KR20210112131A - Water purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a water purifier capable of providing hard ice by sufficiently lowering a temperature of an ice storage space by having an ejector-type ice maker that moves ice. To this end, according to the present invention, the water purifier comprises: a main body having an ice-making chamber formed therein and configured to circulate a refrigerant, and having a refrigeration cycle installed therein for supplying cool air into the ice-making chamber; an ice maker installed in the ice-making chamber to generate ice; and a first circulation fan installed on the wall of the ice-making chamber to circulate cool air in the ice-making chamber. The ice maker includes: a control box; an ice-making tray disposed on one side of the control box and having a plurality of ice-making grooves formed on an upper surface of the control box to receive ice-making water; a refrigerant pipe installed on a lower surface of the ice-making tray and through which the refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle flows; an ejector, one end of which is rotatably installed on one side of the control box, and a plurality of ejector fins for extracting ice from the plurality of ice-making grooves during rotation are formed to protrude from a circumferential surface; and a second circulation fan installed in the control box to suck in air from the lower side of the ice-making tray and discharge it to the ice-making chamber.

Description

Water Purifier {WATER PURIFIER}

The present invention relates to a water purifier.

In general, a water purifier is a device that includes a filter capable of purifying water, and provides purified water to a user while passing through the filter.

The water purifier may include a cooling device for cooling the purified water to provide cold water to the user, or a heating device for heating the purified water to provide hot water to the user.

In addition, the water purifier may include an ice maker that generates ice by cooling the purified water to provide the ice to the user.

1 is a view schematically showing a water purifier according to the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a water purifier 9 according to the related art includes a refrigerant pipe 1 , a water bowl 2 , and an ice storage bowl 3 .

A cold refrigerant flows inside the refrigerant pipe 1 .

Inside the ice storage bowl 3, a partition plate 4 for dividing the inner space of the ice storage bowl 3 up and down is provided. A plurality of holes 4a are formed in the partition plate 4 .

In the inner space of the ice storage bowl 3 , ice is stored on the upper side of the partition plate 4 , and water is stored on the lower side of the partition plate 4 . Water generated by melting ice disposed on the upper side of the partition plate 4 is moved and stored in the space below the partition plate 4 through the plurality of holes 4a formed in the partition plate 4 .

One end of the water supply line 6 is connected to the lower space of the partition plate 4 among the inner spaces of the ice storage bowl 3, and the other end of the water supply line 6 is spaced apart from the upper side of the refrigerant pipe 1, are placed

A pump 5 is installed on the water supply line 6 . Among the internal space of the ice storage bowl 3 , water located in the lower space of the partition plate 4 is pumped through the pump 5 , moves to the upper side of the refrigerant pipe 1 , and then It flows down the refrigerant pipe (1) along the surface.

The water moved to the upper side of the refrigerant pipe (1) flows downward and exchanges heat with the cold refrigerant flowing inside the refrigerant pipe (1). More specifically, the refrigerant pipe 1 is formed with a plurality of protrusions 1a extending downward, so that the water moved to the upper side of the refrigerant pipe 1 flows to the lower side and touches the surface of the plurality of protrusions 1a. The water flows downward along the surface of the plurality of protrusions 1a and exchanges heat with the refrigerant flowing inside the plurality of protrusions 1a, so that ice gradually forms on the surface of each of the plurality of protrusions 1a. is produced, and as time passes, ice is fixed around the plurality of protrusions 1a and is manufactured. The ice produced in this way is separated from the protrusion 1a by slightly melting the portion fixed to the protrusion 1a when hot gas is supplied to the refrigerant pipe 1, and the ice separated from the protrusion 1a is hollow ice. do.

The water bowl 2 receives water falling from the coolant pipe 1 and prevents the water falling from the coolant pipe 1 from directly falling into the ice storage bowl 3 .

However, since the water purifier 9 according to the prior art cannot supply water to the refrigerant pipe 1 when the water stored in the lower part of the ice storage container 3 freezes, it cannot maintain an excessively sub-zero condition around it.

For this reason, since the temperature inside the chamber, which is the space in which the ice storage container 3 is disposed, has to be maintained at room temperature, the ice stored in the ice storage container 3 melts, so that even if the user does not use ice, continuous ice production This is necessary, and there is a problem in that the ice stored in the ice storage container 3 also becomes crumbly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a water purifier capable of providing hard ice by sufficiently reducing the temperature of an ice storage space by providing an ejector-type ice maker.

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

In order to achieve the above object, the water purifier according to the present invention includes a main body, an ice maker, and a first circulation fan. An ice-making chamber is formed inside the main body. A refrigeration cycle is installed inside the main body. The refrigeration cycle is configured to circulate a refrigerant, and supplies cold air into the ice-making chamber. The ice maker is installed in the ice maker. The ice maker produces ice. The first circulation fan is installed on a wall surface of the ice-making chamber to circulate cool air in the ice-making chamber. The ice maker includes a control box, an ice tray, a refrigerant pipe, an ejector, and a second circulation fan. The ice-making tray is disposed on one side of the control box. A plurality of ice-making grooves in which ice-making water is accommodated are formed on an upper surface of the ice-making tray. The refrigerant pipe is installed on a lower surface of the ice-making tray. A refrigerant flowing through the refrigeration cycle is introduced into the refrigerant pipe. One end of the ejector is rotatably installed on one side of the control box. A plurality of ejector pins are formed to protrude from the circumferential surface of the ejector. When the ejector rotates, the plurality of eject pins take out ice from the plurality of ice-making grooves. The second circulation fan is installed in the control box. The second circulation fan sucks in air from the lower side of the ice-making tray and discharges it to the ice-making chamber.

A plurality of convex portions may be formed on a lower surface of the ice-making tray. The ice-making groove may be formed inside the plurality of convex parts. At least a portion of the refrigerant pipe may be disposed across the plurality of convex portions. Both ends of the refrigerant pipe may be disposed on opposite sides of the control box.

When the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove is made of ice, a cold refrigerant may be introduced into the refrigerant pipe from the refrigeration cycle. When the completed ice is iced in the ice making groove, a hot refrigerant may be introduced into the refrigerant pipe from the refrigerating cycle.

The refrigeration cycle may include a compressor, a condenser, an expansion mechanism, a first refrigerant switching valve, a second refrigerant switching valve, a first pipe, a second pipe, a third pipe, a fourth pipe, and a fifth pipe. The compressor may compress the refrigerant. The condenser may condense the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor. The expansion mechanism may expand the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser. The first refrigerant switching valve may be installed at an outlet of the compressor. The second refrigerant switching valve may be installed at one end of the refrigerant pipe. The first pipe may connect the first refrigerant switching valve and the inlet of the condenser. The second pipe may connect the outlet of the condenser and the inlet of the expansion mechanism. The third pipe may connect the outlet of the expansion mechanism and the second refrigerant switching barb. The fourth pipe may connect the other end of the refrigerant pipe and the inlet of the compressor. The fifth pipe may connect the first refrigerant switching valve and the second refrigerant switching valve. The first refrigerant switching valve may allow the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor to flow into the first pipe when the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove is ice-making. The first refrigerant switching valve may allow the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor to flow into the fifth pipe when the ice completed in the ice making groove is iced. The second refrigerant switching valve may allow the refrigerant that has passed through the third pipe to flow into the refrigerant pipe when the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove is ice-making. The second refrigerant switching valve may allow the refrigerant that has passed through the fifth pipe to flow into the refrigerant pipe when the ice completed in the ice making groove is icing.

The refrigerant pipe may be formed in a U shape.

The refrigerant pipe may be formed in a zigzag shape.

The refrigerant pipe may be composed of a zigzag portion and a straight portion. The straight part may be formed by bending the zigzag part. The support zag part may cross the plurality of convex parts, and a part may be disposed between the plurality of convex parts. The straight part may be disposed across the plurality of convex parts.

The ice maker may further include a flow path plate. The flow path plate may be disposed to be spaced downward from the bottom surface of the ice tray to form an air flow path between the flow path and the bottom surface of the ice tray. An air flow hole passing vertically may be formed in the flow path plate.

The ice maker may further include an air guider. The air guider may be disposed on one side of the ice-making tray. An air guide hole for guiding air from the ice-making chamber to the ice-making tray may be formed in the air guider.

The ice maker may further include a re-entry prevention plate. The re-entry prevention plate may be disposed above the ice-making tray. The air guider may be disposed on one side of the re-entry prevention plate. A plurality of eject pin through holes may be formed in the re-entry prevention plate. When the ejector rotates, the plurality of eject pins may pass through the plurality of eject pin through holes.

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

In the water purifier according to the present invention, a first circulation fan for circulating cool air in the ice-making chamber is disposed in an ice-making chamber in which an ice-maker is installed, and in the control box of the ice-maker, air from the lower side of the ice-making tray is sucked and discharged to the ice-making chamber. Since the second circulation fan is disposed, the cold air in the ice-making chamber circulates well below the ice-making tray, so that the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove can be quickly produced into ice.

In addition, since a refrigerant pipe is installed on the lower surface of the ice-making tray and the ice-making tray is cooled by the cold refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant pipe from the refrigeration cycle, the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove can be quickly produced into ice. There are possible effects.

In addition, since both ends of the refrigerant pipe are disposed on opposite sides of the control box, there is an effect that both ends of the refrigerant pipe can be easily connected to the refrigeration cycle.

In addition, when ice-making water in the ice-making groove is made, cold refrigerant flows into the refrigerant pipe from the refrigeration cycle, and when ice is removed from the ice-making groove, hot refrigerant flows from the freezing cycle into the refrigerant pipe. Therefore, the function of cooling the ice-making tray to produce ice in the ice-making groove and the function of heating the ice-making tray to slightly melt and separate the ice adhering to the ice-making groove after the production of the ice is completed are combined into one There is also an effect that can be done through the refrigerant pipe.

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 schematically showing a water purifier according to the prior art;
2 is a block diagram schematically showing a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a perspective view showing the ice maker shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a schematic view of the ice maker shown in FIG. 3 except for some components;
5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the ice maker shown in FIG. 3;
6 is a side cross-sectional view of the ice-making tray shown in FIG. 4;
7 is a bottom view of the ice-making tray shown in FIG. 4;
8 is a view showing a state in which the refrigerant pipe shown in FIG. 7 is connected to the refrigeration cycle;
9 is a bottom view of an ice-making tray showing another embodiment of the refrigerant pipe shown in FIG. 7;
10 is a bottom view of an ice-making tray showing another embodiment of the refrigerant pipe shown in FIG. 7 .

Hereinafter, a water purifier according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing a water purifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the water purifier 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a body 210 , an ice maker 100 , and a refrigeration cycle 110 .

An ice-making chamber, which is a space in which the ice maker 100 is installed, may be formed in the body 210 . In addition, a machine room, which is a space in which the refrigeration cycle 110 is installed, may be formed inside the main body 210 .

In addition, the main body 210 may be provided with at least one water supply unit capable of providing at least one of purified water, cold water, hot water, and ice to the user. A filter for purifying water provided from an external water source may be installed inside the body 210 .

The ice maker 100 may be installed in the ice maker. The ice maker 100 may generate ice by receiving the water that has passed through the filter.

The refrigerating cycle 100 is configured to circulate a refrigerant, so that cold air can be supplied to the ice making chamber. The ice maker 100 may generate ice by cooling the water passing through the filter by the cold air supplied to the ice maker from the refrigeration cycle 100 .

An ice box may be installed in the ice making room. The ice box may be disposed below the ice maker 100 . The ice box may be formed in a cylindrical shape with an open upper side. The ice made by the ice maker 100 may be transferred 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 rotatably installed in the ice box in a circumferential direction. Both ends of the auger may be rotatably coupled to both sides of the ice box, respectively. A spiral groove may be formed on the outer peripheral 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.

3 is a perspective view of the ice maker shown in FIG. 2 , FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing the ice maker shown in FIG. 3 except for some components, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the ice maker shown in FIG. 3 .

3 to 5 , the ice maker 100 may include an ice tray 10 , a control box 30 , and a drain plate 40 .

An ice-making groove 15 may be formed in the ice-making tray 10 . The ice-making grooves 15 may be formed of a plurality of ice-making grooves 15 spaced apart from each other in 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 cylinder shape. The control box 30 may be disposed at one end of the ice-making tray 10 . One end of the ice-making tray 10 may be disposed on one side of the control box 30 . The length of the ice-making tray 10 may extend in a horizontal direction 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 part may be formed in the ice maker cover 60 to be described later. The water supply part may be formed at one end far from the control box 30 among both ends of the ice machine 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 the cold air in the ice-making chamber and 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 quadrangular cylinder in which surfaces facing each other are opened. After various internal parts including a gear box (not shown), a fan housing (not shown) and a control unit 95 to be described later are installed in the control box case 31 , the control box cover 32 is installed in the control box case 31 . The open surface may be covered.

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

The first ice maker cover part 61 may be seated on the upper surface of the control box 30 . A fastening part 68 extending to the side of the control box 30 may be formed on a side surface of the first ice maker cover part 61 , and the fastening part 68 is connected to the control box 30 through a screw 69 . can be contracted. The fastening part 68 may be fastened to the control box case 31 through a screw 69 .

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

The upper surface portion may face the upper surface of the ice-making tray 10 . The upper surface portion may be spaced upwardly from the upper surface of the ice-making tray 10 . When the eject pin 26 to be described later takes out ice from the ice making groove 15, the ice falls out of the ice maker 100 through the space between the upper surface part and the re-entry prevention plate 83 to be described later. After coming out, it may fall into the ice box installed in the ice making chamber and be accommodated in the ice box.

The first side portion may extend downward from a side surface 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 ice maker, the first side portion may be disposed close to a side wall of the ice maker and installed on the side wall of the ice maker. When the ice maker 100 is installed in the ice maker chamber, the ice maker cover 60 may function to support components other than the ice maker cover 60 of the ice maker 100 from above.

The second side portion may extend downward from one end of the ice machine cover 60 that is far from the control box 30 . 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 maker 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 can hold the ejector 25 . It is possible to prevent being injured by the eject pin 26 formed on the circumferential surface.

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

An icing motor (not shown) and a control unit 95 may be accommodated inside the control box 30 . The icing motor may drive the ice to move in the ice making groove 15 . The divergence motor may be controlled by the controller 95 .

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

The ejector 25 may be rotated in the circumferential direction by the driving force of the icing motor. An ejector pin 26 may protrude from the ejector 25 . The eject pin 26 may be formed to protrude radially from 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 in 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 .

The eject pin 26 may be inserted into the ice-making groove 15 when the ejector 25 rotates to remove ice from the ice-making groove 15 . The ice removed by the eject pin 26 from the ice-making groove 15 may fall and be accommodated in the ice box in the ice-making chamber and stored.

A re-entry prevention plate 83 may be disposed above the ice-making tray 10 . The re-entry prevention plate 83 may cover one side of the upper surface of the ice-making tray 10 . The re-introduction prevention plate 83 may cover one side of the ice-making groove 15 in the direction in which the ice is taken out. The re-introduction prevention plate 83 may prevent the ice removed from the ice-making groove 15 by the eject pin 26 from being re-introduced into the ice-making groove 15 .

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

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

The gearbox may be installed in the control box 30 . The gearbox may be installed in the control box case 31 . The icing motor may be installed on one side of the gearbox and accommodated in the control box 30 . A plurality of gears (not shown) may be installed in the gearbox. The plurality of gears may connect the rotating shaft of the divergence motor and one end of the ejector 25 . The plurality of gears may transmit the driving force of the divergence motor to the ejector 25 . The rotational force of the rotating shaft of the divergence motor 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 divergence motor.

A drain plate 40 may be disposed at a position spaced downward from the ice-making tray 10 .

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

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

The drain plate 40 may be disposed to be spaced downward from the ice-making tray 10 . The drain plate 40 may receive and discharge moisture falling from the ice-making tray 10 . When the ice-making water is over-supplied 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 plate 40 .

In addition, since a refrigerant pipe 72 to be described later is installed on the lower surface of the ice-making tray 10 , in the process of repeating cooling and heating of the ice-making tray 10 , frost is formed on the lower surface of the ice-making tray 10 . It may change to moisture, and the moisture generated in this way may fall to the drain plate 40 .

The drain plate 40 is disposed between the ice-making tray 10 and the ice box to prevent moisture falling from the ice-making tray 10 from flowing into the ice stored in the ice box. A drain portion may be formed to protrude from the other end of the drain plate 40 . A drain passage may be formed in the drain unit. Water that has fallen from the ice tray 10 to the drain plate 40 flows to the other end of the drain plate 40 along the inclined surface of the drain plate 40 , and then is discharged to the outside of the drain plate 40 through the drain unit. can be

An anti-freezing heater may be installed on the drain plate 40 . The anti-freeze heater may heat the drain plate 40 . Water that has fallen from the ice-making tray 10 to the drain plate 40 may be frozen by heat exchange with the cold air in the ice-making chamber. When the moisture that has fallen to the drain plate 40 is frozen, it may be difficult to discharge the moisture that has fallen to the drain plate 40 . The anti-icing heater may prevent moisture falling from the ice-making tray 10 to the drain plate 40 from freezing.

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

The drain plate 40 is preferably made of a material through which the heat of the anti-freeze heater can be easily transferred. The drain plate 40 may be made of a metal material. Preferably, the drain plate cover is made of a material capable of preventing the heat of the anti-icing heater from being transmitted to the ice box installed in the ice-making chamber. The drain plate cover may be made of a plastic material.

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

Meanwhile, a first circulation fan F1 may be installed on a wall surface of the ice-making chamber. The first circulation fan F1 may circulate cool air in the ice-making chamber.

In addition, a second circulation fan F2 may be installed in the control box 30 . The second circulation fan F2 may be installed in the control box case 31 . The second circulation fan F2 may suck in air from the lower side of the ice-making tray 10 and discharge it to the ice-making chamber. At least one surface of the control box 30 may be provided with a blower 35 through which the wind generated by the rotation of the second circulation fan F2 is blown into the ice making chamber within the control box 30 . The air outlet 35 may be formed in the control box cover 32 . The air blown into the ice-making chamber through the air outlet 35 is moved to the ice-making tray 10 by the first circulation fan F1 , so that the ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 can be quickly made ice.

The second circulation fan F2 may be installed in the 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 guider 81 may be disposed on one side of the ice-making tray 10 . The air guider 81 may extend in the horizontal direction from one side of the control box 30 . The air guider 81 may extend in the horizontal direction from one side of the control box case 31 . The upper end of the air guider 81 may be coupled to one side of the re-entry prevention plate 83 and extend downward. The air guider 81 may be formed to be long in the longitudinal direction of the ice-making tray 10 . The air guider 81 may be integrally formed with the re-entry prevention plate 83 .

An air guide hole 81A may be formed in the air guider 81 . The air guide hole 81A may guide air from the ice-making chamber to the ice-making tray 10 . 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 guider 81 . The air around the air guider 81 passes through the air guide hole 81A by the rotation of the first circulation fan F1 and the second circulation fan F2 and is moved to the ice-making tray 10, so that the ice-making groove 15 ) can be made to make ice quickly.

A flow path plate 90 may be disposed on one side of the control box 30 . The flow path plate 90 may be disposed to be spaced downward from the lower surface of the ice-making tray 10 . The flow path plate 90 may be disposed between the ice-making tray 10 and the drain plate 40 . One end of the flow path plate 90 may be coupled to one side of the control box 30 . The flow path plate 90 may form an air flow path 91 between it and the lower surface of the ice-making tray 10 . The air flow hole 92 passing vertically may be formed in the flow path plate 90 . The air flow hole 92 may guide the air in the ice-making chamber to the air flow path 91 that is a space below the ice-making tray 10 . The air flow hole 92 may be formed of a plurality of air flow holes 92 spaced apart from each other along the length of the flow path plate 90 . The first circulation fan F1 and the second circulation fan F2 flow the air in the ice-making chamber to the air passage 91 and the air flow hole 92 so that the ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 can be made ice quickly. can make it happen

Meanwhile, the control unit 95 may be installed in the control box case 31 . The control unit may include a printed circuit board (PCB). The controller 95 may control the icing motor, the anti-icing heater, and the first and second circulation fans F1 and F2. The controller 95 may also control the first refrigerant switching valve 125 and the second refrigerant switching valve 127 to be described later.

The control unit 95 may be connected to the water purifier control unit installed in the main body 210 through a harness. The control unit 95 may receive control power and a control signal from the water purifier control unit through the harness.

The controller 95 rotates the first circulation fan F1 and the second circulation fan F2 after the ice-making water is supplied to the ice-making groove 15 so that the cold air from the ice-making chamber smoothly moves to the ice-making tray 10 . By controlling it, the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 can be quickly made ice.

In addition, the control unit 95 controls the first refrigerant switching valve 125 and the second refrigerant switching valve 127 after the ice making water is supplied to the ice making groove 15 so that the cold refrigerant flows into the refrigerant pipe 72 . can do. In this case, the refrigerant pipe 72 may cool the ice-making tray 10 through the cold refrigerant so that the ice-making water can be quickly made ice.

Thereafter, the control unit 95 determines that the ice making is completed after a set time has elapsed after the ice-making water is supplied to the ice-making groove 15, and controls the first refrigerant selector valve 125 and the second refrigerant selector valve 127 to , it is possible to allow the hot refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant pipe 72 . In this case, the refrigerant pipe 72 may slightly melt the ice in the ice making groove 15 by heating the ice making tray 10 through the hot refrigerant. After the ice making in the ice making groove 15 is completed, the refrigerant pipe 72 heats the ice making tray 10 to slightly melt the ice adhering to the ice making groove 15, so that the ice making groove (26) is used by the eject pin (26). 15), you can make it easier to drift.

Thereafter, the controller 95 may control the icing motor to rotate the ejector 25 so that the ejector pin 26 transfers ice from the ice making groove 15 to the ice box.

In addition, the controller 95 supplies power to the anti-icing heater to control the anti-icing heater to generate heat by the power supplied from the controller 95, and then falls from the ice-making tray 10 to the drain plate 40 . It can be controlled so that the accumulated moisture does not freeze.

Meanwhile, a full ice sensor 52 may be installed on the drain plate 40 . The full ice detection sensor 52 may detect full ice of ice that has moved from the ice making groove 15 and is accommodated in the ice box.

The signal from the full ice detection sensor 52 may be input to the controller 95, and the controller 95 may determine the full ice of the ice accommodated in the ice box using the signal input from the full ice detection sensor 52. have. When it is determined that the ice contained in the ice box is full, the controller 95 may prevent the ice from moving from the ice making groove 15 to the ice box by not operating the icing motor.

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

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

The full ice detection sensor 52 may be formed of an optical sensor. That is, the full 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 the light from the light emitting unit.

The light emitting part 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 of the first sensor installation unit 41 and the second sensor installation unit 42 . In the first embodiment, 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 . Of course, the light emitting part may be installed in the second sensor installation part 42 , and the light receiving part 52 may be installed in the first sensor installation part 41 . Hereinafter, 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 has an empty structure inside, and the light emitting part may be inserted into the first sensor installation part 41 . A hole through which the light emitting part is exposed may be formed on a surface of the first sensor installation part 41 facing the second sensor installation part 42 .

The second sensor installation part 42 has an empty structure inside, so that the light receiving part 52 may be inserted into the second sensor installation part 42 . A hole through which the light receiving unit 52 is exposed may be formed in a surface of the second sensor mounting unit 42 facing the first sensor mounting unit 41 .

Since the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit 52 are respectively provided with the first sensor mounting unit 41 and the second sensor mounting unit 42 facing each other, it is stored in the ice box between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit 52. When ice is located, the light receiving unit 52 may not receive the light from the light emitting unit due to the ice. When the light receiving unit 52 does not receive the light from the light emitting unit, the controller may determine that the 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 in the lower corner of the control box case 31 .

A cover portion 45 covering the opening 33 may be formed at one end of the drain plate 40 . The cover part 45 may be 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 is a rectangular cylinder shape. The first sensor installation part 41 may form a part of the cover part 45 .

In addition, the cover portion 45 formed at one end of the drain plate 40 may be fastened to the control box 30 through a bolt. 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.

6 is a side cross-sectional view of the ice-making tray shown in FIG. 4 , and FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the ice-making tray shown in FIG. 4 .

6 and 7 , the ice making groove 15 of the ice making tray 10 may be formed by pressing. 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 formed on the upper surface, and a convex part 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 a lower surface of the ice-making tray 10 . A heat exchange fin 16 may protrude from the convex portion 17 , and the refrigerant pipe 72 may be installed by being inserted into a groove formed in the heat exchange fin 16 . The heat exchange fins 16 may be formed of a plurality of heat exchange fins 16 spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the ice-making tray 10 .

The refrigerant pipe 72 may be formed in a U shape by bending the middle of the length. Both sides of the refrigerant pipe 72 may be respectively inserted into grooves formed in the plurality of heat exchange fins 16 .

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

The center of the bent portion of the refrigerant pipe 72 may be disposed on the side of the control box 30 , and both ends 72A and 72B of the coolant pipe 72 may be disposed on the opposite side of the control box 30 . When the ice maker 100 is installed in the water purifier 200 , the control box 30 may face the front of the ice maker. Therefore, when both ends 72A and 72B of the refrigerant pipe 72 are disposed on the opposite side of the control box 30, the refrigerant pipe 72 is connected to the refrigerant pipe of the refrigeration cycle 110 disposed at the rear of the water purifier 200. Both ends (72A, 72B) can be easily connected. In order to more easily connect both ends 72A and 72B of the refrigerant pipe 72 to the refrigerant pipe of the refrigeration cycle 110 , both ends 72A and 72B of the refrigerant pipe 72 are outside the other end of the ice-making tray 10 . It is preferable to protrude into the arrangement.

8 is a view showing a state in which the refrigerant pipe shown in FIG. 7 is connected to the refrigeration cycle.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the refrigerant pipe 72 may be connected to the refrigeration cycle 110 installed in the water purifier 200 .

When the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 is ice-making, a cold refrigerant may flow into the refrigerant pipe 72 from the refrigeration cycle 110 .

In addition, when the ice completed in the ice making groove 15 is iced, hot refrigerant may flow into the refrigerant pipe 72 from the refrigeration cycle 110 .

The refrigerating cycle 110 may be a device for supplying cold air to the ice making chamber. The refrigeration cycle 110 includes a compressor 112 , a condenser 114 , an expansion mechanism 116 , a first refrigerant switching valve 125 , a second refrigerant switching valve 127 , a first pipe 113 , and a second pipe 115 , a third pipe 117 , a fourth pipe 118 , and a fifth pipe 119 may be included.

The compressor 112 may compress the refrigerant. The condenser 114 may condense the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 112 . The expansion mechanism 116 may expand the refrigerant that has passed through the condenser 114 .

The first refrigerant switching valve 125 may be installed at the outlet of the compressor 112 . The second refrigerant switching valve 127 may be installed at one end 72A of the refrigerant pipe 72 . The first refrigerant switching valve 125 and the second refrigerant switching valve 127 may be three-way valves.

The first pipe 113 may connect the inlet of the first refrigerant switching valve 125 and the condenser 114 . One end of the first pipe 113 may be connected to the first refrigerant switching valve 125 , and the other end of the first pipe 113 may be connected to the inlet of the condenser 114 . When the first refrigerant switching valve 125 opens between the outlet of the compressor 112 and one end of the first pipe 113 , the refrigerant exiting through the outlet of the compressor 112 is discharged through the first pipe 113 . It may enter the inlet of the condenser 114 .

The second pipe 115 may connect the outlet of the condenser 114 and the inlet of the expansion mechanism 116 . One end of the second pipe 115 may be connected to the outlet of the condenser 114 , and the other end of the second pipe 115 may be connected to the inlet of the expansion mechanism 116 . The refrigerant exiting through the outlet of the condenser 114 may enter the inlet of the expansion mechanism 116 through the second pipe 115 .

The third pipe 117 may connect the outlet of the expansion mechanism 116 and the second refrigerant switching valve 127 . One end of the third pipe 117 may be connected to the outlet of the expansion mechanism 116 , and the other end of the third pipe 117 may be connected to the second refrigerant switching valve 127 . When the second refrigerant switching valve 127 opens between the other end of the third pipe 117 and one end 72A of the refrigerant pipe 72 , the refrigerant flowing out through the outlet of the expansion mechanism 116 is the third pipe It can enter into one end (72A) of the refrigerant pipe (72) through (117).

The fourth pipe 118 may connect the other end 72B of the refrigerant pipe 72 and the inlet of the compressor 112 . One end of the fourth pipe 118 may be connected to the other end 72B of the refrigerant pipe 72 , and the other end of the fourth pipe 118 may be connected to the inlet of the compressor 112 . The refrigerant exiting through the other end 72B of the refrigerant pipe 72 may enter the inlet of the compressor 112 through the fourth pipe 118 .

The fifth pipe 119 may connect the first refrigerant switching valve 125 and the second refrigerant switching valve 127 to each other. One end of the fifth pipe 119 may be connected to the first refrigerant switching valve 125 , and the other end of the fifth pipe 119 may be connected to the second refrigerant switching valve 127 . When the first refrigerant switching valve 125 opens between the outlet of the compressor 112 and one end of the fifth pipe 119 , the refrigerant flowing out through the outlet of the compressor 112 is discharged through the fifth pipe 119 . It may enter the second refrigerant switching valve (127).

The first refrigerant switching valve 125 may allow the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 112 to flow into the first pipe 113 when the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 is ice-making. Of course, the first refrigerant switching valve 125 may prevent the refrigerant passing through the compressor 112 from flowing into the fifth pipe 119 when the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 is ice-making.

In addition, the first refrigerant switching valve 125 may allow the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor 112 to flow into the fifth pipe 119 when the completed ice is removed from the ice making groove 15 . Of course, the first refrigerant switching valve 125 may prevent the refrigerant passing through the compressor 112 from flowing into the first pipe 113 when the completed ice is removed from the ice making groove 15 .

The second refrigerant switching valve 127 may allow the refrigerant that has passed through the third pipe 117 to flow into the refrigerant pipe 72 when the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 is ice-making. Of course, the second refrigerant switching valve 127 may prevent the refrigerant passing through the fifth pipe 119 from flowing into the refrigerant pipe 72 when the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 is ice-making.

In addition, the second refrigerant switching valve 127 may allow the refrigerant that has passed through the fifth pipe 119 to flow into the refrigerant pipe 72 when the completed ice in the ice making groove 15 is icing. Of course, the second refrigerant switching valve 127 may prevent the refrigerant passing through the third pipe 117 from flowing into the refrigerant pipe 72 when the completed ice is removed from the ice making groove 15 .

As described above, when the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 of the ice-making tray 10 is to be frozen, the cold refrigerant from the refrigeration cycle 110 flows into the refrigerant pipe 72, so that the ice-making tray 10 is It may be cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant pipe 72 .

In addition, after the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 of the ice-making tray 10 is changed to ice, hot refrigerant from the refrigeration cycle 110 flows into the refrigerant pipe 72 , so that the ice-making tray 10 is connected to the refrigerant pipe. It can be heated by heat exchange with (72).

9 is a bottom view of an ice-making tray showing another embodiment of the refrigerant pipe shown in FIG. 7 . Here, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same functions as in the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the refrigerant pipe 72 may be formed in a zigzag shape. In this case, since the area of the refrigerant pipe 72 in contact with the convex part 17 is increased compared to the U-shaped refrigerant pipe 72 of the above-described embodiment, the ice-making groove 15 formed inside the convex part 17 . ) can make ice more quickly.

10 is a bottom view of an ice-making tray showing another embodiment of the refrigerant pipe shown in FIG. 7 . Herein, the same reference numerals are assigned to those having the same functions as those of the embodiment, a detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different points will be described.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the refrigerant pipe 72 may include a zigzag portion 72C and a straight portion 72D.

The straight portion 72D may be formed by bending the zigzag portion 72C.

The support zag portion 72C crosses the plurality of convex portions 17 , some of which may be disposed between the plurality of convex portions 17 .

The straight part 72D may be disposed across the plurality of convex parts 17 .

In the refrigerant pipe 72 of this third embodiment, compared to the U-shaped refrigerant pipe 72 of the above-described embodiment, since the area of the refrigerant pipe 72 in contact with the convex part 17 is increased, the convex part 17 The ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 formed in the inner side of the ice can be made more quickly.

As described above, in the water purifier 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a first circulation fan F1 for circulating cool air in the ice maker is disposed in the ice maker where the ice maker 100 is installed, and Since a second circulation fan F2 is disposed in the control box 30 to suck air from the lower side of the ice-making tray 10 and discharge it to the ice-making chamber, cool air in the ice-making chamber circulates to the lower side of the ice-making tray 10 . As this is done well, the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove 15 can be quickly produced into ice.

In addition, since a refrigerant pipe 72 is installed on the lower surface of the ice-making tray 10 and the ice-making tray 10 is cooled by the cold refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant pipe 72 from the refrigeration cycle 110 , the ice-making groove The ice-making water contained in (15) can be quickly made into ice.

In addition, since both ends 72A and 72B of the refrigerant pipe 72 are disposed on the opposite side of the control box 30 , both ends of the refrigerant pipe 72 can be easily connected to the refrigeration cycle 110 .

In addition, when ice-making water in the ice-making groove 15 is made, a cold refrigerant flows into the refrigerant pipe 72 from the refrigeration cycle 110 , and when the completed ice is transferred from the ice-making groove 15 , the refrigeration cycle 110 . Since hot refrigerant flows into the refrigerant pipe 72 from A function of heating the ice-making tray 10 to slightly melt and separate the ice may be performed through one refrigerant pipe 72 .

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

10: ice-making tray 15: ice-making groove
17: convex part 25: ejector
26: eject pin 30: control box
72: refrigerant pipe 72A, 72B: both ends of the refrigerant pipe
72C: zigzag part 72D: straight part
100: ice maker 110: refrigeration cycle
112: compressor 113: first pipe
114: condenser 115: second pipe
116: expansion mechanism 117: third pipe
118: fourth pipe 119: fifth pipe
125: first refrigerant switching valve 127: second refrigerant switching valve
200: water purifier 210: body

Claims (10)

a main body having an ice-making chamber formed therein, a refrigerant cycle configured to circulate, and a refrigeration cycle configured to supply cool air into the ice-making chamber;
an ice maker installed in the ice maker to generate ice; and
a first circulation fan installed on a wall surface of the ice-making chamber to circulate cool air in the ice-making chamber;
The ice maker,
control box;
an ice-making tray disposed on one side of the control box, the ice-making tray having a plurality of ice-making grooves accommodating ice-making water;
a refrigerant pipe installed on a lower surface of the ice-making tray and through which a refrigerant flowing through the refrigerating cycle is introduced;
an ejector having one end rotatably installed on one side of the control box, and having a plurality of ejection pins protruding from the circumferential surface for extracting ice from the plurality of ice-making grooves during rotation; and
and a second circulation fan installed in the control box to suck in air from a lower side of the ice-making tray and discharge it to the ice-making chamber. The method according to claim 1,
A plurality of convex portions for forming the ice-making grooves inside are formed on a lower surface of the ice-making tray,
At least a portion of the refrigerant pipe is disposed across the plurality of convex portions,
Both ends of the refrigerant pipe are disposed on opposite sides of the control box. The method according to claim 1,
When the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove is made of ice, a cold refrigerant flows into the refrigerant pipe from the refrigeration cycle;
A water purifier in which hot refrigerant flows into the refrigerant pipe from the refrigerating cycle when the completed ice is iced in the ice making groove. 4. The method according to claim 3,
The refrigeration cycle is
a compressor for compressing the refrigerant;
a condenser for condensing the refrigerant passing through the compressor;
an expansion mechanism for expanding the refrigerant passing through the condenser;
a first refrigerant switching valve installed at the outlet of the compressor;
a second refrigerant switching valve installed at one end of the refrigerant pipe;
a first pipe connecting the first refrigerant switching valve and the inlet of the condenser;
a second pipe connecting the outlet of the condenser and the inlet of the expansion mechanism;
a third pipe connecting the outlet of the expansion mechanism and the second refrigerant switching valve;
a fourth pipe connecting the other end of the refrigerant pipe and the inlet of the compressor;
and a fifth pipe connecting the first refrigerant switching valve and the second refrigerant switching valve,
The first refrigerant switching valve allows the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor to flow to the first pipe when the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove is ice-making, and the refrigerant that has passed through the compressor when the completed ice is removed from the ice-making groove. to flow into the fifth pipe,
The second refrigerant switching valve allows the refrigerant that has passed through the third pipe to flow to the refrigerant pipe when the ice-making water accommodated in the ice-making groove is ice-making, and closes the fifth pipe when the completed ice is removed from the ice-making groove. A water purifier that flows the refrigerant that has passed through to the refrigerant pipe. 3. The method according to claim 2,
The refrigerant pipe is a water purifier formed in a U shape. 3. The method according to claim 2,
The refrigerant pipe is a water purifier formed in a zigzag shape. 3. The method according to claim 2,
The refrigerant pipe includes a zigzag portion and a straight portion formed by bending the zigzag portion,
The support zag part crosses the plurality of convex parts, and a part is disposed between the plurality of convex parts,
The straight part is disposed across the plurality of convex parts. The method according to claim 1,
The ice maker,
The water purifier further comprising: a flow path plate disposed to be spaced downward from the lower surface of the ice tray to form an air flow path between the lower surface of the ice tray and an air flow hole through which the upper and lower surfaces are formed. 9. The method of claim 8,
The ice maker,
and an air guider disposed on one side of the ice-making tray and having an air guide hole for guiding air from the ice-making chamber to the ice-making tray. 10. The method of claim 9,
The ice maker,
The water purifier further comprising a re-entry prevention plate disposed above the ice-making tray, the air guider disposed on one side, and having a plurality of eject pin passage holes through which the plurality of eject pins pass when the ejector rotates.

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