KR20210037855A - Ice maker and refrigerator including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is an ice maker which is able to select and assemble a power supply unit compatible with a control power supply in accordance with whether the control power supply inputted from a refrigerator is an AC power or a DC power. To this end, according to the present invention, the ice maker comprises: a control box case of which one surface is opened; a control box cover which covers the opened surface of the control box case, and is engaged with the control box case; an ice-making tray placed on one side of the control box case, having an ice-making groove formed on an upper surface thereof, wherein ice-making water is accommodated in the ice-making groove; an ice-moving motor mounted in the control box case to operate to move the ice made in the ice-making groove; a control unit which controls the ice-moving motor; and a power supply unit which is electrically connected to the control unit to supply a control power to the control unit. The control unit is mounted in the control box case, and the power supply unit is mounted in the control box cover.

Description

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

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

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

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

In addition, an ice maker may be installed in at least one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. The ice maker is a device that receives ice-making water and produces ice.

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

The ice maker further includes a control box disposed at one side of the ice making tray, and a control unit for controlling electrical equipment included in the ice maker is disposed inside the control box. Typically, the control unit is made of a printed circuit board.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1975267 (announced on May 7, 2019) (hereinafter referred to as'conventional technology') discloses an ice maker including a wiring guide structure and a refrigerator including the control box and the control unit. It is disclosed.

However, in the prior art, there is a possibility that moisture in the storage compartment of the refrigerator flows into the control box and penetrates into the control unit. In this case, the control unit has a problem in that a fire may occur due to an electric short due to the moisture.

In particular, the electrical equipment included in the ice maker is configured to be operated by a DC power source having a low voltage, but when AC power, which is a commercial power source, is input to the control unit from a refrigerator in which the ice maker is installed, the likelihood of a fire due to moisture increases I have no choice but to.

Accordingly, the control unit and the power supply unit receiving control power from the refrigerator and supplying the control power to the control unit need to be separately installed.

In addition, since electric equipment operated by AC power and electric equipment operated by DC power are installed in the refrigerator, the control power input from the refrigerator to the ice maker may be AC power or DC power depending on the refrigerator. have. Accordingly, in order to select and assemble a power supply compatible with the control power input from the refrigerator to the ice maker, the control unit and the power supply unit need to be separately installed.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-1975267 (2019.05.07. Announcement date)

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ice maker capable of assembling by selecting a power supply compatible with the control power according to whether the control power input from the refrigerator is AC power or DC power.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ice maker capable of preventing a fire due to an electric short generated when moisture in a refrigerator storage room penetrates into a control box, and a refrigerator including the same.

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

In order to achieve the above object, the ice maker according to the present invention is composed of a control box case, a control box cover, an ice-making tray, an ice-making motor, a control unit, and a power supply unit. One surface of the control box case is opened. The control box cover covers the opened surface of the control box case. The control box cover is coupled to the control box case. The ice making tray is disposed on one side of the control box case. An ice-making groove is formed on the upper surface of the ice-making tray. Ice-making water is accommodated in the ice-making groove. The moving motor is disposed in the control box case. The ice making motor is operated so that ice made in the ice making groove is iced. The control unit controls the moving motor. The power supply unit is electrically connected to the control unit to supply control power to the control unit. The control unit is mounted in the control box case. The power supply is mounted in the control box cover.

The power supply unit may receive AC power and supply DC power to the control unit, and the control unit may supply DC power to the moving motor.

The power supply unit may receive DC power and supply DC power to the control unit, and the control unit may supply DC power to the moving motor.

The ice maker according to the present invention may further include an ice breaker. The ice-making heater may be installed on a lower surface of the ice-making tray. The power supply unit may supply AC power to the eving heater.

The control unit may supply DC power to the ice-breaking heater.

The ice maker according to the present invention may further include a water supply valve. The water supply valve may supply the ice-making water to the ice-making groove. The power supply may supply AC power to the water supply valve.

The ice maker according to the present invention may further include a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may sense the temperature of the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove. The control unit may supply DC power to the temperature sensor.

The ice maker according to the present invention may further include a water level sensor. The water level sensor may detect the level of the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove. The control unit may supply DC power to the water level sensor.

The ice maker according to the present invention may further include an ejector and a Hall sensor. The ejector may be rotated by driving the eaves motor. An eject pin may protrude from the circumferential surface of the ejector. The eject pin may take out ice made from the ice making groove when the ejector rotates. The Hall sensor may detect the rotation position of the ejector. The control unit may supply DC power to the Hall sensor.

The ice maker according to the present invention may further include an ice detector. The ice detection sensor may detect the full ice of ice separated from the ice making groove and stored in the ice box. The control unit may supply DC power to the detection sensor.

A receiving rib may protrude from an inner surface of the control box cover. The power supply may be accommodated inside the receiving rib.

A molding material may be disposed in the receiving rib. The molding material may fix the power supply in the receiving rib.

The control box cover may be composed of a non-protruding portion and a protruding portion. The non-protruding portion may form an upper portion of the control box cover. The protrusion may form a lower portion of the control box cover. The protrusion may be formed to protrude laterally than the non-protrusion. The receiving rib may be formed on the inner surface of the protrusion.

An ice maker cover may be further configured in the ice maker according to the present invention. The ice maker cover may cover upper sides of each of the control box case, the control box cover, and the ice-making tray. A fastening rib and a cover rib may be formed on the ice maker cover. The fastening rib may be fastened to the ice maker case with a fastening member. The cover rib may be disposed on an outer surface of the non-protruding portion.

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

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

In the ice maker and refrigerator including the same according to the present invention, since the control unit is mounted in the control box case and the power supply unit is mounted in the control box cover, whether the control power input from the refrigerator to the power supply unit is AC power or DC power. According to recognition, by selecting and assembling only a power supply compatible with the control power supply, it is possible to provide an ice maker compatible with the control power supply of the refrigerator.

In addition, since the power supply unit having a high possibility of fire due to the penetration of moisture into the storage compartment of the refrigerator is installed separately from the control unit, there is an effect of reducing the possibility of fire.

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

1 is a view showing a refrigerator in which an ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention is installed;
2 is a perspective view showing an ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a perspective view schematically showing a partial configuration of the ice maker shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the ice maker shown in FIG. 2;
5 is a control block diagram of an ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the control box of the ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
7 is an exploded perspective view showing a control box cover and a power supply unit shown in FIG. 6;
8 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a power supply is coupled to the control box cover shown in FIG. 6;
9 is an electrical wiring diagram when the ice ice maker is an AC ice ice heater in the ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
10 is an electrical wiring diagram when the ice ice maker is a DC ice ice heater in the ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
11 is a view showing an ice maker according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

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

1 is a view showing a refrigerator in which an ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention is installed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An auger may be disposed in the ice box. The auger may be installed to be rotatable in the circumferential direction in the ice box. Both ends of the auger may be rotatably coupled to both sides of the ice box. A spiral groove may be formed on the outer circumferential surface of the auger. When the auger rotates, the ice stored in the ice box may be transferred to the outside of the ice box through the spiral groove. The auger may be rotated by a driving force of an auger motor installed on one side of the ice box.

2 is a perspective view showing an ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a partial configuration of the ice maker shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view schematically showing the ice maker shown in FIG. 2 5 is a control block diagram of an ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

2 to 5, the ice maker 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include an ice making tray 10, a control box 30, and a drain member 40.

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

The control box 30 may be formed in a rectangular cylindrical shape. The control box 30 may be disposed at one end of the ice making tray 10. The ice making tray 10 may be disposed on one side of the control box 30. One end of the ice making tray 10 may be disposed on one side of the control box 30. One end of the ice making tray 10 may be disposed on one side of the control box case 31 to be described later. The length of the ice making tray 10 may extend horizontally from one side of the control box 30.

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

The control box 30 may include a control box case 31 and a control box cover 32. The control box case 31 and the control box cover 32 may be formed in the shape of a square cylinder with open surfaces facing each other. After various internal parts including a gearbox, a fan housing, and a control unit to be described later are installed in the control box case 31, the control box cover 32 covers the opened surface of the control box case 31 and covers the control box case 31. Can be combined with

An ice maker cover 60 may be installed above the control box 30. The ice maker cover 60 may cover an upper side of the control box 30 and an upper side of the ice making tray 10. The ice maker cover 60 may cover the upper side of each of the control box case 31, the control box cover 32, and the ice making tray 10. The ice maker cover 60 may include a first ice maker cover part 61 covering the upper side of the control box 30. The ice maker cover 60 may include a second ice maker cover part 62 extending in a horizontal direction from the first ice maker cover part 61 to cover the upper side of the ice making tray 10.

The first ice maker cover part 61 may be mounted on the upper surface of the control box 30. A fastening rib 68 extending to the side of the control box 30 may be formed on the side of the first ice maker cover part 61, and the fastening rib 68 attaches a fastening member 69 to the control box 30. It can be fastened through. The fastening rib 68 may be fastened to the control box case 31 through a fastening member 69. The fastening member 69 may be a screw.

In addition, a cover rib 67 covering an outer surface of the control box cover 32 is formed at one end of the first ice maker cover part 61. The cover rib 67 is formed to extend downward from one end of the ice maker cover 61 to cover the upper outer surface of the control box cover 32.

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

The upper surface may face the upper surface of the ice making tray 10. The upper surface portion may be spaced upward from the upper surface of the ice making tray 10. When the eject pin 26 to be described later removes ice from the ice making groove 15, the ice falls out of the ice maker 100 through the space between the upper surface and a re-inflow prevention plate 83 to be described later. After exiting, it may fall into the ice box installed in the refrigerator 1 and be accommodated in the ice box.

The first side portion may extend downward from the side of the upper surface portion and may be vertically disposed above one side of the ice making tray 10. When the ice maker 100 is installed in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, the first side portion may be disposed close to the sidewall of the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 and may be installed on the sidewall of the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1. When the ice maker 100 is installed in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1, the ice maker cover 60 may function to support a component of the ice maker 100 other than the ice maker cover 60 from above.

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

The ice maker cover 60 can prevent the inflow of foreign substances into the ice making groove 15, and cover the ejector 25 to be described later to make the appearance of the ice maker 100 beautiful, and the user's hand Injury can be prevented by the eject pin 26 formed on the circumferential surface.

Meanwhile, the moving motor 20 and the control unit 35 may be accommodated in the control box 30. The ice making motor 20 may drive ice so that ice is iced in the ice making groove 15. The moving motor 20 may be controlled by the control unit 35.

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

One end of the ejector 25 may be rotatably installed on one side of the control box 30. One end of the ejector 25 may be rotatably installed on one side of the control box case 31. One end of the ejector 25 may be inserted into the control box 30. The ejector 25 may be disposed to protrude from one side of the control box 30 to the upper side of the ice making tray 10.

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

When the ejector 25 rotates, the eject pin 26 may be inserted into the ice making groove 15 to extract ice from the ice making groove 15. Ice that has been ravaged by the eject pin 26 in the ice making groove 15 may fall and be accommodated and stored in the ice box installed in the refrigerator 1.

A re-inflow prevention plate 83 may be disposed above the ice making tray 10. The re-inflow prevention plate 83 may cover one side of the upper surface of the ice making tray 10. The re-inflow prevention plate 83 may cover one side of the ice making groove 15 in a direction in which ice starts to be separated from the ice making groove 15.

The re-inflow prevention plate 83 may prevent the ice taken out from the ice-making groove 15 by the eject pin 26 from being re-inflowed into the ice-making groove 15. That is, the ice made in the ice making groove 15 is taken out by the eject pin 26 when the ejector 25 rotates, moves to the upper surface of the re-inflow prevention plate 83, and then moves to the upper surface of the re-inflow prevention plate 83. It can slide along and fall into the ice box. In order to allow the ice taken out of the ice making groove 15 by the eject pin 26 and moved to the upper surface of the re-inflow prevention plate 83 to easily fall into the ice box, the re-inflow prevention plate 83 is It is preferable that one side close to the ejector 25 is inclined higher in height than the one side farther from the ejector 25.

A pair of coupling ribs (not shown) may be formed on the lower surface of the re-entry prevention plate 83. Since the pair of coupling ribs are spaced apart from each other, a coupling groove (not shown) may be formed between the pair of coupling ribs. In addition, a coupling rib (not shown) inserted into the coupling groove may be formed on an upper end of one side of the ice making tray 10 to protrude upward. The coupling rib formed at the top of one side of the ice-making tray 10 is inserted into the coupling groove formed on the lower surface of the re-inflow preventing plate 83, so that the re-inflow preventing plate 83 may be installed on the ice-making tray 10.

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

The gearbox 24 may be installed in the control box 30. The gearbox 24 may be installed in the control box case 31. The moving motor 20 may be installed on one side of the gear box 24 and accommodated in the control box 30. A plurality of gears (not shown) may be installed in the gearbox 24. The plurality of gears may connect one end of the ejector 25 to the rotation shaft of the eaves motor 20. The plurality of gears may transmit the driving force of the moving motor 20 to the ejector 25. The rotational force of the rotational shaft of the eaves motor 20 is transmitted to the ejector 25 through the plurality of gears, so that the ejector 25 may be rotated by the driving force of the eaves motor 20.

A drain member 40 may be disposed at a position spaced downward by the ice making tray 10.

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

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

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

In addition, since the refrigerant pipe 72 and the ice-breaking heater 22 to be described later are installed on the lower surface of the ice-making tray 10, the ice-making tray 10 is repeatedly cooled and heated. After frost has formed on the lower surface, it may change into moisture, and the moisture generated in this way may fall to the drain member 40.

The drain member 40 is disposed between the ice-making tray 10 and the ice box, so that moisture falling from the ice-making tray 10 may be prevented from flowing into the ice stored in the ice box. A drain portion may protrude from the other end of the drain member 40. A drain passage may be formed in the drain portion. Moisture falling from the ice making tray 10 to the drain member 40 flows to the other end of the drain member 40 along the inclined surface of the drain member 40, and then is discharged to the outside of the drain member 40 through the drain. Can be.

An anti-icing heater may be installed in the drain member 40. The anti-icing heater may heat the drain member 40. Moisture falling from the ice-making tray 10 to the drain member 40 may be frozen by heat exchange with cold air in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1. When the moisture that has fallen to the drain member 40 is frozen, it may be difficult to discharge the moisture that has fallen to the drain member 40. The anti-icing heater may prevent freezing of moisture that has fallen from the ice-making tray 10 to the drain member 40.

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

It is preferable that the drain member 40 is made of a material through which heat of the anti-icing heater can be easily transferred. The drain member 40 may be made of a metal material. It is preferable that the drain member cover is made of a material capable of preventing heat from the freezing prevention heater from being transferred to the ice box installed in the refrigerator 1. The drain member cover may be made of plastic.

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

The circulation fan may be installed in the control box 30. The circulation fan may be installed in the control box case 31. The circulation fan may blow wind to the outside of the control box 30. At least one surface of the control box 30 may be provided with an air outlet through which the wind generated by the rotation of the circulation fan is blown from within the control box 30 to the outside of the control box 30. The air outlet may be formed on the control box cover 32. The cold air in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 is smoothly circulated and moved to the ice-making tray 10 by the air blown to the outside of the control box 30 through the ventilation port, so that the ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 is quickly iced. You can do it.

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

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

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

Meanwhile, the control unit 35 may be installed in the control box case 31. The control unit 35 may include a printed circuit board (PCB). The controller 35 may control the ice ice heater 22, the ice ice motor 20, the ice preventing heater and the circulation fan. The control unit 35 may also control a water supply valve 38 and a refrigerant valve 39 to be described later.

The control unit 35 may be connected to a refrigerator control unit installed in the refrigerator 1 through a harness. The control unit 35 may receive control power and a control signal from the refrigerator control unit through the harness.

The ice maker 100 may further include a water level sensor 36. The water level sensor 36 may detect the level of ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15. The water level sensor 36 is installed at a full water position in the ice-making groove 15, so that when the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 is full, it may contact the ice-making water to detect the level of the ice-making water.

The water level sensor 36 may be formed as a temperature sensor, a capacitive sensor, or a current sensor.

When the water level sensor 36 is formed as a temperature sensor, the water level sensor 36 is in contact with the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 to sense the temperature of the ice-making water, and the control unit 35 is a water level sensor ( If the temperature input from 36) is equal to or higher than the set temperature, it may be determined that the ice-making water is filled in the ice-making groove 15.

In addition, when the water level sensor 36 is formed as a capacitive sensor, the water level sensor 36 may contact the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 to sense the capacitance of the ice-making water, and the controller 35 When the capacitance input from the water level sensor 36 is equal to or greater than the set capacitance, it may be determined that the ice-making water is filled in the ice-making groove 15.

In addition, the energization sensor may be formed of two electrodes installed at a full water position in the ice making groove 15. That is, when the ice-making water is filled in the ice-making groove 15, the two electrodes can be energized by the ice-making water, and the control unit 35 determines that the ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 is filled when the two electrodes are energized. can do.

The ice maker 100 may further include a temperature sensor 37. The temperature sensor 37 may detect that the ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 is completed. The temperature sensor 37 is installed at a position in which the ice-making water can be contacted in the ice-making groove 15, and it is possible to detect that the ice-making water has turned into ice.

The temperature sensor 37 is not necessarily formed as a temperature sensor, but may be formed as a capacitive sensor.

The temperature sensor 37 is in contact with the ice made in the ice making groove 15 to sense the temperature of the ice, and the control unit 35 when the temperature input from the temperature sensor 37 is less than the set temperature, ice making It may be determined that the ice-making water in the groove 15 is completed.

When formed as a capacitive sensor instead of the temperature sensor 37, the capacitive may be in contact with ice made in the ice-making groove 15 to sense the capacitive capacity of the ice, and the control unit 35 If the capacitance input from the sensor is greater than or equal to the set capacitance, it may be determined that the ice making water in the ice making groove 15 is completed.

The water level sensor 36 and the temperature sensor 37 may be integrated with one temperature sensor, or may be integrated with one capacitive sensor.

The ice maker 100 may further include a water supply valve 38 supplying the ice-making water to the ice-making groove 15. The control unit 35 may control the water supply valve 38 so that the water supply valve 38 supplies or blocks ice-making water to the ice-making groove 15. The water supply valve 38 may be controlled and opened and closed by the control unit 35. The water supply valve 38 may be opened to supply ice-making water to the ice-making groove 15. The water supply valve 38 may be closed to stop the supply of ice-making water to the ice-making groove 15. The control unit 35 controls the water supply valve 38 to supply the ice-making water to the ice-making groove 15 until it is determined that the ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 is full through a signal input from the water level sensor 36. can do.

After the ice-making water is supplied to the ice-making groove 15, the control unit 35 controls the cold air in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 to smoothly move to the ice-making tray 10 by rotating the circulation fan, so that the ice-making water can be quickly iced. You can do it.

The ice maker 100 may include a refrigerant valve 39 for supplying a cool refrigerant to the refrigerant pipe 72. The controller 35 may control the refrigerant valve 39 after the ice-making water is supplied to the ice-making groove 15 so that the cold refrigerant flows into the refrigerant pipe 72. The refrigerant valve 39 may be controlled and opened and closed by the control unit 35. The refrigerant valve 39 is opened to supply cold refrigerant to the refrigerant pipe 72. The refrigerant valve 39 is closed to stop supply of the cold refrigerant to the refrigerant pipe 72. When the cold refrigerant is supplied to the refrigerant pipe 72, the refrigerant pipe 72 cools the ice-making tray 10 through the cold refrigerant so that the ice-making water can be quickly iced. The controller 35 allows the refrigerant valve 39 to supply the cold refrigerant to the refrigerant pipe 72 until it is determined that the ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 is completed through a signal input from the temperature sensor 37. Can be controlled.

After ice-making of the ice-making water is completed in the ice-making groove 15, the controller 35 may control the ice-making heater 22 to generate heat by inputting electricity by inputting electricity to the ice-making heater 22. The ice-making heater 22 heats up by input electricity to heat the ice-making tray 10 to slightly melt the ice in the ice-making groove 15. After the ice making in the ice making groove 15 is completed, the ice making heater 22 heats the ice making tray 10 to slightly melt the ice fixed in the ice making groove 15, so that the ice in the ice making groove 15 is ejected. It can be easily taken out from the ice making groove 15 by (26).

Thereafter, the controller 35 may control the ice-breaking motor 20 to rotate the ejector 25 so that the ejector pins 26 extract ice from the ice-making groove 15 and move to the ice box. The control unit 35 may include a hall sensor 34 that detects the rotation position of the ejector 25 or the position of the eject pin 26. The control unit 35 can determine the current position of the ejector pin 26 through the rotation position of the ejector 25 or the position of the eject pin 26 sensed by the hall sensor 34, so that the ejector 25 is 1 By rotating, the eject pin 26 may take out ice from the ice making groove 15.

In addition, the control unit 35 supplies power to the anti-icing heater to control the icing-preventing heater to be heated by electricity supplied from the control unit 35 so that it falls from the ice-making tray 10 to the drain member 40. It can be controlled so that the frozen moisture does not freeze.

Meanwhile, an ice detection sensor 52 may be installed on the drain member 40. The ice detection sensor 52 may detect the full ice of ice that is iced in the ice making groove 15 and accommodated in the ice box.

The signal of the ice detection sensor 52 may be input to the control unit 35, and the control unit 35 may determine the full ice amount of ice accommodated in the ice box using the signal input from the ice detection sensor 52. When determining that the ice contained in the ice box is full, the control unit 35 may prevent ice from being iced from the ice-making groove 15 to the ice box by not operating the ice-breaking motor 20.

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

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

The ice detection sensor 52 may be formed as an optical sensor. That is, the ice detection sensor 52 may include a light-emitting unit (not shown) and a light-receiving unit 52. The light-emitting unit may emit light, and the light-receiving unit 52 may receive light from the light-emitting unit.

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

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

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

Since the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part 52 are installed in the first sensor installation part 41 and the second sensor installation part 42 facing each other, the ice box is accommodated between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part 52. When ice is located, the light receiving unit 52 may not receive light from the light emitting unit due to the ice. When the light-receiving unit 52 is unable to receive the light of the light-emitting unit, the control unit may determine that ice in the ice box is full.

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

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

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

The ice making groove 15 of the ice making tray 10 may be formed by press processing. That is, when the raw material of the ice-making tray 10 is press-processed so that the upper surface is concave and the lower surface is convex, the ice-making tray 10 may have an ice-making groove 15 on the upper surface, and a convex portion 17 is formed on the lower surface. Can be. The ice making groove 15 may be formed inside the convex portion 17.

A refrigerant pipe 72 may be installed on the lower surface of the ice making tray 10. The convex portion 17 may have a heat exchange fin protruding, and the refrigerant pipe 72 may be installed by being inserted into a groove formed in the heat exchange fin. The heat exchange fins may be formed of a plurality of heat exchange fins spaced apart in the width direction of the ice making tray 10.

The refrigerant pipe 72 may be formed in a U shape by bending the center of the length. Both sides of the refrigerant pipe 72 may be respectively inserted into grooves formed in the plurality of heat exchange fins.

At least a part of the refrigerant pipe 72 may be disposed across the plurality of convex portions 17.

The center of the bent portion of the coolant tube 72 may be disposed on the side of the control box 30, and both ends of the coolant tube 72 may be disposed on opposite sides of the control box 30. When the ice maker 100 is installed in the refrigerator 1, the control box 30 may face the front of the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1. Accordingly, when both ends of the refrigerant pipe 72 are disposed on opposite sides of the control box 30, both ends of the refrigerant pipe 72 can be easily connected to the configuration of a refrigeration cycle installed at the rear of the refrigerator 1. Both ends of the refrigerant pipe 72 are disposed to protrude outward from the other end of the ice-making tray 10, so that both ends of the refrigerant pipe 72 can be more easily connected to the configuration of the refrigeration cycle.

6 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the control box of the ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, an ebbing motor 20 and a gear box 24 may be disposed inside the control box 30. In addition, a control unit 35 and a power supply unit 55 may be disposed inside the control box 30. The control unit 35 and the power supply unit 55 may include a printed circuit board (PCB).

The moving motor 20 may be disposed in the control box case 31. At least a part of the moving motor 20 may be disposed in the control box case 31. The gearbox 24 may be disposed within the control box case 31.

The control unit 35 may be mounted in the control box case 31, and the power supply unit 55 may be mounted in the control box cover 32.

Since the control unit 35 is mounted in the control box case 31 and the power supply unit 55 is mounted in the control box cover 32, the control power input from the refrigerator 1 to the power supply unit 55 is AC power. An ice maker compatible with the control power of the refrigerator 1 may be provided by selecting and assembling only the power supply unit 55 compatible with the control power according to whether it is a power source or a DC power source. Alternatively, when the power supply unit 55 compatible with the control power of the refrigerator 1 is mounted in the control box cover 32, only the control box cover 32 may be selected and assembled into the control box case 31.

In addition, since the power supply unit 55 having a high probability of fire due to penetration of moisture into the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1 is installed separately from the control unit 35, the possibility of fire can be reduced.

The power supply unit 55 may receive control power from an external source and supply it to the control unit 35. When the ice maker 100 is installed in a refrigerator, the power supply unit 55 may receive control power from the refrigerator and supply it to the control unit 35. The ice maker 100 may convert control power input from the outside into power used for electrical equipment installed in the ice maker 100 and supply it to the control unit 35. The control unit 35 may control the electric equipment by supplying power supplied from the power supply unit 55 to the electric equipment. Here, the electrical equipment may include a water supply valve 38, a refrigerant valve 39, an ice break heater 22, and an ice break motor 20. In addition, the electrical equipment may include a water level sensor 36, a temperature sensor 37, a hall sensor 34, and an ice detection sensor 52.

The power supply unit 55 may be electrically connected to the control unit 35. The power supply unit 55 may be electrically connected to the control unit 35 through a plurality of pins. The power supply unit 55 may be electrically connected to the control unit 35 through wiring.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the control box cover and the power supply unit shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the power supply unit is coupled to the control box cover shown in FIG. 6.

7 and 8, a receiving rib 32A may be formed to protrude from an inner surface of the control box cover 32. The power supply unit 55 may be accommodated inside the receiving rib 32A. In this embodiment, since the power supply unit 55 is formed in a square plate shape, the receiving rib 32A has been illustrated to be formed in a square frame shape, but the shape of the receiving rib 32A is not limited thereto, and the receiving rib 32A ) May be formed in a shape corresponding to the power supply unit 55.

The coupling protrusion 32B may be formed on the inner surface of the control box cover 32 located inside the receiving rib 32A, and the coupling hole 55B into which the coupling protrusion 32B is inserted into the power supply unit 55 ) Can be formed. That is, when the power supply unit 55 is accommodated in the receiving rib 32A, the coupling protrusion 32B may be inserted into the coupling hole 55B.

A molding material 32C may be disposed in the receiving rib 32A. The molding material 32C may be disposed above and below the power supply unit 55, respectively. The molding material 32C may fix the power supply unit 55 in the receiving rib 32A. In addition, the molding material 32C prevents moisture from penetrating into the power supply unit 55, thereby preventing the power supply unit 55 from generating a fire due to an electric short caused by the moisture.

9 is an electrical wiring diagram when the ice ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present invention is an AC ice ice heater.

Referring to FIG. 9, the power supply unit 55 may receive AC power from the outside. The power supply unit 55 may receive AC power from the refrigerator 1. The power supply unit 55 may receive AC power from the refrigerator 1 and supply DC power to the control unit 35, and the control unit 35 supplies DC power supplied from the power supply unit 55 to the ice maker 100. It is possible to control the electric equipment by supplying it to the electric equipment.

The control unit 35 may supply DC power supplied from the power supply unit 55 to the eaves motor 20. That is, the moving motor 20 may be operated by DC power supplied from the control unit 35.

In addition, the power supply unit 55 may supply AC power to the ice-breaking heater 22. That is, the icebreaking heater 22 may be operated by AC power supplied from the power supply unit 55.

In addition, the power supply unit 55 may supply AC power to the water supply valve 38. That is, the water supply valve 38 may be operated by AC power supplied from the power supply unit 55.

In addition, the control unit 35 may supply DC power supplied from the power supply unit 55 to the temperature sensor 37. That is, the temperature sensor 37 may be operated by DC power supplied from the control unit 35.

In addition, the control unit 35 may supply DC power supplied from the power supply unit 55 to the water level sensor 36. That is, the water level sensor 36 may be operated by DC power supplied from the control unit 35.

In addition, the control unit 35 may supply DC power supplied from the power supply unit 55 to the hall sensor 34. That is, the Hall sensor 34 may be operated by DC power supplied from the control unit 35.

In addition, the control unit 35 may supply DC power supplied from the power supply unit 55 to the detection sensor 52. That is, the ice detection sensor 52 may be operated by DC power supplied from the control unit 35.

10 is an electrical wiring diagram when the ice ice maker is a DC ice ice heater in the ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, only the differences from FIG. 9 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 10, the control unit 35 may supply DC power supplied from the power supply unit 55 to the ice-breaking heater 22. That is, the ice-breaking heater 22 may be operated by DC power supplied from the control unit 35.

11 is a view showing an ice maker according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Here, only differences from the ice maker 100 of the first embodiment described above will be described.

Referring to FIG. 11, it can be seen that the ice maker 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the ice maker 100 according to the first embodiment described above.

That is, in the ice maker 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the control box cover 32 may include a non-protruding portion 32D and a protruding portion 32E. The non-protruding portion 32D may form an upper portion of the control box cover 32. The protrusion 32E may form a lower portion of the control box cover 32.

The protrusion 32E may be formed to protrude laterally than the non-protrusion 32D. In this embodiment, the protrusion 32E may be formed to protrude in a direction opposite to the ice making tray 10. Since the protrusion 32E has an inner space larger than that of the non-protrusion 32D, a space in which the power supply unit 55 can be installed can be secured. A receiving rib 32A may be formed on the inner surface of the protrusion 32E.

In addition, in the ice maker 200 of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment described above, fastening ribs 68 and cover ribs 67 are formed on the ice maker cover 60, and the fastening rib 68 is a control box. It is fastened to the case 31 through a fastening member 69, and the cover rib 67 may extend downward from one end of the ice maker cover 60. The cover rib 67 may be disposed on the outer surface of the non-protruding portion 32D to cover the non-protruding portion 32D.

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

1: refrigerator 10: ice tray
15: ice-making groove 20: ice-making motor
22: ice heater 25: ejector
26: eject pin 31: ice maker case
32: ice maker cover 32A: receiving rib
32C: molding material 32D: non-protrusion
32E: protrusion 34: Hall sensor
35: control unit 36: water level sensor
37: temperature sensor 38: water supply valve
52: ice detection sensor 55: power supply
60: ice maker cover 67: cover rib
68: fastening rib 69: fastening member
100, 200: ice maker

Claims (15)

Control box case with one side open;
A control box cover that covers an opened surface of the control box case and is coupled to the control box case;
An ice-making tray disposed on one side of the control box case and having an ice-making groove in which ice-making water is received;
An ice ice motor disposed in the control box case and operated to ice ice made from the ice making groove;
A control unit for controlling the ice breaker motor; And
A power supply unit electrically connected to the control unit to supply control power to the control unit,
The control unit is mounted in the control box case, and the power supply unit is mounted in the control box cover. The method according to claim 1,
The power supply unit receives AC power and supplies DC power to the control unit,
The controller supplies DC power to the ice making motor. The method according to claim 1,
The power supply unit receives DC power and supplies DC power to the control unit,
The controller supplies DC power to the ice making motor. The method according to claim 2,
Further comprising an ice-breaking heater installed on the lower surface of the ice-making tray,
The power supply unit for supplying AC power to the ice maker. The method according to claim 2,
Further comprising an ice-breaking heater installed on the lower surface of the ice-making tray,
The controller supplies DC power to the ice maker. The method according to claim 2,
Further comprising a water supply valve supplying the ice-making water to the ice-making groove,
The power supply unit supplies AC power to the water supply valve. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
Further comprising a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove,
The controller supplies DC power to the temperature sensor. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
Further comprising a water level sensor for sensing the level of the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove,
The controller supplies DC power to the water level sensor. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
An ejector that is rotated by the driving of the ice-breaking motor and has an eject pin protruding from the circumferential surface of the ice-making groove during the rotational operation,
Further comprising a Hall sensor for detecting the rotation position of the ejector,
The controller supplies DC power to the hall sensor. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
Further comprising an ice detection sensor for detecting the full ice of ice separated from the ice making groove and stored in the ice box,
The control unit is an ice maker that supplies DC power to the ice detection sensor. The method according to claim 1,
An ice maker in which a receiving rib for accommodating the power supply unit is protruded on an inner surface of the control box cover. The method of claim 11,
The ice maker further comprises the molding material disposed in the receiving rib to fix the power supply in the receiving rib. The method of claim 11,
The control box cover,
A non-protruding portion forming an upper portion of the control box cover,
An ice maker that forms a lower portion of the control box cover, is formed to protrude laterally than the non-protrusion, and includes a protrusion on an inner side of which the receiving rib is formed. The method of claim 13,
The control box case, the control box cover, and further comprising an ice maker cover covering the upper side of each of the ice-making tray,
The ice maker cover includes a fastening rib that is fastened to the ice maker case by a fastening member, and a cover rib disposed on an outer surface of the non-protruding part. A refrigerator comprising the ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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