WO2019194374A1

WO2019194374A1 - Driving device and icemaker and refrigerator including same

Info

Publication number: WO2019194374A1
Application number: PCT/KR2018/010319
Authority: WO
Inventors: 박진성; 양강주
Original assignee: 주식회사 에스 씨디
Priority date: 2018-04-03
Filing date: 2018-09-04
Publication date: 2019-10-10

Abstract

An embodiment provides a driving device for controlling an ice-making operation of an icemaker. The driving device comprises: a housing having an inner space formed therein; an operation unit disposed at one side of the inner space and comprising a driving motor for generating rotation force and a gear assembly driven by the rotation force generated by the driving motor; and a sensing unit disposed at the other side of the inner space to sense the amount of ice discharged from an icemaker. The sensing unit comprises: a driving gear engaging with one side of the gear assembly to be rotated within a first angle range; a magnetic contact member which has a magnetic body attached thereto and rotates within a second angle range, which is smaller than the first angle range, while being in contact with the driving gear; and a sensor configured to sense the movement of the magnetic body to output a first signal or a second signal according to the amount of ice discharged from the icemaker.

Description

Drive device and ice maker and refrigerator including same

The present disclosure relates to a drive device and an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same.

The refrigerator includes a refrigerator compartment for storing various foods or beverages and a freezer compartment for freezing. The refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are partitioned into different spaces by partition walls, and are opened and closed by different doors. Inside the refrigerator, a refrigerator ice maker for automatically making ice may be installed. Such an ice maker for a refrigerator may include a heater for heating the ice tray to help release of ice during rotation of the ejector.

The ice maker may include a full ice detection unit that detects the full ice of the ice separated from the ice maker. The ice detection unit may detect whether the detecting ice arm is caught in the ice filled in the ice container and returned to the initial position. In addition, in order to determine whether the ice detection unit is full of ice, the cam gear is rotated while the cam gear is rotated by the driving force generated by the motor. In this case, when the ice is rotated, the interference of the ice remaining in the ice container may occur. Occurs. That is, even though the ice detection arm interferes with the ice remaining in the ice container, a problem may occur in which ice is not produced by judging as ice when it is not ice.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the magnetic contact member is in contact with the drive gear, the magnetic contact member is rotated so that the sensing member connected to the magnetic contact member is rotated by a predetermined angle range to detect whether the ice container is full. Provided is a driving device including an ice sensing unit. In addition, according to one embodiment, an ice maker including such a driving device is provided. In addition, according to one embodiment, a refrigerator provided with such an ice maker is provided.

A driving apparatus for controlling an ice making operation of an ice maker, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising: a housing defining an inner space; A driving unit disposed at one side of the inner space and including a drive motor generating a rotational force and a gear assembly driven by the rotational force generated from the driving motor; And a sensing unit disposed at the other side of the inner space and sensing the amount of ice discharged from the ice maker, wherein the sensing unit includes: a driving gear that is engaged with one side of the gear assembly and rotates within the first angle range; A magnetic contact member to which the magnetic body is attached and which rotates within a second angle range smaller than the first angle range in contact with the drive gear; It may include a sensor configured to detect the movement of the magnetic material, and output the first signal or the second signal according to the amount of ice discharged from the ice maker.

According to one embodiment, the sensor may be configured to output a first signal when the amount of ice discharged is full ice and to output a second signal when the amount of ice discharged is ice storage.

According to one embodiment, it may further include a stop plate disposed on the drive unit to be accommodated in the housing, the stop plate is provided with a position alignment portion in which the drive gear and the magnetic contact member is disposed.

According to one embodiment, the lower end of the position alignment portion may have an open shape so that the driving gear is inserted and rotated.

According to one embodiment, the drive gear, the gear portion engaging with one side of the gear assembly; A rod part disposed above the gear part and inserted into the position alignment part; And a protrusion configured to radially protrude from the rod to contact the magnetic contact member.

According to one embodiment, the magnetic contact member includes: a ring portion surrounding the outer periphery of the position alignment portion and disposed coaxially with the central axis of the position alignment portion; And a magnetic part extending radially from the ring part and receiving the magnetic material.

According to one embodiment, the ring portion has a cylindrical wall shape, a position alignment portion is inserted into the cylindrical wall, and a portion of the lower end of the cylindrical wall may be cut to provide a rotational space of the protrusion.

According to one embodiment, the ring portion has two ring ends configured to contact the protrusions, and the angle formed by the line extending from the two ring ends may be between 75 ° and 85 °.

According to one embodiment, the position alignment portion comprises: a first shell having a rod portion inserted therein and having a first diameter; And a second shell extending radially from the first shell, the second shell having a second diameter greater than the first diameter, wherein both bottom ends of the first shell form two openings through which the protrusions protrude together with the second shell. Grooves may be formed.

According to one embodiment, the first shell has two shell ends configured to limit the radius of movement of the protrusions, and the angle formed by the lines extending from the two shell ends may be between 110 ° and 120 °.

According to one embodiment, the first angle range is 0 ° to 120 ° and the drive gear may be configured to rotate repeatedly within the first angle range.

According to one embodiment, the second angle ranges from 0 ° to 35 ° and the magnetic contact member may be configured to rotate repeatedly within the second angle range.

According to one embodiment, the sensor is configured to output the first signal until the magnetic contact member contacts the drive gear and rotates at a third angle within the second angle range, and the sensor is configured to contact the drive gear. It may be configured to output the second signal from when it rotates beyond the third angle.

According to one embodiment, the third angle may be between 9 ° and 11 °.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an ice maker is provided on one side of a refrigerator to manufacture ice, the ice making tray comprising: an ice making tray; An ice making heater coupled to the ice making tray and separating the ice ice from the ice making tray; An ejector for discharging iced ice from an ice making tray; And an ice container for receiving the ice discharged from the ejector; A housing to which the ice making tray is coupled to form an inner space; A driving unit disposed on one side of the inner space and including a drive motor generating a rotational force and a gear assembly rotating the ejector with the rotational force generated from the driving motor; And an ice level detection unit disposed on the other side of the inner space and configured to detect an ice level of the ice contained in the ice container, wherein the ice level detection unit includes: a driving gear engaged with one side of the gear assembly to rotate within the first angle range; An ice detection member connected to the drive gear and rotating together with the drive gear and in contact with the ice contained in the ice container; A magnetic contact member to which the magnetic body is attached and which rotates within a second angle range smaller than the first angle range in contact with the drive gear; It may include a sensor configured to detect the movement of the magnetic material, and output a first signal or a second signal relating to whether the ice contained in the ice container is full.

According to one embodiment, the sensing member may be configured to rotate in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the ejector.

According to one embodiment, the sensor may be configured to output the first signal when the inspection member is in contact with the ice contained in the ice container.

According to one embodiment, the sensor may be configured to output a first signal when the ice contained in the ice container is full ice and to output a second signal when the ice contained in the ice container is ice storage.

In the refrigerator comprising a main body forming a storage space according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a door rotatably coupled to the main body and an ice maker installed on one side of the main body or the door, the ice maker, the ice making ice is iced tray; An ice making heater coupled to the ice making tray and separating the ice ice from the ice making tray; An ejector for discharging iced ice from an ice making tray; And an ice container for receiving the ice discharged from the ejector; A housing to which the ice tray is coupled and forms an inner space; A driving unit disposed on one side of the inner space and including a drive motor generating a rotational force and a gear assembly rotating the ejector with the rotational force generated from the driving motor; And an ice level detection unit disposed on the other side of the inner space and configured to detect an ice level of the ice contained in the ice container, wherein the ice level detection unit includes: a driving gear that is engaged with one side of the gear assembly and rotates within the first angle range; An ice detection member connected to the drive gear and rotating together with the drive gear and in contact with the ice contained in the ice container; A magnetic contact member to which the magnetic body is attached and which rotates within a second angle range smaller than the first angle range in contact with the drive gear; It may include a sensor configured to detect the movement of the magnetic material, and output a first signal or a second signal relating to whether the ice contained in the ice container is full.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the sensor provided in the full-water detection unit outputs a HIGH signal when the magnetic contact member rotates more than a predetermined angle, and outputs a LOW signal when returning to a predetermined angle or less. Can clearly output the low ice level detection state, and it can be determined whether or not the inspection member returns to the origin.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator in which an ice maker is installed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

2 is a perspective view illustrating an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

3 is a perspective view showing an exploded configuration of the ice maker shown in FIG. 2.

4 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a driving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an exploded configuration of the driving apparatus shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view illustrating some components of the driving apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top view illustrating some components of the driving apparatus illustrated in FIG. 5.

8 is a perspective view illustrating some components of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating some components of an ice maker viewed from a direction different from that shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section taken along the I-I direction of the magnetic contact member illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a view showing the drive gear shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating the position alignment unit shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation process of the ice detection unit illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a change in a sensor output signal of the full ice detection unit illustrated in FIG. 5.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated for the purpose of describing the technical spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments set forth below or the detailed description of these embodiments.

All technical and scientific terms used in the present disclosure, unless defined otherwise, have the meanings that are commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. All terms used in the present disclosure are selected for the purpose of more clearly describing the present disclosure, and are not selected to limit the scope of the rights according to the present disclosure.

As used in this disclosure, expressions such as "comprising", "including", "having", and the like, are open terms that imply the possibility of including other embodiments unless otherwise stated in the phrase or sentence in which the expression is included. It should be understood as (open-ended terms).

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Expressions such as “first”, “second”, and the like used in the present disclosure are used to distinguish a plurality of components from each other, and do not limit the order or importance of the components.

In the present disclosure, when a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, the component may be directly connected to or connected to the other component, or new It is to be understood that the connection may be made or may be connected via other components.

The dimensions and numerical values described in the present disclosure are not limited only to the dimensions and numerical values described. Unless otherwise specified, these dimensions and values are to be understood to mean the values stated and the equivalent ranges encompassing them. For example, the dimension '80 ° 'described in this disclosure can be understood to include' about 80 ° '.

Directional directives such as "up" and "up" as used in the present disclosure are based on the direction in which the magnetic contact member is positioned with respect to the drive gear in the accompanying drawings, and the direction indicators such as "down" and "down" It means the opposite direction. The magnetic contact member shown in the accompanying drawings may be otherwise oriented, and the direction indicators may be interpreted accordingly.

As used in the present disclosure, “manic ice” may refer to a state in which ice is filled in an ice making tray or an ice container at a predetermined height or more. In addition, "frosting" may refer to a state in which ice is filled in the ice making tray or the ice container below a predetermined height. Thus, "full ice" includes a state where ice is filled in the ice making tray or the ice container, and the sensor may detect the "full ice" state even when the ejector or the ice detector is caught on the ice and can no longer rotate. .

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components are given the same reference numerals. In addition, in the following description of the embodiments, it may be omitted to duplicate the same or corresponding components. However, even if the description of the component is omitted, it is not intended that such component is not included in any embodiment.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator 1000 in which an ice maker 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is installed. The refrigerator 1000 may include a main body 2 having a storage space formed therein and a door 3 rotatably coupled to the main body 2. The storage space of the main body 2 may be divided into a freezing compartment for cooling the storage to a temperature for freezing the storage and a refrigerating chamber for storing the storage at a temperature lower than room temperature. The freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment may be divided into a plurality of detailed spaces by shelves, respectively.

The ice maker 1 may be configured to freeze and discharge ice in a predetermined shape. The ice maker 1 may be supplied with liquid water to produce ice and then discharged to the outside of the ice maker 1. The ice maker 1 does not have a cooling device by itself, and can manufacture ice using external cold air. The ice maker 1 may be disposed, for example, on one side of a freezer compartment of the refrigerator 1000. In another embodiment, the ice maker 1 may be installed in the door 3 of the refrigerator.

2 is a perspective view showing an ice maker 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an exploded configuration of the ice maker 1 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the ice maker 1 as viewed from the ice tray 20 side, and FIG. 3 shows the ice maker 1 as viewed from the driving device 10 side.

The ice maker 1 may include a driving device 10 and an ice tray 20 coupled to the driving device 10. Liquid water is supplied to the ice making tray 20, and cooled to form ice in a predetermined form. An ice container 40 in which ice discharged from the ice making tray 20 is stored may be disposed below the ice making tray 20.

The driving device 10 may include an ejector 30 and an ice detector member 50. The ejector 30 may rotate in the first direction (hereinafter, also referred to as "forward direction") to discharge the iced ice from the ice making tray 20. The sensing member 50 may contact the ice stored in the ice container 40 to detect whether the ice container 40 is stored or filled with ice. The ice-making member 50 rotates in the forward direction when the ejector 30 rotates in the second direction (hereinafter referred to as "reverse direction" as the opposite direction of the first direction) after the ejector 30 discharges the ice. It can detect the ice sheet from the ice discharged from.

As shown in FIG. 3, the driving device 10 may include the

housings

11 and 12 and the internal parts 100 accommodated in the

housings

11 and 12. The

housings

11 and 12 may include a case 11 in which an inner space 11a for accommodating the internal component 100 is formed and opened in one direction, and a cover 12 covering the case 11. . Positioning axes may be formed at the bottom of the case 11 to seat the respective parts constituting the internal part 100 and to improve the assembly convenience of the operator. In addition, the drive device 10 may include a stop plate 13 for seating the internal component 100 at a designated position in the internal space 11a.

The internal component 100 may include a driver 110, a control circuit 160, a heater 170, and a full ice detector 200. The control circuit 160 may be configured to control the operation of the internal component 100. The ice detection member 50 may be coupled to the ice sensor 200. The heater 170 may be configured to heat the ice tray 20 by receiving power from the control circuit 160.

The ice making tray 20 may be heated by the heater 170. Accordingly, the ice making tray 20 may be made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity. When the ice making tray 20 is in an iced state, the heater 170 may heat the ice making tray 20 to allow the ice to be separated from the ice making tray 20. In the state in which the ice making tray 20 is heated, even if low torque is applied to the ejector 30, the ice can be easily discharged.

The driving unit 110 may include a driving motor 111, a gear assembly 120, a cam gear 140, an ice detection lever 150, and a transmission gear 190. The drive motor 111 may transmit a driving force to the gear assembly 120. A detailed description of the operation of the driving unit 110 will be described later.

4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the drive device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an exploded configuration of the drive device 10 shown in FIG. The case 11 and the cover 12 of the driving device 10 may be coupled with a plurality of bolts 17. A stop plate 13 may be disposed between the case 11 and the cover 12. Under the stop plate 13, most of the internal component 100 shown in FIG. 2 may be disposed. One side of the stop plate 13 may be disposed a torsion spring (13a) for limiting the moving radius of the ice detection lever (150). That is, the drive motor 111, the gear assembly 120, the detection lever 150, the cam gear 140, and the control circuit 160 may be disposed in the inner space 11a of the case 11.

The ice sensor 200 is engaged with one side of the gear assembly 120, and the driving gear 210 and the magnetic body 223 are rotated within the first angle range and are in contact with the driving gear 210 to contact the driving gear 210. And a sensor 165 configured to detect a movement of the magnetic contact member 220 and the magnetic body 223 rotating within a smaller second angle range and output a signal (eg, a HIGH signal or a LOW signal). have. The sensor 165 may be installed at one side of the control circuit 160. The friction sensing member 220 may be disposed on one side of the stop plate 13, and the driving gear 210 may be disposed on the other side of the stop plate 13. In addition, the driving gear 210 may be disposed in the internal space 11a of the case 11.

The position alignment unit 130 may be formed at one side of the stop plate 13. For example, the position alignment unit 130 may have a hollow cylindrical shape. The magnetic contact member 220 may be disposed above the position alignment unit 130, and the driving gear 210 may be disposed below the position alignment unit 130.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing a part of the configuration of the drive device 10 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a top view showing another part of the configuration of the drive device 10 shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which the cover 12 is removed, and FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which the stop plate 13 is removed.

Referring to FIG. 6, a torsion spring 13a may be disposed above the stop plate 13. One side of the detection lever 150 may be formed with a lever engaging portion 155 protruding upward. An opening penetrating the lever coupling portion 155 may be formed, and one end of the torsion spring 13a may be connected to the lever coupling portion 155 through the opening. In addition, the stop plate 13 may be formed with a fixed coupling portion 139 for fixing the other end of the torsion spring (13a). In addition, the stop plate 13 may be formed with a rod 133 for seating the coil portion of the torsion spring 13a.

Referring to FIG. 7, the driving motor 111 may include a rotating shaft and a motor gear 112 directly connected to the rotating shaft. Gear assembly 120 may include a plurality of reduction gears 121, 122, 123, 124. The start reduction gear 121 may be engaged with the motor gear 112. As the rotational force transmitted from the motor gear 112 passes through the plurality of reduction gears 121, 122, 123, and 124, the rotational speed may be decreased and the torque may be increased. The final reduction gear 124 may be engaged with the cam gear 140.

The cam gear 140 may rotate in the forward or reverse direction about the first rotation shaft R ₁ . The cam protrusion 145 may be formed above the cam gear 140. When the cam gear 140 rotates, the tray full sensing member 180 contacting the ejector 30 connected to the first rotation shaft R ₁ or the cam gear 140 at the lower side may rotate.

The magnetic body 181 may be disposed on one side of the tray full sensing member 180. The control circuit 160 may include a sensor 166 that detects the movement of the magnetic body 181. The tray ice sensing member 180 may detect whether ice is iced in the ice tray 20. That is, the sensor 166 may detect the ice state or the ice state of the ice making tray 20 by detecting the movement of the tray ice sensing member 180. When the sensor 166 outputs a signal indicating the full ice state, the control circuit 160 rotates the cam gear 140 in the forward direction, and accordingly, the ejector 30 is rotated in the forward direction so that the ice from the ice making tray 20 is reduced. Can be discharged.

The detection lever 150 may be disposed above the cam gear 140. The detection lever 150 may reciprocate within a predetermined range about the third rotation axis R ₃ . A gear unit 152 may be formed at an outer radial edge of the gum detector 150. The detection lever 150 may include a lever contact part 153 contacting the cam protrusion 145 formed on the cam gear 140. Based on the direction shown in FIG. 7, when the cam protrusion 145 contacts the lever contacting part 153, the detecting lever 150 may move in the counterclockwise direction. In addition, the detection lever 150 has a restoring force of the torsion spring (13a) connected to the lever coupling portion 155, the rotation range may be limited to a certain range.

The transmission gear 190 may include a first transmission gear unit 191 formed at an upper side thereof and engaged with the gear unit 152 and a second transmission gear unit 192 formed at a lower side thereof and engaged with the driving gear 210. Can be. The radius of the first transmission gear unit 191 may be configured to be smaller than the radius of the second transmission gear unit 192.

The driving gear 210 may rotate about the second rotation shaft R ₂ . The driving gear 210 may rotate in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the transmission gear 190 and may rotate in the same direction as the rotational direction of the detection lever 150. The driving gear 210 may contact the magnetic contact member 220 to rotate the magnetic contact member 220 in the same direction as the driving gear 210.

The magnetic contact member 220 may rotate using the position alignment unit 130 as the rotation axis. The magnetic contact member 220 may be seated on the outer circumferential surface of the position alignment unit 130. In addition, since the magnetic contact member 220 does not fit on the position alignment unit 130, when the driving gear 210 contacts and exerts an external force, the magnetic contact member 220 may rotate without interference.

The control circuit 160 may include a sensor 165 that detects the movement of the magnetic body 223 disposed on the rotation transmission member 220. The sensor 165 outputs a first signal (eg, a HIGH signal) when the magnetic body 223 is close to the sensor 165 in a predetermined range, and the magnetic body 223 is far from the sensor 165. In this case, a second signal (eg, a LOW signal) may be output.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a part of the ice maker 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a part of the ice maker 1 viewed from a direction different from that shown in FIG. 8. . FIG. 8 shows the internal configuration of the ice maker 1 as viewed from the front, and FIG. 9 shows the internal configuration of the ice maker 1 as viewed from the rear.

The driving force generated in the driving motor 111 may be transmitted to the cam gear 140 via the gear assembly 120. The ejector 30 may rotate in the same direction as the cam gear 140. The detecting member 50 may rotate in the same direction as the driving gear 210.

8 and 9, when the cam gear 140 rotates in the reverse direction (ie, the direction opposite to the arrow direction) about the first rotation axis R ₁ , the cam protrusion 145 is rotated. In contact with the detection lever 150, the detection lever 150 may rotate in a reverse direction about the third rotation axis R ₃ . Accordingly, the transmission gear can rotate in the forward direction (ie, the same direction as the arrow direction) about the fourth rotational axis R ₄ , and the drive gear 210 is reversed about the second rotational axis R ₂ . Can rotate

Referring to FIG. 9, an insertion protrusion 185 may be formed at one side of the tray full sensing member 180. The first groove 142 and the second groove 143 may be formed at the outer circumferential portion 141 of the cam gear 140. As the cam gear 140 rotates, the insertion protrusion 185 may be inserted into the first groove 142 or the second groove 143 or may contact the outer circumferential portion 141.

In the state where the insertion protrusion 185 is inserted into the first or

second grooves

142 and 143, the tray full capacity sensing member 180 and the sensor 166 do not face each other, and the sensor 166 outputs the full signal. can do. That is, when the ice tray 20 is in an iced state, the ejector 30 may be caught in ice, and thus the cam gear 140 may not rotate. Accordingly, since the insertion protrusion 185 does not exit the first groove 142 or the second groove 143, the tray full-cover detection member 180 does not face the sensor 166, so that the sensor 166 receives the full-wave signal. You can print On the other hand, when the ice tray 20 is in the iced state, the ejector 30 is not caught by the ice so that the cam gear 140 may rotate. Therefore, since the insertion protrusion 185 exits from the first groove 142 or the second groove 143 and contacts the outer circumferential portion 141, the tray full serving detecting member 180 faces the sensor 166 and thus the sensor ( 166 may output the saving signal. In this manner, the sensor 166 may determine the full ice state of the ice making tray 20.

As shown in FIG. 9, a spring 134 connected with the tray full-scale sensing member 180 may be provided. End 134a of spring 134 may be connected to the bottom of case 11 shown in FIG. 3. The spring 134 may be configured to limit the moving range of the tray full capacity sensing member 180.

The full ice detection unit 200 may be configured to detect the full ice of the ice container 40. In a state in which the magnetic body 223 of the magnetic contact member 220 and the sensor 165 are close to each other within a predetermined range, the sensor 165 may detect the state of the ice container 40 as the iced state. On the contrary, when the magnetic body 223 of the magnetic contact member 220 is separated from the sensor 165 by more than a predetermined range, the sensor 165 may detect the state of the ice container 40 as a storage state.

When the driving gear 210 rotates at a predetermined angle or more, the driving gear 210 may contact and rotate the magnetic contact member 220. As the driving gear 210 rotates, the sensing member 50 connected thereto may rotate together. When the sensing member 50 is in contact with the ice stored in the ice container 40, the driving gear 210 does not rotate the magnetic contact member 220 because the sensing member 50 no longer rotates. In this state, since the magnetic body 223 of the magnetic contact member 220 does not deviate from the sensor 165 within a predetermined range, the sensor 165 may detect the state of the ice container 40 as the full state. . If the ice container 40 is in the iced state, since the detection member 50 does not contact the ice stored in the ice container 40, the detection member 50 may freely rotate. Accordingly, the drive gear 210 may rotate the magnetic contact member 220 to move the magnetic body 223 of the magnetic contact member 220 out of the sensor 165 by a predetermined range or more, and the sensor 165 may be iced. The state of the container 40 can be detected as a storage state.

The drive gear 210 may be configured to rotate within the first angle range by the transmission gear 190. The magnetic contact member 220 may be configured to rotate within a second angle range less than the first angle range. That is, after the driving gear 210 rotates by a predetermined angle, the driving gear 210 may contact and rotate the magnetic contact member 220. Specific embodiments of the first and second angles will be described later.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section of the magnetic contact member 220 illustrated in FIG. 5 in the I-I direction. The magnetic contact member 220 radially extends from the ring portion 221 and the ring portion 221 which surround the outer circumference of the position alignment portion 130 shown in FIG. 6 and are disposed coaxially with the central axis of the position alignment portion 130. It may include a magnetic portion 222 is formed to extend to receive the magnetic body 223. The magnetic body 223 may have a hexahedron shape, for example.

The ring part 221 may have a shape in which one side is opened to contact the driving gear 210. That is, the ring portion 221 may have a cylindrical wall shape, and the ring portion 221 may be cut at a portion of the lower end of the cylindrical wall to provide a rotational space of the protrusion 213 of the driving gear 210 (see FIG. 11). have. In addition, the position alignment portion 130 may be inserted into the cylindrical wall of the ring portion 221. The radius D ₁ between the inner circumferential surface of the ring portion 221 and the center C ₁ may be, for example, 2 to 4 mm. As an example, the radius D ₁ may be 3 mm.

The open shape of the ring portion 221 may have first and second ring ends 221a and 221b. One of the first and second ring ends 221a, 221b may be configured to contact the protrusion 213. The angle α ₁ formed by the lines extending from the first and second ring ends 221a, 221b may be, for example, between 75 ° and 85 °. As an example, the angle α ₁ may be 77 °. That is, when the driving gear 210 rotates by an angle α ₁ from the initial state, the driving gear 210 may contact the first end 221a of the ring part 221.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the drive gear 210 shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 11A illustrates a side surface of the drive gear 210, and FIG. 11B illustrates a top surface of the drive gear 210. The driving gear 210 is a gear portion 212 engaged with one side of the transmission gear 190 (see FIG. 7), and a rod portion 211 disposed above the gear portion 212 and inserted into the position alignment portion. And a protrusion 213 configured to protrude radially from the rod portion 211 to contact the first or second ring ends 221a and 221b of the ring portion 221.

The axial height H ₁ of the rod portion 211 may be, for example, 11 to 13 mm. For example, the axial height H ₁ may be 12 mm. The diameter D ₂ of the rod portion 211 may be, for example, 5 to 7 mm. For example, the diameter D ₂ may be 6 mm. The rod part 211 may be inserted into the position alignment part 130 (see FIG. 5).

The axial height H ₂ of the protrusion 213 may be, for example, 4 to 6 mm. For example, the axial height H ₂ may be 5 mm. In addition, the width D ₃ of the protrusion 213 may be, for example, between 5 and 7 mm. For example, the width D ₃ may be 6 mm. The protrusion 213 may include first and

second side surfaces

213a and 213b configured to contact the magnetic contact member 220.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating the position alignment unit 130 shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 12A is a perspective view of the position alignment unit 130, FIG. 12B is a top view of the position alignment unit 130, and FIG. 12C is a position alignment unit 130 as shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing cut in the -II direction. An aligning unit 130 comprises a radially extending from loading the first shell portion 211 is inserted and having a first diameter (D ₅₎ (131), the first shell 131 of the drive gear (210) The second shell 132 and the bottom 135 connected to the first and

second shells

131 and 132 may be included. The bottom 135 may form openings in the lower portions of the first and

second shells

131 and 132 to provide a space in which the protrusion 213 rotates.

The diameter D ₅ of the outer circumferential surface of the first shell 131 may have a size corresponding to twice the radius D ₁ of the ring portion 221 illustrated in FIG. 10. For smooth rotation of the ring portion 221, the diameter D ₅ may have a size equal to or slightly smaller than twice the radius D ₁ . In addition, the diameter D ₄ of the inner circumferential surface of the first shell 131 may have a size corresponding to the diameter D ₂ of the rod part 211 illustrated in FIG. 11. For smooth rotation of the drive gear 210, the diameter D ₅ may have the same or somewhat larger size than the diameter D ₂ .

The second shell 132 may have, for example, a circular arc shape. The outer circumferential surface of the arcuate column shape may have a radius D ₆ from the center C ₂ . In addition, the second diameter, which is twice the radius D ₆ of the circular arc shape, may be larger than the first diameter D ₅ of the first shell 131. The radius of the inner circumferential surface of the second shell 132 may have a size corresponding to the radius of the protrusion 213 shown in FIG. 11. In addition, an angle α ₃ formed by a line extending from both sides of the second shell 132 may be, for example, 35 ° to 45 °. For example, the angle α ₃ may be 39 °.

Two grooves 138 may be formed at both lower ends of the first shell 131 to form two

openings

136a and 136b through which the protrusion 213 protrudes together with the second shell 132. The first shell 131 may have first and second shell ends 137a and 137b configured to limit the radius of movement of the protrusion 213. The angle α ₂ formed by the lines extending from the first and second shell ends 137a, 137b may be between 110 ° and 120 °. As an example, the angle α ₂ may be 115 °.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation process of the ice sensor 200 shown in FIG. 5, and FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a change in a sensor output signal of the ice detector 200 shown in FIG. 5. For convenience of description, the description will be made with reference to the reference numerals of the components shown in FIGS. 10 to 12.

The drive gear 210 may be configured to rotate repeatedly between the start position and the end position within the first angle range. For example, the first angle range may be 0 ° to 120 °. For example, the first angle range may be 0 ° to 110 °.

The magnetic contact member 220 may be configured to repeatedly rotate between the start position and the end position within the second angle range in contact with the protrusion 213 of the drive gear 210. For example, the second angle can range from 0 ° to 35 °. For example, the second angle range may be 0 ° to 33 °.

The sensor 165 may be configured to output a first signal (eg, a LOW signal) until the magnetic contact member 220 contacts the protrusion 213 and rotates at a third angle within the second angle range. . In addition, the sensor 165 may be configured to output a second signal (eg, a HIGH signal) when the magnetic contact member 220 contacts the protrusion 213 and rotates beyond the third angle. For example, the third angle may be any of 9 ° to 11 °. The third angle may vary depending on the type of sensor 165. For example, the third angle may be 11 °.

The ice detection process may be sequentially performed along FIGS. 13A to 13D or 14A to 14D. The return process may be sequentially performed along FIGS. 13E to 13H or FIGS. 14E to 14H. The arrow shown in FIG. 14 represents the time flow during which the full ice detection process proceeds, and the 'detection member angle' represents an angle at which the magnetic contact member 220 rotates from an initial state.

Referring to FIG. 13A, the angle β ₁ may mean an angle between lines extending from the first and

second ends

221a and 221b of the ring part 221. Referring to FIG. 13B, the angle β ₂ may mean a minimum rotation angle of the driving gear 210 for the driving gear 210 to contact the magnetic contact member 220. Specifically, the angle β ₂ is such that, when the drive gear 210 rotates, the protrusion 213 rotates from the starting position so that the first side 213a of the protrusion 213 is the first end portion of the ring portion 221. 221a) may refer to an angle starting to contact. That is, when the drive gear 210 rotates at an angle smaller than the angle β ₂ , the first side surface 213a of the protrusion 213 does not contact the first end 221a of the ring portion 221. Angle β ₁ and angle β ₂ may be substantially equal to each other. The angle β ₂ may be equal to the magnitude of the angle α ₁ shown in FIG. 10, and for example, the angle β ₂ may be 77 °.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the output signal of the sensor 165 may be continuously output without changing the first signal. That is, since the magnetic body 223 does not move beyond the predetermined distance from the sensor 165, the sensor 165 may output the signal output from the start position without being converted.

Referring to FIGS. 13C and 14C, the driving gear 210 is rotated at an angle β ₃ . As an example, the angle β ₃ may be 88 °. In this state, the magnetic contact member 220 can rotate by the difference between the angle β ₃ and the angle β ₂ . For example, the magnetic contact member 220 may rotate by 11 ° in the initial state.

Referring to FIG. 14C, a signal output from the sensor 165 may be converted from a first signal to a second signal. When the output signal of the sensor 165 is the second signal, since the sensing member 50 is freely rotatable without contacting the ice, it may indicate that the ice container 40 is in a storage state. When the signal output from the sensor 165 is the second signal, the control circuit 160 may rotate the ejector 30 in the forward direction to discharge the ice from the ice making tray 20.

Referring to FIGS. 13D and 14D, the driving gear 210 may be rotated to the maximum to be in a state in which rotation is completed. The angle β ₄ rotated by the drive gear 210 may be 110 °, for example. The magnetic contact member 220 may rotate by a difference between the angle β ₄ and the angle β ₂ . For example, the magnetic contact member 220 may rotate by 33 ° in the initial state. Referring to FIG. 12B, when the first side surface 213a of the protrusion 213 contacts the second shell end 137b, the rotation ends and the magnetic contact member 220 can no longer rotate. Can be. Referring to FIG. 14D, the sensor 165 may maintain the output of the HIGH signal without changing it.

Since the magnetic contact member 220 is not provided with a configuration for returning to the original position, such as a spring, when no external force is applied, the magnetic contact member 220 can maintain the rotated state. As such, the ice detection process may be performed, and then the return process may be immediately performed.

13 (e) and 14 (e) may show a configuration in which the return process starts. 13 (d) and 14 (d) are in a state where the driving gear 210 is stopped after rotating in a counterclockwise direction, and FIGS. 13 (e) and 14 (e) are driving gears 210. ) Is starting to rotate clockwise. The drive gear 210 does not rotate the magnetic contact member 220 until it reaches FIGS. 13F and 14F.

13F and FIG. 14F, the drive gear 210 is rotated in the clockwise direction so that the second side surface 221b is in contact with the second ring end 221b of the ring portion 221. To show. After this state, the magnetic contact member 220 may contact the protrusion 2213 and rotate in a clockwise direction. 13 (f) and 14 (f) show a state in which the drive gear 210 is rotated by 77 ° from the previous state shown in FIGS. 13 (e) and 14 (e). In this state, the angle β _{5 at} which the protrusion 213 is rotated from the initial state may be 33 °, for example.

13G and 14G show a state in which the drive gear 210 further rotates in the clockwise direction. In this state, the angle β _{6 at} which the protrusion 213 is rotated from the initial state may be, for example, 11 °. Referring to FIG. 14G, since the magnetic body 223 is close to the sensor 165, a signal output from the sensor 165 may be converted from a HIGH second signal to a first signal.

Next, referring to FIGS. 13H and 14H, the driving gear 210 may be further rotated clockwise to return to the initial state as illustrated in FIG. 13A. In addition, the magnetic contact member 220 may return to an initial state. Accordingly, the return process may be terminated.

The ice detector according to the above embodiments may detect the ice and ice storage conditions of the ice container without using a plurality of magnetic bodies and a plurality of sensors, respectively. In addition, the sensor is configured to output the second signal only when the sensing member is rotated in the iced state and output the first signal when returning to the home position, so that the bottom sensing can be clearly output and whether the home return is clearly output. . In the above-described embodiment, the first signal is a LOW signal and the second signal is described as a HIGH signal, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first signal may be any suitable signal that is distinguished from the second signal.

Although the technical spirit of the present disclosure has been described with reference to some embodiments and the examples shown in the accompanying drawings, the technical spirit and scope of the present disclosure may be understood by those skilled in the art. It will be appreciated that various substitutions, modifications, and alterations can be made in the scope. Also, such substitutions, modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

In the drive device for controlling the ice making operation of the ice maker,

A housing defining an inner space;

A driving unit disposed at one side of the internal space and including a driving motor generating a rotational force and a gear assembly driven by the rotational force generated by the driving motor; And

It is disposed on the other side of the inner space, and includes a sensor to detect the amount of ice discharged from the ice maker,

The detection unit,

A drive gear engaged with one side of the gear assembly to rotate within a first angle range;

A magnetic contact member to which a magnetic body is attached and which rotates within a second angle range smaller than the first angle range in contact with the drive gear;

And a sensor configured to detect a movement of the magnetic material and output a first signal or a second signal according to the amount of ice discharged from the ice maker.

drive.
The method of claim 1,

The sensor is configured to output the first signal when the amount of ice discharged is full ice, and output the second signal when the amount of ice discharged is storage ice,

drive.
The method of claim 1,

Further comprising a stop plate disposed on the drive unit to be received in the housing, the stop plate formed with a position alignment portion in which the drive gear and the magnetic contact member is disposed,

drive.
The method of claim 3,

The lower end of the position alignment portion has an open shape so that the drive gear is inserted and rotated,

drive.
The method of claim 3,

The drive gear is,

A gear part engaged with one side of the gear assembly;

A rod part disposed above the gear part and inserted into the position alignment part; And

A projecting portion configured to project radially from the rod portion and to contact the magnetic contact member,

drive.
The method of claim 5,

The magnetic contact member,

A ring portion surrounding the outer circumference of the position alignment portion and disposed coaxially with a central axis of the position alignment portion; And

A magnetic portion extending radially from the ring portion and containing the magnetic body;

drive.
The method of claim 6,

The ring portion has a cylindrical wall shape,

The position alignment portion is inserted into the cylindrical wall,

A portion of the lower end of the cylindrical wall is cut to provide a rotational space of the protrusion,

drive.
The method of claim 6,

The ring portion has two ring ends configured to contact the protrusion,

The angle formed by the line extending from the two ring ends is between 75 ° and 85 °,

drive.
The method of claim 5,

The position alignment unit,

A first shell having the rod portion inserted therein and having a first diameter; And

A second shell extending radially from the first shell and having a second diameter greater than the first diameter,

Two grooves are formed at both lower ends of the first shell to form two openings through which the protrusion protrudes together with the second shell.

drive.
The method of claim 9,

The first shell has two shell ends configured to limit the radius of travel of the protrusions,

An angle formed by a line extending from the two shell ends is between 110 ° and 120 °,

drive.
The method of claim 1,

The first angle range is 0 ° to 120 °,

The drive gear is configured to rotate repeatedly within the first angle range,

drive.
The method of claim 1,

The second angle ranges from 0 ° to 35 °,

The magnetic contact member is configured to rotate repeatedly within the second angle range,

drive.
The method of claim 1,

The sensor is configured to output the first signal until the magnetic contact member contacts the drive gear and rotates at a third angle within the second angle range,

The sensor is configured to output the second signal from when the magnetic contact member rotates beyond the third angle in contact with the drive gear,

drive.
The method of claim 13,

Wherein the third angle is between 9 ° and 11 °,

drive.
In the ice maker is installed on one side of the refrigerator to manufacture ice,

An ice making tray in which the ice is iced;

An ice-breaking heater coupled to the ice-making tray and separating the ice ice from the ice-making tray;

An ejector for discharging ice ice from the ice tray; And

An ice container for receiving the ice discharged from the ejector;

A housing to which the ice tray is coupled and to form an inner space;

A driving unit disposed at one side of the internal space and including a drive motor generating a rotational force and a gear assembly rotating the ejector with the rotational force generated by the driving motor; And

It is disposed on the other side of the inner space, and comprises an ice detection detector configured to detect the ice of the ice contained in the ice container,

The ice detection unit,

A driving gear engaged with one side of the gear assembly to rotate within a first angle range;

An ice making member connected to the drive gear and rotating together with the drive gear and in contact with the ice contained in the ice container;

A magnetic contact member having a magnetic body attached thereto, the magnetic contact member rotating in a second angle range smaller than a first angle range in contact with the driving gear;

And a sensor configured to detect a movement of the magnetic material and output a first signal or a second signal related to whether or not the ice contained in the ice container is full.

Ice maker.
The method of claim 15,

The sensing member is configured to rotate in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the ejector,

Ice maker.
The method of claim 15,

The sensor is configured to output the first signal when the sensing member is in contact with ice contained in the ice container,

Ice maker.
The method of claim 15,

The sensor is configured to output the first signal when the ice contained in the ice container is full ice, and is configured to output the second signal when the ice contained in the ice container is ice storage,

Ice maker.
A refrigerator comprising a main body defining a storage space, a door rotatably coupled to the main body, and an ice maker installed at one side of the main body or the door.

The ice maker,

An ice making tray in which ice is iced;

An ice-breaking heater coupled to the ice-making tray and separating the ice ice from the ice-making tray;

An ejector for discharging ice ice from the ice tray; And

An ice container for receiving the ice discharged from the ejector;

A housing to which the ice tray is coupled and forms an inner space;

A driving unit disposed at one side of the internal space and including a drive motor generating a rotational force and a gear assembly rotating the ejector with the rotational force generated by the driving motor; And

A freezing sensor disposed on the other side of the inner space and configured to detect freezing of ice contained in the ice container;

The ice detection unit,

A driving gear engaged with one side of the gear assembly to rotate within a first angle range;

An ice making member connected to the drive gear and rotating together with the drive gear and in contact with the ice contained in the ice container;

A magnetic contact member having a magnetic body attached thereto, the magnetic contact member rotating in a second angle range smaller than a first angle range in contact with the driving gear;

And a sensor configured to detect a movement of the magnetic material and output a first signal or a second signal related to whether or not the ice contained in the ice container is full.

Refrigerator.