area may be a position closer to a lower portion of the ice making cell rather than an upper portion of the ice making cell. However, it does not exclude the upper part. In the ice-making process, liquid water having a density higher than that of ice descends, so it may be advantageous that the predetermined area is located under the ice-making cell.

At least one of a degree of deformation, a degree of restoration, and a bonding force between the plurality of tray assemblies of the tray assembly may affect the formation of transparent ice. At least one of an inner deformation degree, a restoration degree, and a coupling force between the plurality of tray assemblies of the tray assembly may affect an ice making direction, which is a direction in which ice is generated inside the ice making cell. As described above, the tray assembly may include a first region and a second region forming an outer peripheral surface of the ice making cell. For example, the first and second regions may be part of one tray assembly. As another example, the first area may be a first tray assembly. The second area may be a second tray assembly.

In order to generate transparent ice, it may be advantageous to configure the refrigerator such that the direction in which ice is generated in the ice making cell is constant. This is because, as the ice making direction is constant, it may mean that bubbles in water are moved or collected in a certain area within the ice making cell. In order to induce ice to be generated in a portion of the tray assembly in the direction of another portion, it may be advantageous that the degree of deformation of the portion is greater than that of the other portion. Ice tends to grow as ice expands toward a portion with a small degree of deformation resistance. Meanwhile, in order to start ice making again after removing the generated ice, the deformed portion must be restored again, so that ice having the same shape can be repeatedly generated. Accordingly, it may be advantageous that a portion with a small degree of deformation resistance has a greater degree of restoration than a portion with a large degree of deformation.

The inner deformation degree of the tray against external force may be smaller than the inner deformation degree of the tray case against the external force, or the rigidity of the tray may be configured to be less than the rigidity of the tray case. The tray assembly may be configured to allow the tray to be deformed by the external force, and to reduce the deformation of the tray case surrounding the tray. For example, the tray assembly may be configured such that only at least a portion of the tray is surrounded by the tray case. In this case, when pressure is applied to the tray assembly while the water inside the ice making cell is solidified and expanded, at least a part of the tray is allowed to be deformed, and the other part of the tray is supported by the tray case. It can be configured so that deformation is limited. In addition, when the external force is removed, the recovery degree of the tray may be greater than that of the tray case, or the elastic modulus of the tray may be greater than the elasticity modulus of the tray case. This configuration can be configured so that the deformed tray can be easily restored.

The inner deformation degree of the tray against the external force may be greater than the inner deformation degree of the refrigerator gasket against the external force, or the tray may be configured such that the rigidity of the tray is greater than the rigidity of the gasket. When the inner deformation degree of the tray is low, water in the ice making cell formed by the tray is solidified and expanded, thereby causing a problem in that the tray is excessively deformed. Deformation of these trays can make it difficult to produce the desired shape of ice. In addition, when the external force is removed, the recovery degree of the tray may be smaller than that of the refrigerator gasket against the external force, or the elastic modulus of the tray may be less than that of the gasket.

The inner deformation degree of the tray case against the external force may be smaller than the inner deformation degree of the refrigerator case against the external force, or the rigidity of the tray case may be less than the rigidity of the refrigerator case. In general, the case of the refrigerator may be formed of a metal material including steel. In addition, when the external force is removed, the recovery degree of the tray case may be greater than that of the refrigerator case against the external force, or the elastic modulus of the tray case may be configured to be greater than the elasticity modulus of the refrigerator case.

The relationship between transparent ice and the degree of deformation is as follows.

The second area may have a different degree of internal deformation in a direction along the outer circumferential surface of the ice making cell. It may be configured such that an internal deformation degree of one of the second regions is greater than an internal deformation degree of the other of the second regions. With such a configuration, it may be helpful to induce ice to be generated from the ice making cell formed in the second region toward the ice making cell formed in the first region.

Meanwhile, the first and second regions disposed to contact each other may have different degrees of deformation in a direction along the outer circumferential surface of the ice making cell. An internal deformation degree of any one of the second regions may be higher than an internal deformation degree of any one of the first regions. If configured in this way, it may be helpful to induce ice to be generated from the ice making cell formed in the second region toward the ice making cell formed in the first region.

In this case, while the water solidifies, the volume expands and pressure may be applied to the tray assembly, and ice may be induced to be generated in the other direction of the second area or the direction of the first area. The degree of internal deformation may be a degree of resistance to deformation by an external force. The external force may be a pressure applied to the tray assembly while water in the ice making cell is solidified and expanded. The external force may be a force in a vertical direction (Z-axis direction) among the pressures. The external force may be a force acting from the ice making cell formed by the second region toward the ice making cell formed by the first region.

For example, the thickness of the tray assembly from the center of the ice-making cell toward the outer circumferential surface of the ice-making cell may be thicker than one of the second area or one of the first area. . Any one of the second areas may be a portion not surrounded by the tray case. The other of the second area may be a portion surrounding the tray case. Any one of the first regions may be a portion not surrounded by the tray case. Any one of the second regions may be a portion of the second region forming an uppermost end of the ice making cell. The second area may include a tray and a tray case that locally surrounds the tray. In this way, when at least a part of the second region is configured to be thicker than other parts, the degree of deformation of the second region may be improved with respect to an external force. The minimum value of the thickness of one of the second areas may be thicker than the minimum value of the thickness of the other of the second area or greater than the minimum value of any one of the first areas. The maximum value of the thickness of one of the second areas may be thicker than the maximum value of the thickness of the other of the second area or greater than the maximum value of any one of the first area. When a through hole is formed in the region, the minimum value means a minimum value among the remaining regions excluding a portion in which the through hole is formed. The average value of one thickness of the second region may be thicker than the average value of the other thickness of the second region or may be thicker than the average value of any one of the first region. The uniformity of one thickness of the second region may be less than the uniformity of the other thickness of the second region or less than the uniformity of the thickness of any one of the first region.

As another example, one of the second regions may extend in a vertical direction away from the first surface forming a part of the ice making cell and the ice making cell formed by the other of the second region from the first surface. It may include a deformation reinforcing part. On the other hand, any one of the second regions includes a first surface forming a part of the ice-making cell and a deformation-resistant reinforcement portion extending from the first surface in a vertical direction away from the ice-making cell formed by the first region. can do. As described above, when at least a portion of the second region includes the internal deformation reinforcing portion, the degree of deformation of the second region may be improved with respect to external force.

As another example, one of the second regions is at a fixed end of a refrigerator (eg, a bracket, a wall of a storage compartment, etc.) located in a direction away from the ice making cell formed by the other of the second region from the first surface. It may further include a support surface to be connected. Any one of the second regions further includes a support surface connected to a fixed end (eg, a bracket, a storage compartment wall, etc.) of the refrigerator positioned in a direction away from the ice-making cell formed by the first region from the first surface. can do. In this way, when at least a part of the second region includes the support surface connected to the fixed end, the degree of internal deformation of the second region against external force may be improved.

As another example, the tray assembly may include a first portion forming at least a portion of the ice making cell and a second portion extending from a predetermined point of the first portion. At least a portion of the second portion may extend in a direction away from the ice making cell formed by the first region. At least a portion of the second portion may include an additional deformation resistant reinforcement. At least a portion of the second portion may further include a support surface connected to the fixed end. As described above, if at least a portion of the second region further includes the second portion, it may be advantageous to improve the degree of deformation of the second region against the external force. This is because an additional internal deformation reinforcing part may be formed in the second part, or the second part may be additionally supported by the fixed end.

As another example, any one of the second regions may include a first through hole. When the first through hole is formed in this way, the ice solidified in the ice making cell in the second area expands to the outside of the ice making cell through the first through hole, so that the pressure applied to the second area can be reduced. . In particular, when water is excessively supplied to the ice making cell, the first through hole may contribute to reducing deformation of the second region during the process of solidifying the water.

Meanwhile, any one of the second regions may include a second through hole for providing a path through which bubbles contained in the water in the ice making cell of the second region move or escape. When the second through hole is formed in this way, the transparency of the solidified ice can be improved.

Meanwhile, in any one of the second regions, a third through hole may be formed so that the through-type pusher can pressurize it. This is because when the degree of deformation of the second region increases, it may be difficult for the non-penetrating pusher to press the surface of the tray assembly to remove ice. The first, second, and third through holes may overlap. The first, second, and third through holes may be formed in one through hole.

Meanwhile, any one of the second regions may include a mounting portion in which the eving heater is located. Inducing ice to be generated in the ice making cell formed in the second region in the direction of the ice making cell formed in the first region may mean that the ice is first generated in the second region. In this case, this is because an ebbing heater may be required to separate the ice from the second region, and the second region and the ice may be attached to each other for a long time. The thickness of the tray assembly from the center of the ice-making cell toward the outer circumferential surface of the ice-making cell may be thinner than the other of the second area in a portion of the second area on which the ice-making heater is mounted. This is because the amount of heat supplied by the ice making heater may increase the amount transferred to the ice making cell. The fixed end may be a part of the wall forming the storage compartment or may be a bracket.

The relationship between the transparent ice and the tray assembly's bonding force is as follows.

In order to induce ice to be generated in the ice making cell formed by the second region in the direction of the ice making cell formed by the first region, it may be advantageous to increase the coupling force between the first and second regions disposed to contact each other. have. In the process of solidifying water, when the pressure applied to the tray assembly while expanding is greater than the bonding force between the first and second regions, ice may be generated in the direction in which the first and second regions are separated. In addition, in the process of solidifying water, when the pressure applied to the tray assembly while expanding is small, the direction of the ice making cell in the region of the first and second regions having a small degree of deformation resistance There is also an advantage that can be induced to generate ice.

There may be various examples of a method of increasing the coupling force between the first and second regions. For example, after the water supply is completed, the control unit changes the movement position of the driving unit in the first direction to control any one of the first and second regions to move in the first direction, and then the first and second areas In order to increase the coupling force between regions, the movement position of the driving unit may be controlled to further change in the first direction. As another example, by increasing the coupling force between the first and second regions, the driving unit can reduce the shape of the ice making cell from being changed by the expanding ice after the ice making process starts (or after the heater is turned on). The first and second regions may be configured to have different degrees of deformation or restoration of the transmitted force. As another example, the first region may include a first surface facing the second region. The second area may include a second surface facing the first area. The first and second surfaces may be disposed to contact each other. The first and second surfaces may be disposed to face each other. The first and second surfaces may be arranged to be separated and combined. In this case, the first surface and the second surface may be configured to have different areas. With this configuration, it is possible to increase the coupling force between the first and second regions while reducing damage to portions in which the first and second regions contact each other. In addition, there is also an advantage of reducing leakage of water supplied between the first and second regions.

The relationship between transparent ice and the degree of restoration is as follows.

The tray assembly may include a first portion forming at least a portion of the ice making cell and a second portion extending from a predetermined point of the first portion. The second portion is configured to be deformed by the expansion of the generated ice and restored after the ice is removed. The second portion may include a horizontal extension portion provided to increase a degree of restoration against an external force in the vertical direction of the expanding ice. The second portion may include a vertical extension portion provided to increase a degree of restoration against an external force in the horizontal direction of the expanding ice. Such a configuration may help to induce ice to be generated from the ice making cell formed in the second region toward the ice making cell formed in the first region.

The first region may have a different degree of restoration in a direction along an outer peripheral surface of the ice making cell. In addition, the first region may have a different degree of internal deformation in a direction along the outer circumferential surface of the ice making cell. A reconstruction degree of one of the first regions may be higher than that of the other one of the first regions. In addition, one of the degrees of internal strain may be lower than that of the other. Such a configuration may help to induce ice to be generated from the ice making cell formed in the second region toward the ice making cell formed in the first region.

Meanwhile, the first and second regions disposed to contact each other may have different degrees of restoration in a direction along the outer circumferential surface of the ice making cell. In addition, the first and second regions may have different degrees of deformation in a direction along the outer peripheral surface of the ice making cell. The degree of restoration of any one of the first areas may be higher than that of any of the second areas. In addition, an internal deformation degree of any one of the first regions may be lower than an internal deformation degree of any one of the second regions. Such a configuration may help to induce ice to be generated from the ice making cell formed in the second region toward the ice making cell formed in the first region.

In this case, while the water solidifies, the volume expands and pressure may be applied to the tray assembly, and ice may be induced to be generated in either direction of the first region with a small degree of deformation or a large degree of restoration. . Here, the degree of restoration may be a degree of restoration after the external force is removed. The external force may be a pressure applied to the tray assembly while water in the ice making cell is solidified and expanded. The external force may be a force in a vertical direction (Z-axis direction) among the pressures. The external force may be a force from the ice making cell formed by the second region toward the ice making cell formed by the first region.

For example, a thickness of the tray assembly from the center of the ice-making cell toward the outer circumferential surface of the ice-making cell may be one of the first regions thinner than the other of the first region or one of the second regions. Any one of the first regions may be a portion not surrounded by the tray case. The other of the first area may be a portion surrounding the tray case. Any one of the second areas may be a portion surrounding the tray case. Any one of the first regions may be a portion of the first region that forms a lowermost end of the ice making cell. The first area may include a tray and a tray case that locally surrounds the tray.

The minimum value of the thickness of any one of the first region may be thinner than the minimum value of the thickness of the other of the first region or smaller than the minimum value of the thickness of any one of the second region. The maximum value of the thickness of one of the first regions may be thinner than the maximum value of the thickness of the other of the first region or may be smaller than the maximum value of the thickness of any one of the second region. When a through hole is formed in the region, the minimum value means a minimum value among the remaining regions excluding a portion in which the through hole is formed. The average value of the thickness of one of the first regions may be thinner than the average of the thickness of the other of the first region or may be thinner than the average of the thickness of any one of the second region. The uniformity of the thickness of one of the first regions may be greater than the uniformity of the thickness of the other of the first region or greater than the uniformity of the thickness of any one of the second region.

As another example, one shape of the first region may be different from the other shape of the first region or may be different from any one shape of the second region. One curvature of the first region may be different from another curvature of the first region or may be different from any one curvature of the second region. One curvature of the first region may be smaller than another curvature of the first region or less than any one curvature of the second region. Any one of the first regions may include a flat surface. The other of the first region may include a curved surface. Any one of the second regions may include a curved surface. Any one of the first regions may have a shape that is depressed in a direction opposite to the direction in which the ice expands. Any one of the first regions may include a shape that is recessed in a direction opposite to a direction in which the ice is induced to be generated. During the ice making process, one of the first regions may be deformed in a direction in which the ice expands or in a direction in which the ice is generated. In the ice making process, a deformation amount from the center of the ice making cell toward the outer circumferential surface of the ice making cell may be greater in one of the first areas than in the other of the first area. In the ice making process, a deformation amount from the center of the ice making cell toward the outer circumferential surface of the ice making cell may be greater in one of the first areas than in any one of the second areas.

As another example, in order to induce ice to be generated in the ice making cell formed in the second region in the direction of the ice making cell formed in the first region, any one of the first region may form a part of the ice making cell. It may include a first surface and a second surface extending from the first surface and supported on the other surface of the first region. The first region may be configured not to be directly supported by other parts except for the second surface. The other part may be a fixed end of the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, a pressing surface may be formed in any one of the first regions so that a non-penetrating pusher may press. This is because when the degree of deformation of the first region is low or the degree of restoration is large, the difficulty in removing ice by pressing the non-penetrating pusher on the surface of the tray assembly may decrease.

The ice making speed, which is the rate at which ice is generated inside the ice making cell, may affect the creation of transparent ice. The ice making speed may affect the transparency of the generated ice. A factor affecting the ice-making speed may be an amount of heating and/or cooling supplied to the ice-making cell. The amount of heating and/or cooling may affect the production of transparent ice. The heating amount and/or heating amount may affect the transparency of ice.

In the process of generating the transparent ice, as the ice-making speed is greater than the speed at which bubbles in the ice-making cell move or are collected, the transparency of the ice may be lowered. On the other hand, if the ice-making speed is slower than the speed at which the air bubbles move or are collected, the transparency of ice may increase, but as the ice-making speed is lower, the time required to generate transparent ice becomes excessive. In addition, as the ice making speed is maintained in a uniform range, the transparency of ice may become uniform.

In order to keep the ice making speed uniform within a predetermined range, the amount of cold and heat supplied to the ice making cell may be uniform. However, under actual conditions of use of the refrigerator, the cold may vary, and it is necessary to change the supply amount of heat in response thereto. For example, when the temperature of the storage chamber reaches the satisfied area from the unsatisfied area, the defrost operation is performed on the cooler of the storage chamber, the door of the storage chamber is opened, and so on. In addition, when the amount of water per unit height of the ice making cell is different, if the same cold and heat are supplied per unit height, there may be a problem in that the transparency per unit height is different.

In order to solve this problem, the control unit is configured to maintain the ice-making speed of the water inside the ice-making cell within a predetermined range lower than the ice-making speed when ice-making is performed with the heater turned off. When the amount of heat transfer between the water of the ice making cell increases, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater increases, and when the amount of heat transfer between the cold for cooling the ice making cell and the water of the ice making cell decreases, the transparent ice heater It can be controlled to reduce the amount of heating.

The controller may control one or more of a cold supply amount of the cooler and a heat supply amount of the heater to vary according to the mass per unit height of water in the ice making cell. In this case, transparent ice may be provided according to the shape change of the ice making cell.

The refrigerator additionally includes a sensor that measures information on the mass of water per unit height of the ice making cell, and the control unit is based on the information input from the sensor, among the cold supply amount of the cooler and the heat supply amount of the heater. One or more can be controlled to be variable.

The refrigerator includes a storage unit in which driving information of a cooler determined in advance is recorded based on information on the mass per unit height of the ice making cell, and the controller can control the cold supply amount of the cooler to vary based on the information. have.

The refrigerator includes a storage unit in which driving information of a heater determined in advance is recorded based on information on the mass per unit height of the ice making cell, and the controller can control the amount of heat supplied to the heater to be varied based on the information. have. For example, the controller may control at least one of a cold supply amount of a cooler and a heat supply amount of a heater to vary according to a predetermined time based on information on the mass per unit height of the ice making cell. . The time may be a time when the cooler is driven or a time when the heater is driven to generate ice. As another example, the controller may control at least one of a cold supply amount of the cooler and a heat supply amount of the heater to vary according to a predetermined temperature based on information on the mass per unit height of the ice making cell. The temperature may be a temperature of the ice making cell or a temperature of a tray assembly forming the ice making cell.

On the other hand, if a sensor that measures the mass of water per unit height of the ice making cell malfunctions, or if the water supplied to the ice making cell is insufficient or excessive, the shape of the ice to be iced is changed, so that the transparency of the generated ice may decrease. have. In order to solve this problem, there is a need for a water supply method that precisely controls the amount of water supplied to the ice making cell. In addition, in order to reduce water leakage from the ice-making cell at a water supply position or an ice-making position, the tray assembly may include a structure in which water leakage is reduced. In addition, it is necessary to increase the bonding force between the first and second tray assemblies forming the ice making cell so as to reduce the shape of the ice making cell from being changed due to the expansion force of ice during the ice making process. In addition, the precision water supply method, the structure for reducing water leakage of the tray assembly, and increasing the bonding force between the first and second tray assemblies are also necessary in order to generate ice close to the shape of the tray.

The degree of supercooling of the water inside the ice making cell may affect the creation of transparent ice. The degree of supercooling of the water may affect the transparency of the generated ice.

In order to generate transparent ice, it is desirable to design the supercooling degree or lower so that the temperature inside the ice making cell is maintained within a predetermined range. This is because the supercooled liquid is characterized by rapid solidification from the point when the supercooling is terminated. In this case, the transparency of the ice may decrease.

In the process of solidifying the liquid, the controller of the refrigerator reduces the degree of supercooling of the liquid when the time required for the liquid to reach a specific temperature below the freezing point after the temperature reaches the freezing point is less than the reference value. In order to do so, the supercooling termination means can be controlled to operate. After reaching the freezing point, it can be seen that the temperature of the liquid is rapidly cooled to below the freezing point as supercooling occurs and no solidification occurs.

As an example of the supercooling termination means, it may include an electric spark generating means. By supplying the spark to the liquid, the degree of supercooling of the liquid can be reduced. As another example of the supercooling termination means, it may include a driving means for applying an external force to move the liquid. The driving means may rotate the container about at least one of the X, Y, and Z axes or about at least one of the X, Y, and Z axes. When kinetic energy is supplied to the liquid, the degree of supercooling of the liquid can be reduced. Another example of the supercooling termination means may include means for supplying the liquid to the container. After supplying a liquid of a first volume smaller than the volume of the container, the control unit of the refrigerator, when a certain time elapses or the temperature of the liquid reaches a certain temperature below the freezing point, the container is less than the first volume. It can be controlled to additionally supply a large second volume of liquid. When the liquid is divided and supplied to the container as described above, the liquid supplied first may coagulate and act as ice tuberculosis, so that the degree of supercooling of the additionally supplied liquid can be reduced.

The higher the heat transfer degree of the container containing the liquid, the higher the degree of supercooling of the liquid. The lower the heat transfer degree of the container accommodating the liquid, the lower the degree of supercooling of the liquid.

The structure and method of heating the ice making cell, including the heat transfer rate of the tray assembly, can affect the formation of transparent ice. As described above, the tray assembly may include a first region and a second region forming an outer peripheral surface of the ice making cell. For example, the first and second regions may be part of one tray assembly. As another example, the first area may be a first tray assembly. The second area may be a second tray assembly.

Cold supplied by a cooler to the ice making cell and heat supplied by a heater to the ice making cell have opposite properties. In order to increase the ice making speed and/and improve the transparency of ice, design of the structure and control of the cooler and the heater, the relationship between the cooler and the tray assembly, and the relationship between the heater and the tray assembly is very important. can do.

In order to increase the ice making speed of the refrigerator and/and increase the transparency of ice for a constant amount of cooling supplied by the cooler and a constant amount of heat supplied by the heater, the heater may be advantageously arranged to locally heat the ice making cell. As the heat supplied by the heater to the ice making cell is less transferred to an area other than the area in which the heater is located, the ice making speed may be improved. As the heater strongly heats only a part of the ice-making cell, it is possible to move or collect bubbles from the ice-making cell to a region adjacent to the heater, thereby increasing the transparency of the generated ice.

When the amount of heat supplied by the heater to the ice making cell is large, bubbles in water may be moved or collected in the portion receiving the heat, so that the generated ice may increase transparency. However, if heat is uniformly supplied to the outer circumferential surface of the ice making cell, the ice making speed at which ice is generated may be reduced. Accordingly, as the heater locally heats a part of the ice-making cell, the transparency of the generated ice may be increased and a decrease in the ice-making speed may be minimized.

The heater may be disposed to contact one side of the tray assembly. The heater may be disposed between the tray and the tray case. Heat transfer by conduction may be advantageous for locally heating the ice making cell.

At least a portion of the other side where the heater does not contact the tray may be sealed with an insulating material. This configuration can reduce the transfer of heat supplied by the heater toward the storage chamber.

The tray assembly may be configured such that a heat transfer degree from the heater to a center direction of the ice making cell is greater than a heat transfer degree from the heater to a circumference direction of the ice making cell.

A heat transfer degree of the tray from the tray toward the center of the ice making cell may be greater than the heat transfer degree from the tray case to the storage compartment, or the heat conductivity of the tray may be greater than that of the tray case. This configuration may induce an increase in the amount of heat supplied by the heater transmitted to the ice making cell via the tray. In addition, it is possible to reduce the heat of the heater from being transferred to the storage chamber via the tray case.

The heat transfer rate of the tray from the tray toward the center of the ice making cell is smaller than the heat transfer rate of the refrigerator case from the outside of the refrigerator case (for example, the inner case or the outer case) toward the storage compartment, or the thermal conductivity of the tray is the heat conduction of the refrigerator case. It can be configured to be smaller than degrees. This is because the higher the heat transfer or thermal conductivity of the tray, the higher the degree of supercooling of water accommodated in the tray. As the degree of supercooling of the water increases, the water may coagulate more rapidly at a point in time when the supercooling is terminated. In this case, there may be a problem that the transparency of the ice is not uniform or the transparency decreases. In general, the case of the refrigerator may be formed of a metal material including steel.

The heat transfer degree of the tray case from the storage room to the tray case direction is greater than the heat transfer degree of the insulation wall from the outer space of the refrigerator to the storage room direction, or the heat conductivity of the tray case is the insulation wall (for example, between the inner/outer case of the refrigerator) It may be configured to be greater than the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulation material located in). Here, the insulating wall may mean an insulating wall that divides the external space and the storage chamber. This is because when the heat transfer degree of the tray case is equal to or greater than the heat transfer degree of the heat insulating wall, the rate at which the ice making cell is cooled may be excessively reduced.

The first region may be configured to have a different degree of heat transfer in a direction along the outer peripheral surface. The heat transfer degree of one of the first regions may be lower than that of the other of the first regions. This configuration may help to reduce a degree of heat transfer transmitted through the tray assembly from the first region to the second region in a direction along the outer circumferential surface.

Meanwhile, the first and second regions arranged to contact each other may be configured to have different heat transfer degrees in a direction along the outer peripheral surface. The heat transfer degree of any one of the first regions may be configured to be lower than the heat transfer degree of any one of the second regions. This configuration may help to reduce a degree of heat transfer transmitted through the tray assembly from the first region to the second region in a direction along the outer circumferential surface. In another aspect, it may be advantageous to reduce heat transferred from the heater to one of the first areas to be transferred to an ice making cell formed in the second area. As the heat transferred to the second region decreases, the heater can locally heat any one of the first region. Through this, it is possible to reduce a decrease in the ice making speed due to heating of the heater. In another aspect, the heater may move or collect air bubbles in a region heated locally, thereby improving transparency of ice. The heater may be a transparent ice heater.

For example, a length of a heat transfer path from the first region to the second region may be configured to be greater than a length in the outer peripheral surface direction from the first region to the second region. As another example, a thickness of the tray assembly from the center of the ice-making cell toward the outer circumferential surface of the ice-making cell may be thinner than one of the first region or one of the second region. Any one of the first regions may be a portion not surrounded by the tray case. The other of the first area may be a portion surrounding the tray case. Any one of the second areas may be a portion surrounding the tray case. Any one of the first regions may be a portion of the first region that forms a lowermost end of the ice making cell. The first area may include a tray and a tray case that locally surrounds the tray.

In this way, when the thickness of the first region is formed to be thin, heat transfer to the center of the ice-making cell may be reduced while heat transfer to the outer circumferential surface of the ice-making cell is reduced. As a result, the ice making cell formed in the first region can be locally heated.

The minimum value of the thickness of any one of the first region may be thinner than the minimum value of the thickness of the other of the first region or smaller than the minimum value of the thickness of any one of the second region. The maximum value of the thickness of one of the first regions may be thinner than the maximum value of the thickness of the other of the first region or may be smaller than the maximum value of the thickness of any one of the second region. When a through hole is formed in the region, the minimum value means a minimum value among the remaining regions excluding a portion in which the through hole is formed. The average value of the thickness of one of the first regions may be thinner than the average of the thickness of the other of the first region or may be thinner than the average of the thickness of any one of the second region. The uniformity of the thickness of one of the first regions may be greater than the uniformity of the thickness of the other of the first region or greater than the uniformity of the thickness of any one of the second region.

As another example, the tray assembly may include a first portion forming at least a portion of the ice making cell and a second portion extending from a predetermined point of the first portion. The first region may be disposed in the first part. The second region may be disposed in an additional tray assembly that may contact the first part. At least a portion of the second portion may extend in a direction away from the ice making cell formed by the second region. In this case, heat transferred from the heater to the first area may be reduced from being transferred to the second area.

The structure and method of cooling the ice making cell, including the degree of cold transfer of the tray assembly, can affect the creation of transparent ice. As described above, the tray assembly may include a first region and a second region forming an outer peripheral surface of the ice making cell. For example, the first and second regions may be part of one tray assembly. As another example, the first area may be a first tray assembly. The second area may be a second tray assembly.

For a certain amount of cooling supplied by the cooler and a certain amount of heat supplied by the heater, it would be advantageous to configure the cooler to more intensively cool a part of the ice making cell in order to increase the ice making speed of the refrigerator and/and increase the transparency of ice. I can. The ice making speed may be improved as the cold supplied by the cooler to the ice making cell increases. However, as the cold is uniformly supplied to the outer circumferential surface of the ice making cell, the transparency of the generated ice may decrease. Therefore, the more intensively the cooler cools a part of the ice-making cell, the more air bubbles can be moved or collected in other areas of the ice-making cell, thereby increasing the transparency of the generated ice and minimizing the decrease in the ice-making speed. I can.

The cooler may be configured such that the amount of cold supplied to the second region and the amount of cold supplied to the first region are different so that the cooler can more intensively cool a part of the ice making cell. I can. The cooler may be configured such that an amount of cold supplied to the second region is greater than an amount of cold supplied to the first region.

For example, the second region may be made of a metal material having a high degree of cold transfer, and the first region may be made of a material having a lower degree of cold transfer than metal.

As another example, in order to increase the degree of cold transfer transmitted through the tray assembly in the direction of the center of the ice making cell in the storage room, the second area may be configured to have different degrees of cold transfer in the center direction. A degree of cold transfer in one of the second regions may be greater than a degree of cold transfer in one of the second regions. A through hole may be formed in any one of the second regions. At least a portion of the heat absorbing surface of the cooler may be disposed in the through hole. A passage through which cold air supplied from the cooler passes may be disposed in the through hole. Any one of the above may be a portion not surrounding the tray case. The other one may be a portion surrounding the tray case. Any one of the second regions may be a portion forming the uppermost end of the ice making cell. The second area may include a tray and a tray case that locally surrounds the tray. As described above, when a part of the tray assembly is configured to have a high degree of cold transfer, supercooling may occur in the tray assembly having a high degree of cold transfer. As described above, a design may be required to reduce the degree of subcooling.

Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the refrigerator of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a cabinet 14 including a storage compartment and a door for opening and closing the storage compartment.

The storage chamber may include a refrigerating chamber 18 and a freezing chamber 32. The refrigerating chamber 14 is disposed on the upper side and the freezing chamber 32 is disposed on the lower side, so that each storage compartment can be opened and closed individually by each door.

As another example, a freezing chamber may be disposed on the upper side and a refrigerating chamber may be disposed on the lower side. Alternatively, a freezing compartment may be disposed on one of the left and right sides, and a refrigerating compartment may be disposed on the other side.

In the freezing chamber 32, an upper space and a lower space may be separated from each other, and a drawer 40 capable of drawing in/out from the lower space may be provided in the lower space.

The door may include a plurality of doors 10, 20, and 30 for opening and closing the refrigerating chamber 18 and the freezing chamber 32.

The plurality of doors 10, 20, 30 may include some or all of the doors 10, 20 for opening and closing the storage chamber in a rotating manner, and the door 30 for opening and closing the storage chamber in a sliding manner.

The freezing chamber 32 may be provided to be separated into two spaces, even though it can be opened and closed by one door 30.

In the present embodiment, the freezing chamber 32 may be referred to as a first storage chamber, and the refrigerating chamber 18 may be referred to as a second storage chamber.

An ice maker 200 capable of manufacturing ice may be provided in the freezing chamber 32. The ice maker 200 may be located in the upper space of the freezing chamber 32, for example.

An ice bin 600 in which ice produced by the ice maker 200 is dropped and stored may be disposed under the ice maker 200. The user may take the ice bin 600 out of the freezing compartment 32 and use the ice stored in the ice bin 600.

The ice bin 600 may be mounted on an upper side of a horizontal wall that divides the upper space and the lower space of the freezing chamber 32.

Although not shown, the cabinet 14 is provided with a duct for supplying cold air to the ice maker 200 (not shown). The duct guides the cool air heat-exchanged with the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator toward the ice maker 200.

For example, the duct may be disposed at the rear of the cabinet 14 to discharge cold air toward the front of the cabinet 14. The ice maker 200 may be located in front of the duct.

Although not limited, the outlet of the duct may be provided in at least one of a rear wall and an upper wall of the freezing chamber 32.

Although it has been described above that the ice maker 200 is provided in the freezing compartment 32, the space in which the ice maker 200 can be located is not limited to the freezing compartment 32, and as long as cold air can be supplied, various The ice maker 200 may be located in the space.

Therefore, hereinafter, it will be described that the ice maker 200 is located in the storage room.

2 is a perspective view showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front view of the ice machine of FIG. 2. 4 is a perspective view of an ice maker with a bracket removed in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, 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.

The ice maker 200 may include a first tray assembly and a second tray assembly.

The first tray assembly may include a first tray 320, a first tray case, or may include the first tray 320 and a second tray case.

The second tray assembly may include a second tray 380, a second tray case, or the second tray 380 and a second tray case.

The bracket 220 may define at least a portion of a space accommodating the first tray assembly and the second tray assembly.

The bracket 220 may be installed on an upper wall of the freezing chamber 32, for example. A water supply unit 240 may be installed on the bracket 220. The water supply unit 240 may guide water supplied from the upper side to the lower side of the water supply unit 240. A water supply pipe (not shown) through which water is supplied may be installed above the water supply unit 240.

Water supplied to the water supply unit 240 may be moved downward. The water supply unit 240 prevents water discharged from the water supply pipe from falling from a high position, thereby preventing water from splashing.

Since the water supply unit 240 is disposed below the water supply pipe, water is guided downward without splashing to the water supply unit 240, and even if it is moved downward by a lowered height, the amount of water splashing can be reduced.

The ice maker 200 may include an ice making cell (refer to 320a of FIG. 49 ), which is a space in which water is transformed into ice by cold air.

The first tray 320 may form at least a part of the ice making cell (refer to 320a of FIG. 49 ). The second tray 380 may include a second tray 380 forming another part of the ice making cell (see 320a of FIG. 49 ).

The second tray 380 may be disposed to be movable relative to the first tray 320. The second tray 380 may perform linear motion or rotational motion.

Hereinafter, an example in which the second tray 380 rotates will be described.

For example, in the ice making process, the second tray 380 may move with respect to the first tray 320 so that the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may contact each other.

When the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 contact each other, the complete ice making cell (see 320a of FIG. 49) may be defined.

On the other hand, the second tray 380 may move relative to the first tray 320 during the ice-making process after the ice making is completed, so that the second tray 380 may be spaced apart from the first tray 320.

In this embodiment, the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may be arranged in a vertical direction while the ice making cells (refer to 320a of FIG. 49) are formed.

Accordingly, the first tray 320 may be referred to as an upper tray, and the second tray 380 may be referred to as a lower tray.

A plurality of ice making cells (refer to 320a of FIG. 49) may be defined by the first tray 320 and the second tray 380. Hereinafter, it is shown that three ice making cells (see 320a of FIG. 49) are formed as an example in the drawing.

When water is cooled by cold air while water is supplied to the ice making cell (refer to 320a of FIG. 49), ice having the same or similar shape as that of the ice making cell (refer to 320a of FIG. 49) may be generated.

In this embodiment, for example, the ice making cell (see 320a of FIG. 49) may be formed in a spherical shape or a shape similar to a spherical shape.

Of course, the ice making cell (see 320a of FIG. 49) may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape or a polygonal shape.

The first tray case may include, for example, the first tray supporter 340 and the first tray cover 320.

The first tray supporter 340 and the first tray cover 320 may be integrally formed, or may be combined after being manufactured in a separate configuration.

For example, at least a portion of the first tray cover 300 may be located above the first tray 320. At least a portion of the first tray supporter 340 may be located under the first tray 320.

The first tray cover 300 may be manufactured as a separate article from the bracket 220 and coupled to the bracket 220 or may be integrally formed with the bracket 220. That is, the first tray case may include the bracket 220.

The ice maker 200 may further include a first heater case 280. An icebreaking heater (see 290 in FIG. 21) may be installed in the first heater case 280. The heater case 280 may be integrally formed with the first tray cover 300 or may be formed separately.

The ice-breaking heater (refer to 290 in FIG. 21) may be disposed adjacent to the first tray 320. The eving heater (refer to 290 in FIG. 21) may be, for example, a wire type heater.

For example, the ice-breaking heater (see 290 in FIG. 21) may be installed to contact the first tray 320 or may be disposed at a location spaced apart from the first tray 320 by a predetermined distance.

In either case, the ice-making heater (see 290 in FIG. 21) may supply heat to the first tray 320, and the heat supplied to the first tray 320 is the ice-making cell (see 320a in FIG. 49). ) Can be delivered.

The first tray cover 300 is formed to correspond to the shape of the ice making cell (refer to 320a of FIG. 49) of the first tray 320, so that it may contact the lower side of the first tray 320.

The ice maker 200 may include a first pusher 260 for separating ice during an ice breaking process. The first pusher 260 may receive power from a driving unit 480 to be described later.

The first tray cover 300 may be provided with a guide slot 302 for guiding the movement of the first pusher 260. The guide slot 302 may be provided in a portion extending upward of the first tray cover 300.

The guide connection portion of the first pusher 260 to be described later may be inserted into the guide slot 302. Accordingly, the guide connection portion may be guided along the guide slot 302.

The first pusher 260 may include at least one pushing bar 264. As an example, the first pusher 260 may include a pushing bar 264 provided in the same number as the number of ice-making cells (refer to 320a of FIG. 49), but is not limited thereto.

The pushing bar 264 may push ice located in the ice making cell (refer to 320a of FIG. 49) during the ice breaking process. For example, the pushing bar 264 may pass through the first tray cover 300 and be inserted into the ice making cell (see 320a of FIG. 49 ).

Accordingly, the first tray cover 300 may be provided with an opening 304 (or a through hole) through which a portion of the first pusher 260 passes.

The first pusher 260 may be coupled to the pusher link 500. In this case, the first pusher 260 may be rotatably coupled to the pusher link 500. Accordingly, when the pusher link 500 moves, the first pusher 260 may also move along the guide slot 302.

The second tray case may include, for example, a second tray cover 360 and a second tray supporter 400.

The second tray cover 360 and the second tray supporter 400 may be integrally formed or may be combined after being manufactured in separate configurations.

For example, at least a portion of the second tray cover 360 may be located above the second tray 380. At least a portion of the second tray supporter 400 may be located under the second tray 380.

The second tray supporter 400 may support the second tray 380 from a lower side of the second tray 380.

As an example, at least a portion of a wall forming the second cell 320c of the second tray 380 may be supported by the second tray supporter 400.

A spring 402 may be connected to one side of the second tray supporter 400. The spring 402 may provide an elastic force to the second tray supporter 400 to maintain the second tray 380 in contact with the first tray 320.

The second tray 380 may include a peripheral wall 387 surrounding a part of the first tray 320 in a state in contact with the first tray 320. The second tray cover 360 may wrap at least a portion of the peripheral wall 387.

The ice maker 200 may further include a second heater case 420. A transparent ice heater 430 to be described later may be installed in the second heater case 420.

The second heater case 420 may be integrally formed with the second tray supporter 400 or separately formed to be coupled to the second tray supporter 400.

The ice maker 200 may further include a driving unit 480 providing a driving force. The second tray 380 may move relative to the first tray 320 by receiving the driving force of the driving unit 480. The first pusher 260 may move by receiving the driving force of the driving force 480.

A through hole 282 may be formed in an extension portion 281 extending downward on one side of the first tray cover 300.

A through hole 404 may be formed in the extension part 403 extending to one side of the second tray supporter 400.

The ice maker 200 may further include a shaft 440 (or a rotating shaft) passing through the through holes 282 and 404 together.

Rotating arms 460 may be provided at both ends of the shaft 440, respectively. The shaft 440 may be rotated by receiving a rotational force from the driving unit 480.

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

The driving unit 480 may include a motor and a plurality of gears.

A full ice detection lever 520 may be connected to the driving unit 480. The ice detection lever 520 may also be rotated by the rotational force provided by the driving unit 480.

The full ice detection lever 520 may have an overall'U' shape. For example, the ice detection lever 520 includes a first lever 521 and a pair of second levers 522 extending in a direction crossing the first lever 521 at both ends of the first lever 521. ) Can be included.

One of the pair of second levers 522 may be coupled to the driving unit 480 and the other may be coupled to the bracket 220 or the first tray cover 300.

The ice detection lever 520 may detect ice stored in the ice bin 600 while being rotated.

The driving unit 480 may further include a cam rotated by receiving rotational power of the motor.

The ice maker 200 may further include a sensor that detects rotation of the cam.

As an example, a magnet is provided in the cam, and the sensor may be a Hall sensor for detecting magnetism of the magnet during the rotation of the cam. Depending on whether the sensor detects a magnet, the sensor may output a first signal and a second signal, which are different outputs. One of the first signal and the second signal may be a high signal, and the other may be a low signal.

The controller 800, which will be described later, may determine the location of the second tray 380 (or the second tray assembly) based on the type and pattern of the signal output from the sensor. That is, since the second tray 380 and the cam are rotated by the motor, the position of the second tray 380 may be indirectly determined based on a detection signal of a magnet provided in the cam.

For example, a water supply location, an ice making location, and an ice ice location to be described later may be classified and determined based on a signal output from the sensor.

The ice maker 200 may further include a second pusher 540. The second pusher 540 may be installed on the bracket 220, for example.

The second pusher 540 may include at least one pushing bar 544. As an example, the second pusher 540 may include a pushing bar 544 provided in the same number as the number of ice-making cells (refer to 320a of FIG. 49), but is not limited thereto.

The pushing bar 544 may push ice located in the ice making cell (refer to 320a of FIG. 49 ). For example, the pushing bar 544 may pass through the second tray supporter 400 and come into contact with the second tray 380 forming the ice making cell (refer to 320a of FIG. 49), and the contacted The second tray 380 may be pressed.

The first tray cover 300 may be rotatably coupled to each other with respect to the second tray supporter 400 and the shaft 440 so that the angle may be changed around the shaft 440.

In this embodiment, the second tray 380 may be formed of a non-metal material.

For example, when the second tray 380 is pressed by the second pusher 540, the second tray 380 may be formed of a flexible or soft material that can be deformed.

Although not limited, the second tray 380 may be formed of a silicon material, for example.

Accordingly, while the second tray 380 is pressed by the second pusher 540, the second tray 380 is deformed so that the pressing force of the second pusher 540 may be transmitted to ice. Ice and the second tray 380 may be separated by the pressing force of the second pusher 540.

When the second tray 380 is formed of a non-metallic material and a flexible or soft material, the bonding force or adhesion between ice and the second tray 380 may be reduced, so that ice can be easily separated from the second tray 380 have.

In addition, when the second tray 380 is formed of a non-metallic material and a flexible or soft material, after the shape of the second tray 380 is deformed by the second pusher 540, the second pusher 540 When the pressing force of) is removed, the second tray 380 can be easily restored to its original shape.

As another example, the first tray 320 may be formed of a metal material. In this case, since the bonding force or adhesion between the first tray 320 and the ice is strong, the ice maker 200 of the present embodiment includes at least one of the ice-breaking heater (see 290 in FIG. 21) and the first pusher 260 It may include.

As another example, the first tray 320 may be formed of a non-metal material. When the first tray 320 is formed of a non-metal material, the ice maker 200 may include only one of the ice-breaking heater 290 and the first pusher 260.

Alternatively, the ice maker 200 may not include the ice-breaking heater 290 and the first pusher 260.

Although not limited, the first tray 320 may be formed of a silicon material, for example.

That is, the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may be formed of the same material.

When the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 are formed of the same material, the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may be formed of the same material, so that the sealing performance is maintained at a contact portion between the first tray 320 and the second tray 380. The hardness of the first tray 320 and the hardness of the second tray 380 may be different.

In the present embodiment, the second tray 380 is pressed by the second pusher 540 to deform the shape, so that the second tray 380 can be easily deformed, the second tray 380 The hardness of may be lower than that of the first tray 320.

<Bracket>

6 and 7 are perspective views of a bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 7, the bracket 220 may be fixed to at least one surface of the storage compartment or to a cover member (to be described later) fixed to the storage compartment.

The bracket 220 may include a first wall 221 in which a through hole 221a is formed. At least a portion of the first wall 221 may extend in a horizontal direction.

The first wall 221 may include a first fixing wall 221b to be fixed to one surface of the storage chamber or the cover member. At least a portion of the first fixing wall 221b may extend in a horizontal direction. The first fixing wall 221b may also be referred to as a horizontal fixing wall.

One or more fixing protrusions 221c may be provided on the first fixing wall 221b. In order to securely fix the bracket 220, a plurality of fixing protrusions 221c may be provided on the first fixing wall 221b.

The first wall 221 may further include a second fixing wall 221e to be fixed to one surface of the storage chamber or the cover member. At least a portion of the second fixing wall 221e may extend in a vertical direction. The second fixing wall 221e may also be referred to as a vertical fixing wall.

For example, the second fixing wall 221e may extend upward from the first fixing wall 221b. The second fixing wall 221e may include a fixing rib 221e1 and/or a hook 221e2.

In this embodiment, the first wall 221 may include at least one of the first fixing wall 221b and the second fixing wall 221e to fix the bracket 220.

The first wall 221 may be formed in a form in which a plurality of walls are stepped in the vertical direction. For example, a plurality of walls may be arranged with a height difference in a horizontal direction, and the plurality of walls may be connected by a vertical connection wall.

The first wall 221 may further include a support wall 221d supporting the first tray assembly. At least a portion of the support wall 221d may extend in a horizontal direction.

The support wall 221d may be positioned at the same height as the first fixing wall 221b or may be disposed at a different height. 6, for example, the support wall 221d is shown to be positioned lower than the first fixing wall 221b.

The bracket 220 may further include a second wall 222 having a through hole 222a through which cold air generated by the cooling means passes.

The second wall 222 may extend from the first wall 221. At least a portion of the second wall 222 may extend in the vertical direction. At least a portion of the through hole 222a may be positioned higher than the support wall 221d. 6, for example, it is shown that the lowermost end of the through hole 222a is positioned higher than the support wall 221d.

The bracket 220 may further include a third wall 223 on which the driving unit 480 is installed. The third wall 223 may extend from the first wall 221. At least a portion of the third wall 223 may extend in the vertical direction.

At least a portion of the third wall 223 may be disposed to face the second wall 222 while being spaced apart from the second wall 222. At least a part of the ice making cell (refer to 320a of FIG. 49) may be positioned between the second wall 222 and the second wall 223.

The driving part 480 may be installed on the third wall 223 between the second wall 222 and the third wall 223. Alternatively, the driving unit 480 may be installed on the third wall 223 so that the third wall 223 is positioned between the second wall 222 and the driving unit 480.

In this case, a shaft hole 223a through which the shaft of the motor constituting the driving part 480 passes may be formed in the third wall 223. 7 shows that the shaft hole 223a is formed in the third wall 223.

The bracket 220 may further include a fourth wall 224 to which the second pusher 540 is fixed.

The fourth wall 224 may extend from the first wall 221. The fourth wall 224 may connect the second wall 222 and the third wall 223.

The fourth wall 224 may be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal and vertical lines. For example, the fourth wall 224 may be inclined in a direction away from the shaft hole 223a from an upper side to a lower side.

A seating groove 224a for seating the second pusher 540 may be provided in the fourth wall 224. A fastening hole 224b through which a fastening member for fastening to the second pusher 540 passes may be formed in the mounting groove 224a.

When the second tray assembly is rotated while the second pusher 540 is fixed to the fourth wall 224, the second tray 380 and the second pusher 540 may contact each other. . Ice may be separated from the second tray 380 while the second pusher 540 presses the second tray 380.

When the second pusher 540 presses the second tray 380, ice also presses the second pusher 540 before the ice is separated from the second tray 380. The force pressing the second pusher 540 may be transmitted to the fourth wall 224. Since the fourth wall 224 is formed in a thin plate shape, a strength reinforcing member 224c may be provided on the fourth wall 224 to prevent deformation or damage of the fourth wall 224.

For example, the strength reinforcing member 224c may include ribs arranged in a grid shape. That is, the strength reinforcing member 224c may include a first rib extending in a first direction and a second rib extending in a second direction crossing the first direction.

In this embodiment, at least two of the first to fourth walls 221 to 224 may define a space for the first and second tray assemblies to be located.

<1st tray>

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first tray as viewed from above, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the first tray as viewed from below. 10 is a plan view of the first tray. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along FIG. 11 of FIG. 8.

8 to 10, the first tray 320 may define a first cell 321a that is a part of the ice making cell 320a.

The first tray 320 may include a first tray wall 321 forming a part of the ice making cell 320a.

The first tray 320 may, for example, define a plurality of first cells 321a. The plurality of first cells 321a may be arranged in a line, for example. Referring to FIG. 9, the plurality of first cells 321a may be arranged in the X-axis direction.

For example, the first tray wall 321 may define the plurality of first cells 321a.

The first tray wall 321 includes a plurality of first cell walls 3211 for forming each of the plurality of first cells 321a, and a connection wall connecting the plurality of first cell walls 3211 ( 3212) may be included. The first tray wall 321 may be a wall extending in a vertical direction.

The first tray 320 may include an opening 324. The opening 324 may communicate with the first cell 321a.

The opening 324 may allow cold air to be supplied to the first cell 321a. The opening 324 may allow water for ice generation to be supplied to the first cell 321a.

The opening 234 may provide a passage through which a portion of the first pusher 260 passes. For example, in the ice-breaking process, a part of the first pusher 260 may pass through the opening 234 and be introduced into the ice-making cell 320a.

The first tray 320 may include a plurality of openings 324 corresponding to the plurality of first cells 321a. Any one 324a of the plurality of openings 324 may provide a passage for cold air, a passage for water, and a passage for the first pusher 260.

In the ice making process, air bubbles may escape through the opening 324.

The first tray 320 may include a case accommodating portion 321b. The case accommodating portion 321b may be formed as, for example, a part of the first tray wall 321 is recessed downward.

At least a portion of the case accommodating portion 321b may be disposed to surround the opening 324. The bottom surface of the case accommodating portion 321b may be positioned lower than the opening 324.

The first tray 320 may further include an auxiliary storage compartment 325 communicating with the ice making cell 320a. In the auxiliary storage room 325, for example, water overflowing from the ice making cell 320a may be stored.

Ice that expands during a phase change of water supplied may be located in the auxiliary storage chamber 325. That is, the expanded ice may pass through the opening 304 and be located in the auxiliary storage chamber 325.

The auxiliary storage chamber 325 may be formed by the storage chamber wall 325a. The storage chamber wall 325a may extend upwardly around the opening 324.

The storage chamber wall 325a may be formed in a cylindrical shape or a polygonal shape.

Substantially, the first pusher 260 may pass through the opening 324 after passing through the storage chamber wall 325a.

The storage compartment wall 325a not only forms the auxiliary storage compartment 325, but also prevents deformation around the opening 324 in the course of passing the first pusher 260 through the opening 324 during the ice breaking process. Can be reduced.

When the first tray 320 defines a plurality of first cells 321a, at least one 325b of the plurality of storage chamber walls 325a may support the water supply unit 240.

The storage chamber wall 325b supporting the water supply unit 240 may be formed in a polygonal shape. For example, the storage chamber wall 325b may include a round portion that is rounded in a horizontal direction and a plurality of straight portions.

As an example, the storage compartment wall 325b includes a round wall 325b1, a pair of straight walls 325b2 and 325b3 extending parallel from both ends of the round wall 325b, and the pair of straight walls 325b2. , It may include a connection wall (325b4) connecting the 325b3. The connection wall 325b4 may be a rounded wall or a straight wall.

The upper end of the connection wall 325b4 may be positioned lower than the upper end of the remaining walls 325b1, 325b2, 325b3. The connection wall 325b4 may support the water supply part 240. An opening 324a corresponding to the storage compartment wall 325b supporting the water supply unit 240 may also be formed in the same shape as the storage compartment wall 325b.

The first tray 320 may further include a heater receiving portion 321c. An icebreaking heater 290 may be accommodated in the heater accommodating part 321c. The ice-breaking heater 290 may contact the bottom surface of the heater receiving part 321c.

The heater receiving part 321c may be provided on the first tray wall 321, for example. The heater accommodating portion 321c may be recessed downward from the case accommodating portion 321b. The heater receiving part 321c may be disposed to surround the first cell 321a. For example, at least a portion of the heater receiving portion 321c may be rounded in a horizontal direction.

The bottom surface of the heater accommodating part 321c may be positioned lower than the opening 324.

The first tray 320 may include a first contact surface 322c in contact with the second tray 380. The bottom surface of the heater receiving portion 321c may be positioned between the opening 324 and the first contact surface 322c.

At least a portion of the heater accommodating part 321c may be disposed to overlap the ice making cell 320a (or the first cell 321a) in the vertical direction.

The first tray 320 may further include a first extension wall 327 extending in a horizontal direction from the first tray wall 321. For example, the first extension wall 327 may extend in a horizontal direction around an upper end of the first extension wall 327.

One or more first fastening holes 327a may be provided in the first extension wall 327. Although not limited, a plurality of first fastening holes 327a may be arranged in at least one X-axis and Y-axis.

The upper end of the storage chamber wall 325b may be positioned at the same height as the upper surface of the first extension wall 327 or may be positioned higher.

Referring to FIG. 10, the first extension wall 327 is a first border line 327b spaced apart from the ice making cell 320a in the Y direction with respect to the center line C1 (or the vertical center line) in the Z-axis direction. ) And a second border line 327c. In this specification, regardless of the axial direction, the “center line” is a line passing through the volume center of the ice making cell 320a or the center of gravity of water or ice in the ice making cell 320a.

The first edge line 327b and the second edge line 327c may be parallel.

A distance L1 from the center line C1 to the first edge line 327b is longer than a distance L2 from the center line C1 to the first border line 327b.

The first extension wall 327 may include a third border line 327d and a fourth border line 327e spaced apart from the ice making cell 320a in the X direction with respect to the center line C1. The third edge line 327d and the fourth edge line 327e may be parallel.

Lengths of the third edge line 327d and the fourth edge line 327e may be shorter than the lengths of the first edge line 327b and the second edge line 327c.

The length in the X-axis direction from the first tray 320 is the length of the first tray, the length in the Y-axis direction from the first tray 320 is the width of the first tray, and the first tray The length in the Z-axis direction at 320 may be referred to as the height of the first tray.

In the present embodiment, the X-Y-axis cut surface may be a horizontal plane.

When the first tray 320 includes a plurality of first cells 321a, the length of the first tray 320 may be longer, but the width of the first tray 320 is the first tray ( Since it may be shorter than the length of 320, the volume of the first tray 320 may be prevented from increasing.

12 is a bottom view of the first tray of FIG. 9, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along 13-13 of FIG. 11, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along 14-14 of FIG.

11 to 14, the first tray 320 may include a first portion 322 defining a part of the ice making cell 320a. The first part 322 may be, for example, a part of the first tray wall 321.

The first portion 322 may include a first cell surface 322b (or an outer peripheral surface) forming the first cell 321a.

The first cell 321 may be divided into a first region positioned close to the transparent ice heater 430 in a Z-axis direction and a second region positioned away from the transparent ice heater 430.

The first region may include the first contact surface 322c, and the second region may include the opening 324.

The first portion 322 may be defined as an area between two dotted lines in FIG. 11.

The first portion 322 may include the opening 324. In addition, the first part 322 may include the heater receiving part 321c.

At least a portion of the upper portion of the first portion 322 is greater than at least a portion of the lower portion of the ice-making cell 320a from the center to the circumferential direction. In the inner deformation degree, at least a part of the upper portion of the first portion 322 is greater than the lowermost end of the first portion 322.

Upper and lower portions of the first portion 322 may be divided based on the extending direction of the center line C1.

The lowermost end of the first portion 322 is the first contact surface 322c in contact with the second tray 380.

The first tray 320 may further include a second portion 323 formed extending from a predetermined point of the first portion 322. A predetermined point of the first portion 322 may be one end of the first portion 322. Alternatively, a predetermined point of the first portion 322 may be a point of the first contact surface 322c.

A part of the second part 323 may be formed by the first tray wall 321, and another part of the second part 323 may be formed by the first extension wall 327.

At least a portion of the second portion 323 may extend in a direction away from the transparent ice heater 430. At least a portion of the second portion 323 may extend upward from the first contact surface 322c.

At least a portion of the second portion 323 may extend in a direction away from the center line C1. For example, the second portion 323 may extend in both directions along the Y axis from the center line C1.

The second part 323 may be positioned equal to or higher than the uppermost end of the ice making cell 320a. The uppermost end of the ice making cell 320a is a portion in which the opening 324 is formed.

The second part 323 may include a first extension part 323a and a second extension part 323b extending in different directions based on the center line C1.

The first tray wall 321 may include a part of a second extension part 323b of the first part 322 and the second part 323.

The first extension wall 327 may include other parts of the first extension part 323a and the second extension part 323b.

Referring to FIG. 11, the first extension part 323a may be located on the left side with respect to the center line C1, and the second extension part 323b may be located on the right side with respect to the center line C1. .

The first extension part 323a and the second extension part 323b may have different shapes based on the center line C1. The first extension part 323a and the second extension part 323b may be formed in an asymmetric shape based on the center line C1.

The length of the second extension part 323b in the Y-axis direction may be longer than the length of the first extension part 323a. Accordingly, while ice is generated and grown from the top during the ice making process, the degree of deformation of the second extension part 323b may be increased.

The first extension part 323a is a portion of the second wall 222 or the third wall 223 of the bracket 220 to which the fourth wall 224 is connected, rather than the second extension part 323a. It may be located closer to the edge portion located on the opposite side.

The second extension part 323b may be positioned closer to the shaft 440 providing the rotation center of the second tray assembly than the first extension part 323a.

In this embodiment, since the length of the second extension part 323b in the Y-axis direction is longer than the length of the first extension part 323a, the second tray in contact with the first tray 320 ( The turning radius of the second tray assembly having 380 is also increased.

When the rotation radius of the second tray assembly is increased, the centrifugal force of the second tray assembly is increased, so that the ice breaking force for separating ice from the second tray assembly may be increased during the ice breaking process. This can be improved.

11 to 14, the thickness of the first tray wall 321 is minimum from the side of the first contact surface 322c.

At least a portion of the first tray wall 321 may increase in thickness toward an upper side from the first contact surface 322c.

13 shows the thickness of the first tray wall 321 at a first height H1 from the first contact surface 322c, and FIG. 14 is a second height H2 from the first contact surface 322c. Shows the thickness of the first tray wall 321 in.

The thickness (t2, t3) of the first tray wall 321 at a first height H1 from the first contact surface 322c is at the first contact surface 322c of the first tray wall 321 It may be larger than the thickness t1.

The thicknesses t2 and t3 of the first tray wall 321 at a first height H1 from the first contact surface 322c may not be constant in the circumferential direction.

At a first height H1 from the first contact surface 322c, the first tray wall 321 additionally includes a part of the second part 323, so that the second The thickness t3 of the portion where the extension portion 323b is located may be greater than the thickness t2 of the opposite side of the second extension portion 323b.

The thickness (t4, t5) of the first tray wall 321 at a second height H2 from the first contact surface 322c is at a first height H1 of the first tray wall 321 It may be greater than the thicknesses t2 and t3 of the first tray wall 321.

The thicknesses t4 and t5 of the first tray wall 321 at a second height H2 from the first contact surface 322c may not be constant in the circumferential direction.

At a second height H2 from the first contact surface 322c, the first tray wall 321 additionally includes a part of the second part 323, so that the second The thickness t5 of the portion where the extension portion 323b is located may be greater than the thickness t4 of the opposite side of the second extension portion 323b.

At least a part of the outer line of the first tray wall 321 has a non-zero curvature based on the X-Y axis cut surface, and the curvature may vary.

In this embodiment, a line having a curvature of 0 means a straight line. Curvature greater than 0 means a curve.

Referring to FIG. 12, a circumference of an outer line of the first tray wall 321 at the first contact surface 322c may have a constant curvature. That is, the amount of change in curvature around the outer line of the first tray wall 321 in the first contact surface 322c may be zero.

Referring to FIG. 13, at a first height H1 from the first contact surface 322c, a change in curvature of at least a portion of an outer line of the first tray wall 321 may be greater than zero. That is, at a first height H1 from the first contact surface 322c, the curvature of at least a portion of the outer line of the first tray wall 321 may be varied in the circumferential direction.

For example, at a first height H1 from the first contact surface 322c, the curvature of the outer line 323b1 of the second portion 323 may be greater than the curvature of the outer line of the first portion 322 .

Referring to FIG. 14, at a second height H2 from the first contact surface 322c, a change in curvature of the outer line of the first tray wall 321 may be greater than zero. That is, at the second height H2 from the first contact surface 322c, the curvature of the outer line of the first tray wall 321 may be varied in the circumferential direction.

For example, at a second height H2 from the first contact surface 322c, the curvature of the outer line 323b2 of the second portion 323 may be greater than the curvature of the outer line of the first portion 322 .

The curvature of at least a part of the outer line 323b2 of the second part 323 at a second height H2 from the first contact surface 322c is at a first height H1 from the first contact surface 322c. The curvature of at least a portion of the outer line 323b1 of the second portion 323 may be greater.

Referring to FIG. 11, a curvature of an outer line 322e at a side of the first extension 323a in the first portion 322 in the Y-Z axis cut plane based on the center line C1 may be zero.

In the Y-Z-axis cut plane based on the center line C1, the curvature of the outer line 323d of the second extension portion 323b of the second portion 323 may be greater than zero.

For example, the outer line 323d of the second extension part 323b has the shaft 440 as a center of curvature.

15 is a cross-sectional view taken along 15-15 of FIG. 8.

8, 10, and 15, the first tray 320 may further include a sensor receiving portion 321e in which the second temperature sensor 700 (or the tray temperature sensor) is accommodated.

The second temperature sensor 700 may detect a temperature of water or ice of the ice making cell 320a.

The second temperature sensor 700 is disposed adjacent to the first tray 320 and detects the temperature of the first tray 320, thereby indirectly detecting the temperature of water or ice in the ice making cell 320a. Can be detected. In this embodiment, the temperature of water or ice of the ice-making cell 320a may be referred to as an internal temperature of the ice-making cell 320a.

The sensor receiving part 321e may be formed by being recessed downward from the case receiving part 321b.

At this time, in a state in which the second temperature sensor 700 is accommodated in the sensor accommodating unit 321e, the sensor accommodating unit 321e is prevented from interfering with the ice-breaking heater 290 by the second temperature sensor 700. ) May be positioned lower than the bottom surface of the heater receiving part 321c.

The bottom surface of the sensor accommodating part 321e may be positioned closer to the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 than the bottom surface of the heater accommodating part 321c.

The sensor accommodating part 321e may be located between two adjacent ice making cells 320a. For example, the sensor receiving part 321e may be positioned between two adjacent first cells 321a.

When the sensor accommodating part 321e is positioned between the two ice making cells 320a, the second temperature sensor 700 can be easily installed without increasing the volume of the second tray 250. In addition, when the sensor receiving part 321e is positioned between the two ice making cells 320a, the temperature of at least two ice making cells 320a may be affected, so that the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor is It may be located as close as possible to the actual temperature inside the cell (320a).

Referring to FIG. 10, the sensor receiving portion 321e may be positioned between two adjacent first cells 321a among three first cells 321a arranged in the X-axis direction.

Among the three first cells 321a, the sensor accommodating portion 321e may be positioned between the first cell on the right and the first cell on the center of the left and right sides.

At this time, to secure a space in which the sensor accommodating part 321e is located between the first cell on the right and the first cell in the center, the first cell on the right side and the center The distance D2 between the first cells may be greater than the distance D1 between the center first cell and the left first cell.

A plurality of connection walls 3212 may be provided to improve the uniformity of the ice making direction between the plurality of ice making cells 320a.

For example, the connection wall 3212 may include a first connection wall 3212a and a second connection wall 3212b. The second connection wall 3212b may be located farther from the through hole 222a of the bracket 220 than the first connection wall 3212a.

The first connection wall 3212a may include a first region and a second region having a thicker cross-sectional thickness than the first region. Ice may be generated from the ice making cell 320a formed in the first region toward the ice making cell 320a formed in the second region.

The second connection wall 3212b may include a first region and a second region including a sensor accommodating portion 321e in which the second temperature sensor 700 is located.

<1st tray cover>

16 is a perspective view of a first tray cover, FIG. 17 is a lower perspective view of the first tray cover, FIG. 18 is a plan view of the first tray cover, and FIG. 19 is a side view of the first tray case.

16 to 19, the first tray cover 300 may include an upper plate 301 in contact with the first tray 320.

The lower surface of the upper plate 301 may contact and be coupled to the upper side of the first tray 320. For example, the upper plate 301 may contact at least one of an upper surface of the first portion 322 and an upper surface of the second portion 323 of the first tray 320.

A plate opening 304 (or through hole) may be formed in the upper plate 301. The plate opening 304 may include a straight portion and a curved portion.

Water may be supplied from the water supply unit 240 to the first tray 320 through the plate opening 304. In addition, the extended portion 264 of the first pusher 260 penetrates through the plate opening 304 to separate the ice from the first tray 320. In addition, cold air may pass through the plate opening 304 to contact the first tray 320.

In the upper plate 301, a first case coupling portion 301b extending upward may be formed on a side of a straight portion of the plate opening 304.

The first case coupling portion 301b may be coupled to the first coupling portions 285 and 286 (refer to FIG. 20) of the first heater case 280 to be described later.

The first tray cover 300 may further include a peripheral wall 303 extending upward from an edge of the upper plate 301.

The circumferential wall 303 may include two pairs of walls facing each other. For example, a pair of walls may be spaced apart in the X-axis direction, and the other pair of walls may be spaced apart in the Y-axis direction.

The circumferential wall 303 spaced apart from and facing each other in the Y-axis direction of FIG. 16 may include an extension wall 302e extending upward.

The extension wall 302e may extend upward from the upper surface of the peripheral wall 303.

The first tray cover 300 may include a pair of guide slots 302 for guiding the movement of the first pusher 260.

A part of the guide slot 302 may be formed in the extension wall 302e, and another part of the guide slot 302 may be formed in the circumferential wall 303 positioned below the extension wall 302e. A lower portion of the guide slot 302 may be formed on the peripheral wall 303.

The guide slot 302 may extend in the Z-axis direction of FIG. 16.

The guide slot 302 may flow by inserting the first pusher 260. In addition, the first pusher 260 may move up and down along the guide slot 302.

The guide slot 302 includes a first slot 302a extending vertically with respect to the upper plate 301 and a second slot 302b extending by bending at a certain angle at an upper end of the first slot 302a. It may include. Alternatively, the guide slot 302 may include only the first slot 302a extending in the vertical direction.

The lower end 302d of the first slot 302a may be positioned lower than the upper end of the peripheral wall 303. In addition, an upper end 302c of the first slot 302a may be positioned higher than an upper end of the peripheral wall 303.

A portion bent from the first slot 302a to the second slot 302b may be formed at a position higher than the peripheral wall 303.

The length of the first slot 302a may be longer than the length of the second slot 302b. The second slot 302b may be bent toward the horizontal extension part 305.

When the first pusher 260 moves upward along the guide slot 302, the first pusher 260 is rotated or tilted at a certain angle at a portion moving along the second slot 302b.

When the first pusher 260 rotates, the pushing bar 264 of the first pusher 260 rotates so that the pushing bar 264 is spaced vertically above the opening 324 of the first tray 320. Go to the location.

When the first pusher 260 moves along the second slot 302b that is bent and extended, the end of the pushing bar 264 can be spaced apart so that it does not contact water supplied during water supply. Water is cooled at the end of the first tray 320 so that the pushing bar 264 is not inserted into the opening 324 of the first tray 320 may be solved.

The first tray cover 300 may include a first tray 320 and a plurality of fastening portions 301a for coupling with the first tray 320 and a first tray supporter 340 (see FIG. 24) to be described later.

The plurality of fastening parts 301a may be formed on the upper plate 301.

The plurality of fastening portions 301a may be disposed to be spaced apart in the X-axis and/or Y-axis directions. The fastening part 301a may protrude upward from the upper surface of the upper plate 301.

For example, some of the plurality of fastening portions 301a may be connected to the peripheral wall 303.

The fastening part 301a may be coupled to a fastening member to fix the first tray 320.

The fastening member fastened to the fastening part 301a may be, for example, a bolt. The fastening member passes through the fastening hole 341a of the first tray supporter 340 and the first fastening hole 327a of the first tray 320 from the lower surface of the first tray supporter 340 to the fastening part 301a. ) Can be combined.

A horizontal extension portion 305 extending horizontally outward from the peripheral wall 303 may be formed on one of the peripheral walls 303 that face each other in the Y-axis direction of FIG. 16.

The horizontal extension part 305 may extend in a direction away from the plate opening 304 from the peripheral wall 303 so as to be supported by the support wall 221d of the bracket 220.

A plurality of vertical fastening portions 303a to be coupled to the bracket 220 may be provided on the other circumferential wall 303 of the circumferential walls 303 facing away from each other in the Y-axis direction.

The vertical fastening portion 303a may be coupled to the first wall 221 of the bracket 220. The vertical fastening portions 303a may be arranged to be spaced apart in the X-axis direction.

The upper plate 301 may be provided with a lower protrusion 306 protruding downward.

The lower protrusion 306 may extend along the length direction of the upper plate 301 and may be located around the other one of the peripheral walls 303 spaced apart in the Y-axis direction.

In addition, a step 306a may be formed in the lower protrusion 306. The step 306a may be formed between the pair of extension portions 281 to be described later. Through this, when the second tray 380 is rotated, the second tray 380 and the first tray cover 300 may not interfere.

The first tray cover 300 may further include a plurality of hooks 307 coupled to the first wall 221 of the bracket 220. The hook 307 may be provided on the horizontal protrusion 306, for example.

The plurality of hooks 307 may be disposed to be spaced apart in the X-axis direction. In addition, the plurality of hooks 307 may be positioned between the pair of extension parts 281.

The hook 307 is bent at the end of the first portion 307a and the first portion 307a horizontally extending from the circumferential wall 303 in a direction opposite to the upper plate 301 and extending vertically downward. A second portion 307b may be included.

The first tray cover 300 may further include a pair of extension parts 281 to which the shaft 440 is coupled.

The pair of extension parts 281 may extend downward from the lower protrusion 306, for example.

The pair of extension parts 281 may be disposed to be spaced apart in the X-axis direction.

The extension part 281 may include a through hole 282 through which the shaft 440 passes.

The first tray cover 300 may further include an upper wire guide part 310 for guiding an electric wire connected to an ive heater 290 (refer to FIG. 21) to be described later.

The upper wire guide part 310 may extend above the upper plate 301, for example. The upper wire guide part 310 may include a first guide 312 and a second guide 314 disposed to be spaced apart.

For example, the first guide 312 and the second guide 314 may extend vertically upward from the upper plate 310.

The first guide 312 includes a first portion 312a extending in the Y-axis direction from one side of the plate opening 304, and a second portion 312b bent and extended from the first portion 312a. , It may include a third portion 312c bent at the second portion 312b and extending in the X-axis direction. The third part 312c may be connected to one circumferential wall 303.

A first protrusion 313 may be formed on an upper end of the second part 312b to prevent the wire from being separated.

The second guide 314 is bent and extended by a first extension part 314a disposed to face the second part 312b of the first guide 312 and the first extension part 314a. It may include a second extension part 314b disposed to face the third part 312c.

The second part 312b of the first guide 312 and the first extension part 314a of the second guide 314 and the third part 312c and the second guide 314 of the first guide 312 The second extension parts 314b of) may be parallel to each other.

A second protrusion 315 may be formed on an upper end of the first extension part 314a to prevent the wire from being separated.

Wire guide slots 313a and 315a may be formed in the upper plate 310 to correspond to the first protrusion 313 and the second protrusion 315, and a part of the wire may be provided with the wire guide slots 313a and 315a. ) To prevent the wire from being separated.

<The relationship between the heater and the heater case and the first tray>

20 is a perspective view of a first heater case, FIG. 21 is a lower perspective view of the first heater case, FIG. 22 is a partially enlarged view of the first heater case, and FIG. 23 is a coupling relationship between the first heater case and the first tray Is a cross-sectional view showing.

20 to 23, an ice-making heater 290 for providing heat to the ice-making cell 320a may be fixed to the first heater case 280.

The eving heater 290 may be, for example, a wire type heater. Accordingly, the ice-breaking heater 290 may be bent.

The ice making heater 290 may be disposed to surround the plurality of ice making cells 320a so that heat of the ice making heater 290 can be evenly transmitted to each of the plurality of ice making cells 320a. For example, the ice-breaking heater 290 may be disposed to surround the first cell 321a.

The first heater case 280 may be coupled to the first tray cover 300 at an upper end of the first tray 320. Alternatively, the first heater case 280 may be integrally formed with the first tray cover 300.

The first heater case 280 may include a first heater accommodating part 283 accommodating the icebreaking heater 290.

The first heater accommodating portion 283 may include a curved portion 283a and a straight portion 283b.

The ice-breaking heater 290 may be accommodated in the first heater accommodating portion 283 under the first heater accommodating portion 283.

The first heater accommodating portion 283 corresponds to an upper portion of the first tray 320 forming a plurality of ice making cells 320a, and is disposed between a plurality of curved portions 283a and the plurality of curved portions 283a. It may include a straight portion 283b positioned.

The curved portion 283a and the straight portion 283b may be provided with a plurality of separation preventing protrusions 283c for preventing separation when the ice-breaking heater 290 is accommodated.

The first heater accommodating portion 283 may be provided with a plurality of separation preventing grooves 283d formed corresponding to the separation preventing protrusion 283c.

The separation preventing protrusion 238c may extend to a lower portion of the first heater case 280 and an end thereof may be bent in a horizontal direction.

As an example, the separation preventing protrusion 283c may include a first protruding portion extending vertically from a lower portion of the first heater receiving portion 283 and a second protruding portion extending in a horizontal direction from the first protruding portion. I can.

The second protrusion portion of the separation preventing protrusion 283c may extend toward the central portion of the first heater case 280.

The separation preventing groove 283d may be formed in the curved portion 283a and/or the straight portion 283b corresponding to the size of one of the separation preventing protrusions 283c, for example.

As another example, the separation prevention groove 283d may be formed to have a size corresponding to the plurality of separation prevention protrusions 283c.

The separation prevention groove (283d) by the separation prevention protrusion (283c) for preventing the separation of the separation prevention protrusion (283c) for preventing the separation of the separation heating heater 290 or separation of the separation prevention heater 290 because a part of the ice breaking heater 290 can be introduced. 290 can be prevented from being disconnected.

A plurality of first fastening portions 285 and 286 coupled to the first tray cover 300 may be provided on the straight portion 283b.

The first fastening portions 285 and 286 may extend vertically upward from the straight portion 283b.

The plurality of first fastening portions 285 and 286 may be spaced apart in the Y-axis direction and disposed to face each other.

The first fastening parts 285 and 286 have first protrusions 285a and 286a protruding outward of the first heater case 280 and a first protruding part with a radius smaller than that of the first protrusions 285a and 286a. It may include 2 protrusions 285b and 286b.

For example, the second protrusions 285b and 286b may be coupled to the first case coupling portion 301b of the first tray cover 300.

A part of the first heater case 280 may be inserted into the plate opening 304 of the first tray cover 300, and a part of the first fastening portions 285 and 586 is formed of the plate opening 304. It protrudes upward and may be coupled to the first case coupling portion 301b of the first tray cover 300.

A temperature sensor accommodating part 284 for accommodating the second temperature sensor 700 may be provided between the pair of first heater fastening parts 285 among the first fastening parts 285 and 286.

In detail, the temperature sensor accommodating part 284 may be accommodated under the heater case 280 in order to contact the first tray 320 without contacting the icebreaking heater 290.

The temperature sensor accommodating part 284 may include a temperature sensor accommodating space at the lower side to prevent contact with the ice-breaking heater 290 and secure a space in which the second temperature sensor 700 can be accommodated.

An interference prevention part 284a may be formed in the temperature sensor receiving part 284 to prevent interference with the first tray 320.

The first case fastening part 285 connected to the temperature sensor accommodating part 284 is vertically upward compared to the other first fastening parts 286 because the temperature sensor accommodating part 284 has a shape that protrudes further upward. The extended length may be shorter.

Referring to FIG. 23, a part of the first tray 320 is inserted into the through opening 288 of the first heater case 280, and the icebreaking heater 290 accommodated in the first heater case 280 is Heat may be applied to the first tray 320 by contacting the first tray 320.

The second temperature sensor 700 may be accommodated in the sensor accommodating part 321e of the first tray 320. In a state in which the second temperature sensor 700 is accommodated in the sensor accommodating part 321e, the second temperature sensor 700 is spaced apart from the ice-breaking heater 290.

As an example, since the icing heater 290 is in contact with the upper surface of the second protruding portion in the separation preventing protrusion 283a, the icing heater 290 is applied to the second temperature sensor 700 by the second protruding portion. And can be separated.

An upper end of at least one of the icebreaking heater 290 and the second temperature sensor 700 may be positioned lower than the support wall 221d of the bracket 220.

In addition, an upper end of at least one of the ice-breaking heater 290 and the second temperature sensor 700 may be located below the upper end of the auxiliary storage chamber 325.

<1st tray supporter>

24 is a plan view of a first tray supporter.

Referring to FIG. 24, the first tray supporter 340 may be coupled to the first tray cover 300 to support the first tray 320.

In detail, the first tray supporter 340 includes a horizontal portion 341 in contact with a lower surface of an upper end of the first tray 320 and a lower portion of the first tray 320 being inserted in the center of the horizontal portion 341. It includes an insertion opening 342.

The horizontal portion 341 may have a size corresponding to the upper plate 301 of the first tray cover 300.

In addition, the horizontal part 341 may include a plurality of fastening holes 341a that are coupled to the fastening parts 301a of the first tray cover 300.

The plurality of fastening holes 341a may be spaced apart in the X-axis and/or Y-axis directions of FIG. 24 so as to correspond to the fastening portions 301a of the first tray cover 300.

When the first tray cover 300, the first tray 320, and the first tray supporter 340 are combined, the upper plate 301 of the first tray cover 300 and the first tray 320 are 1 The extension wall 327 and the horizontal portion 341 of the first tray supporter 340 may sequentially contact each other.

Specifically, the lower surface of the upper plate 301 of the first tray cover 300 and the upper surface of the first extension wall 327 of the first tray 320 are in contact with each other, and the first The lower surface of the extension wall 327 and the upper surface of the horizontal portion 341 of the first tray supporter 340 may contact each other.

<2nd tray>

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a second tray viewed from an upper side according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a second tray viewed from a lower side.

27 is a bottom view of the second tray, and FIG. 28 is a plan view of the second tray.

25 to 28, the second tray 380 may define a second cell 381a that is another part of the ice making cell 320a.

The second tray 380 may include a second tray wall 381 forming a part of the ice making cell 320a.

The second tray 380 may define a plurality of second cells 381a, for example. The plurality of second cells 381a may be arranged in a line as an example. Referring to FIG. 28, the plurality of second cells 381a may be arranged in the X-axis direction.

For example, the second tray wall 381 may define the plurality of second cells 381a.

The third tray wall 381 may include a plurality of second cell walls 3811 for forming each of the plurality of second cells 381a. Two adjacent second cell walls 3811 may be interconnected.

The second tray 380 may include a circumferential wall 387 extending around an upper end of the second tray wall 381.

The circumferential wall 387 may be formed integrally with the second tray wall 381 and extend from an upper end of the second tray wall 381, for example.

As another example, the circumferential wall 387 may be formed separately from the second tray wall 381 and may be positioned around an upper end of the second tray wall 381. In this case, the circumferential wall 387 may contact the second tray wall 381 or may be spaced apart from the third tray wall 381.

In either case, the peripheral wall 387 may surround at least a portion of the first tray 320.

If the second tray 380 includes the peripheral wall 387, the second tray 380 may surround the first tray 320.

When the second tray 380 and the peripheral wall 387 are formed separately, the peripheral wall 387 may be integrally formed with the second tray case or may be coupled to the second tray case.

For example, one second tray wall may define a plurality of second cells 381a, and one continuous circumferential wall 387 may surround the first tray 250.

The circumferential wall 387 may include a first extension wall 387b extending in a horizontal direction, and a second extension wall 387c extending in a vertical direction.

One or more second fastening holes 387a for fastening to the second tray case may be provided in the first extension wall 387b. A plurality of second fastening holes 387a may be arranged in one or more axes of the X-axis and Y-axis.

The second tray 380 may include a second contact surface 382c that contacts the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320.

The first contact surface 322c and the second contact surface 382c may be horizontal surfaces. The first contact surface 322c and the second contact surface 382c may be formed in a ring shape. When the ice making cell 320a has a spherical shape, the first contact surface 322c and the second contact surface 382c may be formed in a circular ring shape.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along 29-29 of FIG. 25, FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along 30-30 of FIG. 25, and FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken along 31-31 of FIG. 25, and FIG. 32 Is a cross-sectional view taken along 32-32 of FIG. 28, and FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken along 33-33 of FIG. 29.

In FIG. 29, a Y-Z cross section passing through the center line C1 is shown.

29 to 33, the second tray 380 may include a first portion 382 defining at least a part of the ice making cell 320a. The first part 382 may be part or all of the second tray wall 381, for example.

In this specification, the first portion 322 of the first tray 320 may be referred to as a third portion in terms of terms to be distinguished from the first portion 382 of the second tray 380. In addition, the second portion 323 of the first tray 320 may be referred to as a fourth portion to be distinguished from the second portion 383 of the second tray 380 in terms of terms.

The first portion 382 may include a second cell surface 382b (or an outer circumferential surface) forming a second cell 381a of the ice making cells 320a.

The first portion 382 may be defined as an area between two dotted lines in FIG. 29.

The uppermost end of the first portion 382 is the second contact surface 382c in contact with the first tray 320.

The second tray 380 may further include a second portion 383. The second part 383 can reduce the heat transferred from the transparent ice heater 430 to the second tray 380 to be transferred to the ice making cell 320a formed by the first tray 320. have. That is, the second part 383 serves to move the heat conduction path away from the first cell 321a.

The second portion 383 may be part or all of the peripheral wall 387.

The second portion 383 may extend from a predetermined point of the first portion 382. Hereinafter, as an example, the connection between the second portion 383 and the first portion 382 will be described.

A predetermined point of the first portion 382 may be one end of the first portion 382. Alternatively, a predetermined point of the first portion 382 may be a point of the second contact surface 382c.

The second portion 383 may include one end that contacts a predetermined point of the first portion 382 and the other end that does not contact. The other end of the second part 383 may be located farther than the first cell 321a than one end of the second part 383.

At least a portion of the second portion 383 may extend in a direction away from the first cell 321a. At least a portion of the second portion 383 may extend in a direction away from the second cell 381a.

At least a portion of the second portion 383 may extend upward from the second contact surface 382c. At least a portion of the second portion 383 may horizontally extend in a direction away from the center line C1.

The center of curvature of at least a portion of the second portion 383 may coincide with a center of rotation of the shaft 440 that is connected to the driving unit 480 and rotates.

The second part 383 may include a first part 384a extending from a point of the first part 382.

The second part 383 may further include a second part 384b extending in the same direction as the first part 384a. Alternatively, the second part 383 may further include a third part 384b extending in a direction different from that of the first part 384a.

Alternatively, the second part 383 may further include a second part 384b and a third part 384c formed by branching from the first part 384a.

For example, the first part 384a may extend in a horizontal direction from the first part 382. A part of the first part 384a may be positioned higher than the second contact surface 382c. That is, the first part 384a may include a horizontal direction extending part and a vertical direction extending part. The first part 384a may further include a portion extending in a vertical line direction from the predetermined point.

For example, the length of the third part 384c may be longer than the length of the second part 384b.

An extension direction of at least a portion of the first part 384a may be the same as an extension direction of the second part 384b. The extending directions of the second part 384b and the third part 384c may be different. An extension direction of the third part 384c may be different from an extension direction of the first part 384a.

The third part 384a may have a constant curvature based on the Y-Z cut surface. That is, the third part 384a may have the same radius of curvature in the longitudinal direction.

The curvature of the second part 384b may be zero. When the second part 384b is not a straight line, the curvature of the second part 384b may be smaller than the curvature of the third part 384a. A radius of curvature of the second part 384b may be greater than a radius of curvature of the third part 384a.

At least a portion of the second portion 383 may be positioned equal to or higher than the uppermost end of the ice making cell 320a. In this case, since the heat conduction path formed by the second portion 383 is long, heat transfer to the ice making cell 320a may be reduced.

The length of the second part 383 may be larger than the radius of the ice making cell 320a. The second portion 383 may extend to a point higher than the rotation center C4 of the shaft 440. For example, the second portion 383 may extend to a point higher than the uppermost end of the shaft 440.

The second part 383 is the first part of the first part 382 to reduce the transfer of heat from the transparent ice heater 430 to the ice making cell 320a formed by the first tray 320. A first extension portion 383a extending from the first point and a second extension portion 383b extending from the second point of the first portion 382 may be included.

For example, the first extension part 383a and the second extension part 383b may extend in different directions based on the center line C1.

Referring to FIG. 29, the first extension part 383a may be located on the left side with respect to the center line C1, and the second extension part 383b may be located on the right side with respect to the center line C1. .

The first extension part 383a and the second extension part 383b may have different shapes based on the center line C1. The first extension part 383a and the second extension part 383b may be formed in an asymmetric shape with respect to the center line C1.

The length (horizontal length) of the second extension part 383b in the Y-axis direction may be longer than the length (horizontal length) of the first extension part 383a.

The first extension part 383a is more of a portion of the second wall 222 or the third wall 223 of the bracket 220 to which the fourth wall 224 is connected than the second extension part 383b. It may be located closer to the edge portion located on the opposite side.

The second extension part 383b may be positioned closer to the shaft 440 providing the rotation center of the second tray assembly than the first extension part 383a.

In the present embodiment, the length of the second extension part 383b in the Y-axis direction may be longer than the length of the first extension part 383a. In this case, it is possible to increase the heat conduction path while reducing the width of the bracket 220 compared to the space in which the ice maker 200 is installed.

When the length of the second extension part 383b in the Y-axis direction is longer than the length of the first extension part 383a, a second tray 380 in contact with the first tray 320 is provided. The turning radius of the second tray assembly becomes large.

When the rotation radius of the second tray assembly is increased, the centrifugal force of the second tray assembly is increased to increase the ice breaking force for separating ice from the second tray assembly during the ice breaking process, so that the ice separation performance is increased. It can be improved.

The center of the curvature of at least a portion of the second extension part 383b may be a shaft 440 connected to the driving part 480 and rotated as the center of the curvature.

The upper portion of the first extension portion 383a and the distance between the lower portion of the first extension portion 383a and the lower portion of the second extension portion 383b based on the YZ cut surface passing through the center line C1 A distance between upper portions of the second extension portions 383b may be large.

For example, a distance between the first extension part 383a and the second extension part 383b may increase upward.

Each of the first extension part 383a and the third extension part 383b may include the first to third parts 384a, 384b, and 384c.

In another aspect, the third part 384c may also be described as including a first extension part 383a and a second extension part 383b extending in different directions with respect to the center line C1. have.

At least a portion of the X-Y cut surface of the second extension part 383b has a curvature greater than 0, and a curvature may be variable.

Among the curvature of the first horizontal region 386a and the third part 383b including a point where the first extension line C2 in the Y-axis direction passing through the center line C1 and the second extension part 383b meet, The curvature of the second horizontal region 386b spaced apart from the first horizontal region 386a may be different.

For example, the curvature of the first horizontal region 386a may be greater than that of the second horizontal region 386b.

The curvature of the first horizontal region 386a in the third part 383b may be maximum.

The curvature of the third horizontal region 386c including the point where the second extension line C3 in the X-axis direction passing through the center line C1 and the third part 384c meet and spaced apart from the third part 384c The curvature of the second horizontal region 386b may be different.

The curvature of the second horizontal area 386b may be greater than that of the third horizontal area 386c.

The curvature of the third horizontal region 386c in the third part 383b may be minimum.

The second extension part 383b may include an inner line 383b1 and an outer line 383b2.

Based on the X-Y cut plane, the curvature of the inner line 383b1 may be greater than 0. The curvature of the outer line 383b2 may be equal to or greater than 0.

The second extension part 383b may be divided into an upper part and a lower part in a height direction.

The amount of change in curvature of the inner line 383b1 of the upper portion of the second extension part 383b may be greater than zero based on the X-Y cut surface. A change in curvature of the inner line 383b1 of the lower portion of the second extension part 383b may be greater than zero.

The maximum change in curvature of the inner line 383b1 of the upper portion of the second extension part 383b may be greater than the maximum change amount of curvature of the inner line 383b1 of the lower portion of the second extension part 383b.

The amount of change in curvature of the outer line 383b2 of the upper side of the second extension part 383b may be greater than zero based on the X-Y cut surface. A change in curvature of the outer line 383b2 at the lower side of the second extension part 383b may be greater than zero.

The minimum change in curvature of the outer line 383b2 at the upper side of the second extension part 383b may be greater than the minimum change in curvature of the outer line 383b2 at the lower side of the second extension part 383b.

The outer line of the lower portion of the second extension portion 383b may include a straight portion 383b3.

The third part 384c may include a plurality of first extension parts 383a and a plurality of second extension parts 383b corresponding to the plurality of ice making cells 320a.

The third part 384c may include a first connection part 385a connecting two adjacent first extension parts 383a. The third part 384c may include a second connection part 385b connecting two adjacent second extension parts 383b.

In this embodiment, when the ice maker includes three ice-making cells 320a, the third part 384c may include two first connection portions 385a.

As described above, corresponding to the formation of the sensor accommodating portion 321e, the widths (length in the X-axis direction) W1 of the two first connecting portions 385a may be different from each other.

For example, the second connection part 385b may include an inner line 385b1 and an outer line 385b2.

In this embodiment, when the ice maker includes three ice-making cells 320a, the third part 384c may include two second connection portions 385b.

As described above, corresponding to the formation of the sensor accommodating portion 321e, the widths (length in the X-axis direction) W2 of the two second connecting portions 385b may be different from each other.

In this case, a width of the second connection part 385b positioned close to the second temperature sensor 700 among the two second connection parts 385b may be larger than the width of the other second connection part 385b.

The width W1 of the first connection part 385a may be larger than the width W3 of the connection part of two adjacent ice making cells 320a.

The width W2 of the second connection part 385b may be greater than the width W3 of the connection part of two adjacent ice making cells 320a.

The first part 382 may have a variable radius in the Y-axis direction.

The first portion 382 may include a first area 382d (refer to area A in FIG. 29) and a second area 382e.

A curvature of at least a portion of the first region 382d may be different from a curvature of at least a portion of the second region 382e.

The first area 382d may include a lowermost end of the ice making cell 320a.

The second area 382e may have a larger diameter than the first area 382d.

The first area 382d and the second area 382e may be divided in a vertical direction.

The transparent ice heater 430 may contact the first region 382d. The first region 382d may include a heater contact surface 382g for contacting the transparent ice heater 430.

The heater contact surface 382g may be, for example, a horizontal surface. The heater contact surface 382g may be positioned higher than the lowermost end of the first portion 382.

The second area 382e may include the second contact surface 382c.

The first region 382d may have a shape in which ice is depressed in a direction opposite to a direction in which ice expands in the ice making cell 320a.

The distance from the center of the ice-making cell 320a to the portion where the shape recessed in the first area 382d is located may be shorter than the distance from the center of the ice-making cell 320a to the second area 382e. have.

As an example, the first region 382d may include a pressing portion 382f pressed by the second pusher 540 during the moving process. When a pressing force of the second pusher 540 is applied to the pressing part 382f, the ice is separated from the first part 382 as the pressing part 382f is deformed. When the pressing force applied to the pressing portion 382f is removed, the pressing portion 382f may return to its original shape.

The center line C1 may pass through the first region 382d. For example, the center line C1 may pass through the pressing part 382f.

The heater contact surface 382g may be disposed to surround the pressing part 382f.

The heater contact surface 382g may be positioned higher than the lowermost end of the pressing portion 382f.

At least a portion of the heater contact surface 382g may be disposed to surround the center line C1. Accordingly, at least a portion of the transparent ice heater 430 in contact with the heater contact surface 382g may also be disposed to surround the center line C1.

Accordingly, the transparent ice heater 430 may be prevented from interfering with the second pusher 540 while the second pusher 540 presses the pressing part 382f.

The distance from the center of the ice making cell 320a to the pressing part 382f may be different from the distance from the center of the ice making cell 320a to the second area 382e.

<2nd tray cover>

34 is a perspective view of a second tray cover, and FIG. 35 is a plan view of a second tray cover.

34 and 35, the second tray cover 360 includes an opening 362 (or a through hole) into which a portion of the second tray 380 is inserted.

As an example, when the second tray 380 is inserted from the lower side of the second tray cover 360, a part of the second tray 380 may pass through the opening 362 to the second tray cover 360. It can protrude upwards.

The second tray cover 360 may include a vertical wall 361 and a curved wall 363 surrounding the opening 362.

In detail, the vertical wall 361 may form three surfaces of the second tray cover 360, and the curved wall 363 may form the other surface of the second tray cover 360.

The vertical wall 361 may be a wall extending vertically upward, and the curved wall 363 may be a wall that is rounded so as to move away from the opening 362 as it goes upward.

The vertical wall 361 and the curved wall 363 may be provided with a plurality of fastening portions 361a, 361c, and 363a for coupling with the second tray 380 and the second tray case 400.

The vertical wall 361 and the curved wall 363 may further include a plurality of fastening grooves 361b, 361d, and 363b corresponding to the plurality of fastening portions 361a, 361c, and 363a.

A fastening member may be inserted into the plurality of fastening portions 361a, 361c, and 363a to pass through the second tray 380 and be coupled to the coupling portions 401a, 401b, and 401c of the second tray supporter 400.

In this case, it is possible to prevent the fastening member from protruding above the vertical wall 361 and the curved wall 363 through a plurality of fastening grooves 361b, 361d, and 363b to interfere with other components.

A plurality of first fastening portions 361a may be provided on a wall of the vertical wall 361 facing the curved wall 363.

In detail, the plurality of first fastening portions 361a may be disposed to be spaced apart in the X-axis direction of FIG. 34.

In addition, a first fastening groove 361b corresponding to each of the first fastening parts 361a may be included.

For example, the first fastening groove 361b may be formed by recessing the vertical wall 361, and the first fastening part 361a may be provided in the recessed portion of the first fastening groove 361b. I can.

In addition, the vertical wall 361 may further include a plurality of second fastening portions 361c.

The plurality of second fastening portions 361c may be provided on a vertical wall 361 facing away from each other in the X-axis direction.

In detail, the plurality of second fastening parts 361c may be located closer to the first fastening part 361a than the third fastening part 363a, which will be described later, and this is a second tray supporter 400 to be described later. This is to prevent interference with the extension part 403 of the second tray supporter 400 when combined with.

As an example, the vertical wall 361 where the plurality of second fastening parts 361c are located may further include a second fastening groove 361d formed by spaced apart from each other except for the second fastening part 361c. have.

The curved wall 363 may be provided with a plurality of third fastening portions 363a for coupling with the second tray 380 and the second tray supporter 400.

As an example, the plurality of third fastening portions 363a may be disposed to be spaced apart in the X-axis direction of FIG. 34.

A third fastening groove 363b corresponding to each of the third fastening portions 363a may be provided in the curved wall 363.

For example, the third fastening groove 363b may be formed by vertically recessing the curved wall 363, and the third fastening part 363a may be formed in the recessed portion of the third fastening groove 363b. It can be provided.

36 is an upper perspective view of the second tray supporter, and FIG. 37 is a lower perspective view of the second tray supporter. 38 is a cross-sectional view taken along 38-38 of FIG. 36.

36 to 38, the second tray supporter 400 may include a supporter body 407 on which a lower portion of the second tray 380 is seated.

The supporter body 407 may include an accommodation space 406a in which a part of the second tray 380 may be accommodated.

The receiving space 406a may be formed to correspond to the first portion 382 of the second tray 380, and there may be a plurality of the receiving spaces 406a.

The supporter body 407 may include a lower opening 406b (or a through hole) through which a portion of the second pusher 540 penetrates during the eaves process.

For example, three lower openings 406b may be provided in the supporter body 407 to correspond to the three chamber accommodation spaces 406a.

In addition, a portion of the lower side of the second tray 380 may be exposed through the lower opening 406b. At least a part of the second tray 380 may be positioned in the lower opening 406b.

The upper surface 407a of the supporter body 407 may extend in a horizontal direction.

The second tray supporter 400 may include an upper surface 407a of the supporter body 407 and a stepped lower plate 401.

The lower plate 401 may be positioned higher than the upper surface 407a of the supporter body 407.

The lower plate 401 may include a plurality of coupling portions 401a, 401b, and 401c for coupling with the second tray cover 360.

A second tray 380 may be inserted and coupled between the second tray cover 360 and the second tray supporter 400.

For example, the second tray 380 may be positioned under the second tray cover 360, and the second tray 380 may be accommodated above the second tray supporter 400.

In addition, the first extension wall 387b of the second tray 380 is coupled to the coupling portions 361a, 361b, 361c of the second tray cover 360 and the coupling portion 401a of the second tray supporter 400 , 401b, 401c).

The plurality of first coupling portions 401a may be disposed to be spaced apart in the X-axis direction of FIG. 36. In addition, the first coupling portion 401a and the second and third coupling portions 401b and 401c may be disposed to be spaced apart in the Y-axis direction.

The third coupling portion 401c may be disposed farther from the first coupling portion 401a than the second coupling portion 401b.

The second tray supporter 400 may further include a vertical extension wall 405 extending vertically downward from an edge of the lower plate 401.

One surface of the vertical extension wall 405 may be provided with a pair of extension portions 403 for rotating the second tray 380 by being coupled to the shaft 440.

The pair of extension parts 403 may be disposed to be spaced apart in the X-axis direction of FIG. 36. In addition, each of the extension parts 403 may further include a through hole 404.

The through hole 404 may pass through the shaft 440, and an extension portion 281 of the first tray cover 300 may be disposed inside the pair of extension portions 403.

In addition, the through hole 404 may further include a central portion 404a and an extension hole 404b extending symmetrically to the central portion 404a.

The second tray supporter 400 may further include a spring coupling portion 402a to which the spring 402 is coupled.

The spring coupling part 402a may form a ring so that the lower end of the spring 402 is caught.

In addition, a guide hole 408 for guiding an electric wire connected to the transparent ice heater 430 or the transparent ice heater 430 to the outside in one of the walls facing each other in the X-axis direction of the vertical extension wall 405. ) May be provided.

The second tray supporter 400 may further include a link connection part 405a to which the pusher link 500 is coupled. The link connection part 405a may protrude from the vertical extension wall 405 in the X-axis direction, for example.

The link connection part 405a may be located in a region between the center line CL1 and the through hole 404 with reference to FIG. 38.

In addition, a plurality of second heater coupling portions 409 coupled to a second heater case 420 (see FIG. 39) to be described later may be further provided on a lower surface of the lower plate 401.

The plurality of second heater coupling portions 409 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the X-axis direction and/or the Y-axis direction.

Referring to FIG. 38, the second tray supporter 400 may include a first portion 411 supporting a second tray 380 forming at least a part of the ice making cell 320a. In FIG. 38, the first portion 411 may be an area between two dotted lines. For example, the supporter body 407 may form the first part 411.

The second tray supporter 400 may further include a second portion 413 extending from a predetermined point of the first portion 411.

The second part 413 may reduce the heat transferred from the transparent ice heater 430 to the second tray supporter 400 to the ice making cell 320a formed by the first tray 320. can do.

At least a portion of the second portion 413 may extend in a direction away from the first cell 321a formed by the first tray 320.

The second part 413 may be in a horizontal direction passing through the center of the ice making cell 320a in a direction away from the second part 413.

The second part 413 may be in a downward direction with respect to a horizontal line passing through the center of the ice-making cell 320a.

The second part 413 may include a first part 414a extending in a horizontal direction from the predetermined point and a second part 414b extending in the same direction as the first part 414a.

The second part 413 may include a first part 414a extending in a horizontal direction from the predetermined point and a third part 414c extending in a direction different from the first part 414a.

The second part 413 includes a first part 414a extending in a horizontal direction from the predetermined point, and a second part 414b and a third part 414c formed to be branched from the first part 414a. Can include.

An upper surface 407a of the supporter body 407 may form the first part 414a, for example.

The first part 414a may further include a fourth part 414d extending in a vertical line direction. The lower plate 401 may form the fourth part 414d, for example.

The vertical extension wall 405 may form the third part 414c, for example.

The length of the third part 414c may be longer than the length of the second part 414b.

The second part 414b may extend in the same direction as the first part 414a. The third part 414c may extend in a direction different from that of the first part 414a.

The second portion 413 may be positioned at the same height as the lowermost end of the first cell 321a or may extend to a lower point.

The second part 413 includes a first extension part 413a and a second extension part 413b positioned opposite to each other with respect to a center line CL1 corresponding to the center line C1 of the ice making cell 320a. It may include.

Referring to FIG. 38, the first extension part 413a may be located on the left side with respect to the center line CL1, and the second extension part 413b may be located on the right side with respect to the center line CL1. .

The first extension part 413a and the second extension part 413b may have different shapes based on the center line CL1. The first extension part 413a and the second extension part 413b may be formed in an asymmetric shape with respect to the center line CL1.

The length in the horizontal direction may be that the second extension part 413b is longer than the first extension part 413a. That is, the heat conduction length of the second extension part 413b is longer than the heat conduction length of the first extension part 413a.

The first extension part 413a is more of a portion of the second wall 222 or the third wall 223 of the bracket 220 to which the fourth wall 224 is connected than the second extension part 413b. It may be located closer to the edge portion located on the opposite side.

The second extension part 413b may be positioned closer to the shaft 440 providing the rotation center of the second tray assembly than the first extension part 413a.

In this embodiment, since the length of the second extension part 413b in the Y-axis direction is longer than the length of the first extension part 413a, the second tray in contact with the first tray 320 ( The turning radius of the second tray assembly having 380 is also increased.

The center of curvature of at least a portion of the second extension part 413a may coincide with the rotation center of the shaft 440 which is connected to the driving part 480 and rotates.

The first extension part 413a may include a portion 414e extending upwardly with respect to the horizontal line. The part 414e may surround a part of the second tray 380, for example.

In another aspect, the second tray supporter 400 corresponds to the ice-making cell 320a to support the first region 415a including the lower opening 406b and the second tray 380. A second region 415b having a shape may be included.

The first area 415a and the second area 415b may be divided in a vertical direction, for example. In FIG. 38, as an example, it is shown that the first region 415a and the second region 415b are separated by a dashed-dotted line.

The first region 415a may support the second tray 380.

The controller allows the second pusher 540 to move from a first point outside the ice making cell 320a to a second point inside the second tray supporter 400 via the lower opening 406b. 200 can be controlled.

The inner deformation degree of the second tray supporter 400 may be greater than the inner deformation degree of the second tray 380.

A degree of restoration of the second tray supporter 400 may be smaller than a degree of restoration of the second tray 380.

In another aspect, the second tray supporter 400 is from the transparent ice heater 430 compared to the first region 415a including the lower opening 406b and the first region 415a. It can be described as including the second area 415b located farther away.

<2nd heater case>

39 is a perspective view of a second heater case, FIG. 40 is a view in which a transparent ice heater is coupled to the second heater case, FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view taken along 41-41 of FIG. 40, and FIG. 42 is a second heater This is an enlarged view of a part of the case.

The ice maker of the present embodiment may further include a transparent ice heater 430 for applying heat to the second tray 380 during an ice making process.

38 to 42, the second heater case 420 includes a second heater receiving portion 425 for accommodating a transparent ice heater 430 for transferring heat from the lower side of the second tray 380 can do.

The second heater case 420 may be integrally formed with the second tray supporter 400 or separately formed to be coupled to the second tray supporter 400.

The second heater case 420 includes a second heater plate 421 on which the second heater receiving portion 425 is formed and a number of second heaters extending vertically upward from an edge of the second heater plate 421 It may further include a straight wall 424.

The second heater accommodating portion 425 includes a plurality of curved portions 425a in contact with the lower end of the second tray 380 and a plurality of straight portions 425b connecting the plurality of curved portions 425a can do.

An opening 422 into which a lower portion of the second tray 380 is inserted may be provided in the center of the plurality of curved portions 425a.

The inside of the plurality of curved portions 425a surrounding the opening 422 may be formed to correspond to the shape of the lower end of the second tray 380.

For example, the inside of the curved portion 425a may be lower than the outside of the curved portion 425a, and the inside of the curved portion 425a may be inclined.

A heater support wall 425c may be formed at the bottom of the heater plate 421 along the circumference of the second heater receiving portion 425. The heater support wall 425c may prevent the transparent ice heater 430 accommodated in the second heater accommodating portion 425 from being separated from the second heater accommodating portion 425.

In addition, separation prevention protrusions 425c1 for preventing separation of the transparent ice heater 430 may be provided at both ends of the plurality of curved portions 425a based on the X-axis direction of FIG. 38.

A guide groove 425d through which the transparent ice heater 430 is guided to the outside may be provided at one of both ends of the plurality of curved portions 425a.

In addition, a guide wall 423 extending vertically may be formed on the second heater plate 421 in the direction in which the guide groove 425d is formed.

The guide wall 423 may guide the transparent ice heater 430 guided along the guide groove 425d or an electric wire connected to the transparent ice heater 430 to the outside of the second heater case 420. have.

The guide wall 423 may be formed to correspond to the shape of the adjacent curved portion 425a.

A plurality of guide walls 423 may be formed to be spaced apart from each other about the guide groove 425d.

A plurality of separation preventing protrusions 426c may be formed on the plurality of straight portions 425b.

In addition, the second heater plate 421 may be provided with a plurality of second heater fastening portions 421a for coupling with the second heater coupling portion 409 of the second tray supporter 400.

The plurality of second heater fastening portions 421a may be disposed to be spaced apart in a direction of an arrow A and/or a direction of an arrow B of FIG. 38.

A fastening member is coupled from a lower side of the second heater case 420 to pass through the second heater fastening part 421a and the second heater combining part 409 to be combined.

A cutout 424a may be provided on a part of one of the four surfaces of the second heater vertical wall 424.

As an example, the transparent ice heater 430 guided through the guide wall 423 or the wire connected to the transparent ice heater 430 to the outside of the second heater case 420 through the cutout 424a Can be connected.

The cutout 424a may be positioned to correspond to the guide hole 408 of the second tray supporter 400.

The transparent ice heater 430 will be described in detail.

In this embodiment, the controller 800 may supply heat to the ice-making cell 320a by the transparent ice heater 430 in at least a portion of the period during which cold air is supplied to the ice-making cell 320a so that transparent ice may be generated. To be able to control.

Due to the heat of the transparent ice heater 430, the ice making speed is delayed so that the bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice making cell 320a can move from the ice-generating portion to the liquid water. In 200), transparent ice may be generated. That is, air bubbles dissolved in water may be induced to escape to the outside of the ice-making cell 320a or to be collected in a predetermined position in the ice-making cell 320a.

On the other hand, when the cold air supply means 900 to be described later supplies cold air to the ice-making cell 320a, when the ice-forming speed is high, bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice-making cell 320a are formed at the portion where ice is generated. The transparency of ice generated by freezing without moving toward liquid water may be low.

On the other hand, when the cold air supply means 900 supplies cold air to the ice making cell 320a, if the rate at which ice is generated is slow, the above problem may be solved and the transparency of the generated ice may increase, but the ice making time may take a long time. Problems can arise.

Therefore, to reduce the delay of the ice making time and increase the transparency of the generated ice, the transparent ice heater 430 may provide heat to the ice making cell 320a locally. It can be placed on one side.

Meanwhile, when the transparent ice heater 430 is disposed on one side of the ice making cell 320a, it is possible to reduce the heat from the transparent ice heater 430 easily transferred to the other side of the ice making cell 320a. At least one of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may be made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than metal.

Alternatively, at least one of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may be a resin containing plastic so that the ice attached to the trays 320 and 380 is separated well during the ice breaking process.

Meanwhile, at least one of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may be made of a flexible or flexible material so that the tray deformed by the pushers 260 and 540 during the eaves process can be easily restored to its original shape. have.

The transparent ice heater 430 may be disposed at a position adjacent to the second tray 380. The transparent ice heater 430 may be, for example, a wire type heater.

For example, the transparent ice heater 430 may be installed to contact the second tray 380 or may be disposed at a position spaced apart from the second tray 380 by a predetermined distance.

As another example, the second heater case 420 may not be separately provided, and the toming-bing heater 430 may be installed on the second tray supporter 400.

In any case, the transparent ice heater 430 may supply heat to the second tray 380, and heat supplied to the second tray 380 may be transferred to the ice making cell 320a.

<first pusher>

43 is a view showing the first pusher of the present invention, FIG. 43(a) is a perspective view of the first pusher, and FIG. 43(b) is a side view of the first pusher.

Referring to FIG. 43, the first pusher 260 may include a pushing bar 264. The pushing bar 264 includes a first edge 264a on which a pressing surface for pressing ice or a tray is formed during the ice-breaking process, and a second edge 264b positioned opposite the first edge 264a. I can.

The pressing surface may be a flat surface or a curved surface, for example.

The pushing bar 264 may extend in the vertical direction, and may be formed in a linear shape or a curved shape in which at least a portion is rounded.

The diameter of the pushing bar 264 is smaller than the diameter of the opening 324 of the first tray 320. Accordingly, the pushing bar 264 may pass through the opening 324 and be inserted into the ice making cell 320a. Accordingly, the first pusher 260 may be referred to as a through-type pusher passing through the ice making cell 320a.

When the ice maker includes a plurality of ice making cells 320a, the first pusher 260 may include a plurality of pushing bars 264. Two adjacent pushing bars 264 may be connected by a connection part 263.

The connection part 263 may connect upper ends of the pushing bar 264 to each other. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the second edge 264a and the connection part 263 from interfering with the first tray 320 while the pushing bar 264 is inserted into the ice making cell 320a.

The first pusher 260 may include a guide connection part 265 passing through the guide slot 302. For example, the guide connection portions 265 may be provided on both sides of the first pusher 260. The vertical cross section of the guide connection part 265 may be formed in a circular, elliptical, or polygonal shape.

The guide connection part 265 may be located in the guide slot 302. The guide connection part 265 may be moved in the longitudinal direction along the guide slot 302 while being positioned in the guide slot 302. For example, the guide connection part 265 may be moved in a vertical direction.

It has been described that the guide slot 302 is formed in the first tray cover 300, but unlike this, it may be formed in the bracket 220 or on the wall forming the storage chamber.

The guide connection part 265 may further include a link connection part 266 for coupling with the pusher link 500. The link connection part 266 may be positioned lower than the second edge 264b.

The link connection part 266 may be formed in a cylindrical shape so that the link connection part 266 can be rotated relative to the pusher link 500 in a coupled state.

<Connection relationship between the first pusher and pusher link>

44 is a view showing a state in which the first pusher is connected to the second tray assembly by a link.

Referring to FIG. 44, the pusher link 500 may connect the first pusher 500 and the second tray assembly. For example, the pusher link 500 may be connected to the first pusher 260 and the second tray case.

The pusher link 500 may include a link body 502. The link body 502 may have a rounded shape. As the link body 502 is formed in a rounded shape, while the pusher link 500 can be rotated during the rotation of the second tray assembly, the pusher link 500 moves the first pusher 260 It can be moved up and down.

The pusher link 500 may include a first connection part 504 provided at one end of the link body 502 and a second connection part 506 provided at the other end of the link body 502.

The first connection part 504 may include a first coupling hole 504a through which the link connection part 266 is coupled. The link connection part 266 may be connected to the first connection part 504 after passing through the guide slot 302.

The second connection part 506 may be coupled to the second tray supporter 400. The upper second connection part 506 may include a second coupling hole 506a through which the link connection part 405a provided in the second tray supporter 400 is coupled.

The second connection part 504 may be connected to the second tray supporter 400 at a position spaced apart from the rotation center C4 of the shaft 440 or the rotation center C4 of the second tray assembly.

Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, the pusher link 500 connected to the second tray assembly rotates with the rotation of the second tray assembly. During the rotation of the pusher link 500, the first pusher 260 connected to the pusher link 500 moves up and down along the guide slot 302.

The pusher link 502 may serve to convert a rotational force of the second tray assembly into a vertical movement force of the first pusher 260.

Accordingly, the first pusher 260 may also be referred to as a mobile pusher.

<2nd pusher>

45 is a perspective view of a second pusher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 45, the second pusher 540 according to the present embodiment may include a pushing bar 544. The pushing bar 544 includes a first edge 544a on which a pressing surface for pressing the second tray 380 is formed during an ice-moving process, and a second edge 544b positioned opposite the first edge 544a. ) Can be included.

The pushing bar 544 may be formed in a curved shape so as to increase the time for pressing the second tray 380 without interfering with the rotating second tray 380 during the ice breaking process.

The first edge 544a may be a plane and may include a vertical surface or an inclined surface.

The second edge 544b is coupled to the fourth wall 224 of the bracket 220, or the second edge 544b is coupled to the fourth wall 224 of the bracket 220 by a coupling plate 542. ) Can be combined.

The coupling plate 542 may be seated in a seating groove 224a formed in the fourth wall 224 of the bracket 220.

When the ice maker 200 includes a plurality of ice making cells 320a, the second pusher 540 may include a plurality of pushing bars 544. The plurality of pushing bars 544 may be connected to the coupling plate 542 while being spaced apart in a horizontal direction.

The plurality of pushing bars 544 may be formed integrally with the coupling plate 542 or may be coupled to the coupling plate 542.

The first edge 544a may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the center line C1 of the ice making cell 320a.

The first edge 544a may be inclined in a direction away from the center line C1 of the ice making cell 320a from the top to the bottom.

An angle of an inclined surface formed by the first edge 544a with respect to a vertical line may be smaller than an angle of an inclined surface formed by the second edge 544b.

A direction in which the pushing bar 544 extends from the center of the first edge 544a toward the center of the second edge 544a may include at least two directions.

As an example, the pushing bar 544 may include a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a direction different from the second portion.

At least a part of a line connecting the center of the second edge 544a from the center of the first edge 544a along the pushing bar 544 may be a curved line.

The first edge 544a and the second edge 544b may have different heights. The first edge 544a may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the second edge 544b.

<Assembly process>

46 to 48 are views showing the assembly process of the ice maker of the present invention.

46 to 48 do not sequentially show the assembly process, but show a state in which each component is combined.

First, the first tray assembly and the second tray assembly may be assembled.

To assemble the first tray assembly, the ice-breaking heater 290 may be coupled to the first heater case 280, and the first heater case 280 may be assembled to the first tray case. For example, the first heater case may be assembled to the first tray cover 300.

Of course, when the first heater case 280 is integrally formed with the first tray cover 300, the eaves heater 290 may be coupled to the first tray cover 300.

The first tray 320 and the first tray case may be combined. For example, after placing the first tray cover 300 on the upper side of the first tray 320 and the first tray supporter 340 on the lower side of the first tray 320 1 The tray cover 300, the first tray 320, and the first tray supporter 340 may be combined.

For assembling the second tray assembly, the transparent ice heater 430 and the second heater case 420 may be combined.

The second heater case 420 may be coupled to the second tray case. For example, the second heater case 420 may be coupled to the second tray supporter 400.

Of course, when the second heater case 420 is integrally formed with the second tray supporter 400, the transparent ice heater 430 may be coupled to the second tray supporter 400.

The second tray 380 and the second tray case may be combined. For example, after placing the second tray cover 360 on the upper side of the second tray 380 and the second tray supporter 400 on the lower side of the second tray 380, 2 The tray cover 360, the second tray 380, and the second tray supporter 400 may be combined.

The assembled first tray assembly and the second tray assembly may be aligned in contact with each other.

A power transmission unit connected to the driving unit 480 may be coupled to the second tray assembly. For example, the shaft 440 may pass through the pair of extension parts 403 of the second tray assembly.

The shaft 440 may also pass through the extended portion 281 of the first tray assembly. That is, the shaft 440 may simultaneously penetrate the extended portion 281 of the first tray assembly and the extended portion 403 of the second tray assembly.

In this case, a pair of extension portions 281 of the first tray assembly may be positioned between the pair of extension portions 403 of the second tray assembly.

The rotary arm 460 may be connected to the shaft 440.

The spring may be connected to the rotation arm 460 and the second tray assembly.

The first pusher 260 may be connected to the second tray assembly by the pusher link 500. The first pusher 260 may be connected to the pusher link 500 while being disposed to be movable in the first tray assembly.

One end of the pusher link 500 may be connected to the first pusher 260 and the other end may be connected to the second tray assembly. The first pusher 260 may be disposed to contact the first tray case.

The assembled first tray assembly may be installed on the bracket 220. For example, the first tray assembly may be coupled to the bracket 220 while being positioned in the through hole 221a of the first wall 221. As another example, it is possible that the bracket 220 and the first tray cover are integrally formed.

Then, the first tray assembly may be assembled by combining the bracket 220 in which the first tray cover is integrally formed with the first tray 320 and the first tray supporter.

A water supply unit 240 may be coupled to the bracket 220. For example, the water supply unit 240 may be coupled to the first wall 221.

The driving part 480 may be mounted on the bracket 220. For example, it may be mounted on the third wall 223.

49 is a cross-sectional view taken along 49-49 of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 49, the ice maker 200 may include a first tray assembly 201 and a second tray assembly 211 connected to each other.

The second tray assembly 211 includes a first portion 212 forming at least a part of the ice making cell 320a and a second portion 213 extending from a predetermined point of the first portion 212. Can include.

The second part 213 may reduce transfer from the transparent ice heater 430 to the ice making cell 320a formed by the first tray assembly 201.

The first part 212 may be an area positioned between two dotted lines in FIG. 49.

A predetermined point of the first portion 212 may be an end of the first portion 212 or a point where the first tray assembly 201 and the second tray assembly 211 meet.

At least a portion of the first portion 212 may extend in a direction away from the ice making cell 320a formed by the first tray assembly 201.

A portion of the second portion 213 may be branched into at least two or more in order to reduce heat transfer in a direction extending to the second portion 213.

A part of the second part 213 may extend in a horizontal direction passing through the center of the ice making cell 320a. A portion of the second part 213 may extend upwardly with respect to a horizontal line passing through the center of the ice making room 320a.

The second part 213 includes a first part 213c extending in a horizontal direction passing through the center of the ice making cell 320a, and a horizontal line extending upwardly through the center of the ice making cell 320a. A second part 213d and a third part 213e extending downward may be included.

The first part 212 is to reduce the heat transferred from the transparent ice heater 430 to the second tray assembly 211 to the ice making cell 320a formed by the first tray assembly 201. ) May have different degrees of heat transfer in a direction along the outer circumferential surface of the ice making cell 320a.

The transparent ice heater 430 may be disposed to heat both sides of the lowermost end of the first part 212.

The first portion 212 may include a first region 214a and a second region 214b. 49 shows that the first region 214a and the second region 214b are separated by a chain-dotted line. The second area 214b may be an area positioned above the first area 214a.

A heat transfer degree of the second region 214b may be greater than a heat transfer degree of the first region 214a.

The first region 214a may include a portion where the transparent ice heater 430 is located. That is, the transparent ice heater 430 may be located in the first region 214a.

The lowermost end portion 214a1 forming the ice making cell 320a in the first region 214a may have a lower heat transfer rate than other portions of the first region 214a.

The second area 214b may include a portion in which the first tray assembly 201 and the second tray assembly 211 contact each other.

The first region 214a may form a part of the ice making cell 320a. The second area 214b may form another part of the ice making cell 320a.

The second region 214b may be located farther from the transparent ice heater 430 than the first region 214a.

A part of the first region 214a to reduce the heat transferred from the transparent ice heater 430 to the first region 214a to the ice making cell 320a formed by the second region 214b. May have a lower heat transfer rate than other portions of the first region 214a.

In order to generate ice from the ice making cell 320a formed by the second region 214b toward the ice making cell 320a formed by the first region 214a, a part of the first region 214a is The degree of internal deformation may be smaller than that of other parts of the first region 214a and the degree of restoration may be larger.

A thickness from the center of the ice-making cell 320a toward the outer circumferential surface of the ice-making cell 320a may be thinner in a portion of the first area 214a than in other portions of the first area 214a.

The first area 214a may include, for example, at least a portion of the second tray 380 and a second tray case surrounding at least a portion of the second tray 380.

Based on the Y-Z cut plane, the average cross-sectional area or average thickness of the first tray assembly 201 may be greater than the average cross-sectional area or average thickness of the second tray assembly 211.

The maximum cross-sectional area or maximum thickness of the first tray assembly 201 may be greater than the maximum cross-sectional area or maximum thickness of the second tray assembly 211 based on the Y-Z cut surface.

Based on the Y-Z cut surface, the minimum cross-sectional area or minimum thickness of the first tray assembly 201 may be greater than the minimum cross-sectional area or minimum thickness of the second tray assembly 211.

Based on the Y-Z cut plane, the uniformity of the minimum cross-sectional area or the minimum thickness of the first tray assembly 201 may be greater than the uniformity of the minimum cross-sectional area or the minimum thickness of the second tray assembly 211.

Meanwhile, the rotation center C4 may be eccentric based on a line bisecting the length of the bracket 220 in the Y-axis direction.

In addition, the ice-making cell 320a may be eccentric based on a line bisecting the length of the bracket 200 in the Y-axis direction.

The rotation center C4 may be located closer to the second pusher 540 than the ice making cell 320a.

The second part 213 may include a first extension part 213a and a second extension part 213b positioned opposite to each other with respect to the center line C1.

The first extension part 213a may be located on the left side of the center line C1 with reference to FIG. 49, and the second extension part 213b may be located on the right side of the center line C1.

The water supply part 240 may be located close to the first extension part 213a. The first tray assembly 301 may include a pair of guide slots 302, and the water supply unit 240 may be located in a region between the pair of guide slots 302.

The length of the guide slot 320 may be greater than a sum of the radius of the ice making cell 320a and the height of the auxiliary storage chamber 325.

11, 29 and 49, the first portion 322 of the first tray 320 is a first contact surface 322c in contact with the first portion 382 of the second tray 380 (Or the first side) may be included. The first portion 382 of the second tray 380 may include a second surface facing the first contact surface 322c.

The second surface may be an upper surface of the first portion 382. The second surface includes a second contact surface 382c that contacts the first contact surface 322c and a non-contact surface that does not contact the first contact surface 322c.

The non-contact surface may be located outside the second contact surface 382c.

The non-contact surface may be located farther from a vertical center line passing through the center of the ice making cell 320a than the second contact surface 382c.

The non-contact surface may be disposed to face a space between the second portion 323 of the first tray 320 and the second portion 383 of the second tray 380.

50 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 50, the refrigerator according to the present embodiment may include a cooler for supplying cold to the freezing chamber 32 (or ice making cell).

50 illustrates that the cooler includes a cold air supply means 900 as an example.

The cold air supply means 900 may supply cold air to the freezing chamber 32 by using a refrigerant cycle.

As an example, the cold air supply means 900 may include a compressor for compressing a refrigerant. The temperature of the cold air supplied to the freezing chamber 32 may vary according to the output (or frequency) of the compressor.

Alternatively, the cold air supply means 900 may include a fan for blowing air to the evaporator. The amount of cool air supplied to the freezing chamber 32 may vary according to the output (or rotational speed) of the fan.

Alternatively, the cool air supply means 900 may include a refrigerant valve that controls an amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant cycle.

The amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant cycle is varied by adjusting the opening degree by the refrigerant valve, and accordingly, the temperature of the cold air supplied to the freezing chamber 32 may vary.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the cold air supply means 900 may include at least one of the compressor, fan, and refrigerant valve.

The cold air supply means 900 may further include an evaporator for exchanging heat between the refrigerant and air. The cold air heat-exchanged with the evaporator may be supplied to the ice maker 200.

The refrigerator according to the present embodiment may further include a controller 800 that controls the cold air supply means 900.

In addition, the refrigerator may further include a water supply valve 242 for controlling an amount of water supplied through the water supply unit 240.

The control unit 800 may control some or all of the ice-breaking heater 290, the transparent ice-heating heater 430, the driving unit 480, the cold air supply means 900, and the water supply valve 242.

In the present embodiment, when the ice maker 200 includes both the ice-breaking heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430, the output of the ice-breaking heater 290 and the output of the transparent ice heater 430 Can be different.

When the outputs of the ice-breaking heater 290 and the transparent ice-heater 430 are different, the output terminal of the ice-breaking heater 290 and the output terminal of the transparent ice heater 430 may be formed in different forms. Incorrect connection of the output terminal can be prevented.

Although not limited, the output of the ice ice heater 290 may be set to be greater than the output of the transparent ice heater 430. Accordingly, ice may be quickly separated from the first tray 320 by the ice-breaking heater 290.

In the present embodiment, when the ice-breaking heater 290 is not provided, the transparent ice-heating heater 430 is disposed adjacent to the second tray 380 described above, or adjacent to the first tray 320. Can be placed in position.

The refrigerator may further include a first temperature sensor 33 (or an interior temperature sensor) for sensing the temperature of the freezing compartment 32.

The controller 800 may control the cold air supply means 900 based on the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor 33.

In addition, the controller 800 may determine whether ice making is completed based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700.

51 is a flowchart illustrating a process of generating ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 52 is a view for explaining a height criterion according to a relative position of the transparent ice heater with respect to the ice making cell, and FIG. 53 is a view for explaining the output of the transparent ice heater per unit height of water in the ice making cell.

54 is a cross-sectional view showing a positional relationship between a first tray assembly and a second tray assembly in a water supply position,

55 is a diagram illustrating a state in which water supply is completed in FIG. 54.

FIG. 56 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positional relationship between a first tray assembly and a second tray assembly in an ice-making position, and FIG. 57 is a view illustrating a state in which a pressing portion of a second tray is deformed in a state in which ice-making is completed.

58 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positional relationship between a first tray assembly and a second tray assembly during an eaves process, and FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a positional relationship between a first tray assembly and a second tray assembly in an eaves position.

51 to 59, in order to generate ice in the ice maker 200, the control unit 800 moves the second tray assembly 211 to a water supply position (S1).

In the present specification, a direction in which the second tray assembly 211 moves from the ice making position in FIG. 56 to the ice ice position in FIG. 59 may be referred to as forward movement (or forward rotation).

On the other hand, a direction moving from the eaves position of FIG. 56 to the water supply position of FIG. 54 may be referred to as a reverse movement (or reverse rotation).

The movement of the water supply position of the second tray assembly 211 is detected by a sensor, and when it is sensed that the second tray assembly 211 has moved to the water supply position, the control unit 800 stops the drive unit 480 Let it.

At least a portion of the second tray 380 may be spaced apart from the first tray 320 at the water supply position of the second tray assembly 211.

At the water supply position of the second tray assembly 211, the first tray assembly 201 and the second tray assembly 211 form a first angle θ1 with respect to the rotation center C4. That is, the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 and the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 form a first angle.

Water supply is started while the second tray 380 is moved to the water supply position (S2).

For water supply, the control unit 800 turns on the water supply valve 242, and when it is determined that a set amount of water has been supplied, the control unit 800 may turn off the water supply valve 242.

For example, in the process of supplying water, when a pulse is output from a flow sensor (not shown) and the output pulse reaches a reference pulse, it may be determined that a set amount of water has been supplied.

In the water supply position, the second portion 383 of the second tray 380 may surround the first tray 320. For example, the second portion 383 of the second tray 380 may surround the second portion 323 of the first tray 320.

Accordingly, it is reduced that water supplied to the ice making cell 320a leaks between the first tray assembly 201 and the second tray assembly 211 while the second tray 380 moves from the water supply position to the ice making position. can do. In addition, it is possible to reduce the water that is expanded during the ice making process from leaking between the first tray assembly 201 and the second tray assembly 211 and freezing.

After the water supply is completed, the control unit 800 controls the driving unit 480 to move the second tray assembly 211 to the ice making position (S3).

For example, the control unit 800 may control the driving unit 480 so that the second tray assembly 211 moves in a reverse direction from a water supply position.

When the second tray assembly 211 is moved in the reverse direction, the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 becomes close to the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320.

Then, the water between the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 and the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 is divided and distributed inside each of the plurality of second cells 381a. do.

When the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 and the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 are completely in close contact, the first cell 321a is filled with water.

In this way, when the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 and the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 are in close contact, leakage of water from the ice making cell 320a can be reduced. have.

The movement of the ice making position of the second tray assembly 211 is detected by a sensor, and when the movement of the second tray assembly 211 to the ice making position is detected, the control unit 800 stops the driving unit 480 Let it.

Ice-making starts while the second tray assembly 211 is moved to the ice-making position (S4).

In the ice making position of the second tray assembly 211, the second portion 383 of the second tray 380 may face the second portion 323 of the first tray 320.

At least a portion of each of the second portion 383 of the second tray 380 and the second portion 323 of the first tray 320 may extend in a horizontal direction passing through the center of the ice making cell 320a. have.

At least a portion of each of the second portion 383 of the second tray 380 and the second portion 323 of the first tray 320 is positioned at the same height as or higher than the uppermost end of the ice making cell 320a Can be.

At least a portion of each of the second portion 383 of the second tray 380 and the second portion 323 of the first tray 320 may be positioned lower than the uppermost end of the auxiliary storage compartment 325.

In the ice making position of the second tray assembly 211, the second portion 383 of the second tray 380 may be spaced apart from the second portion 323 of the first tray 320 to form a space. have.

The space may extend to a point equal to or higher than the uppermost end of the ice making cell 320a formed by the first portion 322 of the first tray 320. The space may extend to a point lower than the uppermost end of the auxiliary storage chamber 325.

The ice-breaking heater 290 provides heat to reduce freezing of water in the space between the second portion 383 of the second tray 380 and the second portion 323 of the first tray 320 can do.

As described above, the second portion 383 of the second tray 380 serves as a water leakage prevention part. It is advantageous that the leakage preventing portion is formed as long as possible.

This is because, as the length of the leak prevention part increases, the amount of water leaked between the first and second tray assemblies may be reduced.

The length of the leakage preventing portion formed by the second portion 383 may be greater than a distance from the center of the ice making cell 320a to the outer peripheral surface of the ice making cell 320a.

The first portion of the second tray 380 is greater than the area of the first surface facing the first portion 382 of the second tray 380 in the first portion 322 of the first tray 320 ( It is larger than the area of the second surface facing the first portion 322 of the first tray 320 at 382. Due to the difference in area, the coupling force between the first tray assembly 201 and the second tray assembly 211 may be increased.

Ice making may start when the second tray 380 reaches the ice making position. Alternatively, when the second tray 380 reaches the ice-making position and the water supply time elapses, ice-making may start.

When ice making starts, the controller 800 may control the cold air supply means 900 so that cold air is supplied to the ice making cell 320a.

After the ice making starts, the controller 800 may control the transparent ice heater 430 to be turned on in at least a portion of the section while the cold air supply means 900 supplies cold air to the ice making cell 320a. have.

When the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, since the heat of the transparent ice heater 430 is transferred to the ice making cell 320a, the rate of ice generation in the ice making cell 320a may be delayed.

As in the present embodiment, by the heat of the transparent ice heater 430, the rate of ice generation is increased so that bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice making cell 320a can move from the portion where ice is generated to the liquid water. By delaying, transparent ice may be generated in the ice maker 200.

During the ice making process, the controller 800 may determine whether the on condition of the transparent ice heater 430 is satisfied (S5).

In this embodiment, the transparent ice heater 430 is not turned on immediately after ice making starts, and the transparent ice heater 430 may be turned on only when the on condition of the transparent ice heater 430 is satisfied (S6).

In general, water supplied to the ice making cell 320a may be water at room temperature or water at a temperature lower than room temperature. The temperature of the water supplied in this way is higher than the freezing point of the water.

Therefore, after the water supply, when the temperature of the water decreases due to the cold air and then reaches the freezing point of the water, the water changes to ice.

In the case of this embodiment, the transparent ice heater 430 may not be turned on before the water changes into ice.

If the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on before the temperature of the water supplied to the ice making cell 320a reaches the freezing point, the speed at which the water temperature reaches the freezing point by the heat of the transparent ice heater 430 becomes slow. As a result, the start of ice formation is delayed.

The transparency of ice may vary depending on the presence or absence of bubbles in the portion where ice is generated after the ice starts to be generated.If heat is supplied to the ice making cell 320a before ice is generated, the above It can be seen that the transparent ice heater 430 operates.

Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, when the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on after the on condition of the transparent ice heater 430 is satisfied, power is consumed due to unnecessary operation of the transparent ice heater 430 Can be prevented.

Of course, even if the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on immediately after the start of ice making, the transparency is not affected, and thus the transparent ice heater 430 may be turned on after the start of ice making.

In this embodiment, the controller 800 may determine that the on condition of the transparent ice heater 430 is satisfied when a predetermined time elapses from a set specific time point. The specific time point may be set to at least one of the time points before the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on.

For example, the specific time point may be set as a time when the cold air supply means 900 starts to supply cooling power for ice making, a time when the second tray assembly 211 reaches the ice making position, a time when water supply is completed, etc. have.

Alternatively, the controller 800 may determine that the on condition of the transparent ice heater 430 is satisfied when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the on reference temperature.

For example, the on-reference temperature may be a temperature for determining that water has started to freeze at the top side of the ice making cell 320a (the opening 324 side).

When a part of water is frozen in the ice-making cell 320a, the temperature of ice in the ice-making cell 320a is sub-zero.

The temperature of the first tray 320 may be higher than the temperature of ice in the ice making cell 320a.

Of course, although water is present in the ice-making cell 320a, the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 may be a sub-zero temperature after the ice-making cell 320a starts to generate ice.

Accordingly, in order to determine that ice has started to be generated in the ice making cell 320a based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700, the on-reference temperature may be set to a temperature below zero. .

That is, when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the on reference temperature, the on reference temperature is a sub-zero temperature, so the temperature of the ice in the ice making cell 320a is a sub-zero temperature and the on-reference temperature Will be lower than Accordingly, it may be indirectly determined that ice is generated in the ice making cell 320a.

In this way, when the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, heat from the transparent ice heater 430 is transferred into the ice making cell 320a.

As in the present embodiment, when the second tray 380 is located under the first tray 320 and the transparent ice heater 430 is disposed to supply heat to the second tray 380 In the ice making cell 320a, ice may start to be generated from the upper side.

In this embodiment, since ice is generated in the ice-making cell 320a from the top, air bubbles move downward toward the liquid water in the portion where ice is generated in the ice-making cell 320a.

Since the density of water is greater than that of ice, water or air bubbles may convective in the ice-making cell 320a, and air bubbles may move toward the transparent ice heater 430.

In this embodiment, the mass (or volume) per unit height of water in the ice-making cell 320a may be the same or different depending on the shape of the ice-making cell 320a.

For example, when the ice-making cell 320a is a rectangular parallelepiped, the mass (or volume) per unit height of water in the ice-making cell 320a is the same.

On the other hand, when the ice making cell 320a has a shape such as a spherical shape, an inverted triangle, a crescent shape, etc., the mass (or volume) per unit height of water is different.

If, assuming that the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 is constant, if the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 is the same, the ice per unit height is different because the mass per unit height of water is different in the ice making cell 320a. The rate at which it is generated may vary.

For example, when the mass per unit height of water is small, the rate of ice formation is high, whereas when the mass per unit height of water is large, the rate of ice formation is slow.

As a result, the rate at which ice is generated per unit height of water may not be constant, so the transparency of ice may vary for each unit height. In particular, when the rate of formation of ice is high, bubbles may not move from ice to water, so that ice may contain bubbles, and thus transparency may be low.

That is, the smaller the deviation in the rate of ice formation per unit height of water, the smaller the variation in transparency per unit height of the generated ice.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the control unit 800, the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 and/or the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 according to the mass per unit height of water of the ice making cell 320a It can be controlled to be variable.

In the present specification, the variable cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 may include one or more of variable output of the compressor, variable output of the fan, and variable opening of the refrigerant valve.

In addition, in the present specification, the variable heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 may mean varying the output of the transparent ice heater 430 or varying the duty of the transparent ice heater 430 .

At this time, the duty of the transparent ice heater 430 means a ratio of the on time to the on time and off time of the transparent ice heater 430 in one cycle, or the on time of the transparent ice heater 430 in one cycle. It may mean a ratio of off time to time and off time.

In this specification, the standard of the unit height of water in the ice-making cell 320a may be different according to a relative position between the ice-making cell 320a and the transparent ice heater 430.

For example, as shown in (a) of FIG. 52, the transparent ice heater 430 may be arranged to have the same height at the bottom of the ice making cell 320a.

In this case, a line connecting the transparent ice heater 430 is a horizontal line, and a line extending in a vertical direction from the horizontal line is a reference of the unit height of water of the ice making cell 320a.

In the case (a) of FIG. 52, ice is generated and grown from the top to the bottom of the ice making cell 320a.

On the other hand, as shown in (b) of FIG. 52, the height of the transparent ice heater 430 at the bottom of the ice making cell 320a may be arranged to be different.

In this case, since heat is supplied to the ice-making cell 320a at different heights of the ice-making cell 320a, ice is generated in a pattern different from that of FIG. 52A.

For example, in the case of (b) of FIG. 52, ice may be generated at a position spaced from the top to the left of the ice making cell 320a, and ice may grow downward to the right where the transparent ice heater 430 is located.

Accordingly, in the case of (b) of FIG. 52, a line (reference line) perpendicular to the line connecting the two points of the transparent ice heater 430 becomes the reference of the unit height of the water of the ice making cell 320a. The reference line in FIG. 52B is inclined by a predetermined angle from the vertical line.

FIG. 53 shows the division of the water unit height and the output amount of the transparent ice heater per unit height when the transparent ice heater is disposed as shown in FIG. 52A.

Hereinafter, an example of controlling the output of the transparent ice heater so that the rate of ice generation is constant for each unit height of water will be described.

Referring to FIG. 53, when the ice-making cell 320a is formed in a spherical shape, for example, the mass per unit height of water in the ice-making cell 320a increases from top to bottom, then becomes maximum, and then decreases again. .

For example, the water (or ice-making cell itself) in the spherical ice-making cell 320a having a diameter of 50 mm is divided into 9 sections (section A through I) with a height of 6 mm (unit height). At this time, it should be noted that there is no limit to the size of the unit height and the number of divided sections.

When the water in the ice making cell 320a is divided by the unit height, the height of each divided section is the same in section A to section H, and section I is lower than the rest of the section. Of course, depending on the diameter of the ice making cell 320a and the number of divided sections, the unit heights of all divided sections may be the same.

Among the many sections, section E is the section in which the mass of each unit height is the maximum. For example, in the section in which the mass of each unit height of water is the maximum, when the ice-making cell 320a has a spherical shape, the diameter of the ice-making cell 320a, the horizontal cross-sectional area or the circumference of the ice-making cell 320a is the maximum. It may contain a phosphorus part.

As described above, assuming that the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 is constant and the output of the transparent ice heater 430 is constant, the ice generation rate in section E is the slowest, and section A and I The ice formation rate in the section is the fastest.

In this case, there is a problem in that the ice generation rate is different for each unit height, so that the transparency of ice varies according to the unit height, and in a specific section, the ice generation rate is too fast, so that transparency including bubbles is lowered.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 so that the speed at which ice is generated for each unit height is the same or similar while allowing the air bubbles to move toward the water in the ice generating process. Can be controlled.

Specifically, since the mass of the E section is the largest, the output W5 of the transparent ice heater 430 in the E section may be set to the minimum.

Since the mass of section D is smaller than that of section E, the rate of ice formation increases as the mass decreases, so it is necessary to delay the rate of ice formation.

Accordingly, the output W4 of the toming ice heater 430 in the section D may be set higher than the output W5 of the transparent ice heater 430 in the section E.

For the same reason, since the mass of section C is smaller than the mass of section D, the output (W3) of the transparent ice heater 430 of section C is set higher than the output (W4) of the transparent ice heater 430 of section D. I can.

In addition, since the mass of the section B is smaller than the mass of the section C, the output W2 of the transparent ice heater 430 of the section B may be set higher than the output W3 of the transparent ice heater 430 of the section C. .

In addition, since the mass of section A is smaller than the mass of section B, the output W1 of the transparent ice heater 430 in section A may be set higher than the output W2 of the transparent ice heater 430 in section B. .

For the same reason, since the mass per unit height decreases from the E section to the lower side, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 may increase from the E section to the lower side (see W6, W7, W8, and W9). .

Accordingly, looking at the output change pattern of the transparent ice heater 430, after the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be gradually reduced from the first section to the middle section.

The output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be minimized in an intermediate section in which the mass per unit height of water is the minimum.

From the next section of the intermediate section, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be increased stepwise again.

It is also possible to set the output of the transparent ice heater 430 in two adjacent sections to be the same according to the shape or mass of ice generated. For example, it is possible that the output of section C and section D is the same. That is, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be the same in at least two sections.

Alternatively, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be set to the minimum in a section other than the section in which the mass per unit height is the smallest.

For example, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 in the D section or the F section may be the minimum. The output of the transparent ice heater 430 in section E may be equal to or greater than the minimum output.

In summary, in this embodiment, the initial output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be maximum. During the ice making process, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be reduced to a minimum output of the transparent ice heater 430.

The output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be gradually decreased in each section, or the output may be maintained in at least two sections.

The output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be increased from the minimum output to the end output. The end output may be the same as or different from the initial output.

In addition, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be gradually increased in each section from the minimum output to the end output, or the output may be maintained in at least two sections.

Alternatively, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be the end output in a section before the last section among a plurality of sections. In this case, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be maintained as the end output in the last section. That is, after the output of the transparent ice heater 430 becomes the end output, the end output may be maintained until the last section.

As the ice making is performed, the amount of ice in the ice making cell 320a decreases, so if the transparent ice heater 430 continues to increase until the output reaches the last section, heat supplied to the ice making cell 320a is Water may be present in the ice-making cell 320a even after the end of the last section.

Accordingly, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be maintained as the end output in at least two sections including the final angle section.

By controlling the output of the transparent ice heater 430, the transparency of ice becomes uniform for each unit height, and bubbles are collected in the lowermost section. Thus, when viewed as a whole, air bubbles may collect in localized portions and the rest of the ice may become entirely transparent.

As described above, even if the ice-making cell 320a is not in a spherical shape, transparent ice is generated when the output of the transparent ice heater 430 is varied according to the mass of each unit height of water in the ice-making cell 320a. can do.

The heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 when the mass per unit height of water is large is smaller than the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 when the mass per unit height of water is small.

For example, while maintaining the same cooling power of the cold air supply means 900, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 may be varied so as to be inversely proportional to the mass of each unit height of water.

In addition, transparent ice may be generated by varying the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 according to the mass of each unit height of water.

For example, when the mass of water per unit height is large, the cooling power of the cool air supply means 900 may be increased, and when the mass per unit height is small, the cooling power of the cold air supply unit 900 may be decreased.

For example, while maintaining a constant heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430, the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 may be varied in proportion to the mass per unit height of water.

Looking at the cooling power variable pattern of the cold air supply means 900 in the case of generating spherical ice, the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 may increase from the first section to the middle section during the ice making process.

The cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 may be maximized in an intermediate section in which the mass per unit height of water is the minimum.

From the next section of the intermediate section, the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 may be reduced again.

Alternatively, transparent ice may be generated by varying the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 and the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 according to the mass of each unit height of water.

For example, the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 may be varied in proportion to the mass per unit height of water, and the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 may be varied in inverse proportion to the mass per unit height of water.

As in the present embodiment, when one or more of the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 and the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 are controlled according to the mass of each unit height of water, the rate of ice generation per unit height of water is substantially The same or may be maintained within a predetermined range.

As shown in FIG. 57, in the ice making process, the convex portion 382f may be pressed by ice and deformed in a direction away from the center of the ice making cell 320a. The lower portion of the ice may form a spherical shape by deformation of the convex portion 382f.

Meanwhile, the control unit 800 may determine whether ice making is complete based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 (S8).

When it is determined that the ice making is completed, the control unit 800 may turn off the transparent ice heater 430 (S9).

For example, when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches a first reference temperature, the controller 800 may determine that ice making has been completed and turn off the transparent ice heater 430.

At this time, in the case of the present embodiment, since the distance between the second temperature sensor 700 and each ice making cell 320a is different, in order to determine that ice generation has been completed in all the ice making cells 320a, the controller 800 The ice-making may start after a predetermined time elapses from the time when it is determined that the ice-making is complete or when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches a second reference temperature lower than the first reference temperature.

When the ice making is completed, the controller 800 operates at least one of the ice ice heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 for ice ice removal (S10).

When at least one of the ice ice heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, heat from the heater is transferred to at least one of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 so that ice is transferred to the first tray. It may be separated from one or more surfaces (inner surfaces) of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380.

In addition, heat from the heaters 290 and 430 is transferred to the contact surface between the first tray 320 and the second tray 380, so that the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 and the second The second contact surfaces 382c of the tray 380 are separated from each other.

When at least one of the ice-breaking heater 290 and the transparent ice-heating heater 430 is operated for a set time, or when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 is greater than or equal to the off-reference temperature, the controller 800 is turned on. The heaters 290 and 430 are turned off (S10).

Although not limited, the off reference temperature may be set as the temperature of the image.

The control unit 800 operates the driving unit 480 so that the second tray assembly 211 moves in a forward direction (S11).

As shown in FIG. 58, when the second tray 380 is moved in the forward direction, the second tray 380 is spaced apart from the first tray 320.

Meanwhile, the moving force of the second tray 380 is transmitted to the first pusher 260 by the pusher link 500. Then, the first pusher 260 descends along the guide slot 302 so that the extension part 264 penetrates the opening 324 and presses the ice in the ice making cell 320a. .

In the present embodiment, in the ice breaking process, ice may be separated from the first tray 320 before the extension part 264 presses the ice. That is, ice may be separated from the surface of the first tray 320 by the heat of the heated heater.

In this case, the ice may move together with the second tray 380 while being supported by the second tray 380.

As another example, even if the heat of the heater is applied to the first tray 320, there may be a case where ice does not separate from the surface of the first tray 320.

Accordingly, when the second tray assembly 211 moves in the forward direction, there is a possibility that ice may be separated from the second tray 380 in a state in which the ice is in close contact with the first tray 320.

In this state, in the process of moving the second tray 380, the extension portion 264 passing through the opening 324 presses the ice in close contact with the first tray 320, so that the ice 1 Can be separated from the tray 320.

The ice separated from the first tray 320 may be supported again by the second tray 380.

When ice moves together with the second tray 380 while being supported by the second tray 380, the ice may be caused by its own weight even if no external force is applied to the second tray 380. It can be separated from the tray 250.

If, in the process of moving the second tray 380, even if ice does not fall from the second tray 380 by its own weight, as shown in FIGS. 58 and 59, the second pusher 540 is moved to the second tray 380 ) And pressurizes the second tray 380, ice may be separated from the second tray 380 and fall downward.

For example, while the second tray assembly 311 moves in the forward direction as shown in FIG. 54, the second tray 380 comes into contact with the extension 544 of the second pusher 540.

58, when the second tray 380 contacts the second pusher 540, the first tray assembly 201 and the second tray assembly 211 are based on the rotation center C4. ) Forms the second angle θ2. That is, the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 and the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 form a second angle. The second angle is greater than the first angle and may be close to 90 degrees.

When the second tray assembly 211 is continuously moved in the forward direction, the extension portion 544 presses the second tray 380 to deform the second tray 380, and the extension portion The pressing force of 544 is transmitted to the ice so that the ice may be separated from the surface of the second tray 380.

Ice separated from the surface of the second tray 380 may fall downward and be stored in the ice bin 600.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 59, a position in which the second tray 380 is deformed by being pressed by the second pusher 540 may be referred to as an eaves position.

As shown in FIG. 59, in the moving position of the second tray assembly 211, the first tray assembly 201 and the second tray assembly 211 are at a third angle θ3 with respect to the rotation center C4. To achieve. That is, the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 and the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 form a third angle θ3. The third angle θ3 is larger than the second angle θ2. For example, the third angle θ3 is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

Between the first edge 544a of the second pusher 540 and the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 at the eave position so as to increase the pressing force of the second pusher 540 The distance may be shorter than the distance between the first edge 544a of the second pusher 540 and the lower opening 406b of the second tray supporter 400.

A degree of adhesion between the first tray 320 and ice is greater than that of the second tray 380 and ice. Accordingly, the minimum distance between the first edge 264a of the first pusher 260 and the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 at the eaves position is the second edge 544a of the second pusher 540 ) And the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 may be greater than the minimum distance.

In the ice-breaking position, the distance between the first edge 264a of the first pusher 260 and the line passing through the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 is greater than 0, and the radius of the ice-making cell 320a Can be less than 1/2 of Therefore, since the first edge 264a of the first pusher 260 moves to a position close to the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320, ice is easily separated from the first tray 320 Can be.

Meanwhile, while the second tray assembly 211 moves from the ice making position to the ice making position, whether the ice bin 600 is full may be detected.

As an example, the ice-cold detection lever 520 is rotated together with the second tray assembly 211 and the ice-cold ice detects the rotation of the ice-cold ice detection lever 520 interferes. If so, it may be determined that the ice bean 600 is in a full ice state. On the other hand, if the rotation of the ice-cold detection lever 520 is not interfered with by ice while the ice-cold detection lever 520 is rotated, it may be determined that the ice bin 600 is not in a full ice state.

After the ice is separated from the second tray 380, the controller 800 controls the driving unit 480 so that the second tray assembly 211 moves in the reverse direction (S11).

Then, the second tray assembly 211 is moved from the moving position toward the water supply position.

When the second tray assembly 211 moves to the water supply position of FIG. 54, the control unit 800 stops the driving unit 480 (S1 ).

When the second tray 380 is spaced apart from the extension part 544 while the second tray assembly 211 is moved in the reverse direction, the deformed second tray 380 will be restored to its original shape. I can.

In the process of moving the second tray assembly 211 in the reverse direction, the moving force of the second tray 380 is transmitted to the first pusher 260 by the pusher link 500, and the first pusher 260 ) Rises, and the extension part 264 is removed from the ice making cell 320a.

60 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a pusher link when a second tray assembly moves from an ice making position to an ice making position.

Figure 60 (a) shows the ice making position, Figure 60 (b) shows the water supply position, Figure 60 (c) shows the position where the second tray is in contact with the second pusher, and Figure 60 (d) shows the ice making position. .

61 is a view showing the position of the first pusher in the water supply position when the ice maker is installed in the refrigerator, FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view showing the position of the first pusher in the water supply position when the ice maker is installed in the refrigerator, and FIG. 63 is an ice maker Is a cross-sectional view showing the position of the first pusher in the ebbing position in a state that is installed in the refrigerator.

60 to 63, the pushing bar 264 of the first pusher 260 may include the first edge 264a and the second edge 264b as described above.

The first pusher 260 may be moved by receiving power from the driving unit 480.

The control unit 800 attaches the water supplied to the ice making cell 320a at the water supply position to the first pusher 260 to reduce freezing in the ice making process, so that the first edge 264a is at the water supply position. It is possible to control the position so that it is located at different positions in the and ice making position.

In the present specification, that the control unit 800 controls the position may be understood as controlling the position by the control unit 800 controlling the driving unit 480.

The controller 800 may control a position such that the first edge 264a is located at different positions in the water supply position, the ice making position, and the ice ice position.

In the process of moving from the ice-breaking position to the water supplying position, the control unit 800 moves the first edge 264a in the first direction, and the first edge in the process of moving from the water supplying position to the ice-making position. It is possible to control the 264a to additionally move in the first direction.

Alternatively, the control unit 800, in the process of moving from the ice-breaking position to the water supply position, the first edge 264a, moves in the first direction, and in the process of moving from the water supply position to the ice-making position, the The first edge 264a may be controlled to move in a second direction different from the first direction.

For example, the first edge 264a may be moved in the first direction by the first slot 302a among the guide slots 302, and the second edge 264a by the second slot 302b May rotate in a second direction or may move in a second direction inclined with the first direction.

The first edge 264a may be positioned at a first point outside the ice making cell 320a in the ice making position, and may be controlled to be positioned at a second point in the ice making cell 320a during an ice making process.

On the other hand, the refrigerator includes a cover member 100 including a first portion 101 forming a support surface supporting the bracket 220 and a third portion 103 forming an accommodation space 104 It may contain more. A wall 32a forming the freezing chamber 32 may be supported on an upper surface of the first portion 101.

The first portion 101 and the third portion 103 are disposed to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and may be connected by the second portion 102.

The second portion 102 and the third portion 103 may form an accommodation space 104 for accommodating at least a portion of the ice maker 200. At least a part of the guide slot 302 may be located in the accommodation space 104.

For example, it may be located in the receiving space 104 at the upper end 302c of the guide slot 302. The lower end 302d of the guide slot 302 may be located outside the accommodation space 104.

The lower end 302d of the guide slot 302 may be positioned higher than the support wall 221d of the bracket 220 and lower than the upper surface 303b of the circumferential wall 303 of the first tray cover 300. have.

Accordingly, the length of the guide slot 302 may be increased without increasing the height of the ice maker 200.

Meanwhile, a water supply unit 240 may be coupled to the bracket 220. The water supply unit 240 may include a through hole 244. Water passing through the through hole 244 may be supplied to the ice making cell 320a. To this end, the through hole 244 may be formed in a portion of the water supply unit 240 facing the ice making cell 320a.

As an example, the water supply unit 240 includes a first portion 241, a second portion 242 disposed to be inclined with respect to the first portion 241, and extending from both sides of the first portion 241. A third portion 243 may be included. The first part 241 may look at the ice making cell 320a. Accordingly, the through hole 244 may be formed in the first part 241. Alternatively, the through hole 244 may be formed between the first portion 241 and the second portion 242.

The water supplied to the water supply part 240 may flow downward along the second part 242 and then be discharged from the water supply part 240 through the through hole 244. Water discharged from the water supply unit 244 may be supplied to the ice making cell 320a through the auxiliary storage chamber 325 and the opening 324 of the first tray 320.

The through hole 244 may be located in a direction in which the water supply unit 240 faces the ice making cell 320a.

The lowermost end 240a of the water supply unit 240 may be positioned lower than the upper end of the auxiliary storage chamber 325. The lowermost end 240a of the water supply unit 240 may be located in the auxiliary storage chamber 325.

The control unit 800, in the process of moving the second tray assembly 211 from the eaves position to the water supply position, in a direction away from the through hole 244 of the water supply unit 240, the first edge The position can be controlled so that (264a) moves. For example, the first edge 264a may be rotated in a direction away from the through hole 244.

When the first edge 264a moves away from the through hole 244, it is possible to reduce the contact of water with the first edge 264a during the water supply process, and accordingly, the water may be reduced from the first edge 264a. Freezing can be reduced.

While the second tray assembly 211 moves from the water supply position to the ice making position, the second edge 264b may additionally move in the second direction.

In the water supply position, the first edge 264a may be located outside the ice making cell 320a. In the water supply position, the first edge 264a may be located outside the auxiliary storage chamber 325.

In the water supply position, the first edge 264a may be positioned higher than the lower end of the through hole 224.

At the water supply position, the maximum value of the distance between the center line C1 of the ice making cell 320a and the first edge 264a is between the center line C1 of the ice making cell 320a and the storage compartment wall 325a The maximum value of the distance can be large.

In the water supply position, the first edge 264a is higher than the upper end 325c of the auxiliary storage chamber 325 and lower than the upper end 325b of the circumferential wall 303 of the first tray cover 300. I can. In this case, since the first edge 264a is positioned close to the ice making cell 320a, the first edge 264a is pressed with ice at an early stage of the ice making process, thereby improving ice breaking performance.

In the ice-breaking position, a length in which the first pusher 260 is inserted into the ice making cell 320a may be longer than a length in which the second pusher 541 is inserted into the second tray supporter 400.

In the eaves position, the first edge 264a is in a region between parallel lines extending in the direction of the first contact surface 322c while passing through the highest and lowest points of the shaft 440 (a region between the two dotted lines in FIG. 63). Can be located.

Alternatively, in the eaves position, the first edge 264a may be located on an extension line extending from the first contact surface 322c.

In the water supply position, the second edge 264b may be positioned lower than the third portion 103 of the cover member 100.

In the water supply position, the second edge 264b may be positioned higher than the upper end 241b of the first portion 241 of the water supply unit 240.

In the water supply position, the second edge 264b may be positioned higher than the upper surface 221b1 of the first fixing wall 221b of the bracket 220.

The control unit 800 may control a position such that the second edge 264b is closer to the water supply unit 240 than the first edge 264a at the water supply position.

In the water supply position, the second edge 264b may be positioned between the first portion 101 of the cover member 100 and the third portion 103 of the cover member 100.

For example, in the water supply position, the second edge 264b may be located in the receiving space 104. Accordingly, since a part of the ice maker 200 may be located in the receiving space 104, a space for receiving food in the freezing chamber 32 may be reduced by the ice maker 200, and the first pusher ( 260) can be increased. When the moving length of the first pusher 260 is increased, a pressing force for pressing the ice by the first pusher 260 may be increased during the ice breaking process.

In the ebbing position, the second edge 264b may be located outside the accommodation space 104.

In the moving position, the second edge 264b is positioned between the support surface 221d1 supporting the first tray assembly 201 in the bracket 220 and the first portion 101 of the cover member 100. I can.

In the ebbing position, the second edge 264b may be positioned lower than the upper surface 221b1 of the first fixing wall 221b of the bracket 220.

In the ice making position, the second edge 264b may be located outside the ice making cell 320a. In the ebbing position, the second edge 264b may be located outside the auxiliary storage room 325.

In the moving position, the second edge 264b may be positioned higher than the support surface 221d1 of the support wall 221d. In the ebbing position, the second edge 264b may be positioned higher than the through hole 241 of the water supply unit 240.

In the ebbing position, the second edge 264b may be positioned higher than the lower end 241a of the first portion 241 of the water supply unit 240.

The first portion 241 of the water supply unit 240 may extend in a vertical direction as a whole, or a part of the first part 241 may extend in a vertical direction, and another part may extend in a direction away from the first pusher 260. Alternatively, the first portion 241 of the water supply unit 240 may be formed with the first portion 241 so as to move away from the first pusher 260 from the lower end 241a to the upper end 241a.

The distance between the second edge 264b and the first part 241 of the water supply part 240 at the water supply position is the second edge 264b and the first part 241 of the water supply part 240 at the ice making position. ) Can be greater than the distance between them.

The distance between the second edge 264b and the portion where the first portion 241 of the water supply unit 240 faces the first pusher 260 at the water supply position is The first portion 241 of the water supply unit 240 may be greater than a distance between the portion facing the first pusher 260.

Meanwhile, in correspondence with the position control of the first pusher 260, the position of the guide connection part 265 may be controlled in the same or similar manner.

For example, the guide connection part 265 may be controlled to be located at different positions in the water supply position and the ice making position.

The guide connection part 265 may be controlled to move in a first direction in a process of moving from the ice-breaking position to the water supplying position, and to additionally move in the first direction in the process of moving from the water supplying position to the ice-making position.

Alternatively, in the process of moving from the ice-breaking position to the water supplying position, the guide connecting part 265 moves in the first direction, and the guide connecting part 265 is the first in the process of moving from the water supplying position to the ice-making position. It can be controlled to move in a second direction different from the direction.

For example, the guide connection part 265 may be moved in the first direction by the first slot 302a among the guide slots 302, and the guide connection part 265 is formed by the second slot 302b. It can rotate in two directions or move in a second direction that is inclined with the first direction.

After the guide connection part 265 reaches the ice-making position to reduce freezing in the ice-making process by attaching the water supplied to the ice-making cell 320a at the water supply position to the first pusher 260 , The driving unit 480 may be controlled to move further.

Alternatively, after the guide connection part 265 reaches the ice-breaking position, the driving unit () so that the first edge 264a of the first pusher 260 may increase the pressing force applied to the ice in the ice-breaking position. 480 can be controlled to exercise further.

In the moving position, the guide connection part 265 may be located between the first part 101 of the cover member 100 and the third part 103 of the cover member 100.

In the water supply position, the guide connection part 265 may be located between the support surface 221d1 supporting the first tray assembly 201 in the bracket 220 and the first portion of the cover member 100.

In addition, since the pusher link 500 is connected to the link connection part 266 of the first pusher 260, the contents of the position control of the first pusher 260 are the same or similar to the pusher link 500. Can be applied in a way.

As an example, the first connection part 504 of the pusher link 500 to reduce freezing during the ice making process by attaching the water supplied to the ice making cell 320a at the water supply position to the first pusher 260 May be controlled to be located at different positions in the water supply position and the ice making position.

The first connector 504 may be controlled to move in a first direction in a process of moving from the ice-breaking position to the water supplying position, and to additionally move in the first direction in the process of moving from the water supplying position to the ice-making position.

Alternatively, in the process of moving from the ice-bing position to the water supply position, the first connection part 504 moves in a first direction, and the first connection part 504 moves from the water supply position to the ice-making position. It can be controlled to move in a second direction different from the first direction.

For example, the first connector 504 may move in the first direction by the first slot 302a among the guide slots 302. The first pusher 260 connected to the first connector 504 or the first connector 504 by the second slot 302b may rotate in a second direction or may move in a second direction that is inclined with the first direction. .

After the first connector 504 reaches the ice-making position to reduce freezing in the ice-making process by attaching the water supplied to the ice-making cell 320a at the water supply position to the first pusher 260 In addition, the driving unit 480 may be controlled to move further.

Alternatively, after the first connecting portion 504 reaches the ice breaking position, the driving unit may increase the pressing force applied by the first edge 264a of the first pusher 260 to the ice breaking position. 480 can be controlled to further exercise.

The second connector 506 may rotate in at least a partial section in which the first connector 504 moves linearly.

In order to increase the rotation angle of the second connector 506 while reducing the moving distance of the first connector, the link body 502 is in a direction away from the rotational center axis of the second connector 506 at one point. It can be inclined.

In the eaves position, the first connection part 504 may be located between the first part 101 of the cover member 100 and the third part 103 of the cover member 100.

In the water supply position, the first connection part 504 may be located between the support surface 221d1 supporting the first tray assembly 201 in the bracket 220 and the first part of the cover member 100. have.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the link connection part 405a of the second tray supporter 400 may be referred to as a first coupling part of the second tray assembly 211. The first coupling portion may be connected to the first pusher 260. The first coupling portion may be connected to the first pusher 260 by the pusher link 500.

A part of the extension part 403 of the second tray supporter 400 may be referred to as a second coupling part of the second tray assembly 211. The second coupling part may be connected to the driving part 480 through the shaft 440.

The first coupling part may be located at a location spaced apart from a reference line (for example, a horizontal line) passing through the center of the second coupling part and the ice making cell 320a in a direction of the ice making cell of the second tray assembly 211.

The ice making cell (second cell) of the second tray assembly 211 is located below the ice making cell (first cell) of the first tray assembly 201. The first coupling part may be located below the reference line. The first coupling part may be located on the lower side of the second tray assembly 211.

The control unit allows the first coupling portion to be located between the ice-making cell 320a and an inner side of the second coupling portion at the water supply position or the ice-making position, and the first coupling portion to the outside of the second coupling portion at the ice-making position To be positioned at, the first coupling portion may be rotated around the second coupling portion.

The second tray assembly 211 includes an extension portion 403 having the second coupling portion, and the extension portion 403 is an upper side from a lower portion of an ice making cell formed by the second tray assembly 211. Can extend in any direction.

The first coupling part may be connected to the second connection part 506 of the pusher link 500.

The control unit may control the first coupling unit to be at different positions in the water supply position and the ice making position.

In the process of moving from the ice-breaking position to the water supply position, the first coupling part moves in a first direction, and in the process of moving from the water supply position to the ice-making position, the first coupling part is additionally in the first direction. You can exercise.

The control unit may control the first pusher 260 to move additionally while the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 are in contact with each other to limit additional movement of the first coupling unit. .

The position of the first coupling part may be determined by the motion of the driving part 480.

In order to reduce freezing in the ice making process by attaching the water supplied to the ice making cell 320a at the water supply position to the first pusher 260, the control unit, after the first coupling unit reaches the ice making position, In addition, it is possible to control the driving unit 480 to move further.

In order to increase the pressing force applied to the ice by the first edge 264a at the ice breaking position, the control unit controls the driving unit 480 to move further after the first coupling portion reaches the ice breaking position. can do.

In another embodiment, in the ice maker 220, the first pusher 260 is disposed to directly contact cold air, but unlike this, the ice maker 220 includes a pusher accommodation chamber surrounding the first pusher 260 It may further include a receiving room wall.

Of course, the accommodation chamber wall may be formed in a structure that does not interfere with the moving first pusher 260. For example, the accommodation chamber wall may be formed in a shape connecting the extension walls 302e in which a pair of guide slots are formed.

Accordingly, the accommodation chamber wall may be formed in a shape corresponding to the guide slot 302 in order to guide the movement of the first pusher 260.

As an example, the pusher accommodation room may include a first accommodation room that provides a space in which the second edge 264b of the first pusher 260 is located during the moving process.

The pusher accommodating chamber is a second accommodating chamber located outside the first edge 264a so as to provide a space in which only the first edge 264a is positioned without the second edge 264b positioned during the moving process. It may further include. The water supply unit 240 may be located in the second accommodation chamber.

The pusher accommodating chamber may include a third accommodating chamber positioned outside the second edge 264b to provide a space in which the second edge 264b is positioned at the water supply position or the ice making position.

The third accommodation room may be arranged to be inclined with respect to the first accommodation room.

The first accommodation chamber may be located above the second accommodation chamber. The third accommodation chamber may be located above the second accommodation chamber.

The volume of the first accommodation chamber may be larger than the volume of the third accommodation chamber. The height of the first accommodation chamber may be higher than the height of the third accommodation chamber.

The width of the first accommodation compartment may be smaller than the width of the second storage compartment. The width of the third accommodation chamber may be smaller than the width of the second storage chamber.

The pusher accommodation chamber may have a height greater than a width. The pusher accommodation chamber may be provided in the same number as the ice making cells 320a. The pusher accommodation chamber may be provided in the same number as the number of pushing bars 264 of the first pusher 260.

The accommodation chamber wall may be a wall of the first tray assembly or the second tray assembly. Alternatively, the wall of the receiving chamber may be a part of the wall of the freezing chamber 32.

64 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a through hole of a bracket and a cold air duct.

Referring to FIG. 64, the refrigerator may further include a cold air duct 120 guiding cold air from the cold air supply means 900.

The outlet 121 of the cold air duct 120 may be aligned with the through hole 222a of the bracket 220.

The outlet 121 of the cold air duct 120 may be disposed so as not to face at least the guide slot 302. When the cold air directly flows into the guide slot 302, freezing may occur in the guide slot 302, and the first pusher 260 may not move smoothly.

At least a portion of the outlet 121 of the cold air duct 120 may be positioned higher than an upper end of the peripheral wall 303 of the first tray cover 300.

For example, the outlet 121 of the cold air duct 120 may be positioned higher than the opening 324 of the first tray 320. Accordingly, cold air may flow from the top of the ice making cell 320a toward the opening 324. An area of the outlet 121 of the cold air duct 120 that does not overlap with the first tray cover 300 is larger than an area that overlaps with the first tray cover 300. Accordingly, cold air may not interfere with the first tray cover 300 and may flow above the ice-making cell 320a to cool water or ice in the ice-making cell 320a.

That is, the cold air supply means 900 (or cooler) is arranged so that the amount of cold air (or cold) supplied to the first tray assembly is greater than the second tray assembly in which the transparent ice heater 430 is located. Can be.

In addition, the cold air supply means 900 (or cooler) is provided so that the amount of cold air (or cold) supplied from the first cell 321a to an area farther than the area close to the transparent ice heater 430 is increased. Can be placed.

As an example, a distance between the cooler and an area close to the transparent ice heater 430 in the first cell 321a is an area located far from the transparent ice heater 430 in the cooler and the first cell 321a Can be longer than the distance between them.

A distance between the cooler and the second cell 381a may be longer than a distance between the cooler and the first cell 321a.

FIG. 65 is a diagram for describing a method of controlling a refrigerator when a heat transfer amount of cold air and water is varied during an ice making process.

Referring to FIGS. 50 and 65, the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 may be determined in correspondence with the target temperature of the freezing chamber 32. The cold air generated by the cold air supply means 900 may be supplied to the freezing chamber 32.

Water in the ice making cell 320a may be converted into ice by heat transfer of the cold supplied to the freezing chamber 32 and water from the ice making cell 320a.

In this embodiment, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 for each unit height of water may be determined in consideration of a predetermined cooling power of the cooling air supply means 900.

In the present embodiment, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 determined in consideration of the predetermined cooling power of the cooling air supply means 900 is referred to as a reference heating amount. The size of the standard heating amount per unit height of water is different.

However, when the amount of heat transfer between the cold in the freezing compartment 32 and the water in the ice making cell 320a is varied, if the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 is not adjusted to reflect this, the transparency of ice per unit height There are different problems.

In the present embodiment, when the heat transfer amount of cold air and water is increased, for example, the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 is increased, or air having a temperature lower than the temperature of the cold air in the freezing compartment 32 to the freezing compartment 32 May be supplied.

On the other hand, when the heat transfer amount of cold air and water is reduced, for example, the cooling power of the cooling air supply means 900 is reduced, or air having a temperature higher than the temperature of the cold air in the freezing chamber 32 is supplied to the freezing chamber 32. It may be the case.

For example, the target temperature of the freezing chamber 32 is lowered, the operating mode of the freezing chamber 32 is changed from the normal mode to the rapid cooling mode, the output of at least one of the compressor and the fan is increased, or the refrigerant valve When the opening degree is increased, the cooling power of the cooling air supply means 900 may be increased.

On the other hand, the target temperature of the freezing chamber 32 is increased, the operating mode of the freezing chamber 32 is changed from the rapid cooling mode to the normal mode, the output of at least one of the compressor and the fan is decreased, or the opening degree of the refrigerant valve is When it is reduced, the cooling power of the cooling air supply means 900 may be reduced.

When the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 is increased, the temperature of the cold air around the ice maker 200 decreases, thereby increasing the rate of ice generation.

On the other hand, when the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 decreases, the temperature of the cold air around the ice maker 200 increases, so that the rate of ice generation is slowed and the ice making time is lengthened.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the amount of heat transfer of cold and water is increased so that the ice making speed can be maintained within a predetermined range lower than the ice making speed when ice making is performed with the transparent ice heater 430 turned off, transparent ice The heating amount of the heater 430 may be controlled to increase.

On the other hand, when the heat transfer amount of the cold air and water is decreased, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 may be controlled to decrease.

In the present embodiment, when the ice-making speed is maintained within the predetermined range, the ice-making speed is slower than the speed at which the bubbles move in the portion where ice is generated in the ice-making cell 320a, so that there are no bubbles in the portion where ice is generated. Will not be.

When the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 is increased, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 may be increased. On the other hand, when the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 is reduced, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 may be reduced.

Hereinafter, a case where the target temperature of the freezing chamber 32 is changed will be described as an example.

The control unit 800 may control the output of the transparent ice heater 430 so that the ice making speed of the ice can be maintained within a predetermined range regardless of the variation of the target temperature of the freezing chamber 32.

For example, ice making starts (S4), and a change in the heat transfer amount of cold air and water may be detected (S31).

For example, it may be detected that the target temperature of the freezing chamber 32 is changed through an input unit (not shown).

The control unit 800 may determine whether the heat transfer amount of cold air and water is increased (S32). For example, the control unit 800 may determine whether the target temperature is increased.

As a result of the determination in step S32, if the target temperature is increased, the control unit 800 may decrease the reference heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 previously determined in each of the current section and the remaining section.

Until the ice making is completed, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 may be normally controlled for each section (S35).

On the other hand, when the target temperature is decreased, the controller 800 may increase the reference heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 predetermined in each of the current section and the remaining section. Until the ice making is completed, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 for each section may be controlled to be variable (S35).

In this embodiment, the reference heating amount to be increased or decreased may be predetermined and stored in the memory.

According to the present embodiment, by increasing or decreasing the reference heating amount for each section of the transparent ice heater in response to the variable heat transfer amount of cold and water, the ice making speed of ice can be maintained within a predetermined range, There is an advantage that the transparency becomes uniform.

Claims (18)

A storage room in which food is stored;
A cooler for supplying cold to the storage chamber;
A first temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in the storage chamber;
A first tray assembly forming a part of an ice making cell, which is a space in which water is phase-changed into ice by the cold;
A second tray assembly connected to a driving unit to form another part of the ice-making cell, and to be in contact with the first tray assembly during an ice-making process and to be spaced apart from at least a portion of the first tray assembly in an ice-making process;
A water supply unit for supplying water to the ice making cell;
A second temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of water or ice in the ice making cell;
A heater positioned adjacent to at least one of the first tray assembly and the second tray assembly; And
And a control unit for controlling the heater and the driving unit,
The control unit controls the cooler to supply cold to the ice making cell after moving the second tray assembly to the ice making position after the water supply of the ice making cell is completed,
The control unit controls the second tray assembly to move in a forward direction to an ice-making position and then in a reverse direction to take out ice from the ice-making cell after generation of ice in the ice-making cell is completed,
The control unit starts water supply after the second tray assembly is moved to the water supply position in the reverse direction after the eaves are completed,
A first edge formed with a surface pressing ice or at least one of the first and second tray assemblies so that ice is easily separated from the tray assemblies, and a first edge extending from the first edge and positioned at an end of the bar. It further comprises a pusher having 2 edges,
The control unit is configured to move at least one of the pusher and the second tray assembly to control a relative position between the pusher and the second tray assembly to change. The method of claim 1,
A refrigerator further comprising a bracket including a surface on which the second tray assembly is supported. The method of claim 2,
A cover member having a first portion forming a surface supported with the bracket, a third portion forming a surface spaced apart from the first portion, and a second portion connecting the first portion and the third portion. Refrigerator including more. The method of claim 3,
The control unit controls a position in the moving position so that the second edge is positioned between the first portion and a surface supporting the second tray assembly in the bracket. The method of claim 3,
The control unit controls a position in the water supply position so that the second edge is located between the first part and the third part of the cover member. The method of claim 1,
The control unit controls a position such that the first edge moves in a direction away from the through hole provided in the water supply unit while the second tray assembly moves from the eaves position to the water supply position. The method of claim 6,
The through hole is formed in a portion of the water supply unit facing the ice-making cell. The method of claim 6,
The control unit, in the water supply position, the refrigerator for controlling a position such that the first edge moves upward from a point of the through hole. The method of claim 6,
The control unit controls a position such that the first edge rotates in a direction away from the through hole while the second tray assembly moves from the eaves position to the water supply position. The method of claim 1,
The control unit controls a position such that the second edge is further moved while the second tray assembly moves from the moving position to the water supply position. The method of claim 1,
The control unit controls the driving unit to additionally rotate at the ice making position of the second tray assembly. The method of claim 1,
The control unit controls the position of the first edge so that the water supply position and the ice-making position are different from each other. The method of claim 1,
The first tray assembly further comprises an auxiliary storage compartment configured to guide water from the water supply unit to the ice making cell. The method of claim 13,
The water supply unit is a refrigerator supported in the auxiliary storage compartment. The method of claim 13,
The lowermost end of the water supply unit is located lower than the upper end of the auxiliary storage compartment. The method of claim 13,
The lowermost end of the water supply unit is a refrigerator located in the auxiliary storage compartment. The method of claim 13,
The pusher is a refrigerator that passes through the auxiliary storage compartment and is introduced into the ice making cell during the ice-making process. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising an additional heater for easily separating the ice from the first tray assembly,
The controller controls the additional heater to be turned on before controlling the position of the pusher to change.

Images