KR20220022220A - Refrigerator and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator control method. A refrigerator includes: a first tray forming a part of an ice chamber; a second tray forming another part of the ice chamber and capable of being rotated with respect to the first tray; a driving part for moving the second tray; a sensor for checking a position of the second tray; and a control part controlling the driving part based on a signal output from the sensor. The refrigerator control method includes: a step of supplying water to the ice chamber in a state in which the second tray is moved to a water supply position; a step of moving the second tray in a reverse direction from the water supply position to an ice making position after the completion of the water supply, and then, making ice; and an ice separation step of moving the second tray in a normal direction from the ice making position to an ice separation position after the completion of the ice making procedure. When the refrigerator is turned on after being turned off, the control part controls the driving part such that the second tray is moved to the ice making position based on the signal output from the sensor. Therefore, the present invention is capable of preventing the ice in the ice chamber from falling into an ice bin.

Description

Refrigerator and method for controlling the same

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same.

BACKGROUND ART In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that can store food at a low temperature in an internal storage space that is shielded by a door.

The refrigerator may use cold air to cool the inside of the storage space, thereby storing stored foods in a refrigerated or frozen state. A refrigerator is usually provided with an ice maker for making ice. The ice maker accommodates water supplied from a water supply source or a water tank in a tray, and then cools the water to generate ice.

The ice maker may transfer ice that has been made ice from the ice tray by a heating method or a twisting method. The ice maker that automatically supplies and moves water in this way is formed to open upward and scoops up the molded ice. Ice produced in an ice maker having such a structure has at least one flat surface, such as a crescent shape or a cubic shape.

On the other hand, when the shape of the ice is formed in a spherical shape, it may be more convenient to use the ice, and a different feeling of use may be provided to the user. In addition, even when storing ice made from ice, it is possible to minimize ice agglomeration by minimizing the contact area between the ices.

In Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2020-0057536, an ice maker capable of generating spherical ice is provided.

The ice maker may include: an upper tray having an upper tray body forming a plurality of upper chambers in a hemispherical shape; a lower tray rotating with respect to the upper tray based on a rotation center and having a lower tray body forming a plurality of hemispherical lower chambers; and an ice-making heater providing heat to the lower tray.

In the case of the prior literature, after water is supplied at the water supply position of the lower tray, it is moved to the ice making position to perform ice making. After the ice making is completed, the lower tray is moved to the ice moving position and then returned to the water supply position.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator capable of accurately moving the second tray to the ice-making position even when the refrigerator is turned on after being turned off, even when the water supply position and the ice-making position of the second tray are set to different positions, and a method for controlling the same.

According to the present embodiment, when the refrigerator is turned on again after being turned off in a state in which ice is present in the ice chamber, ice in the ice chamber is prevented from falling into the ice bin while the second tray is moved to the target position. and a method for controlling the same.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator and a method for controlling the same, in which water is not supplied after the refrigerator is turned off and ice is made immediately, so that water overflows from an ice chamber by additionally supplied water.

A method of controlling a refrigerator according to an aspect includes a first tray forming a part of an ice chamber, a second tray forming another part of the ice chamber and rotatable with respect to the first tray, and moving the second tray a driving unit for activating and a sensor for confirming the position of the second tray; and a control unit for controlling the driving unit based on a signal output from the sensor.

The method of controlling the refrigerator may include: performing water supply of the ice chamber while the second tray is moved to a water supply position; performing ice making after the second tray is moved from the water supply position to the ice making position in the reverse direction after the water supply is completed; and after the completion of ice making, an ice-moving step of moving the second tray from the ice-making position to the ice-removing position in a forward direction.

When the refrigerator is turned on after being turned off, the controller may control the driving unit to move the second tray to the ice-making position based on a signal output from the sensor.

The method of controlling the refrigerator may further include, after the second tray is moved to the ice-making position, turning on an ice-making heater for providing heat to the ice chamber in order to perform ice-making without a water supply process. there is.

The control method of the refrigerator may further include determining whether the temperature of the ice chamber reaches a reference temperature within a reference time.

The control method of the refrigerator may further include turning off the ice-making heater when it is determined that the temperature of the ice chamber reaches the reference temperature within the reference time.

After the ice-making heater is turned off, it is determined whether ice-making is complete, and when the ice-making is completed, the ice-removing step may be performed.

The control method of the refrigerator may further include, when it is determined that the temperature of the ice chamber does not reach the reference temperature within the reference time, determining whether ice making is complete while the ice-making heater is turned on. there is.

When it is determined that the ice-making is complete, the ice-removing step may be performed.

In the process of moving the second tray from the water supply position to the ice-making position, a first signal is output from the sensor, and the second tray when the signal output from the sensor changes from the first signal to the second signal The position of may be set as the ice-making position.

A first signal is output while the second tray moves from the ice-making position to the water supply position, and when the signal output from the sensor changes from the first signal to the second signal, the position of the second tray is It can be set to the watering position.

When the second signal is output from the sensor when the refrigerator is turned on, the controller may move the second tray in a set pattern.

After the second tray is moved in a set pattern, when the first signal is output from the sensor, the control unit moves the second tray in a reverse direction, and when the second signal is output from the sensor, the second tray can be stopped

After the second tray is moved in a set pattern, when the second signal is output from the sensor, the control unit moves the second tray in the reverse direction until the first signal is output from the sensor, When the first signal is output, the second tray is moved in the reverse direction until the second signal is output from the sensor. can be moved to

When the first signal is output from the sensor when the refrigerator is turned on, the controller rotates the second tray in a reverse direction until the second signal is output from the sensor, and then sets the second tray pattern can be moved.

Moving the second tray in the set pattern means moving the second tray in the reverse direction by A seconds and then moving the second tray in the forward direction by B seconds smaller than A seconds.

According to another aspect, a refrigerator includes: a first tray forming a part of an ice chamber; a second tray forming another portion of the ice chamber and rotatable with respect to the first tray; an ice-making heater for supplying heat to the ice chamber during an ice-making process; a driving unit for moving the second tray; a sensor for confirming the position of the second tray; and a control unit configured to control the driving unit based on a signal output from the sensor.

The controller may control water supply to the ice chamber while the second tray is moved to the water supply position.

The controller may be configured to perform ice making after the second tray moves from the water supply position to the ice making position in a reverse direction after the water supply is completed.

The controller may be configured to move the second tray from the ice-making position to the ice-making position in a forward direction after the completion of ice making.

When the refrigerator is turned on after being turned off, the controller may control the driving unit to move the second tray to the ice-making position based on a signal output from the sensor.

After the second tray is moved to the ice-making position, the controller turns on the ice-making heater to perform ice-making without a water supply process, and when ice-making is completed, the second tray is supplied with water after performing ice-removing. It can be moved to a location so that watering can be performed.

According to the proposed embodiment, even if the water supply position and the ice-making position of the second tray are set to different positions, the signal output from the sensor is set to be different from the signal at the water supply position and the ice-making position and the signal in the interval therebetween. 2 The tray can move precisely to the target position.

According to the present embodiment, even if the refrigerator is turned on again after being turned off in a state in which ice or water is present in the ice chamber, the ice in the ice chamber is prevented from falling into the ice bin while the second tray moves to the target position. can be

According to the present embodiment, since ice making is immediately performed without water being supplied in the turned on state after the refrigerator is turned off, overflow of water from the ice chamber during the water supply process may be prevented.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 is opened;
3 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above;
4 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the bottom;
5 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of the first tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a bottom perspective view of the first tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an upper perspective view of an upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a lower perspective view of an upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention;
10 is a view schematically showing a state in which the heater is coupled to the upper case of the present invention.
11 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of the upper assembly;
12 is a perspective view of a lower assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
13 is an upper perspective view of a lower case according to an embodiment of the present invention;
14 is a perspective view of a second tray viewed from above according to an embodiment of the present invention.
15 is a perspective view of the second tray viewed from the bottom according to an embodiment of the present invention.
16 is an upper perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention;
17 is a lower perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention;
18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 3;
19 is a view showing a state in which ice generation is completed in the diagram of FIG. 18;
20 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
21 is a view showing a state in which water supply is completed in a state in which the second tray is moved to a water supply position;
22 is a view showing a state in which the second tray is moved to an ice-making position;
23 is a view showing a state in which ice-making is completed at an ice-making position;
24 is a view showing a second tray at an initial stage of ice-diving.
Fig. 25 is a view showing the position of the second tray in the full ice detection position;
Fig. 26 shows the second tray in the icing position;
27 is a flowchart for explaining a process of moving a second tray to a reference position when the refrigerator is turned on;
28 is a view illustrating a process in which the second tray moves to a reference position when the refrigerator is turned on;
29 and 30 are flowcharts for explaining a process of generating ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the elements from other elements, and the essence, order, or order of the elements are not limited by the terms. When it is described that a component is "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but another component is between each component. It will be understood that may also be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 is opened.

1 and 2 , a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a cabinet 2 forming a storage space and a door opening and closing the storage space.

For example, the cabinet 2 may form a storage space partitioned vertically by a barrier, a refrigerating compartment 3 may be formed at an upper portion, and a freezing compartment 4 may be formed at a lower portion. Storage members such as drawers, shelves, and baskets may be provided inside the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4 .

The door may include a refrigerating compartment door 5 for shielding the refrigerating compartment 3 and a freezing compartment door 6 for shielding the freezing compartment 4 . The refrigerator compartment door 5 is composed of a pair of left and right doors, and can be opened and closed by rotation. The freezing compartment door 6 may be configured to be drawn in and out in a drawer type. Of course, the arrangement of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4 and the shape of the door may vary depending on the type of refrigerator, and the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various types of refrigerators. For example, the freezing compartment 4 and the refrigerating compartment 3 are arranged left and right, but it is also possible that the freezing compartment 4 is located above the refrigerating compartment 3 .

An ice maker 100 may be provided in the freezing compartment 4 . The ice maker 100 may ice the supplied water.

An ice bin 102 may be further provided below the ice maker 100 to store ice made after being de-ice from the ice maker 100 . The ice maker 100 and the ice bin 102 may be mounted inside the freezing compartment 4 while being accommodated in a separate housing 101 .

A duct (not shown) for supplying cold air to the freezing chamber 100 may be provided in the freezing chamber 4 . The air discharged from the duct may flow to the freezing chamber 4 after flowing to the side of the ice maker 100 .

A user may obtain ice by opening the freezing compartment door 6 to access the ice bin 102 . As another example, the refrigerator compartment door 5 may include a dispenser 7 for dispensing purified water or ice-made ice from the outside.

The ice produced by the ice maker 100 or the ice produced by the ice maker 100 and stored in the ice bin 102 is transferred to the dispenser 7 by a transfer means, and the user pours the ice from the dispenser 7 can be obtained

Hereinafter, the ice maker will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

3 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention from the top, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the bottom. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 to 5 , the ice maker 100 may include an upper assembly 110 and a lower assembly 200 .

The upper assembly 110 may be referred to as a first tray assembly, and the lower assembly 200 may be referred to as a second tray assembly.

The lower assembly 200 may be movable with respect to the upper assembly 110 . For example, the lower assembly 200 may be rotated with respect to the upper assembly 110 .

When the lower assembly 200 is in contact with the upper assembly 110 , the spherical ice may be formed together with the upper assembly 110 . That is, the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 form an ice chamber 111 for generating spherical ice. The ice chamber 111 has a substantially spherical shape. Of course, it is also possible for the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 to generate ice in various shapes other than the spherical shape.

In the present invention, "spherical shape or hemispherical shape" is a concept that includes not only a geometrically complete sphere or hemisphere shape, but also includes a geometrically perfect sphere or hemisphere-like shape.

The upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 may form a plurality of divided ice chambers 111 .

Hereinafter, the formation of three ice chambers 111 by the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 will be described as an example, and it should be noted that the number of ice chambers 111 is not limited.

When the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 form the ice chamber 111 , water may be supplied to the ice chamber 111 through the water supply unit 190 .

The water supply unit 190 is coupled to the upper assembly 110 and guides water supplied from the outside to the ice chamber 111 .

After the ice is generated, the lower assembly 200 may be rotated in a forward direction. Then, the spherical ice formed between the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 may be separated from the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 .

The ice maker 100 may further include a driving unit 180 so that the lower assembly 200 is rotatable with respect to the upper assembly 110 . The driving unit 180 may include a driving motor and a power transmitting unit for transmitting the power of the driving motor to the lower assembly 200 . The power transmission unit may include one or more gears. The driving motor may be a bidirectional rotatable motor. Accordingly, bidirectional rotation of the lower assembly 200 is possible.

To separate ice from the upper assembly 110 , the ice maker 100 may further include an upper ejector 300 . The upper ejector 300 may separate the ice adhering to the upper assembly 110 from the upper assembly 110 .

The upper ejector 300 may include an ejector body 310 and one or more upper ejecting pins 320 extending in a direction crossing the ejector body 310 . Although not limited, the number of the upper ejecting pins 320 may be the same as the number of the ice chambers 111 .

When the upper ejecting pin 320 passes through the upper assembly 110 and is introduced into the ice chamber 111 , the ice in the ice chamber 111 may be pressurized. The ice pressed by the upper ejecting pin 320 may be separated from the upper assembly 110 .

In addition, the ice maker 100 may further include a lower ejector 400 so that the ice adhered to the lower assembly 200 can be separated from the lower assembly 200 .

The lower ejector 400 may press the lower assembly 200 so that the ice adhered to the lower assembly 200 is separated from the lower assembly 200 . The lower ejector 400 may be fixed to the upper assembly 110 , for example.

The lower ejector 400 may include an ejector body 410 and one or more lower ejecting pins 420 protruding from the ejector body 410 . Although not limited, the number of the lower ejecting pins 420 may be the same as the number of the ice chambers 111 .

In the process of rotating the lower assembly 200 for ice removal, the rotational force of the lower assembly 200 may be transmitted to the upper ejector 300 . To this end, the ice maker 100 may further include a connection unit 350 connecting the lower assembly 200 and the upper ejector 300 . The connection unit 350 may include one or more links.

For example, the connection unit 350 includes a first link 352 for rotating the lower supporter 270 , and is connected to the lower supporter 270 to rotate the lower supporter 270 when the lower supporter 270 rotates. A second link 356 for transmitting the rotational force of 270 to the upper ejector 300 may be included.

For example, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction, the upper ejector 300 may be lowered by the connection unit 350 so that the upper ejecting pin 320 may press the ice. On the other hand, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the reverse direction, the upper ejector 300 may be raised by the connection unit 350 to return to its original position.

Hereinafter, the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 will be described in more detail.

The upper assembly 110 may include a first tray 150 forming a part of the ice chamber 111 for ice formation. For example, the first tray 150 defines an upper portion of the ice chamber 111 . The first tray 150 may be referred to as an upper tray.

The upper assembly 110 may further include an upper case 120 and an upper supporter 170 for fixing the position of the first tray 150 .

The first tray 150 may be positioned below the upper case 120 . A portion of the upper supporter 170 may be located below the first tray 150 .

As described above, the upper case 120 , the first tray 150 , and the upper supporter 170 aligned in the vertical direction may be fastened by a fastening member. That is, through the fastening of the fastening member, the first tray 150 may be fixed to the upper case 120 . The upper supporter 170 may support the lower side of the first tray 150 to limit movement of the lower side.

The water supply unit 190 may be fixed to the upper case 120 , for example.

The ice maker 100 may further include a temperature sensor 500 (or a tray temperature sensor) for detecting a temperature of water or ice in the ice chamber 111 . The temperature sensor 500 may indirectly sense the temperature of water or ice in the ice chamber 111 by, for example, sensing the temperature of the first tray 150 .

The temperature sensor 500 may be mounted on the upper case 120 , for example. When the first tray 150 is fixed to the upper case 120 , the temperature sensor 500 may contact the first tray 150 .

Meanwhile, the lower assembly 200 may include a second tray 250 that forms another part of the ice chamber 111 for ice formation. For example, the second tray 250 defines a lower portion of the ice chamber 111 . The second tray 250 may be referred to as a lower tray.

The lower assembly 200 further includes a lower supporter 270 supporting a lower side of the second tray 250 , and a lower case 210 at least a portion of which covers an upper side of the second tray 250 . can do. The lower case 210 , the second tray 250 , and the lower supporter 270 may be fastened by a fastening member.

Meanwhile, the ice maker 100 may further include a switch 600 for turning on/off the ice maker 100 . When the user operates the switch 600 in an on state, ice can be generated through the ice maker 100 . That is, when the switch 600 is turned on, an ice-making process in which water is supplied to the ice maker 100 and ice is generated by cold air, and an ice-making process in which the lower assembly 200 is rotated and ice is transferred is performed. It can be performed repeatedly.

On the other hand, when the switch 600 is operated in an off state, ice production is impossible through the ice maker 100 . The switch 600 may be provided, for example, in the upper case 120 .

The ice maker 100 may further include a full ice detection lever 700 . For example, the full ice detection lever 700 may sense whether the ice bin 102 is full while rotating by receiving power from the driving unit 180 .

One side of the ice full detection lever 700 may be connected to the driving unit 180 , and the other side may be connected to the upper case 120 . For example, the other side of the ice full detection lever 700 may be rotatably connected to the upper case 120 below the connection shaft 370 of the connection unit 350 . Accordingly, the rotation center of the ice full detection lever 700 may be positioned lower than the connection shaft 370 .

The power transmission unit of the driving unit 180 may include, for example, a plurality of gears.

In addition, the driving unit 180 may further include a cam rotated by receiving rotational power of the driving motor, and a moving lever moving along the cam surface. The magnet may be provided on the moving lever. The driving unit 180 may further include a Hall sensor (to be described later) capable of detecting the magnet while the moving lever moves.

Among the plurality of gears of the driving unit 180 , a first gear to which the ice full detection lever 720 is coupled may be selectively coupled to or released from a second gear meshed with the first gear. For example, since the first gear is elastically supported by an elastic member, it may mesh with the second gear in a state in which external force is not applied. On the other hand, when a resistance greater than the elastic force of the elastic member is applied to the first gear, the first gear may be spaced apart from the second gear. When a resistance greater than the elastic force of the elastic member acts to the first gear, for example, the full ice detection lever 700 is caught in ice during the ice moving process (in the case of full ice). In this case, the first gear may be spaced apart from the second gear, and damage to the gears may be prevented.

Due to the plurality of gears and cams, the full ice detection lever 700 may be rotated in conjunction with each other when the lower assembly 200 is rotated. In this case, the cam may be connected to the second gear or interlocked with the second gear. Depending on whether the Hall sensor detects a magnet, the Hall sensor may output a first signal and a second signal that are different outputs. One of the first signal and the second signal may be a high signal, and the other may be a low signal.

The full ice detection lever 700 may be rotated from a stand-by position (ice-making position of the lower assembly) to a full ice detection position for full ice detection. In a state in which the ice full detection lever 700 is positioned in the standby position, at least a portion of the ice full detection lever 700 may be positioned below the lower assembly 220 .

The full ice detection lever 700 may include a detection body 710 . The sensing body 710 may be located at the lowermost side during the rotation operation of the full ice detection lever 700 . The entirety of the sensing body 710 may be positioned below the lower assembly 200 to prevent interference between the lower assembly 200 and the sensing body 710 during the rotation of the lower assembly 200 . . The sensing body 710 may come into contact with the ice in the ice bin 102 when the ice bin 102 is full. The full ice detection lever 700 may be a wire-shaped lever. That is, the full ice detection lever 700 may be formed by bending a wire having a predetermined diameter a plurality of times.

The full ice detection lever 700 may further include a pair of extension portions 720 and 730 extending upward from both ends of the detection body 710 . The pair of extension parts 720 and 730 may extend substantially in parallel. The pair of extension parts 720 and 730 may include a first extension part 720 and a second extension part 730 .

The full ice detection lever 700 may further include a pair of coupling parts 740 and 750 that are bent and extended from the ends of the pair of extension parts 720 and 730 .

The pair of coupling parts 740 and 750 include a first coupling part 740 extending from the first extension part 720 and a second coupling part 750 extending from the second extension part 730 . ) may be included. The first coupling part 740 and the second coupling part 750 may extend in a direction away from each other in the respective extension parts 720 and 730 . The first coupler 740 may be connected to the driving unit 180 , and the second coupler 750 may be connected to the upper case 120 .

In this embodiment, the second coupling part 750 may be coupled to the upper case 120 in an idle state. Accordingly, the first coupling part 740 may substantially provide a rotation center of the full ice detection lever 700 . The second coupling part 750 may pass through the upper case 120 . A hole 120a through which the second coupling part 750 passes may be formed in the upper case 120 .

Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of the first tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 is a lower perspective view of the first tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 7 , the first tray 150 may be formed of a flexible or soft material that can be returned to its original shape after being deformed by an external force.

For example, the first tray 150 may be formed of a silicon material. When the first tray 150 is formed of a silicon material as in the present embodiment, even if the shape of the first tray 150 is deformed by an external force during the icing process, the first tray 150 returns to its original shape. Therefore, it is possible to create spherical ice in spite of repeated ice formation.

If, when the first tray 150 is formed of a metal material, when an external force is applied to the first tray 150 and the first tray 150 itself is deformed, the first tray 150 is no longer It cannot be restored to its original form. In this case, after the shape of the first tray 150 is deformed, the spherical ice cannot be formed. That is, it is impossible to repeatedly generate spherical ice.

On the other hand, when the first tray 150 has a flexible or soft material that can be returned to its original shape as in the present embodiment, this problem can be solved.

In addition, when the first tray 150 is formed of a silicon material, melting or thermal deformation of the first tray 150 by heat provided by an ice heater to be described later can be prevented.

The first tray 150 may include a first tray body 151 forming an upper chamber 152 that is a part of the ice chamber 111 . The first tray body 151 may define a plurality of upper chambers 152 . For example, the plurality of upper chambers 152 may define a first upper chamber 152a, a second upper chamber 152b, and a third upper chamber 152c.

The first tray body 151 may include three chamber walls 153 forming three independent upper chambers 152a, 152b, 152c, and the three chamber walls 153 are formed as one body. can be connected to each other.

The first upper chamber 152a, the second upper chamber 152b, and the third upper chamber 152c may be arranged in a line, but in this embodiment, the arrangement of the upper chambers is not limited. For example, the first upper chamber 152a , the second upper chamber 152b , and the third upper chamber 152c may be arranged in a direction of an arrow A with reference to FIG. 7 .

The upper chamber 152 may be formed, for example, in a hemispherical shape. That is, the upper portion of the spherical ice may be formed by the upper chamber 152 .

An upper opening 154 for introducing water into the upper chamber 152 may be formed at an upper side of the first tray body 151 . For example, three upper openings 154 may be formed in the first tray body 151 . Water may be supplied through any one of the plurality of upper openings 154 . Cool air may be guided to the ice chamber 111 through the upper opening 154 .

During the ice-moving process, the upper ejector 300 may be introduced into the upper chamber 152 through the upper opening 154 . In the process in which the upper ejector 300 is introduced through the upper opening 154, the first tray 150 has an inlet wall ( 155) may be provided. The inlet wall 155 is disposed along the circumference of the upper opening 154 , and may extend upward from the first tray body 151 . The entrance wall 155 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. Accordingly, the upper ejector 300 may pass through the inner space of the inlet wall 155 and penetrate the upper opening 154 .

Two inlet walls 155 corresponding to the second upper chamber 152b and the third upper chamber 152c may be connected by a second connecting rib 162 . The second connecting rib 162 also serves to prevent deformation of the inlet wall 155 . A water supply guide 156 may be provided on the inlet wall 155 corresponding to any one of the three upper chambers 152a, 152b, and 152c. Although not limited, the water supply guide 156 may be formed on the inlet wall 155 corresponding to the second upper chamber 152b. The water supply guide 156 may be inclined in a direction away from the second upper chamber 152b toward the upper side from the inlet wall 155 .

The first tray 150 may further include a first accommodating part 160 . An ice heater (see 148 of FIG. 10 ) installed in the upper case 120 may be accommodated in the first accommodating part 160 .

The first accommodating part 160 may be disposed to surround the upper chambers 152a, 152b, and 152c. The first receiving part 160 may be formed as the upper surface of the first tray body 151 is depressed downward.

The first accommodating part 160 may receive a heater coupling part 124 to which the ice-freezing heater is coupled.

The first tray 150 may further include a second accommodating part 161 (or it may be referred to as a sensor accommodating part) in which the temperature sensor 500 is accommodated. For example, the second receiving part 161 may be provided in the first tray body 151 . Although not limited, the second accommodating part 161 may be formed by being depressed downwardly from the bottom of the first accommodating part 160 . The second accommodating part 161 may be positioned between two adjacent upper chambers. As an example, in FIG. 6 , it is shown that it is positioned between the first upper chamber 152a and the second upper chamber 152b. Accordingly, interference between the ice heater accommodated in the first accommodating part 160 and the temperature sensor 500 may be prevented.

In a state in which the temperature sensor 500 is accommodated in the second accommodating part 161 , the temperature sensor 500 may be in contact with the outer surface of the first tray body 151 .

The chamber wall 153 of the first tray body 151 may include a vertical wall 153a and a curved wall 153b. The curved wall 153b may be rounded in a direction away from the upper chamber 152 toward the upper side.

The first tray 150 may further include a horizontal extension portion 164 extending in a horizontal direction around the circumference of the first tray body 151 . The horizontal extension portion 164 may extend along the circumference of the upper edge of the first tray body 151, for example.

The horizontal extension part 164 may contact the upper case 120 and the upper supporter 170 . At least a portion of the horizontal extension part 164 may be positioned between the upper case 120 and the upper supporter 170 .

The horizontal extension part 164 may include a plurality of upper protrusions 165 and 166 to be coupled to the upper case 120 .

The plurality of upper protrusions 165 and 166 may protrude upward from the upper surface 164a of the horizontal extension part 164 . The plurality of upper protrusions 165 and 166 may be formed in a curved shape, for example. In this embodiment, each of the upper protrusions 165 and 166 not only allows the first tray 150 and the upper case 120 to be coupled to each other, but also deforms the horizontal extension part 164 during the ice making process or the ice making process. prevent it from becoming

The horizontal extension part 164 may further include a plurality of lower protrusions 167 and 168 . The plurality of lower protrusions (see 167 and 168 of FIG. 11 ) may be inserted into a lower slot of the upper supporter 170 to be described later. The plurality of lower protrusions (see 167 and 168 of FIG. 11 ) may protrude downward from the lower surface 164b of the horizontal extension part 164 . The plurality of lower protrusions (see 167 and 168 of FIG. 11 ) may also be formed in a curved shape.

A through hole 169 through which a fastening boss of the upper supporter 170, which will be described later, passes through the horizontal extension part 164 may be provided. For example, a plurality of through-holes 169 may be provided in the horizontal extension part 164 .

8 is an upper perspective view of an upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a lower perspective view of the upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 and 9 , the upper supporter 170 may include a supporter plate 171 in contact with the first tray 150 . For example, the upper surface of the supporter plate 171 may contact the lower surface of the horizontal extension part 164 of the first tray 150 .

A plate opening 172 through which the first tray body 151 passes may be provided in the supporter plate 171 . A peripheral wall 174 formed by bending upward may be provided on the edge of the supporter plate 171 . The circumferential wall 174 may, for example, contact at least a portion of the perimeter of the side of the horizontal extension 164 . An upper surface of the peripheral wall 174 may contact a lower surface of the upper plate 121 .

The supporter plate 171 may include a plurality of lower slots 176 and 177 . The plurality of lower protrusions 167 and 168 may be inserted into the plurality of lower slots 176 and 177 .

The supporter plate 171 may further include a plurality of fastening bosses 175 . The plurality of fastening bosses 175 may protrude upward from the upper surface of the supporter plate 171 . Each of the fastening bosses 175 may pass through the through hole 169 of the horizontal extension part 164 .

The upper supporter 170 may further include a plurality of unit guides 181 and 182 for guiding the connection unit 350 connected to the upper ejector 300 . The plurality of unit guides 181 and 182 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow A with reference to FIG. 9 . The unit guides 181 and 182 may extend upward from the upper surface of the support plate 171 . Each of the unit guides 181 and 182 may be connected to the circumferential wall 174 . Each of the unit guides 181 and 182 may include a guide slot 183 extending in the vertical direction. In a state where both ends of the ejector body 310 of the upper ejector 300 pass through the guide slot 183 , the connection unit 350 is connected to the ejector body 310 . Accordingly, when a rotational force is transmitted to the ejector body 310 by the connection unit 350 during the rotation process of the lower assembly 200 , the ejector body 310 may move up and down along the guide slot 183 . can

10 is a view schematically showing a state in which the heater is coupled to the upper case of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the upper case 120 may include a heater coupling part 214 . The heater coupling part 124 may include a heater accommodating groove 124a for accommodating the ice-freezing heater 148 . The ice heater 148 may be referred to as a first heater.

The ice heater 148 may be, for example, a wire-type heater. Accordingly, it is possible to bend the ice-dividing heater 148 , and by bending it according to the shape of the heater accommodating groove 124a , the ice-dividing heater 148 can be accommodated in the heater accommodating groove.

The ice heater 148 may be a DC heater supplied with DC power. The heater for ice 148 may be turned on for ice. When the heat of the ice heater 148 is transferred to the first tray 150 , the ice may be separated from the surface (inner surface) of the first tray 150 .

If the first tray 150 is made of a metallic material and the heat of the ice heater 148 is stronger, after the ice heater 148 is turned off, the ice heater 148 in ice ), the portion heated by the adhesion again adheres to the surface of the first tray 150, causing a phenomenon of becoming opaque. That is, an opaque band of a shape corresponding to the ice heater is formed around the ice.

However, in the present embodiment, a DC heater having a low output is used, and as the first tray 150 is formed of a silicon material, the amount of heat transferred to the first tray 150 is reduced, and the first tray (150) The thermal conductivity of itself is also lowered. Accordingly, since heat is not concentrated on a localized portion of the ice and a small amount of heat is gradually applied to the ice, the ice can be effectively separated from the first tray while preventing the formation of an opaque band around the ice.

In order for the heat of the ice heater 148 to be uniformly transmitted to each of the plurality of upper chambers 152 of the first tray 150 , the ice heater 148 is formed around the plurality of upper chambers 152 . It may be arranged to surround.

The ice heater 148 may be in contact with the circumference of each of the plurality of chamber walls 153 respectively forming the plurality of upper chambers 152 . In this case, the ice heater 148 may be positioned lower than the upper opening 154 . The heater receiving groove 124a may be defined by an outer wall 124b and an inner wall 124c. In a state in which the ice-dividing heater 148 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a, the ice-dividing heater 148 can protrude to the outside of the heater coupling part 124. A diameter may be greater than a depth of the heater receiving groove 124a.

In a state in which the ice-diving heater 148 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a, a part of the ice-dividing heater 148 protrudes to the outside of the heater accommodating groove 124a, so that the ice-dividing heater 148 is It may be in contact with the first tray 150 . At least one of the outer wall 124b and the inner wall 124c has a separation prevention protrusion 124d so that the ice-diving heater 148 accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a is prevented from falling out of the heater receiving groove 124a. can be provided. 10 shows, for example, that a plurality of separation preventing protrusions 124d are provided on the inner wall 124c. The separation preventing protrusion 124d may protrude from an end of the inner wall 124c toward the outer wall 124b.

11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled state of the upper assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 10 and 11 , the upper case 120 and the first tray 150 are coupled with the ice heater 148 to the heater coupling part 124 of the upper case 120 . ), the upper supporter 170 may be coupled to each other.

When the upper assembly 110 is assembled, the heater coupling part 124 to which the ice-freezing heater 148 is coupled is accommodated in the first receiving part 160 of the first tray 150 . In a state in which the heater coupling part 124 is accommodated in the first accommodating part 160 , the ice heater 148 is in contact with the bottom surface 160a of the first accommodating part 160 .

As in the present embodiment, when the ice-diving heater 148 is accommodated in the recessed heater coupling part 124 and comes into contact with the first tray body 151, the heat of the ice-diving heater 148 is the Delivery to a portion other than the first tray body 151 can be minimized. At least a portion of the ice heater 148 may be disposed to vertically overlap the upper chamber 152 so that heat of the ice heater 148 is smoothly transferred to the upper chamber 152 .

12 is a perspective view of a lower assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 , the lower assembly 200 may include a second tray 250 and a lower supporter 270 . The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower case 210 .

The lower case 210 may surround a portion of the periphery of the second tray 250 , and the lower supporter 270 may support the second tray 250 . The connection unit 350 may be coupled to the lower supporter 270 .

The connection unit 350 is connected to the first link 352 for rotating the lower supporter 270 by receiving the power of the driving unit 180 and the lower supporter 270 to the lower supporter 270 . It may include a second link 356 for transmitting the rotational force of the lower supporter 270 to the upper ejector 300 during the rotation of the.

The first link 352 and the lower supporter 270 may be connected by an elastic member 360 . The elastic member 360 may be, for example, a coil spring. One end of the elastic member 360 is connected to the first link 352 , and the other end is connected to the lower supporter 270 . The elastic member 360 provides an elastic force to the lower supporter 270 to maintain a state in contact with the first tray 150 and the second tray 250 . In the present embodiment, a first link 352 and a second link 356 may be positioned on both sides of the lower supporter 270 , respectively. One of the two first links 352 is connected to the driving unit 180 to receive rotational force from the driving unit 180 . The two first links 352 may be connected by a connecting shaft 370 . A hole 358 through which the ejector body 310 of the upper ejector 300 may pass may be formed at an upper end of the second link 356 .

13 is an upper perspective view of a lower case according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from above, and FIG. 15 is an embodiment of the present invention A perspective view of the second tray viewed from the lower side.

13 to 15 , the lower case 210 may include a lower plate 211 for fixing the second tray 250 . A portion of the second tray 250 may be fixed to the lower surface of the lower plate 211 in a contact state.

An opening 212 through which a portion of the second tray 250 passes may be provided in the lower plate 211 . For example, when the second tray 250 is fixed to the lower plate 211 in a state where the second tray 250 is positioned under the lower plate 211 , the A portion may protrude upward of the lower plate 211 through the opening 212 .

The lower case 210 may further include a peripheral wall 214 (or a cover wall) surrounding the second tray 250 passing through the lower plate 211 .

The lower case 210 may further include a slot 218 for coupling with the second tray 250 . A portion of the second tray 250 may be inserted into the slot 218 . As an example, the plurality of slots 218 may be disposed to be spaced apart in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 13 . Each of the slots 218 may be formed in a curved shape.

The second tray 250 may be formed of a flexible material or a soft material that can be returned to its original shape after being deformed by an external force.

For example, the second tray 250 may be formed of a silicon material. When the second tray 250 is formed of a silicone material as in this embodiment, even if the shape of the second tray 250 is deformed due to an external force applied to the second tray 250 during the icing process, the second tray ( 250) may return to its original form. Accordingly, spherical ice formation is possible despite repeated ice formation.

If, when the second tray 250 is formed of a metal material, when an external force is applied to the second tray 250 and the second tray 250 itself is deformed, the second tray 250 is no longer It cannot be restored to its original form. In this case, after the shape of the second tray 250 is deformed, the spherical ice cannot be formed. That is, it is impossible to repeatedly generate spherical ice.

On the other hand, when the second tray 250 has a flexible material that can be returned to its original shape as in the present embodiment, this problem can be solved. In addition, when the second tray 250 is formed of a silicon material, melting or thermal deformation of the second tray 250 by heat provided by an ice-making heater, which will be described later, can be prevented.

The second tray 250 may include a second tray body 251 forming a lower chamber 252 that is a part of the ice chamber 111 . The second tray body 251 may define a plurality of lower chambers 252 . For example, the plurality of lower chambers 252 may include a first lower chamber 252a, a second lower chamber 252b, and a third lower chamber 252c.

The second tray body 251 may include three chamber walls 252d forming three independent lower chambers 252a, 252b, 252c, and the three chamber walls 252d are formed as one body. A second tray body 251 may be formed. The first lower chamber 252a, the second lower chamber 252b, and the third lower chamber 152c may be arranged in a line. For example, the first lower chamber 252a, the second lower chamber 252b, and the third lower chamber 152c may be arranged in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 14 .

The lower chamber 252 may be formed in a hemispherical shape. That is, the lower portion of the spherical ice may be formed by the lower chamber 252 .

The second tray 250 may further include a peripheral wall 260 . A lower surface of the first tray body 151 may be in contact with an upper surface 251e of the second tray body 251 . The circumferential wall 260 may surround the first tray body 151 seated on the upper surface 251e of the second tray body 251 .

The circumferential wall 260 is a first wall 260a surrounding the vertical wall 153a of the first tray body 151 and the curved wall 153b of the first tray body 151. A second wall 260b may be included. The first wall 260a is a vertical wall. The second wall 260b is a curved wall formed in a shape corresponding to the first tray body 151 . That is, the second wall 260b may be rounded in a direction away from the lower chamber 252 toward the upper side.

The second tray 250 may include an upper protrusion 255 to be inserted into the lower case 210 . The second tray 250 may further include a lower protrusion 257 to be inserted into a lower supporter 270 to be described later.

The second tray body 251 may further include a convex portion 251b having a lower portion convex upward. That is, the convex portion 251b may be convex toward the inside of the ice chamber 111 .

16 is an upper perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a lower perspective view of the lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

16 and 17 , the lower supporter 270 may include a supporter body 271 supporting the second tray 250 . The supporter body 271 may include three chamber accommodating parts 272 for accommodating the three chamber walls 252d of the second tray 250 . The chamber accommodating part 272 may be formed in a hemispherical shape.

The supporter body 271 may include a lower opening 274 through which the lower ejector 400 passes during the moving process. For example, three lower openings 274 may be provided in the supporter body 271 to correspond to the three chamber accommodation units 272 .

The lower supporter 270 may further include a protrusion groove 287 for receiving the lower protrusion 257 of the second tray 250 . The protrusion groove 287 may extend in a curved shape.

The lower supporter 270 may further include an outer wall 280 disposed to surround the second tray body 251 while being spaced apart from the outside of the second tray body 251 . The lower supporter 270 may further include a plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 to be connected to each of the hinge supporters 135 and 136 of the upper case 210 .

The plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 16 . Each of the hinge bodies 281 and 282 may further include a second hinge hole 281a. A shaft connection part 353 of the first link 352 may pass through the second hinge hole 281 . The connection shaft 370 may be connected to the shaft connection part 353 .

An interval between the plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 is smaller than an interval between the plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 . Accordingly, the plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 may be positioned between the plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 .

The lower supporter 270 may further include a coupling shaft 283 to which the second link 356 is rotatably connected. The coupling shaft 383 may be provided on both surfaces of the outer wall 280 , respectively.

The lower supporter 270 may further include an elastic member coupling portion 284 to which the elastic member 360 is coupled. The elastic member coupling portion 284 may form a space in which a portion of the elastic member 360 may be accommodated. As the elastic member 360 is accommodated in the elastic member coupling portion 284 , the elastic member 360 may be prevented from interfering with surrounding structures. The elastic member coupling portion 284 may include a locking portion 284a for engaging the lower end of the elastic member 370 .

The lower supporter 270 may further include a heater receiving groove 291 to which the ice-making heater 296 is coupled. The heater accommodating groove 291 may be depressed downward in the chamber accommodating part 272 of the second tray body 251 . The ice-making heater 296 may be referred to as a second heater.

18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 3 , and FIG. 19 is a view showing a state in which ice formation is completed in the drawing of FIG. 18 .

18 and 19 , an ice-making heater 296 may be installed in the lower supporter 270 . The ice-making heater 296 may operate during an ice-making process.

The ice-making heater 296 provides heat to the ice chamber 111 during an ice-making process, so that ice starts to freeze from an upper portion in the ice chamber 111 .

In addition, as the ice-making heater 296 generates heat during the ice-making process, air bubbles in the ice chamber 111 move downward during the ice-making process. can be transparent. That is, according to the present embodiment, substantially transparent spherical ice can be generated.

The ice-making heater 296 may be, for example, a wire-type heater. The ice-making heater 296 may contact the second tray 250 to provide heat to the lower chamber 252 . For example, the ice-making heater 296 may be in contact with the second tray body 251 . The ice-making heater 296 may be disposed to surround the three chamber walls 252d of the second tray body 251 .

The lower supporter 270 may include a heater accommodating groove 124a recessed downward from the chamber accommodating part 272 of the second tray body 251 .

Meanwhile, as the first tray 150 and the second tray 250 contact each other in the vertical direction, the ice chamber 111 is completed. The lower surface 151a of the first tray body 151 is in contact with the upper surface 251e of the second tray body 251 . At this time, in a state in which the upper surface 251e of the second tray body 251 is in contact with the lower surface 151a of the first tray body 151, the elastic force of the elastic member 360 is applied to the lower supporter 270 . is applied with

The elastic force of the elastic member 360 is applied to the second tray 250 by the lower supporter 270 , so that the upper surface 251e of the second tray body 251 is the first tray body 151 . The lower surface 151a is pressed. Accordingly, in a state in which the upper surface 251e of the second tray body 251 is in contact with the lower surface 151a of the first tray body 151, each surface is pressed to each other to improve adhesion.

As described above, when the adhesion between the upper surface 251e of the second tray body 251 and the lower surface 151a of the first tray body 151 is increased, there is no gap between the two surfaces, so that the spherical shape is formed after the completion of ice making. Formation of thin band-shaped ice along the perimeter of the ice can be prevented.

In a state in which the lower surface 151a of the first tray body 151 is seated on the upper surface 251e of the second tray body 251 , the first tray body 151 is a perimeter of the second tray 250 . It may be accommodated in the inner space of the wall 260 .

At this time, the vertical wall 153a of the first tray body 151 is disposed to face the vertical wall 260a of the second tray 250, and the curved wall 153b of the first tray body 151 is formed. is disposed to face the curved wall 260b of the second tray 250 .

The outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the first tray body 151 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the second tray 250 . That is, a space is formed between the outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the first tray body 151 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the second tray 250 .

The water supplied through the water supply unit 180 is accommodated in the ice chamber 111 , but when a larger amount of water than the volume of the ice chamber 111 is supplied, the water cannot be accommodated in the ice chamber 111 . Water is located in the space between the outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the first tray body 151 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the second tray 250 . Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if a larger amount of water than the volume of the ice chamber 111 is supplied, it is possible to prevent the water from overflowing from the ice maker 100 .

In a state where the upper surface 251e of the second tray body 251 is in contact with the lower surface 151a of the first tray body 151 , the upper surface of the peripheral wall 260 is the upper surface of the first tray 150 . It may be located higher than the opening 154 or the upper chamber 152 .

The second tray body 251 may further include a convex portion 251b having a lower portion convex upward. A concave portion 251c is formed on the lower side of the convex portion 251b so that the thickness of the convex portion 251b is substantially the same as the thickness of other portions of the second tray body 251 .

As used herein, "substantially the same" is a concept that includes those that are completely identical and those that are not identical but are similar to each other with little difference. The convex portion 251b may be disposed to face the lower opening 274 of the lower supporter 270 in the vertical direction.

When cold air is supplied to the ice chamber 111 while water is supplied to the ice chamber 111 , the liquid water is phase-changed into the solid ice. At this time, the water expands during the phase change of water into ice, and the expansion force of water is transmitted to each of the first tray body 151 and the second tray body 251 .

In the present embodiment, the other portion of the second tray body 251 is surrounded by the supporter body 271, but a portion corresponding to the lower opening 274 of the support body 271 (hereinafter "corresponding part") ) is not surrounded. If the second tray body 251 is formed in a complete hemispherical shape, when the expansion force of the water is applied to a corresponding portion corresponding to the lower opening 274 of the second tray body 251, the first 2 A corresponding portion of the tray body 251 is deformed toward the lower opening 274 . In this case, the water supplied to the ice chamber 111 exists in a spherical shape before the ice is formed, but after the ice formation is completed, the corresponding portion of the second tray body 251 is deformed to form a spherical shape. Additional ice in the form of projections is generated as much as the space created by the deformation of the corresponding part in the ice.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 251b is formed on the second tray body 251 in consideration of the deformation of the second tray body 251 so as to be as close as possible to the perfect spherical shape of the ice-made ice.

In this embodiment, the water supplied to the ice chamber 111 does not have a spherical shape before the ice is generated, but the convex part 251b of the second tray body 251 is formed after the ice formation is completed. Since it is deformed toward the lower opening 274, spherical ice may be generated.

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

Referring to FIG. 20 , the refrigerator according to the present embodiment may further include a cooling means 900 that operates to cool the freezing compartment 4 . The cooling means 900 may supply cool air to the freezing chamber 32 using a refrigerant cycle.

For example, the cooling means 900 may include a compressor to compress the refrigerant. The temperature of the cold air supplied to the freezing chamber 4 may vary according to the output (or frequency) of the compressor. Alternatively, the cooling means 900 may include a fan for blowing air to the evaporator. The amount of cold air supplied to the freezing chamber 4 may vary according to the output (or rotation speed) of the fan. Alternatively, the cooling means 900 may include a refrigerant valve for controlling the amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant cycle.

The amount of refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant cycle is changed by adjusting the opening degree by the refrigerant valve, and accordingly, the temperature of the cold air supplied to the freezing chamber 4 may vary. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the cooling means 900 may include one or more of the compressor, the fan, and the refrigerant valve.

The refrigerator of this embodiment may further include a controller 800 for controlling the cooling means 900 .

The refrigerator may further include a water supply valve 810 for controlling the amount of water supplied through the water supply unit 190 .

The controller 800 may control some or all of the ice-removing heater 148 , the ice-making heater 296 , the driving unit 180 , the cooling means 900 , and the water supply valve 810 .

The controller 800 may determine whether ice making is complete based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 .

The refrigerator may further include a full ice detection means 950 for detecting full ice of the ice bin 600 .

The ice full detection means 950 may include, for example, the ice full detection lever 700 , a magnet provided in the driving unit 180 , and a hall sensor 951 for detecting the magnet. As another example, the ice full detection means 950 may include a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit provided in the ice bin 102 . In this case, the full ice detection lever 700 may be omitted. When the light irradiated from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit, it may be determined that the ice is not full. When the light irradiated from the light emitting unit does not reach the light receiving unit, it may be determined that the ice is full. In this case, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit may be provided in the ice maker. In this case, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit may be located in the ice bin.

As described above, since the type of signal output from the Hall sensor and the signal output time are different for each position of the second tray 250, the control unit 800 controls the second tray 250 based on the signal output from the Hall sensor. The current position of the tray 250 may be determined. The Hall sensor may be referred to as a position detection sensor. In this embodiment, in order to detect the position of the second tray 250, it is also possible to use an optical sensor in addition to the Hall sensor.

When the ice full detection lever 700 is in the full ice detection position, the second tray 250 may also be described as being in the full ice detection position.

21 is a view showing a state in which water supply is completed while the second tray is moved to a water supply position, FIG. 22 is a view showing a state in which the second tray is moved to an ice-making position, and FIG. 23 is a state in which ice-making is completed from the ice-making position Fig. 24 is a view showing the second tray at the initial stage of ice drift, Fig. 25 is a view showing the position of the second tray at the full ice detection position, and Fig. 26 is a view showing the second tray at the ice level .

21 to 26 , the controller 800 may determine the current position of the second tray 250 based on a signal output from the Hall sensor 951 .

Also, the controller 800 may control the driving unit 180 to move the second tray 250 to a target position based on the current position of the second tray 250 .

The control unit 800 may move the second tray 250 to the water supply position of FIG. 21 . Water supply may be performed at a water supply position of the second tray 250 . After the water supply is completed, the controller 800 may move the second tray 250 to the ice-making position of FIG. 22 . Ice making may be performed at the ice making position of FIG. 22 .

After completing the ice making, the controller 800 may move the second tray 250 to the full ice detection position of FIG. 25 . Also, the controller 800 may move the second tray 250 from the full ice detection position to the ice moving position of FIG. 26 .

After the ice-diving is completed, the control unit 800 may move the second tray 250 from the moving position to the water supply position.

In the present specification, the direction in which the second tray 250 moves from the ice-making position to the ice-making position may be referred to as a forward movement (or forward rotation). On the other hand, the direction moving from the drifting position to the watering position may be referred to as a reverse movement (or reverse rotation).

27 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the second tray moves to a reference position when the refrigerator is turned on, and FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a process in which the second tray moves to the reference position when the refrigerator is turned on.

22, 27, and 28, the signal output from the hall sensor 951 for each position of the second tray 250 will be described.

In this specification, the ice-making position may be referred to as a first location section P1, and a second signal may be output from the Hall sensor 951 in the first location section P1.

When the second tray 250 is rotated in the forward direction in the first position section P1 , the first signal may be output from the Hall sensor 951 for a first time. After the first signal is output for the first time, the second signal may be output from the Hall sensor 951 .

In this embodiment, when the signal of the hall sensor 951 is changed from the first signal to the second signal, the position of the second tray 250 may be set as the water supply position. Of course, the position of the second tray 250 when the hall sensor 951 signal is changed from the second signal to the first signal while the second tray 250 is rotated in the reverse direction is also the water supply position. As a result, the position of the second tray 250 at the time when the signal output from the Hall sensor 951 is changed may be set as the water supply position.

A section between the ice-making location and the water supply location may be referred to as a second location section P2. A section between the water supply location and the full ice detection location may be referred to as a third location section P3. In the third location section P3 , a second signal may be output from the Hall sensor 951 . In the third location section P3 , the second signal may be output for a second time from the Hall sensor 951 .

While the second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 in the third position section P3, the first signal may be output from the Hall sensor 951 during the forward rotation of the second tray 250 there is.

The position of the second tray 250 (or the full ice detection lever 700 ) when the signal output from the hall sensor 951 is changed from the second signal to the first signal is the full ice detection position.

At the full ice detection position, a first signal may be output from the hall sensor 951 , and the first signal may be output for a third time while the second tray 250 moves to the ice-freezing position.

After the first signal is output for a third time, the second signal may be output again from the Hall sensor 951 . A section in which the first signal is output during the third time period may be referred to as a fourth location section P4.

After passing through the fourth position section P4, a first signal may be output while a second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 while the second tray 250 is rotated in the forward direction. After passing through the fourth location section P4, the time until the first signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 may be a fourth time. At this time, the position of the second tray 250 when the first signal is output again from the Hall sensor 951 after the second signal is output for the fourth time is the moving position. A section in which the second signal is output during the fourth time period may be referred to as a fifth location section P5. The drifting position may be referred to as a sixth position section P6.

When the second tray 250 is moved in the forward direction from the ice-making position, the second tray 250 moves to the ice-dividing position after passing the water supply position and the full ice detection position.

On the other hand, when the second tray 250 moves in the reverse direction from the ice-removing position, the second tray 250 moves to the ice-making position past the full ice detection position and the water supply position.

In the present specification, the length of each location section P1 to P6 may be set differently, and the control unit 800 controls the second tray 250 according to the pattern and length of the signal output from the hall sensor 951 . may determine the location of the , and the determined location may be stored in a memory.

However, when the refrigerator is turned on again after being turned off, such as in a power outage, the location information of the second tray 250 stored in the memory is reset. When the refrigerator is turned on again in this state, the controller 800 does not recognize the current position of the second tray 250 , so an algorithm for determining the position of the second tray 250 may be performed. there is.

In addition, there is no location information of the second tray 250 in the memory when the product is initially started. Accordingly, an algorithm for determining the position of the second tray 250 may be performed even at the initial start of the product.

After performing the algorithm, the second tray 250 may move to a reference position or a target position.

In this embodiment, the reference position (or target position) of the second tray 250 is an ice-making position.

First, when the refrigerator is turned on (S1), the controller 800 may turn on the ice-making heater 148 and/or the ice-making heater 296 (S2).

When the refrigerator is turned off while ice is present in the ice chamber 111 , the ice in the ice chamber 111 may melt.

As long as the second tray 250 is not in the ice-making position when the refrigerator is turned off, water flows between the first tray 150 and the second tray 250 while the ice is melting. In a state in which the ice is not completely melted, the ice remains attached to the first tray 150 and the second tray 250 .

In this state, when the refrigerator is turned on and the second tray 250 is immediately moved, the second tray 250 may not move smoothly.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, when the refrigerator is turned on, the ice-moving heater 148 and/or the ice-making heater 296 is turned on to smoothly move the second tray 250 .

The controller 800 may determine whether the ice-dividing heater 148 and/or the ice-making heater 296 is turned on and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches a set temperature ( S3). The set temperature may be set as an image temperature, for example.

As a result of the determination in step S3, when it is determined that the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 has reached the set temperature, the controller 800 may turn off the turned-on heater (S4).

Of course, in this embodiment, steps S2 to S4 may be omitted, and in this case, when the refrigerator is turned on, step S5 may be performed immediately.

The control unit 800 may determine whether the second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 (S5).

When the second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 , the second tray 250 is selected from any one of the first location section P1 , the third location section P3 , and the fifth location section P5 . If it is located in one section.

On the other hand, when the first signal is output from the Hall sensor 951, the second tray 250 is located in the first location section P1, the third location section P3, and the fifth location section P5. If it is located in any one of the sections.

When the second signal is not output from the Hall sensor 951 (when the first signal is output), the controller 800 moves the second tray 250 in the reverse direction (S6).

In this embodiment, when the second tray 250 is moved in the reverse direction, water in the ice chamber 111 is prevented from falling downward when water is present in the ice chamber 111 . .

While the second tray 250 is moved in the reverse direction, the controller 800 determines whether a second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 ( S5 ).

In a total of six position sections, when the first signal is output from the Hall sensor 951, if the second tray 250 is rotated in the reverse direction until the second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951, The expected location of the second tray 250 may be reduced to three.

Accordingly, the time for moving the second tray 250 to the reference position is reduced, and the algorithm can be simplified.

As a result of the determination in step S5, when the second signal is output from the hall sensor 951, the control unit 800 may control the driving unit 180 to move the second tray 250 in a set pattern. (S7).

When the second tray 250 moves in the set pattern, it means that the second tray 250 moves in the reverse direction by A seconds and then moves in the forward direction by B seconds.

In this case, B seconds may be set to be smaller than A seconds. After the second tray 250 moves in the reverse direction by A second, before moving in the forward direction, the second tray 250 may stop for D seconds. D seconds may be less than A seconds and B seconds.

When A second is set to be larger than B second, the time for the second tray 250 to move in the reverse direction is longer than the time for the second tray 250 to move in the forward direction.

As such, when A seconds is set to be greater than B seconds, it is possible to prevent water from falling downward even if water is present in the ice chamber 111 while the second tray 250 is moved in the set pattern. there is.

In this embodiment, A second may be set to be greater than the length of the second location section P2.

After the second tray 250 is moved in a set pattern, the control unit 800 determines whether a first signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 (S8).

When the first signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 , the second tray 250 is positioned in the first position section P1 at the time when the second tray 250 moves in a set pattern. is the case

On the other hand, when the first signal is not output from the Hall sensor 951 , the second tray 250 moves in the set pattern when the second tray 250 moves in the third position section P3 . Or the case is located in the fifth location section (P5).

That is, in a state in which the second tray 250 is located in the third position section P3 or the fifth position section P5, even if the second tray 250 moves in a set pattern, the second tray 250 is located in the third position section (P3) or located in the fifth location section (P5).

As a result of the determination in step S8 , if it is determined that the first signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 , the controller 800 controls the second signal until the second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 . The tray 250 is moved in the forward direction (S11).

When the second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 in the process of moving the second tray 250 in the forward direction, the controller 800 controls the second tray 250 to further rotate the second tray 250 in the forward direction for C seconds. It can be moved (S12) (refer to FIG. 28). C seconds may be set to be smaller than A seconds and B seconds.

When the second tray 250 is moved in the forward direction for C seconds, the control unit 800 rotates the second tray 250 in the reverse direction (S13), and the first signal from the Hall sensor 951 is If detected (S14), it is determined that the second tray 250 has moved to the water supply position. Then, the second tray 250 is further moved in the reverse direction (S15).

Of course, when the second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 in the process of moving the second tray 250 in the forward direction, the control unit 800 controls the second tray 250 to immediately rotate in the reverse direction. can be controlled That is, steps S11 to S14 may be omitted.

While the second tray 250 is being moved in the reverse direction, the controller 800 may determine whether a second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 (S16).

As a result of the determination in step S16, if it is determined that the second signal is output from the hall sensor 951, the control unit 800 determines that the second tray 250 will reach the reference position, and the second tray (250) can be stopped. That is, when the second tray 250 moves to the ice-making position, the second tray 250 may be stopped.

When the second tray 250 is stopped at the ice-making position, the ice-making process may be performed immediately without supplying water (S18).

If water exists in the ice chamber 111 before the refrigerator is turned off, the ice chamber 111 may overflow if water is supplied after the second tray 250 moves to the reference position. there is. When water overflows from the ice chamber 111 , there is a risk that the overflowed water may fall into the ice bin 102 . When water falls into the ice bin 600 , there is a problem in that the ice in the ice bin 1020 is agglomerated with each other.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the second tray 250 is moved to the reference position after the refrigerator is turned off and turned on, the ice-making process is immediately performed without supplying water regardless of the presence of water, so that the ice chamber ( 111) can be prevented from overflowing.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that the first signal is not output from the Hall sensor 951, the control unit 800 controls the second tray ( 250) in the reverse direction (S9).

Then, the second tray 250 located in the third location section (P3) may move to the second location section (P2). The second tray 250 positioned in the fifth location section P3 may move to the fourth location section P4.

After the first signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 in the process of moving the second tray 250 in the reverse direction, the control unit 800 controls when the second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 . The second tray 250 is further moved in the reverse direction until (S10).

Then, the second tray 250 located in the second location section (P2) may move to the first location section (P1). The second tray 250 located in the fourth location section (P3) may move to the third location section (P3).

When the second signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 by further moving the second tray 250 in the reverse direction, the control unit 800 controls the pattern in which the second tray 250 is set. to move to (S7).

After performing steps S9 and S10 and performing step S7 again, when the first signal is output from the hall sensor 951, the second tray 250 moves to the set pattern when the second tray This is a case where 250 is located in the first location section P1.

On the other hand, when the first signal is not output from the Hall sensor 951, the second tray 250 is located in the third position section P1 at the time when the second tray 250 moves in the set pattern. is the case

Accordingly, when the first signal is output from the hall sensor 951 as a result of determination in step S8, steps S11 to S17 are performed so that the second tray 250 moves to the reference position.

In this embodiment, the steps S11 to S17 may be collectively referred to as a step of moving the second tray 250 to a reference position.

On the other hand, if the first signal is not output from the hall sensor 951 as a result of the determination in step S8, after steps S9 and S10 are performed, the determination process of steps S7 and S8 is performed, and steps S11 to steps S11 to S17 may be performed.

As described above, when the second tray 250 is located in the first position section P1 when the refrigerator is turned on, the second tray 250 moves in a set pattern.

When the second tray 250 moves in the forward direction while the second tray 250 is positioned in the first position section P1, the second tray 250 and the first tray 150 are separated. The moving force is transmitted to the second tray 250 in the contact state.

However, when the second tray 250 and the first tray 150 are in contact with each other, the second tray 250 cannot move any more.

Of course, when the first tray 150 and the second tray 250 are formed of an elastically deformable material, the second tray 250 may move as much as the elastically deformable material.

If, in a state in which the second tray 250 and the first tray 150 are in contact, the time for which the moving force is transmitted to the second tray 250 is long, in order to move the second tray 250 , There is a risk that the working motor may be overloaded or the gears for power transmission may be damaged.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, A second may be determined based on the specifications of the motor and/or the specifications of the gears so that damage to the driving unit 180 is prevented in the process of moving the second tray 250 in a set pattern. . Although not limited, A second may be set to 2 seconds.

As another example, steps S11 to S14 may be omitted. In this case, as a result of determination in step S8 , when the first signal is output from the Hall sensor 951 , the second tray 250 is immediately rotated in the reverse direction ( S15 ), and the Hall sensor 951 outputs the second signal ( S15 ). When the signal is output, the second tray 250 may be stopped (S17).

Hereinafter, a method of controlling the refrigerator for ice making will be described.

Previously, after the ice-making process is performed in step S18, the ice-removing process is performed, and after the ice-making process is performed, water supply is normally started.

Hereinafter, a control method from the point in time when water supply starts after the ice is complete will be described.

29 and 30 are flowcharts for explaining a process of generating ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

21 to 26 , 29 and 30 , in order to generate ice in the ice maker 100 , the controller 800 moves the second tray 250 to the water supply position ( S21 ). .

When it is sensed that the second tray 250 has moved to the water supply position, the control unit 800 stops the driving unit 180 .

Water supply is started while the second tray 250 is moved to the water supply position (S22). For water supply, the control unit 800 may turn on the water supply valve 810 and turn off the water supply valve 810 when it is determined that a reference amount of water has been supplied. For example, in the process of supplying water, when a pulse is output from a flow sensor (not shown) and the output pulse reaches a reference pulse, it may be determined that the amount of water supplied is supplied.

After the water supply is completed, the control unit 810 controls the driving unit 180 to move the second tray 250 to the ice-making position (S23). For example, the control unit 800 may control the driving unit 180 to move the second tray 250 in the reverse direction from the water supply position.

When the second tray 250 is moved in the reverse direction, the upper surface 251e of the second tray 250 comes closer to the lower surface 151a of the first tray 150 . Then, water between the upper surface 251e of the second tray 250 and the lower surface 151a of the first tray 150 is divided and distributed into the plurality of lower chambers 252 . When the upper surface 251e of the second tray 250 and the lower surface 151a of the first tray 150 are completely in close contact, the upper chamber 152 is filled with water.

When it is sensed that the second tray 250 has moved to the ice-making position, the controller 800 stops the driving unit 180 .

Ice making is started with the second tray 250 moved to the ice making position (S24). For example, when the second tray 250 reaches the ice making position, ice making may start. Alternatively, when the second tray 250 reaches the ice making position and the water supply time elapses for a set time, ice making may start.

When ice making starts, the controller 800 may control the cooling means 900 to supply cool air to the ice chamber 111 . The cooling means 900 may be in operation before starting ice making.

After the ice making is started, the controller 800 may determine whether the on condition of the ice making heater 296 is satisfied ( S25 ).

For example, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches an on reference temperature, the controller 800 may determine that the on condition of the ice-making heater 296 is satisfied.

The on-reference temperature may be a temperature for determining that it is possible to freeze water at the uppermost side (upper opening side) of the ice chamber 111 .

When the ice-making heater 296 is turned on ( S26 ), heat from the ice-making heater 296 is transferred into the ice chamber 111 . The controller 800 may control the amount of heating of the ice-making heater 296 while the ice-making heater 296 is turned on.

In this specification, the amount of heating of the ice-making heater 296 may mean the output of the ice-making heater 296 in an on state or the duty of the ice-making heater 296 .

The duty of the ice-making heater 296 means the ratio of the on time to the sum of the on time and the off time of the ice-making heater 296 in one cycle, or the on time of the ice-making heater 296 in one cycle. It may mean a ratio of the off time to the sum of the time and the off time.

Accordingly, the variable heating amount of the ice-making heater 296 means that the output of the ice-making heater 296 in an on state varies or the duty of the ice-making heater 296 varies.

For example, when the duty of the ice-making heater 296 is increased, the heating amount of the ice-making heater 296 is increased, and when the duty of the ice-making heater 296 is decreased, the ice-making heater 296 is decreased. may be reduced.

When ice making is performed while the ice-making heater 296 is turned on, ice may be generated from the uppermost side in the ice chamber 111 .

According to the shape of the ice chamber 111 in the present embodiment, the mass (or volume) of water per unit height in the ice chamber 111 may be the same or different.

For example, when the ice chamber 111 is a rectangular parallelepiped, the mass (or volume) of water per unit height in the ice chamber 111 is the same. On the other hand, when the ice chamber 111 has a shape such as a spherical shape, an inverted triangle shape, or a crescent shape, the mass (or volume) of water per unit height is different.

If it is assumed that the temperature and amount of cold air supplied to the freezing chamber 4 are constant, if the output of the ice-making heater 296 is the same, since the mass of water per unit height in the ice chamber 111 is different, , the rate of ice formation per unit height can be different. For example, when the mass per unit height of water is small, the ice formation rate is fast, whereas when the mass per unit height of water is large, the ice formation rate is slow.

As a result, the rate at which ice is formed per unit height of water is not constant, so that the transparency of ice may vary according to unit height. In particular, when the rate of ice formation is high, the bubbles may not move from the ice to the water side, and thus the ice may contain the bubbles, resulting in low transparency.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, it is possible to control the amount of heating of the ice-making heater 296 to vary based on the mass per unit height of water in the ice chamber 111 .

As in the present embodiment, when the ice chamber 111 is formed in a spherical shape, for example, the mass of water per unit height in the ice chamber 111 increases from the upper side to the lower side, becomes a maximum, and then decreases again. . Accordingly, the amount of heating of the ice-making heater 296 may be varied in consideration of the mass per unit height of water.

According to this embodiment, since ice is generated from the upper side in the ice chamber 111 , the air bubbles in the ice chamber 111 move downward.

When ice making is performed while the ice-making heater 296 is operated, ice grows from the upper side to the lower side of the ice chamber. When ice is generated from the top to the bottom in the ice chamber 111 , the ice comes into contact with the upper surface of the block part 251b of the second tray 250 . In this state, when ice is continuously generated, the block part 251b is pressurized and deformed as shown in FIG. 26 , and when ice making is completed, spherical ice may be generated.

Meanwhile, while the ice-making is performed while the ice-making heater 296 is operating, the control unit 800 may determine whether the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the reference temperature within a reference time (S27). ).

While water is supplied, it is determined whether proper water is supplied through the flow rate sensor or the temperature sensor, but an error may occur due to the introduction of air in the pipeline due to special circumstances such as replacement of a filter or previous installation of a refrigerator.

Alternatively, after the power of the refrigerator is turned off and turned on, no water or a small amount of water may exist in the ice chamber 111 . After the power of the refrigerator is turned off and on, the water supply step described above does not proceed, so step S18 includes steps S24 to 32.

When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the reference temperature within the reference time, the amount of water in the ice chamber 111 is less than the reference amount.

The water inside the ice chamber 111 is cooled by cold air, and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 continues to decrease. However, when the temperature sensor 500 detects the temperature of cold air instead of the temperature of water or ice inside the ice chamber 111 when the amount of water in the ice chamber 111 is less than the reference amount, the temperature is higher than when the amount of water supplied is appropriate. The temperature sensed by the sensor 500 is rapidly decreased.

Accordingly, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the reference temperature within the reference time, it may be determined that the amount of water in the ice chamber 111 is less than the reference amount.

The reference time may be shorter than a time used for ice making. For example, the reference time may be about 60 minutes.

The reference temperature may be a temperature below zero, and may be higher than a temperature serving as a criterion for determining completion of ice making, which will be described later.

The reference temperature may be a temperature that is not detected by the temperature sensor 500 within the reference time when the amount of water in the ice chamber 111 is equal to or greater than the reference amount, for example, may be around minus 5 degrees Celsius.

As a result of the determination in step S27, if it is determined that the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 has reached the reference temperature within the reference time, the controller 800 may turn off the ice-making heater 296 (S28).

When the amount of water in the ice chamber 111 is small, the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 is highly likely to be measured lower than the actual water or ice temperature. There may be a problem in that water is transferred into the ice bin because it is not completely frozen.

When the amount of water in the ice chamber 111 is equal to or greater than the reference amount, transparent ice can be generated by turning on the ice-making heater 296 . However, when the amount of water in the ice chamber 111 is less than the reference amount, the generated ice Since this non-spherical shape is not formed, the need to make the non-spherical ice transparent is reduced, and it is a priority to prevent the ice from drifting without being completely deiced.

Accordingly, when the amount of water in the ice chamber 111 is less than the reference amount, the ice-making heater 296 is turned off during the ice-making process. If ice-making is performed with the ice-making heater 296 turned off, the ice inside the ice chamber 111 is frozen at a faster rate than when the ice-making heater 296 is turned on, and the temperature sensor 500 ), the accuracy of the determination of the completion of ice making using the temperature sensed may be improved.

In addition, in order to prevent the ice from being removed in a state in which the ice is not completely made, even if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the reference temperature at which it is determined that the ice making is completed, ice making may be performed for a previously set time.

After turning off the ice-making heater 296, the controller 800 may determine whether ice-making is complete. The control unit 800 may determine that it is at least one of a time elapsed after turning off the ice-making heater 296 and a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 .

For example, after turning off the ice-making heater 296 , when a second reference time elapses and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the second reference temperature, the controller 800 controls ice making. It can be determined that this has been completed (S29). When it is determined that ice making is complete, an ice removal process is performed.

The second reference temperature may be a temperature lower than the reference temperature.

The second reference time may be equal to or shorter than the off reference time, that is, a time required to complete ice making when the amount of water in the ice chamber 111 is greater than or equal to the reference amount, ie, an off reference time to be described later.

Meanwhile, if it is determined in step S27 that the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 does not reach the reference temperature within the reference time, the controller 800 controls the amount of water in the ice chamber 111 to be the reference amount. It can be judged to be more than In this case, the ice-making heater 296 maintains an on state.

The controller 800 may determine whether the off criterion of the ice-making heater 296 is satisfied.

The controller 800 may determine whether the off criterion is satisfied based on at least one of the accumulated operating time of the ice-making heater 296 and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 .

For example, the controller 800 may be configured to, when the accumulated operating time of the ice-making heater 296 exceeds the off reference time and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the off reference temperature, the ice making It can be determined that the off criterion of the heater 296 is satisfied (S30).

The off reference time may be a time during which water in the ice chamber 111 can be sufficiently frozen even when the heat of the ice-making heater 296 is applied to the ice chamber 111 .

The off reference temperature may be lower than the reference temperature, for example, may be about -9 degrees below zero. The off reference temperature may be the same as or similar to the second reference temperature.

When it is determined that the off criterion is satisfied, the controller 800 may turn off the ice-making heater 296 (S31).

After the ice-making heater 296 is turned off, the controller 800 may determine whether ice-making is complete.

For example, when the off criterion is satisfied, it is determined that the ice-making is completed, so that the ice-making heater 296 is turned off and the ice-making completion can be determined at the same time.

However, in this case, since water may not yet freeze at the bottom of the second tray 250 due to the heat provided by the ice-making heater 296 , as another example, after the ice-making heater 296 is turned off , whether or not the ice making has been completed can be determined separately.

The controller 800 may determine whether the ice making is completed as at least one of a time elapsed after turning off the ice-making heater 296 and a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 .

For example, when the first reference time has elapsed after the ice-making heater 296 is turned off and the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the first reference temperature, it may be determined that ice-making has been completed. There is (S32).

The first reference time may be significantly shorter than the off reference time, and may be a time during which the water under the ice chamber 111 melted by the ice-making heater 296 can be sufficiently frozen.

The first reference temperature may be the same as the off reference temperature or lower than the off reference temperature.

Referring to the case in which the refrigerator is turned on after being turned off, if the amount of water in the ice chamber is less than the reference amount when the refrigerator is turned off, steps S28 and S29 will be performed. On the other hand, when the amount of water in the ice chamber is equal to or greater than the reference amount when the refrigerator is turned off, steps S30 to S32 will be performed.

On the other hand, when the ice making is completed, the controller 800 operates the ice heater 148 to remove the ice. It is also possible to operate the ice-making heater 296 in at least a partial section of the entire section in which the ice-making heater 148 operates.

When the ice heater 148 is turned on, heat is transferred to the first tray 150 to separate ice from the surface (inner surface) of the first tray 150 .

The heat of the ice heater 148 is transferred to the contact surface of the first tray 150 and the second tray 250 , and the lower surface 151a of the first tray 150 and the second tray 250 . ) is in a separable state between the upper surfaces 251e.

The heat of the ice heater 148 may also be transferred to the second tray 250 .

When the ice heater 148 operates for a set time or when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 is equal to or greater than the set temperature, the controller 800 may turn off the turned on ice heater 148 . Although not limited, the set temperature may be set to the temperature of the image.

For ice-diving, the control unit 800 operates the driving unit 180 so that the second tray 250 moves in the forward direction (S33).

When the second tray 250 is moved in the forward direction, whether the ice is full may be detected by the full ice detection means 950 at the full ice detection position. When full ice is not detected by the full ice detecting means 950, the control unit 800 rotates the second tray 250 in the forward direction to move the second tray 250 to the ice moving position ( S34).

When the second tray 250 is moved in the forward direction as shown in FIG. 24 , the second tray 250 is spaced apart from the first tray 150 .

The moving force of the second tray 250 may be transmitted to the upper ejector 300 by the connection unit 350 . Then, the upper ejector 300 descends along the guide slot 183 , and the upper ejecting pin 320 passes through the upper opening 154 to press the ice in the ice chamber 111 . .

During the ice removal process, ice may be separated from the first tray 150 before the upper ejecting pin 320 presses the ice. That is, ice may be separated from the surface of the first tray 150 by the heat of the ice heater 148 . In this case, the ice may be rotated together with the lower assembly 200 while being supported by the second tray 250 . Alternatively, even when the heat of the ice heater 148 is applied to the first tray 150 , the ice may not be separated from the surface of the first tray 150 .

Accordingly, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction, the ice may be separated from the second tray 250 while being in close contact with the first tray 150 .

In this state, during the rotation of the lower assembly 200 , the upper ejecting pin 320 passing through the inlet opening 154 presses the ice in close contact with the first tray 150 , so that the ice It may be separated from the first tray 150 . The ice separated from the first tray 150 may be supported by the second tray 250 again.

When the ice is rotated together with the lower assembly 200 in a state supported by the second tray 250 , even if an external force is not applied to the second tray 250 , the ice moves by its own weight due to its own weight. may be separated at 250 . If ice is not separated from the second tray 250 by its own weight during the rotation of the lower assembly 200 , the second tray 250 is pressed by the lower ejector 400 as shown in FIG. 26 . Then, the ice may be separated from the second tray 250 .

While the second tray 250 is moved to the moving position, the second tray 250 comes into contact with the lower ejecting pin 420 . When the second tray 250 is continuously rotated in the forward direction while the second tray 250 is in contact with the lower ejecting pin 420 , the lower ejecting pin 420 moves to the second By pressing the tray 250 , the second tray 250 is deformed, and the pressing force of the lower ejecting pin 420 is transferred to the ice, so that the ice can be separated from the surface of the second tray 250 . The ice separated from the surface of the second tray 250 may fall downward and be stored in the ice bin 102 .

After the ice is separated from the second tray 250, the second tray 200 is rotated in the reverse direction by the driving unit 180 again (S35).

The control unit 800 may control the driving unit 180 so that the second tray 250 is moved to the water supply position after the moving is completed (S21).

100: ice maker 110: upper assembly
150: first tray 200: lower assembly
250: second tray 800: control unit

Claims (16)

a first tray forming a part of the ice chamber; a second tray forming another part of the ice chamber and rotatable with respect to the first tray; a driving unit for moving the second tray; a sensor for determining position; and a controller configured to control the driving unit based on a signal output from the sensor, the method comprising:
performing water supply of the ice chamber while the second tray is moved to a water supply position;
performing ice making after the second tray is moved from the water supply position to the ice making position in the reverse direction after the water supply is completed; and
After completion of ice making, an ice-moving step of moving the second tray from the ice-making position to an ice-making position in a forward direction;
When the refrigerator is turned on after being turned off, the controller controls the driving unit to move the second tray to the ice-making position based on a signal output from the sensor. The method of claim 1,
and turning on an ice-making heater for providing heat to the ice chamber to perform ice-making without water supply after the second tray is moved to the ice-making position. 3. The method of claim 2,
The control method of the refrigerator further comprising the step of determining whether the temperature of the ice chamber reaches a reference temperature within a reference time. 4. The method of claim 3,
and turning off the ice-making heater when it is determined that the temperature of the ice chamber reaches the reference temperature within the reference time. 5. The method of claim 4,
After the heater for ice making is turned off, it is determined whether ice making is complete, and when the ice making is completed, the ice moving step is performed. 4. The method of claim 3,
and determining whether ice making is completed while the ice-making heater is turned on when it is determined that the temperature of the ice chamber has not reached the reference temperature within the reference time. 7. The method of claim 6,
When it is determined that the ice-making is complete, the control method of the refrigerator in which the ice-removing step is performed. The method of claim 1,
In the process of moving from the water supply position of the second tray to the ice making position
A first signal is output from the sensor, and a position of the second tray is set as an ice-making position when the signal output from the sensor changes from the first signal to a second signal. 9. The method of claim 8,
A first signal is output while the second tray moves from the ice-making position to the water supply position,
When the signal output from the sensor is changed from the first signal to the second signal, the position of the second tray is set as the water supply position. 10. The method of claim 9,
When the second signal is output from the sensor when the refrigerator is turned on, the controller moves the second tray in a set pattern. 11. The method of claim 10,
After the second tray is moved in a set pattern, when the first signal is output from the sensor,
The controller moves the second tray in a reverse direction and stops the second tray when a second signal is output from the sensor. 11. The method of claim 10,
After the second tray is moved in a set pattern, when the second signal is output from the sensor,
The control unit moves the second tray in the reverse direction until the first signal is output from the sensor,
When the first signal is output from the sensor, the second tray is moved in the reverse direction until the second signal is output from the sensor,
When the second signal is output from the sensor, the control unit moves the second tray in a set pattern again. 11. The method of claim 10,
When the first signal is output from the sensor when the refrigerator is turned on, the controller rotates the second tray in a reverse direction until the second signal is output from the sensor,
A control method of a refrigerator for moving the second tray in a set pattern. 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13,
Moving the second tray in a set pattern means moving the second tray in a reverse direction by A seconds and then moving the second tray in a forward direction by B seconds smaller than A seconds. a first tray forming part of the ice chamber;
a second tray forming another portion of the ice chamber and rotatable with respect to the first tray;
an ice-making heater for supplying heat to the ice chamber during an ice-making process;
a driving unit for moving the second tray;
a sensor for confirming the position of the second tray; and
Based on the signal output from the sensor, comprising a control unit for controlling the driving unit,
the control unit is configured to supply water to the ice chamber while the second tray is moved to the water supply position;
The controller is configured to perform ice making after the second tray moves from the water supply position to the ice making position in a reverse direction after the water supply is completed;
The control unit causes the second tray to move from the ice-making position to the ice-making position in the forward direction after the completion of ice making;
When the refrigerator is turned on after being turned off, the controller controls the driving unit to move the second tray to the ice-making position based on a signal output from the sensor. 16. The method of claim 15,
After the second tray is moved to the ice-making position, the controller turns on the ice-making heater to perform ice-making without a water supply process;
Upon completion of ice making, the refrigerator controls so that water is supplied by moving the second tray to the water supply position after performing ice removal.

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