WO2015194707A1

WO2015194707A1 - Ice maker, refrigerator comprising same, and method for controlling ice maker heater

Info

Publication number: WO2015194707A1
Application number: PCT/KR2014/009704
Authority: WO
Inventors: 지준동; 이정우
Original assignee: 주식회사 대창
Priority date: 2014-06-20
Filing date: 2014-10-16
Publication date: 2015-12-23
Also published as: US20170089629A1

Abstract

The present invention provides an ice maker which enables a refrigerator to recognize the operation of an ice separation heater when the ice maker operates the ice separation heater, and a refrigerator which can reduce or stop the power supplied to electric components when an ice maker notifies the operation of an ice separation heater. The ice maker according to the present invention comprises: a tray for receiving liquid; an ejector for discharging ice frozen in the tray; a first heater for providing heat to the tray; and an ice maker control unit. When the heater operates, the ice maker enables a main control unit of the refrigerator to recognize the completion of ice making or the initiation of the operation of the heater.

Description

Ice maker, refrigerator and ice maker heater comprising the same

The present invention relates to an ice maker, a refrigerator including the same, and a method of controlling the ice maker heater. More specifically, the operation of the electric component of the refrigerator during the operation of the ice maker and the ice maker that can inform the refrigerator of the operation of the ice maker heater. It relates to a refrigerator which can be reduced or stopped, and a control method of limiting or mixing the electric use of other components in the operation of the ice-breaking heater in order to obtain a DC current required when operating the heater of the ice maker.

In general, a refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment for storing food and a freezer compartment for freezing food. At this time, an ice maker for manufacturing ice is installed in the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment.

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional ice maker for a refrigerator, Figure 2 is a view showing a state in which a heater is formed in the lower portion of the conventional ice maker for a refrigerator.

1 and 2, a conventional refrigerator ice maker 10 includes an ice maker tray 11, an ejector 13, a controller 15, a side guide 17, an ice bank 19, and a water supply pipe 21. , A water supply cup 23, an ice lever 25, and a heater 27.

The conventional refrigerator ice maker 10 supplies water to the ice making space in the ice making tray 11 through the water supply pipe 21 and the water supply cup 23, and then starts to ice the water. When the ice making is completed, the heater 27 installed in the lower part of the ice making tray 11 is operated to slightly melt ice that is firmly coupled to the inner surface of the ice making tray 11. Under the present circumstances, the heater 27 is comprised with a sheath heater, for example, and is formed in U shape in the lower part of the ice-making tray 11. Thereafter, when the ejector 13 is rotated clockwise to push the ice in the ice making tray 11 upward, the ice descends on the side guide 17 formed at one side of the ice making tray 11 and the ice bank 19 Is accommodated in.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, in recent years, in order to improve the adhesion between the ice tray 11 of the ice maker 10 and the heater,

film heaters

106 and 108 are frequently used as heaters, and the ice making is effectively performed. In order to perform, the heater is separated into a first heater and a second heater and installed on both sides or the bottom of the ice tray so that the ice can be effectively separated from the ice tray.

By the way, according to such a structure, the motor which rotates the shaft 13-1 of the ejector 13 in order to discharge the ice iced in the ice-making tray 11 to the ice bank 19 using the ejector 13 is carried out. (Not shown) and the ice-making heater installed in close contact with one side of the ice-making tray 11 has a high power consumption by using a high power of 145 W using AC power, and in the case of performing the ice-making by replacing it with a DC heater, the ice maker is installed. In the DC power supply unit built in the refrigerator, additional DC current required for the DC heater must be secured, which leads to a rise in product prices.

In addition, ice makers are generally mounted in the refrigerator to receive water, and when the water is frozen by cold air in the refrigerator, the ice maker may automatically discharge it to an ice storage box using an ejector. At this time, the ice maker heats the tray using an ice heater to facilitate the discharge of the ice so that the ice can be separated from the tray.

On the other hand, the refrigerator cools the air in the refrigerator by using a refrigeration cycle consisting of a compressor, a condenser, a pressure reducer, and an evaporator, and uses the cold air blower disposed in the refrigerator and the refrigerating chamber, etc., arranged in the vicinity of the evaporator. Allow it to spread evenly within.

However, the operation time of the ice maker heater of the ice maker is determined by the controller of the ice maker operated independently of the refrigerator. That is, when the controller of the ice maker determines that the water stored in the tray is completely frozen by using an ice maker sensor or the like attached to the tray of the ice maker, the controller may supply electric power to the ice maker heater, which may cause an increase in power consumption. That is, when the ice maker controller operates the ice heater, while the main controller of the refrigerator operates the compressor motor and the cooling fan of the refrigerating cycle to lower the temperature in the refrigerator, the amount of current is increased and cold air is supplied to the tray to move the ice. The effect that the heater heats the tray is halved.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ice maker that allows the refrigerator to know when the ice maker operates the ice heater, and a refrigerator that can reduce or stop the power supplied to the electric component when the ice maker notifies the operation of the ice heater. It is for.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention provides a method for driving a DC heater by a method such as crossing or mixing by controlling the amount of current supplied to a motor, a heater, an electric component, etc. with a limited amount of current of the DC power supply, and an ice maker operated by the method. The purpose is to provide.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an ice maker for a refrigerator includes: a tray containing liquid; An ejector for discharging ice frozen in the tray; A first heater for providing heat to the tray; And an ice maker control unit, wherein when the first heater is operated, the main control unit of the refrigerator can recognize the completion of ice making or the start of operation of the first heater.

The ice maker controller may enable the main controller to know the completion of ice making or the start of operation of the first heater.

The ice maker controller may enable the main controller to know the completion of ice making or the start of operation of the first heater through a power line supplied with power from the main controller.

The ice maker for the refrigerator may further include a motor for supplying power to the ejector, and the ice maker controller may allow the main controller to recognize the operation of the motor when the motor is operated.

The ice maker controller may enable the main controller to know that the liquid is supplied to the tray when the liquid is supplied to the tray.

The ice maker for the refrigerator may further include an ice making sensor configured to detect freezing of the liquid in the tray, and the ice maker controller may notify the main controller of completion of ice making when the ice maker signal is received.

The ice maker controller may notify the main controller of ice making completion through a power line supplied with power from the main controller.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising the ice maker for the refrigerator and a main controller.

When the main controller knows the start of the operation of the first heater by the ice maker controller, the main controller may reduce or cut off the power supplied to the electrical component of the refrigerator.

When the main controller is aware of the operation of the motor for supplying power to the ejector, the main controller may reduce or cut off the power supplied to the electric component of the refrigerator.

The electrical component may be at least one of a compressor motor, a blower fan for cooling cold air, and a second heater mounted to the refrigerator.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator including an ice maker, the ice maker comprises: a tray for receiving liquid; An ejector for discharging ice frozen in the tray; A first heater for providing heat to the tray; And an ice maker controller, wherein the refrigerator includes a main controller configured to measure or control a current supplied to the ice maker.

The main controller may compare the magnitude of the measured current with a predetermined value and, when greater than the predetermined value, may reduce or cut off the power supplied to the electrical component of the refrigerator.

The moving heater may be a planar heater.

DC power may be supplied to the ice maker during the ice maker operation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator ice maker including an ice making tray containing ice-making water, a driving unit, and an ice-heating heater attached to the ice-making tray, by controlling the electric parts of the refrigerator during the ice-making operation of the ice maker. Provided is a refrigerator ice maker which can be supplied power of the capacity required to the ice heater.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides an ice maker for signaling to the refrigerator the performance of the ice.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, in an ice maker including an ice tray, a driver, and an ice heater for containing ice ice, an ice maker is provided, wherein the power supplied to the ice heater is PWM controlled.

1 is a perspective view showing a conventional ice maker for a refrigerator,

2 is a view showing a state in which a heater is formed at a lower portion of a conventional ice maker for a refrigerator;

3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional ice maker;

4 is a view schematically showing an internal structure of a cooling apparatus including an ice maker according to the present invention and in which a heater control method of the ice maker according to the present invention may be used.

5 is a partial cross-sectional view of an ice maker in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a block diagram of an ice maker in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention;

8 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the ice maker of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, this is only an exemplary embodiment and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to the intention or custom of a user or an operator. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

The technical spirit of the present invention is determined by the claims, and the following embodiments are merely means for effectively explaining the technical spirit of the present invention to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

4 is a view schematically showing an internal structure of a cooling apparatus having an ice maker according to the present invention and in which a heater control method of the ice maker according to the present invention can be used.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cooling apparatus includes an ice maker 100 capable of supplying water or the like to an upper portion of the cooling apparatus to freeze ice and store the frozen ice; A cold air blowing fan 200 used to circulate cold air in the cooler; And a compressor 300 used for compressing the refrigerant of the cooling device.

In addition, although the ice maker 100, the cold air blowing fan 200, and the compressor 300 are shown in FIG. 4 as the electric parts of the cooling apparatus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other electric parts are included.

For example, the ice maker 100 may be made of polypropylene (PP) or aluminum.

5 shows a partial cross-sectional view of an ice maker in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the ice maker 100 includes an ice making tray 11, an ejector 13, a first heater 121, a second heater 122, a temperature sensor 130, a position sensor 131, and a power control. Driving system 140 (see FIG. 6).

The ejector 13 includes: a plurality of ejector pins 13-2 arranged to be spaced apart from each other along an axis perpendicular to the drawing in order to push the ice of the ice making tray 11 during the ice-making operation; A shaft 13-1 arranged such that the ejector pin 13-2 is rotated together; And a motor 110 (see FIG. 6) for rotating the shaft during the ice operation.

The ice making tray 11 has an ice making space that can hold water therein. The inner space of the ice making tray 11 is separated into a plurality of ice making spaces by a plurality of partitions. At this time, each of the separated ice making spaces in the ice making tray 11 is formed to correspond to each of the ejector pins 13-2.

In the lower part of the ice-making tray 11, the ice-making heater 11 which heats the ice-making tray 11 so that an ice-cream progresses smoothly at the time of an ice-making operation, and melt | dissolves the ice frozen in the inner surface of the ice-making tray 11, ie, 1st The heater 121 and the second heater 122 are installed to be in close contact with the ice making tray 11. The first heater 121 and the second heater 122 are respectively connected to receive current from the power control operation system 140 separately (see FIG. 6). The amount of heat generated by the moving heater depends on the amount of current supplied. The power control operation system 140 may control, for example, pulse width modulation (PWM) control of power supplied to the first and

second heaters

121 and 122.

In this embodiment, although the two

ice heaters

121 and 122 are comprised, it may consist of one or three or more provided in the bottom of the ice-making tray 11 as needed, and the attachment position can also become various. .

In addition, the moving

heaters

121 and 122 may be configured of any one or more of a film heater, a sheath heater, a cartridge heater, a cord heater, a surface heater, a print heater, and a coating heater.

One side of the ice making tray 11 is equipped with a temperature sensor 130 for measuring the temperature of the ice making tray 11. The temperature sensor 130 is connected to transmit the measured value to the power control operation system 140 (see FIG. 6).

On the upper side of the ice making tray 11, gears for transmitting the driving force of the motor 110 to the shaft 13-1 of the ejector 13 are provided, which are inserted into one of the gears to rotate together with the gears. PCB position sensor 131 for detecting the magnetic field of the magnet is mounted. This position sensor 131 is connected to transmit the measured value to the power control operation system 140 (see FIG. 6).

6 shows a block diagram of an ice maker in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, an ice maker according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is an A / D converter, a power control driving system 140, a motor 110 of an ejector 100, an

ice heater

121, 122, and a temperature sensor ( 130, position sensor 131, and timer 132.

The power control operation system 140 receives current from a DC power supply unit such as, for example, an A / D converter, a rectifier, and a smoothing circuit.

The power control operation system 140 is inserted into a temperature sensor 130 for measuring the temperature of the ice making tray 11 and transmitting a driving force from the motor 110 to the ejector shaft 13-1. A signal is received from the position sensor 131 which detects the magnetic field of the magnet rotated together with the gear and transmits a measurement signal, and a timer 132 which informs the elapsed time from the start of the ice cutting operation.

The power control operation system 140 may include the motor 110, the first heater 121, and the second heater of the ejector 100 based on the signals received from the temperature sensor 130, the position sensor 131, and the timer 132. Reference numeral 122 controls the current supplied to the compressor 300 and the blower fan 200.

For example, based on the signal measured by the temperature sensor 130, the power control operation system 140 initiates the ice operation to discharge the ice frozen from the ice making tray 11, and then of the ejector 100 The power supply of the moving motor 110 and the moving

heaters

121 and 122 is cross managed. That is, while the electric current is supplied to the moving motor 110 of the ejector 100, the electric current is not supplied to the moving

ice heaters

121 and 122, and on the contrary, the electric heating heater 121 is not supplied to the moving motor 110. 122) to supply current. For example, after the start of the ice-making operation, the electric current is supplied only to the ice-heating heater, and after a certain amount of thawing, the electric current is supplied only to the ice-making motor 110 until the ejector pin 13-2 approaches the ice, When the access is completed, the current is supplied only to all the ice heaters or only the first heater 121, and then the current is supplied only to the motor 110 in order to rotate the ejector pins 13-2 again, and the ejector pins 13-2. ) Reaches the vicinity where the second heater 122 is installed, supplies current only to the second heater 122 again, and then supplies current only to the motor 110 when the previous time elapses.

Alternatively, the power control operation system 140 may mix and distribute the power of the moving motor 110 and the moving

heaters

121 and 122. For example, while the pin 13-2 of the ejector 100 approaches the ice of the ice making tray 11 and passes through the ice making tray 11 for one revolution, the current supplied to the ice making motor 110 is increased. The current supplied to the moving

heaters

121 and 122 decreases stepwise or continuously from the initial maximum value.

Alternatively, the power control operation system 140 may partially manage and distribute the power of the moving motor 110 and the moving

heaters

121 and 122. For example, while the pin 13-2 of the ejector 100 approaches the ice of the ice making tray 11 and passes through the ice making tray 11 for one revolution, for example, the step and discharge focusing on sea ice According to the step composed of the focusing steps, the current supplied to the ice moving motor 110 increases or decreases step by step or continuously, and the current supplied to the

ice moving heaters

121 and 122 is initially Stepwise or continuously decreasing from the maximum value, or the current is supplied to the first heater 121 and the second heater 122 at a time difference.

Thus, the icing by adjusting the current distribution amount between the icing motor 110 and the

icing heaters

121, 122 throughout the icing operation or at each step, for example, according to the position of the ejector pin 13-2. A large amount of current flows through the motor and the moving heater at the same time to prevent an increase in power consumption, and a constant amount of current can be efficiently used. In addition, by such a current management distribution, it is possible to keep the temperature of the ice making tray 11 immediately after the ice is discharged from the ice making tray 11, so that the ice making tray 11 is again returned in a shorter time for the next ice making. Can be cooled.

Alternatively, after the power control operation system 140 starts the moving operation, the power control operation system 140 initially supplies more current to the first heater 121 than the second heater 122, and gradually supplies the current to the first heater 121. The amount of current supplied to the second heater 122 may be increased while decreasing the amount of?, Or the current may be turned off and supplied to the second heater 122 without supplying the current to the first heater 121. That is, the power control operation system 140 may perform a full load power supply and a full load sub-power supply to the moving heater on a conditional basis.

In this way, the effect described above can be further enhanced by performing the full load power supply and the full load power supply to the ice heater according to the conditions.

Alternatively, the power control driving system 140 may estimate the position of the pin 13-2 of the ejector 13 by receiving the value of the position sensor 131 after starting the ice-making operation. The power control operation system 140 uses the estimated positions of the pins 13-2 to cross-manage or partially manage the power of the ice motor 110 and the

ice heaters

121 and 122 described above. Mixed management can be distributed.

Alternatively, after the power control operation system 140 starts the ice operation, the power control operation system 140 uses the signal from the timer 132 and, for example, based on the signal, the ice motor 110 and the ice heater 121 described above. The power of 122) can be cross managed distributed, partially concurrent managed distributed or mixed managed distributed.

Alternatively, after the power control operation system 140 initiates the ice-making operation, the power-control operation system 140 uses the signal from the temperature sensor 130, for example, based on the signal, the ice-motor 110 and the ice-heating heater 121 described above. , 122) can be cross-management distribution, some simultaneous management distribution or mixed management distribution.

Alternatively, after the power control operation system 140 initiates the ice operation, the power control operation system 140 uses signals from any two or three of the temperature sensor 130, the position sensor 131, and the timer 132, for example. Based on this signal, the position of the pin 13-2 can be more accurately estimated, and using this, the power of the ice motor 110 and the

ice heaters

121 and 122 described above can be cross-managed or partially simultaneously managed. Mixed management can be distributed.

In addition, the electric power control driving system 140 manages and distributes the power of the moving motor 110 and the moving

heaters

121 and 122, and the electric components of the moving

heaters

121 and 122 and the cooling device, for example, a compressor. 300 can be used for managing and distributing the power of the blowing fan 200. For example, the power supply of the moving

heaters

121 and 122 and the compressor 300 are cross-managed and distributed to block and control the current supplied to the compressor 300 while the current is supplied to the moving

heaters

121 and 122. Can be.

As such, the power control operation system 140 manages and distributes the power of the electrical components of the cooling apparatus such as the moving

heaters

121 and 122 and the compressor 300 to operate the DC heater at the highest capacity with a limited DC current. have.

7 is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the refrigerator 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a power supply unit 421, a main controller 420, an electric component 422, and an ice maker 415.

The electric component 422 of the refrigerator includes a compressor motor 424 of a compressor (not shown) constituting the cooling cycle of the refrigerator, a cold air blowing fan 423 disposed adjacent to an evaporator (not shown) constituting the cooling cycle, Other cold air blowing fans (not shown) disposed in the refrigerator to circulate the cold air, and a heater disposed in the refrigerator, for example, to remove the drop.

The main control unit 420 of the refrigerator may receive power from the power supply unit 421 and appropriately supply the electric component 422 and the ice maker 415. Alternatively, the main controller 420 may control the power supplied to the electric component 422 and the ice maker 415 directly from the power supply unit 421.

The ice maker 415 includes a tray (not shown) for receiving liquid, an ejector (not shown) for discharging frozen ice from the tray, a motor 411 for providing driving force to the ejector, and a heat source for applying heat to the tray. The electric power provided to the ice-breaking heater 412 and the motor 411 by receiving the signal from the ice-making heater 412, the ice-making sensor 413 which sends a signal for determining the frozen state in the tray, and the ice-making sensor 413. It may include a control unit 410 for controlling.

The moving heater 412 may be any one of a planar heater, a cord heater, and a flexible heater. The planar heater can generate heat over a predetermined area. The planar heater may be made thin, for example, the thickness may be made greater than 0 and 1 mm or less. By producing a planar heater in a thin shape and reducing the heat capacity of the planar heater, the planar heater can be raised to a predetermined temperature in a short time. In this case, power consumption used for the surface heater can be reduced. As the planar heater, for example, a PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heater may be used, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the surface heater may include a heating element, a first insulation member provided to surround the heating element on one surface of the heating element, and a second insulation member provided to surround the heating element on the other side of the heating element. For example, the heating element may be provided over the entire area of the surface heater in the form of a zigzag. As the heating element, for example, a metal thin film such as a stainless steel thin film, a platinum thin film, a tungsten thin film, or a nickel thin film may be used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the heating element may be formed by thin coating a carbon nanotube, a carbon nanoplate, or the like. The heating element may be provided with a pad for receiving electric power from the outside. The first insulating member and the second insulating member may be made of polyimide or graphene. In this case, the heating element can be stably protected even if the heating element rises to a high temperature or an external impact is applied. The first insulating member and the second insulating member may be formed in a film form. The first insulating member and the second insulating member may be attached to one surface and the other surface of the heating element, respectively.

On the other hand, the flexible heater may include a heat generating portion and an insulating portion formed to surround the heat generating portion. The heat generating portion is a portion that generates heat when a voltage is applied. The heat generating unit may be a general heating wire (for example, nickel-chromium wire or copper-nickel wire). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the heating unit may be formed in a form in which the glass fibers are wound around the heating wire, or may be formed in a form in which the heating wire is wound around the glass fibers. The insulating part serves to protect the heat generating part as a part of the outer shell of the flexible heater. The insulating part may be made of a soft insulating material or an insulating material having an elastic force. In this case, since the flexible heater has a flexible property, the flexible heater can be accommodated in close contact with the ice tray, and the flexible heater can be coupled to the tray in a zigzag form. This type of flexible heater may include, for example, a cord heater, but the type of the flexible heater is not limited to the cord heater.

Since the flexible heater includes a heat generating portion and an insulating portion, the diameter of the flexible heater can be formed smaller than that of the sheath heater (for example, 2 to 4 mm). That is, the diameter of the flexible heater can be formed at a level of 1/3 to 1/2 of the sheath heater. In addition, since the flexible heater not only has a small diameter but also has a flexible property, when the flexible heater is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the ice tray, the area where the flexible heater and the tray contact each other can be increased.

The cord heater is a connector for connecting the power supply and the cord heater wire for heating, an attachment surface for attaching the cord heater wire, a heat transfer tape for adhering the cord heater wire and the attachment surface, and a connection for connecting the power input wire and the cord heater wire. A terminal is provided. Here, the cord heater wire is a form in which a heating wire is wound around the outside of the glass fiber and surrounded by an insulator for insulating electricity on the outside thereof. The connecting terminal is formed by compressing the copper pipe inward from the outside to reduce the radius except for the terminal portions of both ends into which the power input wire and the cord heater wire can be inserted, and the central area where the power input wire and the cord heater wire are connected. do. In this way, wires and cord heater wires are inserted at both ends of the connection terminal in which the copper pipe is compressed to be connected in the center area of the connection terminal. And, by installing a connection waterproof tube on the outside of the connection terminal to prevent the penetration of moisture from the outside. In this way, the cord heater connects and connects the electric wire connected from the power supply connector part and the cord heater wire by the connection terminal, and receives power from the power connection connector part.

The controller 410 of the ice maker 415 may receive power from the main controller 420 of the refrigerator 400 through a power line. The controller 410 may determine whether ice making is completed by receiving a signal from the ice making sensor 413. If the controller 410 determines that ice making is completed, the controller 410 may supply power to the ice heater 412 so that the ice heater 412 applies heat to the tray. On the other hand, if it is determined that ice making is completed, the controller 410 may supply power to the motor 411 at the same time as supplying power to the ice-making heater 412 or after a predetermined time has elapsed. However, the control method of the moving heater 412 and the motor 411 of the controller 410 is not limited thereto, and may be modified in various forms. For example, the controller 410 may PWM control the power supplied to the ice moving heater 412.

In addition, when the controller 410 of the ice maker 415 determines that ice making is completed, the controller 410 of the refrigerator 400 may know the main controller 420 of the refrigerator 400. For example, while the control unit 410 of the ice maker 415 supplies power to the ice making heater 412, the main control unit 420 may recognize the main control unit 420. Send a signal to the control unit 420.

Alternatively, when the control unit 410 of the ice maker 415 receives a signal indicating the completion of ice making from the ice making sensor 413, the control unit 410 may send a signal to the main control unit 420 through the power line so that the main control unit 420 may know this.

As described above, the main controller 420 that receives a signal from the controller 410 of the ice maker 415 includes at least one of the electric component 422, that is, the cold air blowing fan 423, the compressor motor 424, and the heater 425. It is also possible to cut off or reduce the power supplied to one or change the frequency.

As described above, the main controller 420 controls the electronic component 422, so that the circulation of cold air in the refrigerator 400 may be reduced or the temperature of the cold air decreases, so that the heat applied to the tray by the moving heater 412 is reduced. This loss does not interfere with the operation of the ice, and the power consumption of the entire refrigerator can be maintained or lowered.

Hereinafter, the operation of the ice maker 415 having the configuration according to the present embodiment and the refrigerator 400 including the same will be described.

First, when the control unit 410 of the ice maker 415 determines that the water contained in the tray is frozen using the signal from the ice making sensor 413, the ice making operation is started. During the ice operation, the controller 410 supplies power to the ice heater 412 so that the ice heater 412 can provide heat to the tray. At this time, the control unit 410 of the ice maker 415 allows the main control unit 420 of the refrigerator to know the operation of the ice maker heater 412. For example, when the control unit 410 of the ice maker 415 supplies power to the ice making heater 412, the control unit 410 generates an ice making start signal, and supplies the signal from the main control unit 420 to the control unit 410. It may be sent to the main controller 420 through the power line. Alternatively, for example, the controller 410 of the ice maker 415 may send a signal indicating completion of ice making received from the ice maker 413 to the main controller 420.

In addition, during the ice operation, the control unit 410 may provide electric power to the motor 411 which provides the driving force to the ejector so that the ejector pressurizes the ice frozen in the tray and discharges it from the tray. In this case, the controller 410 of the ice maker 415 may allow the main controller 420 of the refrigerator to know the operation of the motor 411. For example, when the control unit 410 supplies power to the motor 411, the control unit 410 generates a signal indicating this, and transmits the signal from the main control unit 420 to the control unit 410 through a power line that supplies power to the main unit of the refrigerator. Send to the controller 420.

As described above, when the ice maker 415 knows that ice making is completed, the main controller 420 may cut off, reduce, or change the frequency of the power supplied to the electric component 422 of the refrigerator.

As shown in FIG. 8, the refrigerator 400 ′ according to another embodiment of the present invention is compared with the refrigerator 400 ′ according to another embodiment shown in FIG. 7. The main controller 420 can measure and control the current supplied to the ice maker 415.

Hereinafter, a refrigerator 400 ′ according to another embodiment will be described based on differences from the refrigerator 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 7.

The main controller 420 of the refrigerator measures the current amount of power supplied from the main controller 420 to the ice maker 415. The main controller 420 may compare the magnitude of the measured current with a predetermined value and determine that the ice heater 412 of the ice maker 415 is activated when it is larger than this value. Then, the main controller 420 may reduce or cut off the power supplied to the electrical component 422 or change the frequency. For example, the main controller 420 may reduce the power supplied to the cold air blowing fan 423 to reduce the power consumption. In addition, or in the alternative, the main control unit 420 may reduce or cut off the power supplied to the compressor motor 424 or reduce the frequency.

As such, when the magnitude of the current measured by the main controller 420 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the main controller 420 of the refrigerator determines that the ice heater 412 is operated, and the cold air blowing fan 423 and the compressor motor ( By reducing or interrupting the power supplied to 424, the cold air circulation in the refrigerator is reduced or the temperature of the cold air is suppressed, so that the heat applied to the tray by the ice-breaking heater 412 is not lost and the ice-breaking operation is not disturbed. In addition, the power consumption of the entire refrigerator can be maintained at a constant level.

In addition, the main control unit 420 of the refrigerator compares the magnitude of the measured current with a second predetermined value, and if it is equal to or greater than this value, the motor 411 for supplying a driving force to the ejector of the ice maker 415 is operated. You can decide. Then, the main controller 420 may reduce or cut off the power supplied to the electrical component 422 or change the frequency. For example, the main controller 420 may reduce the power supplied to the cold air blowing fan 423 to reduce the power consumption. In addition, or in the alternative, the main control unit 420 may reduce or cut off the power supplied to the compressor motor 424 or reduce the frequency.

As such, when the magnitude of the current measured by the main controller 420 is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value, the main controller 420 of the refrigerator determines that the motor 411 of the ejector is operated, and the cold air blowing fan 423 And by reducing or cutting off the power supplied to the compressor motor 424, the cold air circulation in the refrigerator is reduced or the temperature of the cold air is suppressed, so that the ice-making operation is not disturbed and power consumption of the entire refrigerator is maintained at a constant level. I can keep it.

[Description of the code]

10 ice maker 11: ice tray

13: ejector 13-1: ejector shaft

13-2: ejector pin 19: ice bank

100: swallow 121: first heater

122: second heater 130: temperature sensor

131: position sensor 132: timer

140: power control operation system 200: blowing fan

300: compressor 410: control unit

411: motor 412: moving heater

413: ice making sensor

415: ice maker 420: main control unit

421: power supply 422: electrical components

423: cold air blowing fan 424: compressor motor

425: heater 400; 400 ': refrigerator

Claims

In the method of controlling the ice maker heater of the ice maker,

The ice maker includes an ice tray containing ice maker water; A motor for discharging ice of the ice tray; And an icebreaking heater attached to a portion of the ice making tray,

A method of controlling an ice maker heater of an ice maker, wherein the power source of the motor and the ice maker heater is cross-controlled or partially simultaneously managed.
The method of claim 1,

The moving heater is supplied with a full load power or a power under the full load power for each condition.
The method of claim 1,

And the ice heater is any one of a film heater, a planar heater, a print heater, and a coating heater.
In ice makers,

An ice making tray containing ice making water;

An ice making heater attached to at least a portion of the ice making tray and comprising a plurality of partial heaters; And

And a power limited driving system for operating each of said partial heaters on a conditional basis.
An ice making tray containing ice making water; A motor for discharging ice of the ice tray; And an ice maker including an ice maker heater attached to a portion of the ice tray, the method comprising: controlling a cooling chamber of a refrigerator;

A method of controlling the cooling chamber of the refrigerator, wherein the power supply of the part or all of the electrical components mounted in the cooling chamber and the power of the moving heater are cross-controlled or partially mixed.
An ice maker including an ice making tray containing ice making water, a driving unit, and an ice making heater attached to the ice making tray,

Ice maker, which is supplied with DC power to the ice heater.
The method of claim 6,

The ice maker is an ice maker.
The method of claim 6,

The ice maker which is supplied with direct current electric power to the said ice heater in the case of the ice-making operation of the said ice maker.
In the ice maker for refrigerators including an ice tray containing a deicing water, a driving unit, and an ice heater attached to the ice tray,

The electric ice maker of the refrigerator which can supply electric power of the capacity | capacitance which is necessary for the said ice-heating heater by controlling the electrical components of the said refrigerator at the time of the ice-making operation of the said ice maker.
An ice maker that signals the refrigerator to perform an ice breaking operation
In the ice maker for a refrigerator,

A tray containing liquid;

An ejector for discharging ice frozen in the tray;

A first heater for providing heat to the tray; And

An ice maker control unit,

When the first heater is operated, the main control unit of the refrigerator so that you can know the completion of the de-icing or the start of operation of the first heater, ice maker for a refrigerator.
The method of claim 11,

The ice maker control unit allows the main control unit to know the completion of the ice making or the operation of the first heater, refrigerator ice maker.
The method of claim 12,

The ice maker control unit allows the main control unit to know the completion of the de-icing or the start of operation of the first heater through a power line supplied with power from the main control unit.
The method of claim 13,

The ice maker for the refrigerator further includes a motor for supplying power to the ejector, and the ice maker controller enables the main controller to know the operation of the motor when the motor is operated.
The method of claim 14,

The ice maker controller informs the main controller of the operation of the motor through a power line supplied with power from the main controller.
The method of claim 11,

The ice maker for the refrigerator further includes an ice making sensor for detecting that the liquid in the tray is frozen.

The ice maker control unit notifies the main controller of the completion of ice making when receiving the signal of the ice making sensor.
The method of claim 16,

The ice maker controller notifies the main controller of the completion of ice making through a power line supplied with power from the main controller, a refrigerator ice maker.
A refrigerator comprising an ice maker for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 11 to 17, and a main controller.
The method of claim 18,

The main controller reduces or cuts off the power supplied to the electrical components of the refrigerator when the main controller knows the operation of the first heater by the ice maker controller.
The method of claim 18,

The main control unit when the operation of the motor for supplying power to the ejector is known, reducing or cutting off the power supplied to the electrical component of the refrigerator.
A refrigerator comprising an ice maker,

The ice maker,

A tray containing liquid;

An ejector for discharging ice frozen in the tray;

A first heater for providing heat to the tray; And

An ice maker control unit,

The refrigerator includes a main controller for measuring or controlling a current supplied to the ice maker.
The method of claim 21,

The main controller compares the magnitude of the measured current with a predetermined value and, when greater than the predetermined value, reduces or cuts off the power supplied to the electrical component of the refrigerator.
The method according to any one of claims 19, 20 and 22,

The electric component is at least one of a compressor motor, a blowing fan for cold air blowing, and a second heater mounted to the refrigerator.
In an ice maker including an ice tray, a drive unit, and an ice heater,

Power supplied to the ice-heating heater is pulse width modulation (PWM) controlled ice maker.