KR20210030018A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator which comprises: a storage compartment which stores food; a cooler for supplying the cold to the storage compartment; a first tray which forms a part of an ice-making cell which is a space where water becomes ice by the cold; a second tray which forms another part of the ice-making cell, is able to come in contact with the first tray in the ice-making process, and is able to be apart from the first tray in an ice-removing process; a water supply valve which controls the flow of water supplied to the ice-making cell; a water supply volume detection unit which detects the water supply volume of the ice-making cell; and a control unit which controls the water supply valve. The control unit controls the water supply valve for water to be supplied to the ice-making cell as much as the reference water supply volume for the water supply to the ice-making cell at a position for supplying water for the second tray, moves the second tray to the ice-making position after the water as much as the reference water supply volume is completely supplied, and determines whether the water supply volume of the ice-making cell has reached a target water supply volume by the water supply volume detection unit. If the water supply volume of the ice-making cell has reached the target water supply volume, the control unit starts the ice-making process, and if the water supply volume of the ice-making cell has not reached the target water supply volume, the control unit moves the second tray to the water supply position again, and controls the water supply valve for an additional water supply volume, which is smaller than the reference water supply volume, to be supplied. The present invention aims to provide a refrigerator which is able to generate ice with a uniform transparency.

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 cools the inside of the storage space using cold air, so that stored foods can be stored in a refrigerated or frozen state.

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

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 be opened upward and pumps the molded ice.

Ice made in an ice maker with such a structure has at least one 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 to rotate the lower tray with respect to the upper tray, one end connected to the lower tray, and the other end of the lower tray 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 of which are fitted to the link guide, 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 the water are completely discharged. There is a disadvantage 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. Accordingly, solidification proceeds on the water surface side, 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 about 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, since the heating amount of the heater is increased when the volume of water is simply reduced, it is difficult to generate ice having uniform transparency according to the shape of the ice.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator capable of generating ice having uniform transparency as a whole regardless of its shape, and a control method thereof.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator capable of generating ice in the same shape as an ice-making cell by accurately supplying water as much as a target water supply amount, and a control method thereof.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator having uniform transparency for each unit height of ice generated, and a control method thereof.

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 tray forming a part of an ice making cell, which is a space in which water is phase-changed into ice by the cold air; A second tray that forms another part of the ice-making cell, and may be in contact with the first tray in an ice-making process and spaced apart from the first tray in an ice-making process; A water supply valve controlling the flow of water supplied to the ice making cell; A water supply amount detection unit for sensing the water supply amount of the ice making cell; And a control unit for controlling the water supply valve.

The control unit may control the water supply valve to supply water to the ice making cell by a reference water supply amount for water supply of the ice making cell at a water supply position of the second tray.

After the water supply is completed by the reference water supply amount, the second tray may be moved to an ice-making position, and it may be determined whether the water supply amount of the ice-making cell reaches a target water supply amount by the water supply amount detecting unit.

When the water supply amount of the ice-making cell reaches the target water supply amount, the control unit starts ice making, and if the water supply amount of the ice-making cell does not reach the target water supply amount, the second tray is moved back to the water supply position and is smaller than the reference water supply amount. The water supply valve may be controlled so as to supply water by an additional water supply amount.

The reference water supply amount may be set differently according to the water supply pressure determined in the water supply process.

When the reference time elapses after the start of water supply, the control unit may determine whether the water pressure is less than the reference water pressure. When the water pressure is greater than or equal to the reference water pressure, the reference water supply amount may be set as a first reference water supply amount, and when the water pressure is less than the reference water pressure, the reference water supply amount may be set to a second reference water supply amount greater than the first reference water supply amount.

When the water pressure is higher than the reference water pressure, the control unit turns off the water supply valve when the water supply amount reaches the first reference water supply amount, and when the water pressure is less than the reference water pressure, and when the water supply amount reaches the second reference water supply amount, the water supply valve Can be turned off.

The additional water supply amount may be set differently according to the water supply pressure.

The additional water supply amount when the water pressure is low may be greater than the additional water supply amount when the water pressure is high.

After the water supply is completed by the additional water supply amount, the control unit may move the second tray to the ice-making position, and determine whether the water supply amount of the ice-making cell reaches a target water supply amount by the water supply amount detection unit.

When the water supply amount of the ice-making cell reaches the target water supply amount, the control unit starts ice making, and if the water supply amount of the ice-making cell does not reach the target water supply amount, the additional water supply amount is equal to the water supply amount of the ice-making cell until the water supply amount reaches the target water supply amount. The additional series of can be performed repeatedly.

After the ice making in the ice making cell is completed, the controller may control the second tray 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 is moved to the water supply position in the reverse direction after the ice-breaking is completed.

The water supply amount detector may be a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the ice making cell.

After the ice-breaking is completed and the second tray moves to the water supply position, the controller, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches the water supply start temperature, the water supply valve to be supplied to the ice making cell by the reference water supply amount Can be controlled.

After the second tray has moved to the water supply position for additional water supply, the controller, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches the water supply start temperature, the water supply valve to supply the additional water supply amount to the ice making cell. Can be controlled.

When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches the reference temperature, which is the temperature of the image, the control unit may determine that the water supply amount of the ice making cell has reached the target water supply amount.

The water supply amount detector may be a capacitive sensor that outputs different signals according to whether the ice making cell is in contact with water.

A first signal may be output when the capacitive sensor contacts water, and a second signal may be output when the capacitive sensor does not contact water. When the first signal is output from the capacitive sensor, the control unit may determine that the water supply amount of the ice making cell has reached the target water supply amount.

The refrigerator may further include a heater for providing heat to the ice making cell.

The control unit may be configured in at least some section of the cooler supplying cold so that bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice making cell move from the portion where ice is generated to liquid water to generate transparent ice. The heater can be turned on.

The controller may control 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.

The control method of a refrigerator according to another aspect includes a storage compartment in which food is stored, a cooler for supplying cold to the storage compartment, and a part of an ice making cell, which is a space in which water is phase-changed into ice by the cold air. And a second tray that may be in contact with the first tray during an ice making process, and a second tray spaced apart from the first tray during an ice making process, and the ice making cell. The present invention relates to a method for controlling a refrigerator including a water supply valve for controlling the flow of supplied water, a water supply amount detection unit for sensing the water supply amount of the ice making cell, and a control unit for controlling the water supply valve.

The method of controlling the refrigerator may include moving the second tray to a water supply position; Turning on the water supply valve for water supply; Turning off the water supply valve when water is supplied to the ice making cell by a reference water supply amount; Moving the second tray to an ice making position after completion of water supply by the reference water supply amount; Determining whether the water supply amount of the ice making cell reaches a target water supply amount by the water supply amount detection unit; And when the water supply amount of the ice-making cell reaches the target water supply amount, ice-making starts, and if the water supply amount of the ice-making cell does not reach the target water supply amount, the second tray is moved back to the water supply position, and an additional water supply amount smaller than the reference water supply amount. And controlling the water supply valve to supply water.

When the reference time elapses after the start of water supply, the control unit may determine whether the water supply water pressure is less than the reference water pressure. When the water pressure is greater than or equal to the reference water pressure, the reference water supply amount may be set as a first reference water supply amount, and when the water pressure is less than the reference water pressure, the reference water supply amount may be set to a second reference water supply amount greater than the first reference water supply amount.

The additional water supply amount when the water pressure is low may be set to be larger than the additional water supply amount when the water pressure is high.

When the second tray moves to the water supply position, when the temperature of the ice making cell reaches a reference temperature, the water supply valve may be turned on.

According to the proposed invention, since the cooler (cold) turns on the heater in at least some section while supplying cold, the ice-making speed is delayed by the heat of the heater, so that bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice-making cell become ice. Transparent ice can be created by moving toward liquid water in the part where it is created.

In particular, in the case of this 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 the case of the present embodiment, since water is accurately supplied as much as the target water supply amount, ice having the same shape as the ice making cell can be generated.

In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, an increase in water supply time may be minimized even when the water pressure is a low water pressure lower than the reference water pressure.

In addition, in this embodiment, by varying the heating amount of the transparent ice heater and/or the cooling power of the cooler in response to the variable heat transfer amount between the water in the ice making cell and the cold air in the storage compartment, ice with uniform transparency can be generated as a whole. have.

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.
3 is a perspective view of the ice maker with the bracket removed from FIG. 2;
4 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a perspective view of a first tray viewed from below according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a first tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a perspective view of a second tray viewed from above according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a cross-sectional view taken along 8-8 of FIG. 7.
9 is a top perspective view of a second tray supporter.
10 is a cross-sectional view taken along 10-10 of FIG. 9;
11 is a cross-sectional view taken along 11-11 of FIG. 2.
12 is a view showing a state in which the second tray is moved to the water supply position in FIG. 11;
13 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 and 15 are flowcharts illustrating a process of generating ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
16 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.
17 is a view for explaining the output of the transparent ice heater per unit height of water in the ice making cell.
18 is a view showing a state in which water supply is completed at a water supply position.
19 is a view showing a state in which ice is generated at an ice making position.
20 is a view showing a state in which the pressing portion of the second tray is deformed in the ice making completed state.
FIG. 21 is a view showing a state in which a second pusher is in contact with a second tray during an eaves process.
22 is a view showing a state in which a second tray is moved to an eaves position during an eaves process.
23 is a view for explaining a control method of a refrigerator when a heat transfer amount of cold air 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, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with an understanding of an 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), and (b) may be used. These terms are for distinguishing the constituent element from other constituent elements, and the nature, order, or order of the constituent element is not limited by the term. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, the 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”.

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

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator according to an 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 compartment may include a refrigerating compartment 18 and a freezing compartment 32. The refrigerating compartment 18 is disposed on the upper side, and the freezing compartment 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 chamber may be disposed on one of the left and right sides, and a refrigerating chamber 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 that open and close the storage compartment in a rotating manner, and the doors 30 that open and close the storage compartment 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 this 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 provided 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 partitioning an upper space and a 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. The duct guides cold air heat-exchanged with the refrigerant flowing through the evaporator toward the ice maker 200.

For example, the duct may be disposed behind 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.

It has been described above that the ice maker 200 is provided in the freezing compartment 32, but 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.

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

2 to 4, 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 bracket 220 may be installed on an upper wall of the freezing chamber 32, for example.

A water supply unit 240 may be installed above the inner surface of the bracket 220.

The water supply unit 240 is provided with openings at the upper and lower sides, respectively, so that water supplied to the upper side of the water supply unit 240 may be guided to the lower side of the water supply unit 240.

The upper opening of the water supply part 240 is larger than the lower opening, and thus, a discharge range of water guided downward through the water supply part 240 may be limited.

A water supply pipe 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 a first tray assembly and a second tray assembly.

The first tray assembly may include a first tray 320, a first tray case, or 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 ice maker 200 may include an ice making cell 320a (refer to FIG. 11 ), 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 320a. The second tray 380 may form another part of the ice making cell 320a.

The second tray 380 may be disposed to be relatively movable with respect 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 come into contact with each other.

When the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 contact each other, the complete ice making cell 320a may be defined.

On the other hand, after the completion of ice making, the second tray 380 may move relative to the first tray 320 in an ice-breaking process, so that the second tray 380 may be spaced apart from the first tray 320.

In the present embodiment, the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may be arranged in a vertical direction while the ice making cell 320a is 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 320a may be defined by the first tray 320 and the second tray 380.

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

In this embodiment, for example, the ice making cell 320a may be formed in a spherical shape or a shape similar to a spherical shape.

Of course, the ice making cell 320a 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 300.

The first tray supporter 340 and the first tray cover 300 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 positioned 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. The first heater case 280 may be provided with a heater 290 for ice breaking. The heater case 280 may be formed integrally with the first tray cover 300 or separately formed to be coupled to the first tray cover 300.

The ice-breaking heater 290 may be disposed at a position adjacent to the first tray 320. The heater 290 for ice breaking may be, for example, a wire type heater.

For example, the ice-breaking heater 290 may be installed to contact the first tray 320 or may be disposed at a position spaced apart from the first tray 320 by a predetermined distance.

In either case, the ice-making heater 290 may supply heat to the first tray 320, and heat supplied to the first tray 320 may be transferred to the ice-making cell 320a.

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 the 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 protrusion 266 of the first pusher 260 may be inserted into the guide slot 302. Accordingly, the guide protrusion 266 may be guided along the guide slot 302.

The first pusher 260 may include at least one pushing bar 264. For example, the first pusher 260 may include a pushing bar 264 provided in the same number as the number of ice-making cells 320, but is not limited thereto.

The pushing bar 264 may push ice located in the ice making cell 320a during the ice making process. For example, the pushing bar 264 may pass through the first tray cover 300 and be inserted into the ice making cell 320a.

Accordingly, the first tray supporter 300 may be provided with an opening 304 through which a portion of the first pusher 260 passes.

The guide protrusion 266 of the first pusher 260 may be coupled to the pusher link 500. At this time, the guide protrusion 266 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 a separate configuration.

For example, at least a portion of the second tray cover 360 may be positioned 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 under the second tray 380.

For example, at least a portion of a wall forming the second cell 381a 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 surround the peripheral wall 387.

The ice maker 200 may further include a second heater case 420. A transparent ice heater 430 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 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 it.

Due to the heat of the transparent ice heater 430, the ice maker ( 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, if the rate at which ice is generated 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 problem is solved and the transparency of the generated ice may be increased, 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 ice generated, the transparent ice heater 430 may provide heat to the ice making cell 320a locally. It can be placed on one side.

On the other hand, 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.

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

At least one of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may be made of a flexible material or a soft material so that the tray deformed by the pushers 260 and 540 can be easily restored to its original shape during the ice breaking process.

The transparent ice heater 430 may be disposed 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 either 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.

The ice maker 200 may further include a driving unit 480 providing a driving force. By receiving the driving force of the driving unit 480, the second tray 380 may move relative to the first tray 320. 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 supporter 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 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. Alternatively, the rotation arm may be connected to the driving unit 480 to be rotated by receiving a rotational force from the driving unit 480. In this case, the shaft 440 may be connected to a rotation arm not connected to the driving unit 480 among the pair of rotation arms 460 to transmit rotational force.

One end of the rotation arm 460 is 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 be rotated by the rotational force provided by the driving unit 480.

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

One of the pair of second portions 522 may be coupled to the driving unit 480, and the other may be coupled to the bracket 220 or the first tray supporter 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 the 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 may be provided in the cam, and the sensor may be a Hall sensor for sensing magnetism of the magnet during 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 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 from a magnet provided in the cam.

For example, a water supply location and an ice making 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.

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 320a, but is not limited thereto.

The pushing bar 544 may push ice located in the ice making cell 320a. As an 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 320a, and the contacted second tray ( 380) can be pressurized.

Accordingly, the second tray supporter 400 may be provided with a lower opening 406b (see FIG. 10) through which a portion of the second pusher 540 passes.

The first tray supporter 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 in shape. 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 separation between the first tray 320 and ice is strong, the ice maker 200 of the present embodiment may include at least one of the ice-breaking heater 290 and the first pusher 260. I can.

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-metallic material, the ice maker 200 may include only one of the ice-ice 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 hardness of may be lower than that of the first tray 320.

5 is a perspective view of a first tray viewed from the bottom according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 and 6, 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 define a plurality of first cells 321a, for example. The plurality of first cells 321a may be arranged in a line, for example. Referring to FIG. 5, 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). 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. Bubbles may escape through the opening 324 in the ice making process.

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 overflowed 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 324 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 in the ice breaking process. Can be reduced.

The first tray 320 may include a first contact surface 322c in contact with the second tray 380.

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.

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.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 6, 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 portion 322 may include the opening 324. In addition, the first portion 322 may include a heater receiving portion 321c. A heater for ice breaking may be accommodated in the heater accommodating part 321c. The first part 322 may be divided into a first area located close to the transparent ice heater 430 in a Z-axis direction and a second area located 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. 6.

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.

The upper and lower portions of the first portion 322 may be divided based on an extension direction of a center line C1 (or a vertical center line) in the Z-axis direction in the ice making cell 320a. 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 a 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 portion 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.

6, 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 with respect to 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 portion 323b may be increased. 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 rotation 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.

The thickness of the first tray wall 321 is minimum at the side of the first contact surface 322c. At least a portion of the first tray wall 321 may increase in thickness from the first contact surface 322c toward the upper side. Since the thickness of the first tray wall 321 increases upward, a part of the first portion 322 formed by the first tray wall 321 is an internal deformation reinforcement part (or a first internal deformation reinforcement part) Plays a role. In addition, the second portion 323 extending outward from the first portion 322 also serves as an internal deformation reinforcing portion (or a second internal deformation reinforcing portion).

The internally deformed reinforcing parts may be directly or indirectly supported by the bracket 220. The inner deformation reinforcing part may be connected to the first tray case and supported by the bracket 220 as an example. In this case, a portion of the first tray case in contact with the inner deformation reinforcement portion of the first tray 320 may also serve as an inner deformation reinforcement portion. Such an internally deformed reinforcement part may cause ice to be generated from the first cell 321a formed by the first tray 320 to the second cell 381a formed by the second tray 380 during the ice making process. have.

7 is a perspective view of a second tray viewed from the top according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along 8-8 of FIG. 7.

7 and 8, 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. 7, 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 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 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 second tray wall 381. In any case, the circumferential 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 circumferential wall 387 are formed separately, the circumferential 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 the 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.

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 the present specification, the first portion 322 of the first tray 320 may be referred to as a third portion to be distinguished from the first portion 382 of the second tray 380 in terms of terms. 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 part 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 part 382 may be defined as an area between two dotted lines in FIG. 10. 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 compared to 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 center of rotation 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 portion 383 is the first portion of the first portion 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. 8, 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 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 where 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 is increased. 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 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, the 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.

The first portion 382 may include a first area 382d (refer to area A in FIG. 8) and a second area 382e (remaining areas excluding area A). 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 region 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. For example, the first region 382d may include a pressing portion 382f that is pressed by the second pusher 540 during a 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 be restored 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 portion 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.

9 is a top perspective view of a second tray supporter, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along 10-10 of FIG. 9.

9 and 10, 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 ice breaking process. For example, three lower openings 406b may be provided in the supporter body 407 to correspond to the three receiving 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 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. 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 part 281 of the first tray cover 300 may be disposed inside the pair of extension parts 403.

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.

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, for example. Referring to FIG. 10, the second tray supporter 400 may include a first portion 411 supporting the second tray 380 forming at least a part of the ice making cell 320a. In FIG. 10, 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 in a direction away from the second part 413.

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 different direction from the first part 414a.

The second part 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. 10, the first extension part 413a may be located on the left side of the center line CL1, and the second extension part 413b may be located on the right side of 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 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 the present 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 rotation 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 portion 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 an up-down direction, for example. In FIG. 12, as an example, it is shown that the first region 415a and the second region 415b are separated by a dashed-dotted line extending in a horizontal direction. 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. An inner deformation degree of the second tray supporter 400 may be greater than an 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.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along 11-11 of FIG. 2, and FIG. 12 is a view showing a state in which the second tray is moved to the water supply position in FIG. 11.

11 and 12, the ice maker 200 may include a first tray assembly 201 and a second tray assembly 211 connected to each other.

The first tray assembly 201 may include a first portion forming at least a part of the ice making cell 320a and a second portion connected from the first portion to a predetermined point. The first portion of the first tray assembly 201 includes a first portion 322 of the first tray 320, and the second portion of the first tray assembly 201 is the first tray 320 ). Accordingly, the first tray assembly 201 includes the inner deformation reinforcing portions of the first tray 320.

The first tray assembly 201 may include a first area and a second area located farther from the transparent ice heater 430 than the first area. The first area of the first tray assembly 201 may include a first area of the first tray 320, and the second area of the first tray assembly 201 is the first tray 320. ) May include a second area.

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 portion 212 may be an area positioned between two dotted lines in FIG. 11. The 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 part 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 extending upward based on a horizontal line passing 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 to reduce 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. 11 shows that the first region 214a and the second region 214b are divided by a chain-dotted line extending in the horizontal direction. 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 first region 214a may include the transparent ice heater 430. 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 distance from the center of the ice making cell 320a to the outer circumferential surface is greater in the second area 214b than in the first area 214a. The second area 214b may include a portion where 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 region 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.

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 greater.

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. For example, the first region 214a may include the pressing portion 382f of the second tray 380.

The rotation center C4 of the shaft 440 may be positioned 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. 11, 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 ice maker 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment may be designed such that the position of the second tray 380 is different from a water supply position and an ice-making position. In FIG. 12, as an example, a water supply position of the second tray 380 is shown. For example, in the water supply position as shown in FIG. 12, at least a portion of the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 and the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 may be spaced apart. In FIG. 12, for example, it is shown that all of the first contact surfaces 322c are spaced apart from all of the second contact surfaces 382c. Accordingly, in the water supply position, the first contact surface 322c may be inclined to form a predetermined angle with the second contact surface 382c.

Although not limited, in the water supply position, the first contact surface 322c may be substantially horizontal, and the second contact surface 382c is lower than the first tray 320 with respect to the first contact surface 322c. It can be arranged to be inclined.

Meanwhile, in the ice making position (refer to FIG. 11 ), the second contact surface 382c may contact at least a portion of the first contact surface 322c. The angle formed by the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 and the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320 at the ice making position is the second contact surface of the second tray 380 at the water supply position It is smaller than the angle formed between 382c and the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320. In the ice making position, all of the first contact surface 322c may contact the second contact surface 382c. In the ice making position, the second contact surface 382c and the first contact surface 322c may be disposed to be substantially horizontal. In this embodiment, the reason why the water supply location of the second tray 380 and the ice making location are different is that when the ice maker 200 includes a plurality of ice making cells 320a, communication between each ice making cell 320a is The purpose is to uniformly distribute water to the plurality of ice making cells 320a without forming a water passage for the first tray 320 and/or the second tray 380.

If the ice maker 200 includes the plurality of ice making cells 320a, when a water passage is formed in the first tray 320 and/or the second tray 380, the ice maker 200 The water supplied to is distributed to the plurality of ice making cells 320a along the water passage.

However, when the water is distributed to the plurality of ice making cells 320a, water exists in the water passage, and when ice is generated in this state, ice generated in the ice making cell 320a is generated in the water passage part. Connected by ice.

In this case, there is a possibility that the ice will stick to each other even after the ice is completed, and even if the ice is separated from each other, some of the ice contains ice generated in the water passage, so the shape of the ice is the shape of the ice making cell. There is a problem different from that.

However, as in the present embodiment, when the second tray 380 is spaced apart from the first tray 320 at the water supply position, the water dropped to the second tray 380 is the second tray. The plurality of second cells 381a of 380 may be uniformly distributed.

The water supply unit 240 may supply water to one of the plurality of openings 324. In this case, the water supplied through the one opening 324 falls into the second tray 380 after passing through the first tray 320. During the water supply process, water may fall into any one second cell 381a of the plurality of second cells 381a of the second tray 380. Water supplied to one second cell 381a overflows from one second cell 381a.

In the present embodiment, since the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 is spaced apart from the first contact surface 322c of the first tray 320, it overflows from the second cell 381a. The water moves along the second contact surface 382c of the second tray 380 to another adjacent second cell 381a. Accordingly, the plurality of second cells 381a of the second tray 380 may be filled with water.

In addition, when the water supply is completed, a part of the water supplied is filled in the second cell 381a, and another part of the water supplied is filled in the space between the first tray 320 and the second tray 380. I can.

When the second tray 380 moves from the water supply position to the ice making position, water in the space between the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 is uniformly distributed to the plurality of first cells 321a. Can be distributed.

Meanwhile, when a water passage is formed in the first tray 320 and/or the second tray 380, ice generated in the ice making cell 320a is also generated in the water passage portion.

In this case, in order to generate transparent ice, the control unit of the refrigerator performs at least one of the cooling power of the cold air supply unit 900 and the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 according to the mass per unit height of water in the ice making cell 320a. When this variable is controlled, at least one of the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 and the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 in the portion where the water passage is formed is controlled to rapidly vary several times or more.

This is because the mass per unit height of water is rapidly increased several times or more in the portion where the water passage is formed. In this case, reliability problems of parts may occur, and expensive parts with large widths of maximum output and minimum output can be used, which can be disadvantageous in terms of power consumption and cost of parts. As a result, the present invention may require a technique related to the above-described ice making position in order to generate transparent ice.

The refrigerator may further include a second temperature sensor 700 (or an ice making cell temperature sensor).

The second temperature sensor 700 is disposed adjacent to the first tray 320 and detects the temperature of the first tray 320, thereby indirectly measuring the temperature of water or ice of the ice making cell 320a. Can be detected. Alternatively, the second temperature sensor 700 may be exposed from the second tray 320 to the ice making cell 320a to directly sense the temperature of the ice making cell 320a.

In the present embodiment, the temperature of the ice making cell 320a may be the temperature of water, ice, or cold air.

In this embodiment, the second temperature sensor 700 may be used to determine whether the amount of water supplied to the ice making cell 320a reaches a target water supply amount.

The second temperature sensor 700 may be positioned adjacent to an upper end of the ice making cell 320a. An upper end of the ice making cell 320a may be a portion in which the opening 324 of the first tray 320 is formed.

The lowermost end of the second temperature sensor 700 may be positioned lower than the upper end of the ice making cell 320a. When the lowermost end of the second temperature sensor 700 is positioned lower than the upper end of the ice-making cell 320a, in a state in which water is supplied to the ice-making cell 320a as much as the target water supply amount, the uppermost end of the water-supplied water is It may be lower than the top of the cell 320a.

Since water expands in the process of phase change into ice, if the top of the water supplied is equal to or higher than the top of the ice making cell 320a, a part of the expanded ice is located in the auxiliary storage chamber 325, so during the ice breaking process Ice is not easily separated from the first tray 320, and there is a problem that the shape of ice is not the same as that of the ice making cell 320a. However, according to the present invention, such a problem can be prevented in advance. .

13 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, the refrigerator of the present embodiment may include a cooler for supplying cold to the freezing compartment 32 (or ice making cell).

In this embodiment, the cooler may be defined as a cool air supply means including at least an evaporator and a means for cooling the storage chamber including at least one of a thermoelectric element.

13, it is illustrated that the cooler includes a cold air supply means 900 as an example.

The cold air supply means 900 may supply cold air, which is an example of cold, to the freezing chamber 32 by using a refrigerant cycle.

For 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 (expansion valve) for adjusting 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 the present embodiment, the cold air supply means 900 may include one or more of the compressor, a fan, and a 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 control unit 800 that controls the cold air supply unit 900.

In addition, the refrigerator may further include a flow sensor 244 for sensing the amount of water supplied through the water supply unit 240 and a water supply valve 242 for controlling the amount of water supply.

The flow sensor 244 may include an impeller equipped with a magnet, a Hall sensor that senses magnetism during rotation of the impeller, and a housing in which the impeller is accommodated. When the Hall sensor detects the magnetism of the magnet while the impeller is rotated, or when the Hall sensor and the magnet are aligned, a first signal may be output from the Hall sensor. When the Hall sensor does not detect the magnetism of the magnet or the magnet is spaced apart from the Hall sensor by a predetermined distance, a second signal is output from the Hall sensor.

Since the first signal (pulse) is repeatedly output, it is possible to check the water supply amount by counting the number of the first signals. Hereinafter, the comparison of the number of pulses of the first signal with the reference number will be described.

The control unit 800 may control the water supply valve 242 using the number of counted first signals.

The controller 800 may control some or all of the ice ice heater 290, the transparent ice heater 430, the driving unit 480, the cold air supply means 900, and the water supply valve 242. .

In this 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 transparent ice heater 430 The output of may 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 shapes. , Incorrect connection of the two output terminals 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 ice heater 290 is not provided, the transparent ice heater 430 is disposed adjacent to the second tray 380 described above, or the first tray 320 and It can be placed in an adjacent location.

The refrigerator may further include a first 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.

The controller 800 may determine whether ice making is completed based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700.

In addition, as described above, the controller 800 may determine whether the water supply amount reaches the target water supply amount based on the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 700.

When water equal to the target water supply amount is supplied to the ice making cell 320a, the second temperature sensor 700 may contact water. The temperature of the water supplied to the ice making cell 320a is the temperature of the image and may be room temperature or a temperature slightly lower than room temperature. Accordingly, the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 may be higher than the reference temperature, which is the temperature of the image.

On the other hand, when water in an amount less than the target water supply amount is supplied to the ice-making cell 320a, cold air is located in an area equal to the insufficient water supply amount in the ice-making cell 320a. Since the temperature of the cold air is below zero, the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 in contact with the cold air will be lower than the reference temperature.

Accordingly, when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 is equal to or higher than the reference temperature, the controller 800 determines that the water supply amount of the ice making cell 320a has reached the target water supply amount. On the other hand, if the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 is less than the reference temperature, it is determined that the water supply amount of the ice making cell 320a has not reached the target water supply amount.

In the present embodiment, the second temperature sensor 700 may be referred to as a water supply amount sensing unit for detecting a water supply amount.

As another example, it is also possible to include a water supply amount detector separately from the second temperature sensor. For example, the water supply amount sensing unit may be a capacitive sensor, for example.

A signal (first signal) output from the water supply amount sensing unit when the water supply amount sensing unit contacts water, and a signal (second signal) output from the water supply amount sensing unit when the water supply amount sensing unit does not contact water different. Accordingly, when the first signal is output from the water supply amount sensing unit, the control unit may determine that the water supply amount of the ice making cell has reached the target water supply amount.

In order for the water supply amount detection part to contact water, the water supply amount detection part may be exposed to the ice making cell. An end of the water supply amount sensing unit in contact with water may be positioned lower than an upper end of the ice making cell.

14 and 15 are flowcharts illustrating a process of generating ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 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, and FIG. 17 is a view for explaining the output of the transparent ice heater per unit height of water in the ice making cell.

FIG. 18 is a view showing a state in which water supply is completed at a water supply position, FIG. 19 is a view showing a state in which ice is generated at an ice-making position, and FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a state in which the pressing part of the second tray is deformed in the ice making state FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a second pusher is in contact with a second tray during an eaves process, and FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the second tray is moved to an eaves position during an eaves process.

14 to 22, in order to generate ice in the ice maker 200, the controller 800 moves the second tray 380 to a water supply position (S1).

In the present specification, a direction in which the second tray 380 moves from the ice making position in FIG. 19 to the ice ice position in FIG. 22 may be referred to as a forward movement (or forward rotation).

On the other hand, a direction moving from the eaves position of FIG. 22 to the water supply position of FIG. 18 may be referred to as a reverse movement (or reverse rotation).

The movement of the water supply position of the second tray 380 is detected by a sensor (not shown), and when it is sensed that the second tray 380 has moved to the water supply position, the control unit 800 operates the driving unit 480. Stop.

In a state in which the second tray 380 is moved to the water supply position, the controller 800 may determine whether the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches a temperature below the water supply start temperature. (S2).

It will be described later, but after the ice-making is completed, the ice-making heater 290 and/or the ice-making heater 430 are operated for ice-making. Heat from the ice-making heater 290 and/or the ice-making heater 430 is provided to the ice-making cell 320a. The temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 may increase to a temperature higher than the image due to the heat provided to the ice making cell 320a.

If the water supply is started immediately after the ice-breaking is completed, the second temperature sensor 700 detects it by the effect of the heat of the heater, even though water as much as the target water supply amount has not been supplied to the ice-making cell 320a. It can be determined that the temperature reached has reached the water supply start temperature.

As described above, when ice-making is started in a state in which water less than the target water supply amount is supplied, the completion of ice-making may be determined in a state in which the ice is not completely frozen, and the ice does not become transparent.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, water supply is not started immediately after ice-breaking is completed, but waits so that the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 decreases due to cold air. When the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 is lowered to a temperature equal to or lower than the water supply start temperature, water supply may be started. As another example, water supply may be started when a set waiting time elapses after eave is completed. The set waiting time may be set to a time such that the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 is sufficiently lowered by the cold air. The water supply start temperature may be a temperature lower than the reference temperature. The water supply start temperature may be a sub-zero temperature.

As a result of the determination in step S2, when it is determined that the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches a temperature equal to or less than the water supply start temperature, the controller 800 starts the first water supply (S3). That is, the control unit 800 turns on the water supply valve 242 to supply water to the ice making cell 320a.

In order for the impeller to rotate within the housing of the flow sensor 244, a gap exists between the impeller and the inner circumferential surface of the housing.

When the impeller is rotated, a part of water flows by the impeller, and the other part is bypassed and flows at a distance between the impeller and the inner circumferential surface of the housing.

When the water supply water pressure is within the normal water pressure range, when the water pressure is relatively high, the amount of water flowing through the gap between the impeller and the inner circumferential surface of the housing is small. Accordingly, even if the number of pulses output in the process of rotating the impeller reaches the reference number corresponding to the target water supply amount and the water supply valve is turned off, the actual water supply amount is the same as or almost similar to the target water supply amount.

If the water pressure is relatively low when the water supply pressure is within the normal water pressure range, the amount of water flowing through the gap between the impeller and the inner circumferential surface of the housing increases.

In this case, when the number of pulses output in the process of rotating the impeller reaches the reference number corresponding to the target water supply amount and the water supply valve 242 is turned off, the actual water supply amount is greater than the target water supply amount.

If the actual water supply amount is greater than the target water supply amount, water is filled to a position higher than the opening 324 of the ice making cell 320a, so that ice is generated up to the auxiliary storage chamber 325 or protrudes out of the auxiliary storage chamber 325 during the ice making process. Problems may occur.

On the other hand, if the water pressure is lower than the reference water pressure, which is the lower limit of the normal water pressure range, the number of pulses output in the process of rotating the impeller reaches the reference number corresponding to the target water supply amount because the flow rate itself is small in the flow path through which water flows. Even when the valve 242 is turned off, the actual water supply amount is significantly smaller than the target water supply amount.

In addition, when a filter provided on a flow path through which water flows is replaced, or at an initial stage of operation after purchasing a refrigerator, the flow path may not be completely filled with water, and air may be included.

In the case where water and air are included in the flow path, the actual water supply amount may be smaller than the target water supply amount even if water supply is performed as much as the target water supply amount. If the ice-making is started immediately in this state, it may be determined that the ice-making is not completely frozen, and the ice may not become transparent.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, water pressure is different in each area where the refrigerator is installed, and in consideration of the structural characteristics of the flow sensor, the water supply is performed at least twice or more so that the water supply amount is the same as or almost similar to the target water supply amount. It is possible to control so that the standard water supply amount less than the target water supply amount is supplied to.

Water supply is started, and the controller 800 determines whether a reference time has elapsed (S4), and when the reference time has elapsed, the water supply pressure can be determined (or sensed). The controller 800 may determine whether the sensed water pressure is less than the reference water pressure (S5).

For example, depending on the hydraulic pressure, the number of pulses output during the rotation of the impeller after the reference time has elapsed may vary. The number of pulses when the water pressure is low is smaller than the number of pulses when the water pressure is high.

Accordingly, based on the number of pulses, the controller 800 may determine whether the sensed water pressure is less than the reference water pressure.

Depending on the sensed water pressure, the water supply amount (standard water supply amount) at the completion of the first water supply may be set differently. When the water pressure is low, the water supply amount after completion of the first water supply is less than the water supply amount when the water pressure is high.

Therefore, when the water pressure is low, the number of additional water supply increases until the water supply amount reaches the target water supply amount, and thus, there is a disadvantage of a long water supply time. In addition, when the water supply time is increased, the water in the ice making cell changes into ice during the water supply process, thereby reducing transparency.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, in order to minimize an increase in water supply time, the reference water supply amount when the water supply water pressure is low may be set to be larger than the reference water supply amount when the water pressure is high.

For example, as a result of the determination in step S5, when it is determined that the sensed water pressure is equal to or greater than the reference water pressure, the controller 800 sets the reference water supply amount as the first reference water supply amount.

On the other hand, when the sensed water pressure is less than the reference water pressure, the control unit 800 sets the reference water supply amount as the second reference water supply amount. The second reference water supply amount is greater than the first reference water supply amount.

Accordingly, when it is determined that the sensed water pressure is greater than or equal to the reference water pressure, the control unit 800, when the number of pulses output from the flow sensor 244 reaches the first reference number corresponding to the first reference water supply amount (S6). , To stop the water supply, the water supply valve 242 is turned off (S8).

On the other hand, when it is determined that the sensed water pressure is less than the reference water pressure, the control unit 800, when the number of pulses output from the flow sensor 244 reaches a second reference number corresponding to the second reference water supply amount (S7). , To stop the water supply, the water supply valve 242 is turned off (S8).

After the water supply is stopped, the control unit 800 controls the driving unit 480 to move the second tray 380 to the ice making position (S9).

At this time, after the first water supply is completed, after waiting for a waiting time until water is distributed to the plurality of ice making cells 320a, the driving unit 480 is moved so that the second tray 380 moves to the ice making position. Can be controlled.

For example, the control unit 800 may control the driving unit 480 so that the second tray 380 moves in a reverse direction from a water supply position. When the second tray 380 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.

The movement of the ice making position of the second tray 380 is sensed by a sensor, and when it is sensed that the second tray 380 has moved to the ice making position, the controller 800 stops the driving unit 480.

After the second tray 380 is moved to the ice making position, the controller 800 may determine whether the actual water supply amount of the ice making cell 320a has reached a target water supply amount (S10). For example, after moving to the ice making position, it may be determined whether or not the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches a reference temperature within a set time.

As a result of determination in step S10, when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the reference temperature, it is determined that the water supply amount has reached the target water supply amount, and ice making may be started (S16).

On the other hand, as a result of determination in step S10, if the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 has not reached the reference temperature, the controller 800 may perform additional water supply.

For example, the control unit 800 may control the driving unit 480 so that the second tray 380 moves back to the water supply position (S11).

After the second tray 380 moves to the water supply position, the controller 800 may determine whether the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the water supply start temperature (S12). .

In a state in which the second tray 380 is moved to the water supply position for additional water supply, the door is opened to increase the temperature of the freezing compartment 32 or the temperature of the freezing compartment 32 increases due to defrosting. Can occur.

In this state, when additional water supply is performed and it is determined whether or not the water supply amount reaches the target water supply amount after the second tray 380 moves to the ice making position, a determination error occurs. That is, there is a concern that ice making may start in a state where the water supply amount has not reached the target water supply amount.

For example, although the water supply amount has not reached the target water supply amount, it is determined that the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 has reached the reference temperature due to the increase in the temperature of the freezing chamber 32, so that the water supply amount corresponds to the target water supply amount. It can be erroneously judged to have been reached.

In this embodiment, in order to prevent the occurrence of a judgment error in the process of determining whether the water supply amount has reached the target water supply amount after the additional water supply, the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 700 is equal to the water supply start temperature. It is determined whether or not it has reached.

As a result of determination in step S12, when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the water supply start temperature, the water supply valve 242 may be controlled so that water supply is performed by an additional water supply amount (S13).

In this embodiment, the additional water supply amount is less than the reference water supply amount.

The controller 800 turns on the water supply valve 242 for water supply, and when the number of pulses output from the flow sensor 244 reaches an additional water supply reference number corresponding to an additional water supply amount, the water supply valve ( 242) is turned off.

In this case, the additional water supply amount may be set differently according to the sensed water pressure determined in step S5.

For example, when the sensed water pressure is less than the reference water pressure, the additional water supply amount may be set to be larger than the additional water supply amount when the sensed water pressure is higher than the reference water pressure.

In this way, when the additional water supply amount when the sensed water pressure is less than the reference water pressure is set to be larger than the additional water supply amount when the sensed water pressure is higher than the reference water pressure, it is possible to minimize an increase in the number of water additions when the sensing water pressure is low. As described above, if the increase in the number of times of adding water is minimized, water can be prevented from being phase-changed into ice during the water supply process.

After the water is supplied by the additional water supply amount, the control unit 800 controls the driving unit 480 to move the second tray 380 to the ice making position (S14).

For example, the control unit 800 may control the driving unit 480 so that the second tray 380 moves in a reverse direction from a water supply position.

After the second tray 380 is moved to the ice making position, the controller 800 may determine whether the actual water supply amount of the ice making cell 320a has reached a target water supply amount (S15).

As a result of the determination in step S15, when it is determined that the water supply amount of the ice-making cell 320a has reached the target water supply amount, the control unit 800 starts ice-making (S16).

On the other hand, as a result of determination in step S15, if the water supply amount of the ice making cell 320a has not reached the target water supply amount, the controller 800 performs additional water supply again.

That is, in the case of the present embodiment, after the first water supply, the additional water supply may be repeatedly performed until the water supply amount of the ice making cell reaches the target water supply amount. In the present specification, the first water supply step may be used as a basic water supply step. Then, the present embodiment may include a basic water supply step and one or more additional water supply steps.

Although not limited, the reference water supply amount may be set to 80% or more of the target water supply amount. The additional water supply amount may be set to less than 20% of the target water supply amount. While the number of additional water supply decreases as the amount of additional water supply increases, there is a high possibility that the actual water supply amount exceeds the target water supply amount after additional water supply.

On the other hand, the smaller the additional water supply, the more precisely the water supply amount can be adjusted, while the number of additional water supply increases.

In the present embodiment, in order to minimize the increase in the number of additional water supply while the actual water supply amount does not exceed the target water supply amount, the additional water supply amount may be set within a range of 1% to 10% of the target water supply amount.

For example, the control unit 800 may control the driving unit 480 so that the second tray 380 moves in a reverse direction from a water supply position.

Ice-making starts while the second tray 380 is moved to the ice-making position (S16).

For example, when the second tray 380 reaches the ice making position, ice making may start. Alternatively, when the second tray 380 reaches the ice making position and a predetermined time elapses after the water supply is completed, 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 cool air to the ice making cell 320a. have.

When the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, since heat from 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 this 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 (S17).

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 (S18).

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 present embodiment, the transparent ice heater 430 may not be turned on until the water is phase-changed 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.

Therefore, 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, since there is no effect on the transparency, it is possible to turn on the transparent ice heater 430 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 certain 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 point at which the cold air supply means 900 starts to supply cooling power for ice making, a time point at which the second tray 380 reaches the ice making position, a time point at which water supply is completed, etc. .

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 (opening side) of the ice making cell 320a.

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 is started to be generated in the ice-making cell 320a.

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, or a crescent shape, 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 in mass per unit height of water in the ice making cell 320a. The rate at which it is generated can be different.

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 that the transparency of ice may vary for each unit height. In particular, when the rate of formation of ice is high, bubbles cannot move from ice to water, so that the ice contains 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 the present 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 (S19).

In the present specification, the variable of the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 may include one or more of a variable output of the compressor, a variable output of a fan, and a variable opening degree of the refrigerant valve.

In addition, in the present specification, the variable of the 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 .

In this case, 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 FIG. 15A, the transparent ice heater 430 may be arranged so that the height of the transparent ice heater 430 is the same 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 standard of the unit height of water of the ice making cell 320a.

In the case of (a) of FIG. 16, 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. 16, the transparent ice heater 430 may be arranged to have a different height at the bottom of the ice making cell 320a.

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. 16A.

For example, in the case of (b) of FIG. 16, 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. 16, a line (reference line) perpendicular to a line connecting two points of the transparent ice heater 430 is a reference of the unit height of water of the ice making cell 320a. The reference line of FIG. 16B is inclined by a predetermined angle from the vertical line.

FIG. 17 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. 16A.

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. 17, 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, a description will be given of dividing water (or ice-making cell itself) in a spherical ice-making cell 320a having a diameter of 50 mm into 9 sections (section A to section 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 in height than the rest of the sections. Of course, according to 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 a number of 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 maximum Including 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 the ice varies according to the unit height, and the ice generation rate is too fast in a specific section, so that transparency including bubbles is lowered.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 so that the ice formation rate is the same or similar for each unit height while allowing the air bubbles to move toward the water in the ice generation 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 will be 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 in the section B may be set higher than the output W3 of the transparent ice heater 430 in 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 (refer to 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 becomes the minimum in the 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 to be the same in two adjacent sections according to the shape or mass of ice to be 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 the E section 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 the 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 ice making is performed, the amount of ice present 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 be collected 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, when the output of the transparent ice heater 430 is varied according to the mass of the water in the ice-making cell 320a for each unit height, transparent ice is generated. 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 can 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 cold 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 be gradually increased from the first section to the middle section during the ice making process.

The cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 becomes maximum in the middle section in which the mass of water per unit height is the minimum.

From the next section of the intermediate section, the cooling power of the cold air supply means 900 may be gradually decreased.

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.

Meanwhile, the controller 800 may determine whether ice making is completed based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 (S20).

When it is determined that ice making is complete, the controller 800 may turn off the transparent ice heater 430 (S21).

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 is complete and turn off the transparent ice heater 430.

At this time, in 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 ice making cells 320a, the controller 800 The ice-making may start after a certain period of time has elapsed from a time when it is determined that 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 (S22).

When at least one of the ice ice heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, the heat of 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 ice. It may be separated from one or more surfaces (inner surfaces) of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380.

In addition, the heat of 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 It is in a state in which the second contact surfaces 382c of the tray 380 can be separated.

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 The on heaters 290 and 430 are turned off.

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 380 moves in a forward direction (S23).

As shown in FIG. 21, 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 pushing bar 264 passes through 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 pushing bar 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, 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 is not separated from the surface of the first tray 320.

Accordingly, when the second tray 380 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 pushing bar 264 passing through the opening 324 of the first tray 320 removes ice in close contact with the first tray 320. By pressing, ice may be separated from the first tray 320.

Ice separated from the first tray 320 may be supported by the second tray 380 again.

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 due to its own weight, the second tray 380 is moved by the second pusher 540 as shown in FIG. When is pressurized, ice may be separated from the second tray 380 and fall downward.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, while the second tray 380 moves, the second tray 380 comes into contact with the pushing bar 544 of the second pusher 540.

When the second tray 380 continuously moves in the forward direction, the pushing bar 544 presses the second tray 380 to deform the second tray 380, and the extension part ( The pressing force 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. 22, 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.

Meanwhile, in a home in which the second tray 380 moves from the ice making position to the ice ice position, whether or not the ice bin 600 is full may be detected.

As an example, when the ice-cold detection lever 520 is rotated together with the second tray 380 and the ice-cold ice detection lever 520 interferes with the rotation of the ice-cold ice detection lever 520 , 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 detection lever 520 is not interfered by ice while the ice 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 to move the second tray 380 in the reverse direction (S24).

Then, the second tray 380 is moved from the moving position toward the water supply position.

When the second tray 380 moves to the water supply position of FIG. 18, the control unit 800 stops the driving unit 480.

When the second tray 380 is spaced apart from the pushing bar 544 while the second tray 380 is moved in the reverse direction, the deformed second tray 380 may be restored to its original shape. have.

In the process of moving the second tray 380 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 pushing bar 264 is removed from the ice making cell 320a.

FIG. 23 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 FIG. 23, the cooling power of the cooling 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 phase-changed into ice by heat transfer of the cold supplied to the freezing chamber 32 and the water in 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 unit 900.

In this 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 of the freezing chamber 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 is 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 cooling air supply means 900 is increased, or air having a temperature lower than the temperature of the cold air in the freezing chamber 32 to the freezing chamber 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 is 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 cold 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 this embodiment, when the ice-making speed is maintained within the predetermined range, the ice-making speed becomes slower than the speed at which the bubbles move in the ice-generating portion of the ice-making cell 320a, so that no bubbles exist in the ice-generating portion. 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 varied 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 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 compartment 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 controller 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 determined in advance 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, if the target temperature is decreased, the control unit 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 can be controlled to be variable (S35).

On the other hand, when the target temperature of the freezing chamber 32 is decreased, the control unit 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 can 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, the control unit 800 is configured to increase the output of the transparent ice heater 430 when the target temperature of the freezing compartment is lower than the output of the transparent ice heater when the target temperature of the freezing compartment is high. The output of the heater 430 can be controlled.

In this way, by increasing or decreasing the standard 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, so that the transparency per unit height of ice is uniform. There is an advantage to lose.

Claims (20)

A storage room in which food is stored;
A cooler for supplying cold to the storage chamber;
A first tray 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 that forms another part of the ice-making cell, and may be in contact with the first tray in an ice-making process and spaced apart from the first tray in an ice-making process;
A water supply valve controlling the flow of water supplied to the ice making cell;
A water supply amount detection unit for sensing the water supply amount of the ice making cell;
Includes a control unit for controlling the water supply valve,
The control unit controls the water supply valve to supply water by a reference water supply amount to the ice making cell for water supply of the ice making cell at a water supply position of the second tray,
After the water supply is completed by the reference water supply amount, the second tray is moved to an ice-making position, and it is determined whether the water supply amount of the ice-making cell reaches a target water supply amount by the water supply amount detecting unit
When the water supply amount of the ice-making cell reaches the target water supply amount, the control unit starts ice making, and if the water supply amount of the ice-making cell does not reach the target water supply amount, the second tray is moved back to the water supply position and is smaller than the reference water supply amount. Controls the water supply valve so that water is supplied by an additional water supply amount,
The reference water supply amount is set differently according to the water supply pressure determined in the water supply process. The method of claim 1,
When the reference time elapses after the start of water supply, the control unit determines whether the water pressure is less than the reference water pressure,
If the water pressure is greater than or equal to the reference water pressure, the reference water supply amount is set as the first reference water supply amount,
When the water pressure is less than the reference water pressure, the reference water supply amount is set to a second reference water supply amount greater than the first reference water supply amount. The method of claim 2,
The control unit, when the water pressure is more than the reference water pressure, when the water supply amount reaches the first reference water supply amount, turns off the water supply valve,
When the water pressure is less than the reference water pressure and the water supply amount reaches the second reference water supply amount, the water supply valve is turned off. The method of claim 2,
The additional water supply amount is set differently according to the water supply pressure. The method of claim 4,
A refrigerator in which the additional water supply amount when the water pressure is low is greater than the additional water supply amount when the water pressure is high. The method of claim 1,
After the water supply is completed by the amount of the additional water supply, the controller moves the second tray to the ice making position, and determines whether the water supply amount of the ice making cell reaches a target water supply amount by the water supply amount detecting unit. The method of claim 6,
When the water supply amount of the ice making cell reaches the target water supply amount, the control unit starts ice making,
When the water supply amount of the ice-making cell does not reach the target water supply amount, the refrigerator repeatedly performs additional water supply equal to the additional water supply amount until the water supply amount of the ice-making cell reaches the target water supply amount. The method of claim 1,
The control unit controls the second tray 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 the generation of ice in the ice-making cell is completed,
The control unit starts water supply after the second tray is moved to a water supply position in a reverse direction after eaves are completed. The method of claim 8,
The water supply amount sensing unit is a refrigerator that is a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the ice making cell. The method of claim 9,
After eave is completed and the second tray is moved to the water supply position,
When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches a water supply start temperature, the control unit controls the water supply valve to supply water to the ice making cell by the reference water supply amount. The method of claim 9,
After the second tray is moved to the water supply position for additional water supply,
When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches a water supply start temperature, the control unit controls the water supply valve to supply water to the ice making cell by the amount of additional water supply. The method of claim 9,
When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches a reference temperature, which is the temperature of the image, the control unit determines that the water supply amount of the ice making cell has reached a target water supply amount. The method of claim 6,
The water supply amount detection unit is a refrigerator that is a capacitive sensor that outputs different signals according to whether the ice-making cell is in contact with water. The method of claim 13,
When the capacitive sensor contacts water, a first signal is output,
When the capacitive sensor is not in contact with water, a second signal is output,
When the first signal is output from the capacitance sensor, the control unit determines that the amount of water supply of the ice making cell has reached a target amount of water. The method of claim 1,
Further comprising a heater for providing heat to the ice making cell,
The control unit may be configured in at least some section of the cooler supplying cold so that bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice making cell move from the ice-generating portion toward the liquid water to generate transparent ice. Refrigerator to turn on the heater. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the controller controls 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. A storage compartment in which food is stored, a cooler for supplying cold to the storage compartment, a first tray forming a part of an ice-making cell, which is a space in which water is phase-changed into ice by the cold, the It forms another part of the ice making cell, and controls the flow of water supplied to the ice making cell and a second tray that may be in contact with the first tray during the ice making process, and may be spaced apart from the first tray during the ice making process. In the control method of a refrigerator comprising a water supply valve, a water supply amount detection unit for sensing the water supply amount of the ice making cell, and a control unit for controlling the water supply valve,
Moving the second tray to a water supply position;
Turning on the water supply valve for water supply;
Turning off the water supply valve when water is supplied to the ice making cell by a reference water supply amount;
Moving the second tray to an ice making position after completion of water supply by the reference water supply amount;
Determining whether the water supply amount of the ice making cell reaches a target water supply amount by the water supply amount detection unit; And
When the water supply amount of the ice-making cell reaches the target water supply amount, ice-making starts, and if the water supply amount of the ice-making cell does not reach the target water supply amount, the second tray is moved back to the water supply position and water is supplied by an additional water supply amount smaller than the reference water supply amount. Control method of a refrigerator comprising the step of controlling the water supply valve so as to be. The method of claim 17,
When the reference time elapses after the start of water supply, the control unit determines whether the water supply water pressure is less than the reference water pressure,
If the water pressure is greater than or equal to the reference water pressure, the reference water supply amount is set as the first reference water supply amount,
When the water pressure is less than the reference water pressure, the reference water supply amount is set to a second reference water supply amount greater than the first reference water supply amount. The method of claim 18,
The control method of a refrigerator, wherein the additional water supply amount when the water pressure is low is set to be greater than the additional water supply amount when the water pressure is high. The method of claim 17,
When the second tray is moved to a water supply position, when the temperature of the ice making cell reaches a reference temperature, the water supply valve is turned on.

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