Patent Application
20240263863
The present invention relates to an ice maker, a refrigerator, and a control method therefor.
In general, a refrigerator is an appliance for storing food at a low temperature, having at least one of a refrigerating compartment for storing food in a cooled state and a freezing compartment for storing food in a frozen state.
The refrigerator may provide cold air to at least one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment using a refrigeration cycle, in which refrigerant circulates through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator.
Further, at least one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment is provided with an ice making compartment, and an ice maker is installed in the ice making compartment.
The ice maker is a device that performs a function of making ice by being supplied with ice making water.
The ice maker includes an ice tray having ice making grooves formed therein. After the ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves, ice may be produced by freezing the ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves.
A method of freezing the ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves includes an intercooling ice making method and a direct cooling ice making method.
The intercooling ice making method is a method of freezing the ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves by supplying cold air that is thermally exchanged with the evaporator of the refrigerator to the ice making compartment, which is a space in which the ice tray is disposed.
The direct cooling ice making method is a method of freezing the ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves by supplying refrigerant that has passed through the expansion device of the refrigerator to a device, cooling device, and cooling part installed inside the ice tray.
Meanwhile, when making ice in the ice making grooves is completed, the ice is separated from the ice making grooves by an ice separation means and stored in an ice box.
A method of separating ice from the ice making grooves includes a twist method in which the ice tray is twisted to separate ice that is stuck in the ice making grooves, and an ejector method in which an ice separating heater installed in the ice tray heats up to slightly melt ice stuck in the ice making grooves, and then an ejector pushes the ice out of the ice making grooves.
Korean Patent No. 10-1439460 (published on Sep. 12, 2014) (hereinafter referred to as “the related art”) discloses an “ice maker” with an ejector type.
In the ice maker, such as the related prior art described above, the ice making water within the ice making grooves changes to ice, after approximately 50 minutes have passed since the ice making water was supplied to the ice making grooves of the ice tray. Therefore, the ice maker in the related art starts to separate the ice from the ice making grooves after approximately 50 minutes have passed since the ice making water was supplied to the ice making grooves.
With reference to
That is, when surrounding temperature of the refrigerator is low, an operation rate of the refrigeration cycle is lowered, thereby increasing the time when the refrigeration cycle is not operating. In this case, there has been a problem in that the ice maker would either delay the ice separation a lot, or the ice separation temperature (approximately −8° C.) would not be reached, resulting in no ice being made.
In addition, there has been a problem in that a small refrigerator has insufficient cooling capacity to reach the ice separation temperature of the ice maker, resulting in low ice making capacity.
In addition, there has been a problem in that when preset temperature of the refrigerator is high (high, medium, low), the time to reach the ice separation temperature of the ice maker is much delayed or not reachable in case of a low capacity refrigerator, resulting in a significantly lower amount of ice to be made.
In this regard, the existing ice maker is not able to respond efficiently to various conditions in the refrigerator because one ice separation starting time point is preset, while there are various situations in the refrigerator.
The present invention has been made in an effort to provide an ice maker, a refrigerator and a control method therefor, enabling the efficient separation of ice from ice making grooves in an ice tray at the time point when the ice making is completed, regardless of the size (capacity), operation rate, surrounding temperature and cooling capacity of a refrigerator.
Technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned technical problems, and other technical problems, which are not mentioned above, may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.
To achieve the above-mentioned object, an ice maker according to the present invention includes: an ice tray having ice making grooves formed therein; an ice separating motor driven to separate ice from the ice making grooves; a casing having the ice separating motor mounted therein; a motor control unit or a heater control unit of the ice maker provided in a refrigerator or the ice maker, in which the control unit is applied to forcibly delayed time before starting ice separation after water is supplied and operates the ice separating motor or ice separating heater after the forcibly delayed time when a combination of ice making time and ice making temperature satisfies a preset ice separation condition. That is, in the present invention, an ice separation starting point may be controlled according to two or more preset times, two or more preset temperatures, and combinations thereof.
An ice maker according to the present invention includes an ice tray, an ice separating motor and a control unit. These configurations may be included in the ice maker or a refrigerator. The ice tray has ice making grooves formed therein. The ice separating motor is driven to separate ice from the ice making grooves. The control unit controls the ice separating motor. The control unit operates the ice separating motor or an ice separating heater at an ice separation starting time point calculated using time elapsed after the ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves and temperature of a refrigerator storage or the temperature of the ice tray.
An ice maker according to the present invention includes an ice tray, an ice separating motor and a control unit. The ice tray has ice making grooves formed therein. The ice separating motor is driven to separate ice from the ice making grooves. The control unit controls the ice separating motor. The control unit operates the ice separating motor or an ice separating heater at an ice separation starting time point or a heating starting time point calculated using cumulative ice making time or cumulative time equal to or less than a predetermined temperature.
An ice maker according to the present invention includes an ice tray, an ice separating motor and a control unit. The ice tray has ice making grooves formed therein. The ice separating motor is driven to separate ice from the ice making grooves. The control unit controls the ice separating motor. In the control unit, ice separation preset temperature of a succeeding time point in time among a plurality of ice separation starting time points is preset higher than preset temperature of a preceding time point in time among the plurality of ice separation starting time points.
An ice maker according to the present invention comprises an ice tray and an ice separating motor. The ice tray has ice making grooves formed therein. The ice separating motor is driven to separate ice from the ice making grooves. The ice separating motor is controlled by a refrigerator control unit provided in a refrigerator. The refrigerator control unit operates the ice separating motor or an ice separating heater at an ice separation starting time point or a heating starting time point calculated using time elapsed after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves and temperature of an ice tray portion.
An ice maker according to the present invention includes an ice tray, an ice separating motor and an ice maker control unit. The ice tray has the ice making grooves formed therein. The ice separating motor is driven to separate ice from the ice making grooves. The ice maker control unit receives an ice separation signal from the refrigerator control unit provided in the refrigerator and controls the ice separating motor. The ice maker control unit operates the ice separating motor or the ice separating heater at a plurality of ice separation starting time points or a plurality of heating starting time points.
An ice maker according to the present invention comprises an ice tray, an ice separating motor, a temperature detection unit, a capacitive sensor, and a control unit. The ice tray has ice making grooves formed therein. The ice separating motor is driven to separate ice from the ice making grooves. the temperature detection unit detects surrounding temperature of the temperature detection unit. The capacitive sensor detects capacitance of the ice making grooves. The control unit controls the ice separating motor. The control unit operates the ice separating motor or the ice separating heater at an ice separation starting time point or a heating starting time point calculated using cumulative ice making time, temperature of the temperature detection unit, and capacitance of the capacitive sensor.
An ice maker according to the present invention comprises an ice tray, an ice separating motor, a temperature detection unit, and a control unit. The ice tray has ice making grooves formed therein. The ice separating motor is driven to separate ice from the ice making grooves. The temperature detection unit detects temperature of the temperature detection unit. The control unit controls the ice separating motor. The control unit operates the ice separating motor or the ice separating heater at an ice separation starting time point or a heating starting time point calculated using temperature detected by the temperature detection unit over time, or a slope of a temperature graph, and cumulative ice making time.
The ice maker has a forced ice separation delay time after water supply, so the ice separation delay or ice making time accumulation is preset temperature equal to or less than a specific temperature, such as 0° C., to improve ice making accuracy.
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the first preset temperature after the first preset time, after ice making water has been supplied to the ice making grooves, the refrigerator is determined to have a high operating rate, and the control unit may determine the first preset time as the operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor as the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than a first-first preset temperature. In case that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than the first preset temperature after the first preset time after ice making water has been supplied to the ice making grooves, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than the first preset temperature after a second preset time that is succeeding in time to the first preset time, the control unit may determine the second preset time as an operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor.
The control unit may determines a third preset time as the operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the second preset temperature that is higher than the first preset temperature after the third preset time that is succeeding in time to the second preset time, in case that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the first preset temperature after the second preset time after the ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves.
A method of controlling an ice maker according to the present invention is a method of controlling an ice maker including an ice tray and a temperature detection unit. The ice tray has ice making grooves formed therein. the temperature detection unit detects surrounding temperature of the temperature detection unit. A method of controlling an ice maker according to the present invention includes a water supply step, an ice making step, and a time point determination step for operating an ice separating heater or an ice separating motor. In the water supply step, ice making water is supplied to ice making grooves. In the ice making step, the ice making water is made into ice. In the time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or ice separating motor, the operation time point of operating the ice separating heater or ice separating motor is determined using time elapsed after the ice making water is supplied and temperature detected by the temperature detection unit. In the time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor, a plurality of time points for operating the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor are determined.
The time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor may include determining a first operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor, and determining a second operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor. In the first time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the first preset temperature after the first preset time, after the water supply step, the refrigerator is determined to have a high operating rate, and the first preset time may be determined as the operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor as the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than a first-first preset temperature. In the second time point determination step for operating the second ice separating heater or ice separating motor, in case that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than the first preset temperature after the first preset time, after the water supply step, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than the first preset temperature after a second preset time that is succeeding in time to the first preset time, the second preset time may be determined as an operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor.
The time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor may further include a third time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or ice separating motor. In the third operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor, in case that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the first preset temperature after the second preset time, after the water supply step, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the second preset temperature that is higher than the first preset temperature, after a third preset time that is succeeding in time to the second preset time, and the third preset time may be determined as the operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor.
An ice maker according to the present invention comprises an ice tray, a temperature detection unit, a capacitive sensor, and a control unit. The ice tray has ice making grooves formed therein. The temperature detection unit detects surrounding temperature of the temperature detection unit. The capacitive sensor detects capacitance of the ice making grooves. The control unit uses time elapsed after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves, temperature detected by the temperature detection unit, and capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor to determine an operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor. The control unit determines the operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor according to rising temperature in a plurality of steps. That is, the control unit according to the present invention may determine the operation time point of the ice separating heater and the ice separating motor by calculating capacitance, temperature, and time in a comprehensive combination.
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the first preset temperature and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance after the first preset time, after ice making water has been supplied to the ice making grooves, the refrigerator is determined to have a high operating rate by the control unit, and the control unit may determine the first preset time as the operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor as the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than a first-first preset temperature. In case that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than the first preset temperature after the first preset time after ice making water has been supplied to the ice making grooves, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than the first preset temperature and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance after a second preset time that is succeeding in time to the first preset time, the control unit may determine the second preset time as an operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor.
The control unit may determine a third preset time as the operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the second preset temperature that is higher than the first preset temperature and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance after the third preset time that is succeeding in time to the second preset time, in case that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the first preset temperature after the second preset time after the ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves.
An ice maker according to the present invention may include: an ice tray having ice making grooves formed therein; an ice separating motor driven to separate ice from the ice making grooves; and a control unit configured to control the ice separating motor, in which the control unit may forcibly delay ice making time, but compare to preset delay time after the preset delay time has elapsed and operate the ice separating motor or an ice separating heater according to the ice separation temperature time point.
An ice maker according to the present invention may include: an ice tray having ice making grooves formed therein; an ice separating motor driven to separate ice from the ice making grooves; and a control unit configured to control the ice separating motor, in which the control unit may use cumulative ice making time or cumulative time equal to or less than a predetermined temperature to calculate, but exclude the cumulative time when the predetermined temperature is exceeded or newly calculate cumulative time or calculate the cumulative time in addition to the existing cumulative time to operate the ice separating motor or an ice separating heater at an ice separation starting time point or a heating starting time point.
A method of controlling an ice maker according to the present invention is a method of controlling an ice maker including an ice tray, a temperature detection unit, and a capacitive sensor. The ice tray has ice making grooves formed therein. The temperature detection unit detects surrounding temperature of the temperature detection unit. The capacitive sensor detects capacitance of the ice making grooves. A method of controlling an ice maker according to the present invention includes a water supply step, an ice making step, and a time point determination step for operating an ice separating heater or an ice separating motor. In the water supply step, ice making water is supplied to ice making grooves. In the ice making step, the ice making water is made into ice. In the time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor, an operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor is determined using time elapsed after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves, temperature detected by the temperature detection unit, and capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor. In the time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor, the time point for operating the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor is determined according to rising temperature in a plurality of steps.
The time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor may include determining a first operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor, and determining a second operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor. In the first time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the first preset temperature after the first preset time and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance, after the water supply step, the refrigerator is determined to have a high operating rate, and the first preset time may be determined as the operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor as the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than a first-first preset temperature. In the second time point determination step for operating the second ice separating heater or ice separating motor, in case that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than the first preset temperature after the first preset time, after the water supply step, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is higher than the first preset temperature the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance after a second preset time that is succeeding in time to the first preset time, the second preset time may be determined as an operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor.
The time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor may further include a third time point determination step for operating the ice separating heater or ice separating motor. In the third operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor, in case that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the first preset temperature after the second preset time, after the water supply step, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the second preset temperature that is higher than the first preset temperature the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance, after a third preset time that is succeeding in time to the second preset time, and the third preset time may be determined as the operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor.
A method of controlling an ice maker according to the present invention including an ice tray having ice making grooves formed therein, and a temperature detection unit configured to detect surrounding temperature, the method including: supplying ice making water to the ice making grooves; making the ice making water to be ice; and determining an operation time point of an ice separating heater or an ice separating motor according to an ice separation temperature time point by forcibly delaying ice making time and comparing preset delay time after the preset delay time has elapsed, in which a plurality of operation time points of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor may be determined in the determining of the operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor.
A method of controlling an ice maker according to the present invention including an ice tray having ice making grooves formed therein; and a temperature detection unit configured to detect surrounding temperature, the method including: supplying ice making water to the ice making grooves; making the ice making water to be ice; and determining an operation time point of an ice separating heater or an ice separating motor by using cumulative ice making time or cumulative time equal to or less than a predetermined temperature to calculate, excluding the cumulative time when the predetermined temperature is exceeded, newly calculating cumulative time, or calculating the cumulative time in addition to the existing cumulative time, in which a plurality of operation time points of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor may be determined in the determining of the operation time point of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor.
Further, the ice maker according to the present invention may further include an ice separating heater.
A refrigerator according to the present invention includes the ice maker.
Other detailed matters of the embodiment are included in the detailed description and the drawings.
In the ice maker, the refrigerator, and the control method therefor according to the present invention, since the operating time points of the ice separating heater or the ice separating motor are configured with a plurality of operating time points, it is possible to efficiently separate ice from the ice making grooves of the ice tray at the time point when the ice is completed in the ice making grooves, among the plurality of operating time points, regardless of the size (capacity), operation rate, surrounding temperature and cooling capacity of a refrigerator.
The effects of the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned effects, and other effects, which are not mentioned above, will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the claims.
Hereinafter, an ice maker, a refrigerator, and a control method therefor according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
With reference to
The refrigerator 1 may include a cabinet in the shape of a rectangular cylinder forming the storage with a front surface that is open, and a door disposed in front of the cabinet to open and close the open front surface of the storage.
The storage may have a plurality of storages formed therein and divided by a barrier, and the door may be provided with a plurality of doors that open and close the plurality of storages.
The storage may include at least one of a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment. The ice maker 100 may be installed in the storage. The ice maker 100 may be capable of making ice. The storage may include an ice box disposed at a lower side of the ice maker 100. Finished ice from the ice maker 100 may be separated and stored in the ice box.
Meanwhile, the ice maker 100 and 200 may be broadly categorized into two types according to a method of separating the finished ice in an ice making grooves of an ice tray from the ice making grooves. That is, the ice maker 100 and 200 may include an ejector-type ice maker 100 that includes an ejector 120, as illustrated in
Here, as illustrated in
With reference to
Ice making grooves 115 may be formed on an upper surface of the ice tray 110. The ice making grooves 115 may be spaces in which ice is formed after ice making water is filled. The ice making grooves 115 may be formed as a plurality of ice making grooves 115 spaced apart from each other along a lengthwise direction of the ice tray 110.
When the ice tray 110 is pressed or die-cast so that a portion of the upper surface of the ice tray 110 is recessed and a portion of a lower surface of the ice tray 110 is convex, the recessed upper surface portion of the ice tray 110 may be ice making grooves 115.
The ice making grooves 115 may be supplied with ice making water from a water supply device installed on one side of the ice tray 110.
After the ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115, when cold air is supplied to the storage of the refrigerator 1, the ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves 115 may be thermally exchanged with the cold air in the storage of the refrigerator 1 to become ice 4.
The ice tray 110 may be disposed protruding on one side of the control box 130 in a horizontal direction. The ice tray 110 may be elongated in the horizontal direction. A slit may be formed in one side of the control box 130 into which one end of the ice tray 110 is inserted in the lengthwise direction. One end of the ice tray 110 in the lengthwise direction may be inserted into the slit formed in one side of the control box 130 and coupled to the control box 130.
The ejector 120 may separate ice that has been made in the ice making grooves 115 from the ice making grooves 115. After ice is made in the ice making grooves 115 of the ice tray 110, the ejector 120 may separate the ice in the ice making grooves 115 from the ice making grooves 115.
The ejector 120 may be formed as a long shaft disposed on one side of the control box 130 in the horizontal direction. The ejector 120 may be disposed upwardly spaced apart from the ice tray 110.
The ejector 120 may have an ejection pin 125 protruding from a peripheral surface of ejector 120. The ejection pin 125 may be formed to protrude from the ejector 120 in a radial direction. When the ejector 120 is rotated in a circumferential direction, an end of the ejection pin 125 may be inserted into the ice making groove 115 to separate ice in the ice making groove 115 from the ice making groove 115. The ejection pin 125 may push ice in the ice making groove 115 to separate the ice from the ice making groove 115.
The ejection pin 125 may be formed of a plurality of ejection pins spaced apart from each other along the lengthwise direction of the ejector 120. The ejection fins 125 may be formed in the same number as the number of ice making grooves 115 formed in the ice tray 110. The plurality of eject pins 125 may be disposed in positions corresponding to the plurality of ice making grooves 115.
Meanwhile, the ice made in the ice making grooves 115 of the ice tray 110 may be disposed in a state of being adhered to the ice making grooves 115. Accordingly, when the ejection pin 125 separates ice made in the ice making groove 115 from the ice making groove 115, the ice may not be easily separated from the ice making groove 115.
An ice separating heater 113 may be installed on the lower surface of the ice tray 110 to enable easy separation of ice from the ice making grooves 115 when the ejection pins 125 separate ice made in the ice making grooves 115 from the ice making grooves 115.
The ice separating heater 113 may be heated before the ejection pins 125 separate ice made in the ice making grooves 115 from the ice making grooves 15. The ice separating heater 113 may provide heat to the ice making grooves 115 to slightly melt ice in the ice making grooves 115. The ice separating heater 113 may slightly melt ice in the ice making grooves 115 so that the ice made in the ice making grooves 115 may be easily separated by the ejection pins 125.
A control unit 131 may be disposed inside the control box 130. In addition, an ice separating motor 135 may be disposed inside the control box 130 to rotate the ejector 120 in the peripheral direction of the ejector 120. The ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 may be controlled by the control unit 131.
The control unit 131 may control the ice separating heater 113 to heat up after ice is made in the ice making grooves 115, to slightly melt the ice that is adhered to the ice making grooves 115. Thereafter, the control unit 131 may control the ice separating motor 135 to allow the ice separating motor 135 to rotate the ejector 120 to enable the ejector pins 125 to separate ice from the ice making grooves 115.
A rotational shaft of the ice separating motor 135 may be coupled to the ejector 120 by means of a coupler. The ejector 120 may extend in a direction of the rotational shaft of the ice separating motor 135. In this case, the ejector 120 may be disposed coaxially with the rotational shaft of the ice separating motor 135. In addition, the rotational shaft of the ice separating motor 135 may be connected to the ejector 120 by means of a plurality of gears, such that a rotational force of the rotational shaft of the ice separating motor 135 may be transmitted to the ejector 120 by means of the plurality of gears. In this case, the ejector 120 may be disposed on a different axis from the rotational shaft of the ice separating motor 135.
The ice separating heater 113 may be formed as a U-shaped tube that is heated by hot gas flowing inside the ice separating heater 113. In this case, the control unit 131 may control a hot gas valve that supplies or blocks the hot gas into the ice separating heater 113 so that the hot gas is supplied or blocked inside the ice separating heater 113.
Alternatively, the ice separating heater 113 may be formed as a heating wire or a surface heater that is heated by electricity that is input to the ice separating heater 113. In this case, the control unit 131 may control a current supply switch that supplies or blocks the electricity to the ice separating heater 113 so that the electricity is supplied or blocked to the ice separating heater.
Meanwhile, the control unit 131 may be provided in the ice maker 100, may be provided in the refrigerator 1, or may be provided in both the ice maker 100 and the refrigerator 1. That is, the control unit 131 may be provided in at least one of the refrigerator 1 and the ice maker 100. The control unit 131 may include a refrigerator control unit provided in the refrigerator 1, and an ice maker control unit provided in the ice maker 100. The ice maker 100 may be operated by receiving a control signal from the refrigerator control unit, or may be operated by receiving a control signal from the ice maker control unit. The ice maker control unit may receive an ice separation signal from the refrigerator control unit to control the ice separating motor 135. A control power for the ice maker control unit may be supplied from the refrigerator control unit.
The ice maker 100 may further include a temperature detection unit 161. The temperature detection unit 161 may include any sensing means capable of detecting surrounding temperature, which may be a temperature sensor or infrared. The temperature detection unit 161 may be installed in the ice tray 61. The temperature detection unit 161 may be installed exposed to the ice tray 110. The temperature detection unit 161 may detect surrounding temperature, and temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 may be input to the control unit 131. The control unit 131 may control at least one of the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 using temperature input from the temperature detection unit 161.
When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is equal to or less than preset temperature after preset time after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115 from the water supply device, the control unit 131 may determine the preset time as an ice separation starting time point for separating ice from the ice making grooves 115.
That is, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 after the preset time is equal to or less than the preset temperature, the control unit 131 determines that ice making water in the ice making grooves 115 has turned into complete ice, and determines the preset time as the ice separation starting time point.
When the control unit 131 determines the preset time as the ice separation starting time point, the ice separation may be started in the ice making grooves 115 at the preset time. That is, when the control unit 131 determines the preset time as the ice separation starting time point, the control unit 131 may control the ice separating motor 135 to rotate the ejector 120 to cause the ejector pins 125 to separate ice in the ice making grooves 115 of the ice tray 110 after the ice separating heater 113 is heated to slightly melt the ice in the ice making grooves 115.
With reference to
That is, the ice maker 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include an ice tray 210 and a control box 230.
The ice tray 210 may have ice making grooves 215 formed therein.
An ice separating motor 235 and a plurality of gears 240 may be installed within the control box 230. The plurality of gears 240 may include a driving gear 241 and a driven gear 242. The driving gear 241 may transmit a driving force of the ice separating motor 235 to the driven gear 242. The driving gear 241 may be composed of a plurality of gears. A rotational shaft coupled to the center of the driven gear 242 may be coupled to one side of the ice tray 210.
The other side of the ice tray 210 may be fixed to a structure of the ice maker 200. Therefore, when the ice separating motor 230 is driven, the plurality of gears 240 may be rotated by the driving force of the ice separating motor 230, and the ice tray 210 may be rotated and twisted accordingly, so that ice in the ice making grooves 215 may be separated from the ice making grooves 215.
A temperature detection unit 261 may be installed on the ice tray 210, and a control unit 231 may be installed inside the control box 230. The temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 261 may be input to the control unit 231, and the control unit 261 may calculate the ice separation starting time point using the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 261 to operate the ice separating motor 235 at the ice separation starting time point.
As described above, in the first embodiment, the control unit 131 may control the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 at the ice separation starting time point, and in the second embodiment, the control unit 231 may control the ice separating motor 135 at the ice separation starting time point.
The first embodiment and the second embodiment may have in common that at the ice separation starting time point, the respective ice separating motors 135 and 235 are controlled by the respective control units 131 and 231. That is, in the first embodiment, the ice separating motor 135 may rotate the ejector 120 such that the ejector pins 125 separate ice from the ice making grooves 115 of the ice tray 110 at the ice separation starting time point, and in the second embodiment, the ice separating motor 235 may rotate the ice tray 210 to twist the ice tray 210 so that ice is separated from the ice making grooves 215 of the ice tray 210 at the ice separation starting time point.
Both embodiments have in common that the ice separating motor 135 of the first embodiment may be driven to allow ice to be separated from the ice making grooves 115 of the ice tray 110 at the ice separation starting time point, and the ice separating motor 235 of the second embodiment may be driven to allow ice to be separated from the ice making grooves 215 of the ice tray 210 at the ice separation starting time point.
In the first embodiment, the control unit 131 may operate the ice separating motor 135 at a plurality of ice separation starting time points, and may operate the ice separating heater 113 at a plurality of heating starting time points. Further, in the second embodiment, the control unit 231 may operate the ice separating motor 235 at a plurality of ice separation starting time points.
Hereinafter, only the first embodiment will be described as an example.
The ice maker 100 needs to separate ice from the ice making grooves 115 by the ejection pins 125 when ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves 115 of the ice tray 110 is in a fully frozen state. However, since an operation rate of the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 1 may vary depending on temperature of the refrigerator 1 and cooling capacity may vary depending on a size (capacity) of the refrigerator 1, it may not be concluded that the ice making water has become complete ice just because a specific time has passed after the ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115.
Therefore, in order to separate ice from the ice making grooves 115 of the ice tray 110 when ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves 115 is in a state of complete ice, the ice maker 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention may operate at least one of the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 at a plurality of ice separation starting time points.
The control unit 131 may operate the ice separating heater 113 or the ice separating motor 135 at a plurality of ice separation starting time points.
The control unit 131 may operate the ice separating heater 113 or the ice separating motor 135 at a plurality of ice separation starting time points calculated using time elapsed after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115, and temperature of the refrigerator 1 storage or temperature of the ice tray 110.
The control unit 131 may operate the ice separating heater 113 or the ice separating motor 135 at a plurality of ice separation starting time points calculated using cumulative time of ice making or cumulative time equal to or less than a predetermined temperature.
In the control unit 131, preset temperature of a succeeding time point in time among a plurality of ice separation starting time points may be preset higher than preset temperature of a preceding time point in time among the plurality of ice separation starting time points.
The ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 may be controlled by the refrigerator control unit provided in the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator control unit may operate the ice separating heater 113 or the ice separating motor 135 at a plurality of ice separation starting time points calculated using time elapsed after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115, and temperature of the ice tray 110.
The ice maker control unit may receive an ice separation signal from the refrigerator control unit provided in the refrigerator 1 to control the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135.
The control unit 131 may operate the ice separating heater 113 or the ice separating motor 135 at an ice separation starting time point corresponding to preset temperature input by the user through an input unit. The input unit may be provided as a button or touch type. The input unit may be installed in the ice maker 100, or may be installed in the refrigerator 1. The input unit may be installed on the door of the refrigerator 1. The user may enter the preset temperature to adjust the plurality of ice separation starting time points through the input unit.
The control unit 131 may forcibly operate the ice separating heater 113 or the ice separating motor 135 after the preset time when the plurality of ice separation starting time points have elapsed.
The control unit 131 may control a cumulative coordination of time between a water supply function and an ice separation function.
The control unit 131 may control a cumulative coordination of time between an ice separation and the next ice separation.
The control unit 131 may control the water supply using a capacitive sensor (162; see
A control circuit of the ice maker control unit may be electrically connected to a control circuit of the refrigerator control unit.
The control unit 131 may operate the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 at an ice separation starting time point calculated using cumulative ice making time, temperature of the temperature detection unit 161, and capacitance of the capacitive sensor 162.
The control unit 131 may operate the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 at an ice separation starting time point calculated using a slope of a temperature graph detected by the temperature detection unit 161 over time and the cumulative time of ice making.
The control unit 131 may control the ice separation starting time point according to rising temperature in a plurality of steps. That is, the control unit 131 according to the present invention may determine an operation time point of the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 by calculating the capacitance, temperature, and time in a comprehensive combination.
In the description below, an ice separation starting time point, a first ice separation starting time point, a second ice separation starting time point, a third ice separation starting time point, and a fourth ice separation starting time point may have the same meaning as an operation time point of the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135. That is, for the ice maker 100 of the first embodiment, the ice separation starting time point, the first ice separation starting time point, the second ice separation starting time point, the third ice separation starting time point, and the fourth ice separation starting time point may have the same meaning as an operation time point of the ice separating heater 113. In addition, for the ice maker 200 of the second embodiment, the ice separation starting time point, the first ice separation starting time point, the second ice separation starting time point, the third ice separation starting time point, and the fourth ice separation starting time point may be time point to operate the ice separating motor 135.
Referring to
In addition, the control unit 131 may determine again the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 after the second preset time T2, which is succeeding in time to the first preset time T1 when temperature detected by temperature detection unit 161 determined after the first preset time T1 after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115 from the water supply device, is higher than the first preset temperature Z. The control unit 131 may determine the second preset time T2 as the second ice separation starting time point when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is higher than the first preset temperature Z after the second preset time T2. Here, the second preset time T2 is a time is succeeding to the first preset time T1 of 50 minutes by 10 to 20 minutes, and may be 60 to 70 minutes after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115 from the water supply device, and temperature C2 above the first preset temperature Z may be −7° C. That is, when determining that the ice making water has not turn into complete ice after 50 minutes after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115 from the water supply device, which is the first ice separation starting time point, the control unit 131 determines again the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 after 10 to 20 minutes from the first ice separation starting time point, and determines that the ice making water in the ice making grooves 115 has turned into complete ice when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is higher than −9° C. Thereafter, the control unit 131 may control the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 to start separating ice from the ice making grooves 115.
In addition, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161, which is determined after the second preset time T2 after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115 from the water supply device, is equal to or less than the first preset temperature, the control unit 131 may determine again the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 after a third preset time T3 that is succeeding in time to the second preset time T2. The control unit 131 may determine the third preset time T3 as the third ice separation starting time point when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is equal to or less than the second preset temperature C after the third preset time T3. Here, the third preset time T3 is a time is succeeding to the second preset time T2 by 10 to 20 minutes, and may be 70 to 90 minutes after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115 from the water supply device, and the second preset temperature C is temperature higher than the first preset temperature Z, and may be −5° C. That is, when determining that the ice making water has not turned into complete ice after 60 to 70 minutes after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115 from the water supply device, which is the second ice separation starting time point, the control unit 131 determines again the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 after 10 to 20 minutes from the second ice separation starting time point, and determines that the ice making water in the ice making grooves 115 has turned into complete ice when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is equal to or less than −5° C. Thereafter, the control unit 131 may control the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 to start separating ice from the ice making grooves 115.
In addition, in some instances, the control unit 131 is performed to forcibly delay ice making time, but compare to a predetermined delay time after the predetermined delay time has elapsed and operate the ice separating motor or the ice separating heater according to an ice separation temperature time point, or the control unit 131 may be configured to use cumulative ice making time or cumulative time in a predetermined temperature or less to calculate, but to exclude the cumulative time when the temperature is above the predetermined temperature, or to newly calculate the cumulative time or to calculate the cumulative time in addition to the existing cumulative time to operate the ice separating motor or the ice separating heater at the ice separation starting time point or the heating starting time point.
With reference to
With reference to
In the ice separation starting time point determination step S3000, the control unit 131 may determine the ice separation starting time point based on rising temperature in a plurality of steps. The ice separation starting time point determination step S3000 may include a first ice separation starting time point determination step S3, a second ice separation starting time point determination step S5, a third ice separation starting time point determination step S7, and a fourth ice separation starting time point determination step S9.
After the water supply step S1000, temperature input step S1 may be performed. In the temperature input step S1, the temperature detection unit 161 may detect surrounding temperature of the temperature detection unit 161, and temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 may be input to the control unit 131.
After the temperature input step S1, a first temperature determination step S2 may be performed. In the first temperature determination step S2, the control unit 131 may determine whether the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 after the water supply step S1000 is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature A.
As a result of the first temperature determination step S2, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is equal to or less than the predetermined temperature A, it may be determined whether the first preset time T1 has elapsed (S4). Further, as a result of determining whether the first preset time T1 has elapsed (S4), when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature B, it is determined that the refrigerator has a high operating rate, and the first ice separation starting time point determination step S3 or the second ice separation starting time point determination step S5 may be performed at the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit that is equal to or less than the first preset temperature Z or a first-first preset temperature Z-1. In the first ice separation starting time point determination step S3 or the second ice separation starting time point determination step S5, the control unit 131 may determine the first preset time T1 or the first preset time T1-1 as the first ice separation starting time point S3 or the second ice separation starting time point S5.
As a result of the first preset time T1 elapsed determination step S4, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is higher than the predetermined temperature B, a second preset time T2 elapsed determination step S6 is performed to determine whether temperature is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature C. As a result of the second preset time T2 elapsed determination step S6, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the predetermined temperature C, a third ice separation starting time point determination step S7 may be performed at a third preset temperature B. In the third ice separation starting time point determination step S7, the control unit 131 may determine the second preset time T2 as the third ice separation starting time point (S7).
In addition, as a result of the second preset time T2 elapsed determination step S4, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is higher than the predetermined temperature C, a third preset time T3 elapsed determination step S8 is performed to determine whether temperature is equal to or less than a predetermined temperature D. As a result of the third preset time T3 elapsed determination step S8, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the predetermined temperature D, a fourth ice separation starting time point determination step S9 may be performed at the predetermined temperature D. In the fourth ice separation starting time point determination step S9, the control unit 131 may determine the third preset time T3 as the fourth ice separation starting time point (S9). The fourth ice separation starting time point may be a time point when at least one of the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 is forcibly operated.
Meanwhile, as a result of the fourth temperature determination step S9, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is higher than the preset temperature D, it is possible to return to the fourth temperature determination step S9.
With reference to
The capacitive sensor 162 may detect capacitance of the ice making grooves 115. The control unit 131 may use the capacitance input from the capacitive sensor 162 to determine whether ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves 115 has turned into complete ice.
That is, the capacitance of the ice making grooves 115 is proportional to the permittivity of an object accommodated in the ice making grooves 115. Since the dielectric constant of water is typically 80 and the dielectric constant of ice is 100, when ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves 115 turns to complete ice, the capacitance of the ice making water increases compared to when the ice making water is not frozen. The capacitance of the ice making grooves 115 may be preset in the control unit 131 when the ice making water in the ice making grooves 115 has turned into complete ice. The control unit 131 may compare capacitance input from the capacitive sensor 162 to the preset capacitance to determine whether the ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves 115 has turned into complete ice. The control unit 131 may determine that the ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves 115 has turned into complete ice when capacitance input from the capacitive sensor 162 is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance.
As described in the previous embodiment, after determining that ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves 115 has turned into complete ice, the control unit 131 compares capacitance input from the capacitive sensor 162 to the preset capacitance to determine again whether the ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves 115 has turned into complete ice. As a result of the re-determination, when determining that the ice making water supplied to the ice making grooves 115 has turned into complete ice, the control unit 131 may control the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 to start separating ice from the ice making grooves 115.
That is, the control unit 131 may use time elapsed after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115, temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161, and capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162, and determine the ice separation starting time point for separating ice from the ice making grooves 115.
The control unit 131 may determine the ice separation starting time point according to rising temperature in a plurality of steps.
That is, the control unit 131 may determine the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162, after the first preset time T1 after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 15. When the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 after the first preset time T1 is equal to or less than the first preset temperature Z and capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance, the control unit 131 may determine that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than a first-first preset temperature Z-1 and the first preset time T1 is the first ice separation starting time point by determining that a refrigerator has a high operation rate.
In addition, the control unit 131 may determine again the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 after the second preset time T2 when temperature detected by temperature detection unit 161 determined after the first preset time T1 after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115, is higher than the first preset temperature Z. The control unit 131 may determine the second preset time T2 as the second ice separation starting time point when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is higher than the first preset temperature Z after the second preset time T2 and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance.
In addition, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161, which is determined after the second preset time T2 after ice making water is supplied to the ice making grooves 115, is equal to or less than the first preset temperature Z, the control unit 131 may determine again the temperature detected by the temperature detector 161 and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 after the third preset time T3. The control unit 31 may determine the third preset time T3 as the third ice separation starting time point when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is equal to or less than the second preset temperature C after the third preset time T3 and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance.
With reference to
In the ice separation starting time point determination step S3000, the control unit 131 may determine the ice separation starting time point based on rising temperature in a plurality of steps. The ice separation starting time point determination step S3000 may include a first ice separation starting time point determination step S30, a second ice separation starting time point determination step S50, and a third ice separation starting time point determination step S70.
After the water supply step S1000, temperature and capacitance input step S10 may be performed. In the temperature and capacitance input step S10, the temperature detection unit 161 may detect surrounding temperature, and the capacitive sensor 162 may detect capacitance of the ice making grooves 115. The temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 may be input to the control unit 131.
After the temperature and capacitance input step S1, a first temperature and capacitance determination step S20 may be performed. In the first temperature and capacitance determination step S20, after the water supply step S1000 and after the first preset time T1, the control unit 131 may determine that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is equal to or less than the first preset temperature Z, and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance.
As a result of the first temperature and capacitance determination step S20, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is equal to or less than the first preset temperature Z and capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance, the refrigerator is determined to have a high operating rate, and the first ice start determination step S30 may be performed as the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is equal to or less than the first-first preset temperature Z-1. In the first ice separation starting time point determination step S30, the control unit 131 may determine the first preset time T1 as the first ice separation starting time point.
In addition, as a result of the first temperature and capacitance determination step S20, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is higher than the first preset temperature Z, the second temperature and capacitance determination step S40 may be performed. In the second temperature and capacitance determination step S40, and after the second preset time T2, the control unit 131 may determine that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is higher than the first preset temperature Z, and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance.
As a result of the second temperature and capacitance determination step S40, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is higher than the first preset temperature Z and capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance, the second ice separation starting time point determination step S50 may be performed. In the second ice separation starting time point determination step S50, the control unit 131 may determine the second preset time T2 as the second ice separation starting time point.
In addition, as a result of the second temperature and capacitance determination step S40, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is equal to or less than the first preset temperature Z, the third temperature and capacitance determination step S60 may be performed. In the third temperature and capacitance determination step S60, and after the third preset time T3, the control unit 131 may determine that the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is equal to or less than the second preset temperature C, and the capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance.
As a result of the third temperature and capacitance determination step S60, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is equal to or less than the second preset temperature C and capacitance detected by the capacitive sensor 162 is equal to or greater than the preset capacitance, the third ice separation starting time point determination step S70 may be performed. In the third ice separation starting time point determination step S70, the control unit 131 may determine the third preset time T3 as the third ice separation starting time point.
Meanwhile, as a result of the third temperature and capacitance determination step S60, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is higher than the second preset temperature C, a logic may return to the temperature and capacitance input step S10.
Alternatively, as a result of the third temperature and capacitance determination step S60, when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 161 is higher than the second preset temperature C, a fourth preset time that is succeeding in time to the third preset time T3 may be determined as the fourth ice separation starting time point. The fourth ice separation starting time point may be a time point in which that at least one of the ice separating heater 113 and the ice separating motor 135 is forcibly operated.
As described above, in the ice maker 100, the refrigerator 1, and the control method therefor according to embodiments of the present invention, since the operating time points T1, T2, and T3 of the ice separating heater 113 or the ice separating motors 135 and 235 are configured with a plurality of operating time points T1, T2, and T3, it is possible to efficiently separate ice from the ice making grooves 115 and 215 of the ice trays 110 and 210 at the time point when the ice is completed in the ice making grooves 115 and 215, among the plurality of operating time points T1, T2, and T3, regardless of the size (capacity), operation rate, surrounding temperature and cooling capacity of a refrigerator.
A person skilled in the art may understand that the present invention may be carried out in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all aspects and do not limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is represented by the claims to be described below rather than the detailed description, and it should be interpreted that the meaning and scope of the claims and all the changes or modified forms derived from the equivalent concepts thereto fall within the scope of the present invention.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/KR2020/010927 | 8/14/2020 | WO |
