WO2008082214A1 - Système de fabrication de glaçons et procédé de fabrication de glaçons de réfrigérateur - Google Patents

Système de fabrication de glaçons et procédé de fabrication de glaçons de réfrigérateur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008082214A1
WO2008082214A1 PCT/KR2007/006982 KR2007006982W WO2008082214A1 WO 2008082214 A1 WO2008082214 A1 WO 2008082214A1 KR 2007006982 W KR2007006982 W KR 2007006982W WO 2008082214 A1 WO2008082214 A1 WO 2008082214A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ice
freezing pipe
tray
ice making
refrigerant
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2007/006982
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ju-Hyun Kim
Jong-Min Shin
Original Assignee
Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from KR1020060136184A external-priority patent/KR100846890B1/ko
Priority claimed from KR1020060136189A external-priority patent/KR100846889B1/ko
Application filed by Lg Electronics Inc. filed Critical Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority to EP07860759A priority Critical patent/EP2104813A1/fr
Priority to US12/518,800 priority patent/US20100031675A1/en
Publication of WO2008082214A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008082214A1/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F25C1/08—Producing ice by immersing freezing chambers, cylindrical bodies or plates into water
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
    • F25C5/18—Storing ice
    • F25C5/182—Ice bins therefor
    • F25C5/185—Ice bins therefor with freezing trays
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F25C1/22—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
    • F25C1/25—Filling devices for moulds
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2305/00—Special arrangements or features for working or handling ice
    • F25C2305/022—Harvesting ice including rotating or tilting or pivoting of a mould or tray
    • F25C2305/0221—Harvesting ice including rotating or tilting or pivoting of a mould or tray rotating ice mould
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
    • F25C2400/10—Refrigerator units
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
    • F25C2400/14—Water supply
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25C2500/08—Sticking or clogging of ice
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25C2700/04—Level of water
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
    • F25C5/02—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice
    • F25C5/04—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws
    • F25C5/046—Ice-crusher machines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
    • F25C5/02—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice
    • F25C5/04—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws
    • F25C5/08—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws by heating bodies in contact with the ice
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
    • F25C5/02—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice
    • F25C5/04—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws
    • F25C5/08—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws by heating bodies in contact with the ice
    • F25C5/10—Apparatus for disintegrating, removing or harvesting ice without the use of saws by heating bodies in contact with the ice using hot refrigerant; using fluid heated by refrigerant
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
    • F25D17/065—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators with compartments at different temperatures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
    • F25D23/028—Details
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
    • F25D23/04—Doors; Covers with special compartments, e.g. butter conditioners
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • F25D23/126—Water cooler
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
    • F25D2317/062—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation along the inside of doors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/06—Refrigerators with a vertical mullion

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to an ice making system and an ice making method of a refrigerator.
  • a refrigerator is a home appliance that stores food at low temperatures to keep the food fresh for a prolonged period.
  • a refrigerator provides a refrigeration compartment that maintains an inside temperature within a range of 1-4 0 C to preserve foods such as vegetables in a fresh state, and a freezer compartment that maintains an inside temperature of around - 18 0 C to preserve foods such as meat and fish in a frozen state.
  • Refrigerators may be divided according type into top mount refrigerators with the freezer compartment above the refrigeration compartment, bottom freezer refrigerators with the freezer compartment below the refrigeration compartment, and side by side refrigerators with the freezer and refrigeration compartments provided beside one another.
  • Refrigerators can also be divided into french door refrigerators with doors mounted on the left and right, and top-bottom door refrigerators.
  • Some refrigerators have an ice maker for making ice provided on a side of the refrigeration or freezer compartment, and an ice bank for storing ice that is made.
  • an ice making system and an ice making method for a refrigerator capable of easily making ice even with an ice maker that is provided within a refrigeration compartment. That is, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an ice making system and an ice making method for a refrigerator that do not require a separate thermally insulating case enclosing the ice maker even when the ice maker is provided within a refrigeration compartment.
  • an ice making system and an ice making method for a refrigerator that shorten the time required for making ice and form transparent ice chunks, even when the ice maker is provided in the refrigeration compartment.
  • an ice making system and an ice making method for a refrigerator that allow ice to be easily separated from the ice maker after its formation is complete.
  • an ice making system for a refrigerator including: a compressor compressing refrigerant; a condenser through which refrigerant that passes through the compressor flows; an expander expanding refrigerant that passes through the condenser to a low temperature and low pressure state; a tray provided within a refrigeration chamber to store water for ice making therein and move during at least an ice separation process; and a freezing pipe branched from an outlet of the expander and connected to an inlet of the compressor, and having at least a portion thereof immersed in the water stored in the tray, wherein ice is made directly on a surface of the freezing pipe.
  • an ice making system for a refrigerator including: a tray filled with potable water for making ice, and provided in a space maintained at an above-freezing temperature; and a freezing pipe with at least a portion thereof immersed in the water filled in the tray, wherein in an ice making process, low temperature refrigerant flows to the freezing pipe, and ice is made directly on a surface of the freezing pipe.
  • embodiments of the present disclosure provide an ice making method for a refrigerator, including: collecting water for ice making in a tray provided in a refrigeration compartment, the tray containing a freezing pipe in a space within; immersing at least a portion of the freezing pipe in the water; forming ice on a surface of the freezing pipe by inducing a flow of low temperature refrigerant through the freezing pipe; removing residual water from the tray when the forming of the ice is completed; and detaching the ice formed on the surface of the freezing pipe.
  • FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a refrigerator provided with an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a refrigerant cycle for an ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIGs. 5 to 8 are sectional views showing ice making and ice separating processes in an ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an ice maker according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 10 is diagram showing a refrigerant cycle for an ice making system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 11 to 14 are sectional views showing ice making and ice separating processes in an ice maker according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a refrigerator provided with an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
  • Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • a refrigerator according to the present disclosure is ex- emplarily described as a bottom freezer refrigerator having the refrigeration compartment provided at the top and the freezer compartment provided therebelow.
  • a refrigerator 10 includes a main body
  • the refrigerator 10 also includes a compressor 32 provided at the bottom of the main body 11 to compress refrigerant, an evaporator 31 disposed at the rear of the main body 11 to generate cold air, and a blower fan 33 for supplying the cold air generated by the evaporator 31 to the refrigeration compartment 15 and the freezer compartment 16.
  • the refrigerator 10 further includes a freezer duct 17 through which the cold air blown by the blower fan 33 is supplied to the freezer compartment, a refrigeration duct 18 through which cold air is supplied to the refrigeration compartment 15, an ice maker 20 provided at the ceiling of the refrigeration compartment 16, and an ice bank 21 for storing ice made by the ice maker 20. Also, a dispenser 14 is provided at the front of one of the refrigeration compartment doors 12 to supply filtered water or the ice stored in the ice bank 21 to the outside.
  • a plurality of cold air holes is provided in the freezer duct 17, through which cold air is discharged into the freezer compartment 16.
  • the evaporator 31 and the blower fan 33 may not only be configured inside the freezer duct 17, but the evaporator 31 and blower fan 33 may be provided in a separate space within the main body 11, and the freezer duct 17 connected to the freezer compartment 16 may be separately formed.
  • the refrigeration duct 18 may extend from a space in which the evaporator 31 is contained, extend through the barrier 111, and be connected to the refrigeration compartment 15.
  • the refrigeration duct 18 may also be configured to communicate directly with the space in which the evaporator 31 is contained, or may be branched from the freezer duct 17.
  • the freezer compartment door 13 is provided as a drawer, and a removable basket
  • the frame of the door extends rearward from either side at the rear of the freezer compartment door 13, and the door frame and the sides of the freezer compartment door 16 are connected through rail members.
  • the freezer compartment door 13 is horizontally withdrawable along the rail members.
  • ice that is made in the ice maker 20 provided on the ceiling of the refrigeration compartment 15 is separated from a tray (described below), and drops into the ice bank 21.
  • a guide extending from the ice maker 20 or from the ice bank 21 may be provided to allow the ice separated from the ice maker 20 to reliably drop into the ice bank 21.
  • the top of the ice bank 21 is open, and the open portion of the ice bank 21 is disposed below the ice maker 20 when the refrigeration compartment door 12 is closed.
  • a refrigerator 10 is configured to have an ice maker 20 and an ice bank 21 disposed within the refrigeration compartment.
  • the ice bank 21 includes a cylindrical container 211 open at the top, an auger 212 provided in the bottom of the container 211 to guide ice downward, a crusher 213 integrally extending from the bottom of the auger 212 to crush ice, a motor 214 driving the crusher 213, and a shaft 215 connecting the motor 214 to the crusher 213 to transmit the rotating force of the motor.
  • the container 211 is not restricted to having a cylindrical shape, and containers of various shapes may be alternately provided.
  • the ice maker 20 is provided on one side of the ceiling portion of the refrigeration compartment 15.
  • the ice maker 20 is disposed above the ice bank 21, so that discharged ice can descend into the container 211.
  • the configuration of the ice maker 20 and an ice making method will be described below with reference to the diagrams.
  • the refrigeration duct 18 communicates with a space that holds the evaporator 31, and extends along a wall of the refrigeration compartment 15 toward the ceiling portion of the refrigeration compartment 15.
  • the end of the refrigeration duct 18 extends to the front of the refrigeration compartment 15, forming a structure above the container 211.
  • cold air flowing through the refrigeration duct 18 is discharged forward, and a portion of the discharged cold air descends into the container 211, and the remainder circulates within the refrigeration compartment 15.
  • the refrigeration duct 18 extends to the front of the refrigeration compartment 15, and the end thereof is bent at a predetermined angle to discharge cold air downward. Accordingly, the cold air discharged from the refrigeration duct 18 is discharged downward from the front of the refrigeration compartment 15, providing the effect of an air curtain.
  • Another method for preventing melting and sticking together of ice stored in the container 211 involves surrounding the surface of the container 211 with a cold accumulating member, which may be built into the container 211. Also, a separate cooling means may be installed around the container 211 - for example, on the floor of the container 211.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • an ice maker 20 includes a tray 201 that stores water used for making ice, a freezing pipe 40 extending into the tray 201, and a water supplying device for supplying water to the tray 201.
  • the water supplying device includes a water tank 42 storing water, a pump 41 that pumps water within the water tank 42, and a water supplying pipe 43 extending from the pump 41 to the tray 201.
  • a dispenser connecting pipe 44 may branch off from a side of the water supplying pipe 43, and a redirecting valve 45 may be installed at the branching point to selectively control the flow direction of water.
  • the dispenser connecting pipe 44 extends toward the dispenser to dispense drinking water to users.
  • a pivoting axis 202 extends at either side of the tray 201, so that the pivoting axes
  • the tray 201 may be inserted into the inner walls of the the refrigeration compartment at which the tray 201 is installed.
  • the freezing pipe 40 is a pipe through which a portion of refrigerant within a cold air cycle flows, and forms protruding portions 401 (as shown) by being bent or curved a plurality of times. A part of each protruding portion 401 is immersed in water stored in the tray 201.
  • the structure of the freezing pipe 40 will be described in more detail with reference to the diagrams.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a refrigerant cycle for an ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • an ice making system for a cold air cycle includes a compressor 32 that compresses refrigerant, a condenser 34 that condenses refrigerant compressed by the compressor 32 to a high temperature and high pressure, an expander 35 that expands the refrigerant condensed by the condenser 34 to a low temperature and low pressure, and an evaporator 31 in which the refrigerant that passes through the expander 35 exchanges heat with air.
  • the compressor 32, condenser 34, expander 35, and evaporator 31 are connected through a refrigerant pipe 39.
  • a blower fan 33 is provided at a side of the evaporator 31, to supply air that has passed through the evaporator and become cold to the refrigeration compartment or the freezer compartment.
  • the freezing pipe 40 branches from the outlet of the expander 35, and the outlet of the freezing pipe 40 branches to connect respectively to the outlet of the evaporator 31 and the inlet of the condenser 34.
  • a first valve 36 is installed at the point where the freezing pipe 40 branches from the outlet of the expander 35, and a portion of refrigerant passing through the expander 35 is selectively controlled to flow to the freezing pipe 40.
  • a return pipe 47 branches from the outlet of the freezing pipe 40 and connects to the inlet of the condenser 34.
  • a third valve 38 is provided at the point where the return pipe 37 branches, and refrigerant is selectively controlled to flow to one of the outlet of the evaporator 31 and the inlet of the condenser 34.
  • an ice separation pipe 46 branches from the outlet of the compressor 32 and extends to the inlet of the freezing pipe 40.
  • a second valve 37 is provided at the point where the ice separation pipe 46 and the inlet of the freezing pipe 40 meet, to selectively control the flow of a portion of high temperature and high pressure refrigerant to the freezing pipe 40.
  • a separate opening and closing valve may be installed at the inlet at which the ice separation pipe 46 branches.
  • the freezing pipe 40 may be formed of a rust-resistant material or a corrosion-resistant material, or the surface of the freezing pipe 40 may be treated by being coated with a rust-resistant or corrosion-resistant material.
  • a freezing cycle is performed.
  • refrigerant is compressed by the compressor 32 to a high temperature and high pressure gaseous refrigerant, and the compressed refrigerant passes through the condenser 34 to exchange heat with external air and convert to high temperature and high pressure liquid refrigerant.
  • the refrigerant that passes through the condenser 34 passes through the expander 35 to convert into a second phase refrigerant of low temperature and low pressure.
  • the low temperature and low pressure second phase refrigerant passes through the evaporator 31 to exchange heat with air and convert to a low temperature and low pressure gaseous refrigerant.
  • the air that exchanges heat with the evaporator 31 becomes cold and is supplied by the blower fan 33 to the refrigeration compartment or the freezer compartment.
  • the refrigerant that passes through the evaporator 31 re-enters the compressor 32 to complete the cycle.
  • the opened degree of the first valve 36 is adjusted to permit a portion of the refrigerant passing through the expander 35 to be supplied to the freezing pipe 40.
  • the refrigerant that passes through the freezing pipe 40 freezes the water stored in the tray 201.
  • the opened degree of the third valve 38 is adjusted to permit the refrigerant passing through the freezing pipe 40 to flow to the evaporator 31 and re-enter the compressor 32.
  • the first valve 36 is opened to stop the supply of low temperature, low pressure refrigerant to the freezing pipe 40.
  • the second valve 37 is controlled to supply high temperature, high pressure gaseous refrigerant along the ice separation pipe 46 to the freezing pipe 40.
  • the temperature of the freezing pipe 40 rises so that the ice stuck to the protruding portions 401 of the freezing pipe 40 disengages.
  • the opened degree of the third valve 38 is controlled in the ice separation process to allow refrigerant passing through the freezing pipe 40 to flow to the return pipe 47 and flow into the inlet of the condenser 34.
  • the point at which the outlet end of the freezing pipe 40 is connected is not limited to the depictions in the diagrams, and may be altered. Also, in addition to the method in which the refrigerant passing through the compressor to the freezing pipe 40 in the ice separation process, a cycle may be provided in which the refrigerant passes through the condenser.
  • FIGs. 5 to 8 are sectional views showing ice making and ice separating processes in an ice maker according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • water supplied to the water tank 42 through the pump 41 is supplied to the tray 201 through the water supplying pipe 43.
  • water is supplied from an external water pipe into the water tank 42.
  • the protruding portions of the freezing pipe 40 may be immersed at least a predetermined depth. Also, when the water supplied into the tray 201 reaches a preset water level, the pump 41 is turned off. Then, refrigerant that passes through the expander 35 flows through the freezing pipe 40.
  • the low temperature, low pressure refrigerant flows to the freezing pipe 40 and exchanges heat with the water stored in the tray 201, so that the water stored in the ice making tray 201 begins to freeze.
  • the freezing begins on the surfaces of the protruding portions 401 of the freezing pipe 40. That is, freezing begins on the surfaces of the protruding portions 401, and the size of the freezing ice increases over time.
  • the protruding portions 401 are formed at predetermined intervals, so that as the ice forming on each of the protruding portions 401 increases in size, the respective ice formations may combine.
  • the supply of refrigerant to the freezing pipe 40 is discontinued right before the ice formations on the respective protruding portions 401 combine.
  • a water collector 202 is positioned under the tray 201 to prevent the discarded remaining water from falling and flowing within the refrigeration compartment.
  • the water collector 202 may be provided as a component of the ice maker 20 in connection with the tray 201, or may be a separate component provided below the ice maker 20.
  • the water collector may be any structure that can be pulled out below the tray 201 at the moment the tray 201 begins to rotate, and restored to its original position when the discarding of the remaining water is completed, and thus, a description of the water collector 202 structure will not be given.
  • a separate draining pipe for removing the residual water may be connected to the tray 201, and a draining pump may be connected to the other end of the draining pipe.
  • the draining pump may be operated to remove the residual water.
  • the pump 41 and the water tank 42 may be built into the inside of the refrigerator main body 11, or may be installed on an inner wall of the refrigeration compartment 15.
  • the mounting structures of the pump 41 and the water tank 42 may be sufficiently resolved during the designing process of the refrigerator, and thus, a detailed description thereof will not be provided.
  • a separate guiding member may be provided to prevent the falling ice from falling outside the container 211.
  • the guiding member may extend from the opening of the container 211 toward the tray 201, or the guiding member may extend from the ice maker 20 toward the container 211 (refer to Fig. X).
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic structure of an ice maker according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • an ice maker according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is the same as that in the first embodiment, except for having a heater 50 for ice separation attached along the outer surface of the freezing pipe 40 instead of the separate freezing pipe and the return pipe structure for ice separation.
  • a heater 50 for ice separation attached along the outer surface of the freezing pipe 40 instead of the separate freezing pipe and the return pipe structure for ice separation.
  • low temperature refrigerant flows to the freezing pipe 40, and water within the tray 201 freezes on the surfaces of the protruding portions 401.
  • the tray 201 is rotated, and power is supplied to the heater 50 to generate heat.
  • the ice frozen on the surfaces of the protruding portions 401 is separated, and the separated ice drops and is stored in the ice bank 21.
  • FIG. 10 is diagram showing a refrigerant cycle for an ice making system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • an ice making system in a refrigerant cycle is the same as that of the first embodiment with the ice separation pipe 46, return pipe 47, the second valve 37, and the third valve 38 removed. It is also different to that of the first embodiment in that a heater 50 is installed on the surface of the freezer pipe 40.
  • FIGs. 11 to 14 are sectional views showing ice making and ice separating processes in an ice maker according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the refrigeration compartment or the freezer compartment can be expanded.
  • the freezing pipe 40 directly extends to the ice maker, and ice is formed directly on the surface of the freezing pipe 40, even if the ice maker 20 is directly exposed to the atmosphere in the refrigeration compartment, ice making can be performed properly. Also, because ice forms from the surface of the freezing pipe 40 progressively outward, transparent ice can be made.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un tuyau réfrigérant, à travers lequel un réfrigérant basse température et basse pression s'écoule directement sur le plateau, permettant une formation de glace rapide même lorsqu'un dispositif de fabrication de glaçon est installé dans un compartiment de réfrigération, et permettant de fabriquer un morceau transparent de glace.
PCT/KR2007/006982 2006-12-28 2007-12-28 Système de fabrication de glaçons et procédé de fabrication de glaçons de réfrigérateur WO2008082214A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07860759A EP2104813A1 (fr) 2006-12-28 2007-12-28 Système de fabrication de glaçons et procédé de fabrication de glaçons de réfrigérateur
US12/518,800 US20100031675A1 (en) 2006-12-28 2007-12-28 Ice making system and method for ice making of refrigerator

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR10-2006-0136184 2006-12-28
KR10-2006-0136189 2006-12-28
KR1020060136184A KR100846890B1 (ko) 2006-12-28 2006-12-28 제빙 시스템 및 제빙 방법
KR1020060136189A KR100846889B1 (ko) 2006-12-28 2006-12-28 제빙 시스템 및 제빙 방법

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008082214A1 true WO2008082214A1 (fr) 2008-07-10

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PCT/KR2007/006982 WO2008082214A1 (fr) 2006-12-28 2007-12-28 Système de fabrication de glaçons et procédé de fabrication de glaçons de réfrigérateur

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (1) US20100031675A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2104813A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008082214A1 (fr)

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EP2104813A1 (fr) 2009-09-30
US20100031675A1 (en) 2010-02-11

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