Patent Application
20250155176
The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.
In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that allows food to be stored at low temperatures in an internal storage space shielded by a door. The refrigerator may cool the inside of the storage space using cold air, thereby keeping the stored food in a refrigerated or frozen state.
Typically, an ice maker is provided inside a refrigerator to make ice. The ice maker is configured to make ice by receiving water supplied from a water supply source or a water tank in a tray. Additionally, the ice maker is configured to separate ice that has already been made from the ice tray using a heating method or a twisting method. In this way, the ice maker, which automatically supplies water and separates ice, is formed to open upward and scoops up the formed ice.
The ice made in an ice maker with this structure has at least one flat surface, such as a crescent shape or a cubic shape. Meanwhile, if the shape of the ice is spherical, it may be more convenient to use the ice and provide a unique feeling of use to the user. Additionally, when storing made ice, clumping of ice may be minimized by minimizing the area in contact with each other.
An object of the refrigerator according to this embodiment is to provide a refrigerator in which there is no blind spot for full ice detection within the ice bank.
An object of the refrigerator according to this embodiment is to provide a refrigerator that can prevent malfunctions in which ice becomes trapped between the full ice detection member and the tray supporter during the full ice detection and ice separation process.
A refrigerator according to an embodiment to solve the above problem includes a cabinet having a storage space; a door configured to open and close the storage space and including an ice-making chamber; an ice maker provided in the ice-making chamber and configured to make spherical ice; and an ice bank provided below the ice maker and configured to store ice separated from the ice maker, in which the ice maker includes an upper tray including an upper cell having a hemispherical shape; a lower tray provided below the upper tray and including a lower cell which contacts the upper cell to form an ice chamber having a spherical shape; a tray supporter configured to support the lower tray and provided to be rotatable; a driving unit configured to rotate the tray supporter; and a full ice detection member connected to the driving unit, and including a detection part that rotates in a same direction as the tray supporter and detects whether the ice bank is full of ice, the detection part is configured to reciprocate between a first wall at the rear of the ice bank and a second wall at the front of the ice bank, and a minimum distance between the detection part and the first wall is smaller than a diameter of the ice chamber.
In a process of a rotation of the full ice detection member and the tray supporter, a minimum distance between an end portion of the tray supporter and the detection part may be larger than the diameter of the ice chamber.
In the process of the rotation of the full ice detection member and the tray supporter, the minimum distance between the end portion of the tray supporter and the detection part may be smaller than twice the diameter of the ice chamber.
In the process of the rotation of the full ice detection member and the tray supporter, the minimum distance between the end portion of the tray supporter and the detection part may be formed when the tray supporter and the full ice detection member intersect.
A central axis of rotation of the full ice detection member may be located behind a center axis of rotation of the tray supporter.
The central axis of rotation of the full ice detection member may be located below the central axis of rotation of the tray supporter.
In a process of the rotation of the full ice detection member, a minimum distance between the detection part and the second wall may be greater than a minimum distance between the detection part and the first wall.
The tray supporter may be configured to rotate to open rearward.
The driving unit includes a first driving part providing rotational force to the tray supporter, and a second driving part providing rotational force to the full ice detection member, and the first driving part may be located ahead of the second driving part.
The first driving part may be located above the second driving part.
When forming a minimum distance between the detection part and the first wall of the ice bank, the full ice detection member may form a maximum rear rotation angle.
When forming a minimum distance between the detection part and the second wall of the ice bank, the full ice detection member may form a maximum front rotation angle, and the maximum rear rotation angle may be greater than the maximum front rotation angle.
The refrigerator further includes a cover mounted on the upper tray and configured to guide a flow of cold air passing through the upper tray, in which an end portion of the full ice detection member may be connected to the driving unit, and the other end portion of the full ice detection member may be connected to the cover.
The detection part includes a first position forming a minimum distance from the first wall, and a second position forming a minimum distance from the second wall, and the second position may be located lower than the first position.
In the first position, the full ice detection member may form a maximum rear rotation angle, in the second position, the full ice detection member may form a maximum front rotation angle, and the maximum rear rotation angle may be greater than the maximum front rotation angle.
A distance from the first wall to the rotation axis of the full ice detection member may be smaller than a distance from the first wall to the rotation axis of the tray supporter.
A trace of an end portion of the tray supporter may be located above a trace of the detection part of the full ice detection member.
The trace of the detection part of the full ice detection member may be located inside the front and rear of the trace of the end portion of the tray supporter.
In the refrigerator according to one embodiment, the full ice detection member provided in the ice maker may detect full ice over the entire area from the front wall to the rear wall of the ice bank. Therefore, there may not be a blind spot for full ice detection within the ice bank.
The refrigerator according to one embodiment secures a separation distance equal to or greater than the diameter of the ice between the lower end of the full ice detection member and the end portion of the tray supporter, thereby preventing malfunction in which ice becomes trapped between the full ice detection member and the tray supporter in a process of the full ice detection and ice separation process.
Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail through illustrative drawings. When adding reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that identical components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are illustrated in different drawings. In addition, when describing embodiments of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of related known components or functions will be omitted if they are determined to be obvious to those skilled in the art.
Additionally, in describing the components of the embodiments of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and an essence, order or sequence of a corresponding component is not limited by the terms. When a component is described as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “joined” to another component, it should be understood that component may be connected or joined directly to other component, but another component between respective components may be “connected,” “coupled,” or “joined.”
For convenience of explanation and understanding, we would like to define direction. Hereinafter, based on the floor where the refrigerator 1 is installed, the direction toward the floor may be referred to as a downward direction, and the direction toward the high surface of the cabinet opposite to that may be referred to as an upward direction. Additionally, the direction toward the door may be referred to as a front direction, and the direction toward the inside of the cabinet based on the door may be referred to as a rear direction. In addition, when you want to talk about an undefined direction, you may define and explain the direction based on each drawing.
Referring to
For example, the cabinet 10 may form a storage space divided in a vertical direction, and a refrigerating chamber 11 may be formed at the upper portion and a freezing chamber may be formed at the lower portion.
The door 20 may include a refrigerating chamber door 21 that opens and closes the refrigerating chamber 11 and a freezing chamber door 22 that opens and closes the freezing chamber 12. For example, the refrigerating chamber door 21 may be a first door, and the freezing chamber door 22 may be a second door.
The refrigerating chamber door 21 is connected to the cabinet 10 by a hinge (not illustrated) and may be a rotary door that opens and closes the refrigerating chamber 11 by rotation. Additionally, a pair of refrigerating chamber doors 21 may be disposed on both left and right sides. The refrigerating chamber 11 may be opened and closed by a pair of refrigerating chamber doors 21. Additionally, the freezing chamber door 22 may be configured to be pulled in and out in a drawer style to open and close the freezing chamber. Of course, the freezing chamber door 22 may be composed of a pair of doors that rotate on both left and right sides, like the refrigerator door 21.
Meanwhile, an ice-making chamber 23 may be formed in one of the refrigerating chamber doors 21. Additionally, a dispenser 24 that dispenses water or ice may be provided on the front surface of the refrigerating chamber door 21 where the ice making chamber 23 is provided.
Of course, in this embodiment, for convenience of explanation and understanding, the refrigerator 1 is described as an example in which the refrigerating chamber 11 is disposed at the top and the freezing chamber is disposed at the bottom, but the present disclosure is not limited to the shape of the refrigerator 1 and may be applied to all types of refrigerators 1 equipped with a door.
An ice maker 30 may be provided inside the ice-making chamber 23. Hereinafter, the refrigerating chamber door 21 equipped with the ice maker 30 will be described in detail with reference to
Referring to
The ice-making chamber 23 may be equipped with an ice maker 30 that makes ice. Additionally, the ice-making chamber 23 may be provided with an ice bank 27 in which ice separated from the ice maker 30 is stored.
The ice maker 30 and the ice bank 27 may be disposed vertically inside the ice-making chamber 23. Additionally, the ice maker 30 may be located on the side of the cold air inlet 232, and the cold air flowing into the ice-making chamber 23 may be directed to the ice maker 30.
Additionally, a mounting member 26 may be provided on the inner surface of the ice-making chamber 23. The mounting member 26 is for mounting the ice maker 30 and the ice bank 27 and may be provided on the front surface and the lower surface of the ice-making chamber 23.
An ice chute 234 in communication with the dispenser 24 may be provided on the lower surface of the ice-making chamber 23. When the dispenser 24 is operated, ice stored in the ice bank 27 may be discharged to the dispenser 24 through the ice chute 234.
Hereinafter, the ice maker 30 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As illustrated, the ice maker 30 may include an upper tray 40 and a lower tray 50 for making a plurality of spherical ice cubes. In addition, the ice maker 30 may be further equipped with a cover 60 to supply water to the upper tray 40 and guide the flow of cold air. Additionally, the ice maker 30 may include a motor unit 70 for rotating the lower tray 50. Additionally, the ice maker 30 may include an upper ejector 80 for separating ice from the upper tray 40 and a lower ejector 90 for separating ice from the lower tray 50.
The upper tray 40 may include a tray body 41. The tray body 41 may be formed in a plate shape, and a cover 60 may be disposed above the tray body 41. Additionally, at least a portion of the upper surface of the tray body 41 may be shielded by the cover 60.
Additionally, a plurality of upper cells 401 may be formed on the tray body 41. A plurality of upper cells 401 may be formed on the tray body 41. The recessed cell forming part 42 may protrude based on the tray body 41, and the upper cell 401 may be formed inside the cell forming part 42. The upper cell 401 may be formed in a hemispherical shape with an open lower surface. The upper cells 401 may be disposed in two rows in the front and rear direction. The first and second rows of upper cells may be disposed in staggering directions, and the cell forming parts 42 forming the first row of upper cells 401 and the second row of upper cells 401 may be in contact with each other. Accordingly, the ice maker 30 may be compactly disposed in the ice-making chamber 23 by minimizing the width of the upper tray 40 in the front and rear direction.
The upper tray 40 may be referred to as a first tray. In addition, the upper cell 401 may be referred to as a first cell.
The portion of the cell forming part 42 that protrudes downward from the tray body 41 may be referred to as the upper wall 421. The upper wall 421 may have a cylindrical shape with an open lower surface and may be formed in plural pieces so that they are in contact with each other. Additionally, the upper wall 421 may be accommodated inside the lower wall 503 formed on the lower tray 50 when the lower tray 50 rotates. In addition, the upper wall 421 and the lower wall 503 may be in contact with each other.
The upper portion of the cell forming part 42 may be recessed in the tray body 41 to correspond to the shape of the upper cell 401. Accordingly, the cell forming part 42 may maintain the same overall thickness, and cold air may be uniformly transmitted to the entire surface of the upper cell 401.
A cell extension part 422 may extend upward at the upper end of the upper cell 401. The cell extension part 422 may be located above the tray body 41. The cell extension part 422 may form a passage through which the upper pin 82 may enter and exit.
The upper tray 40 engages with the lower cell 501, which will be described below, to form a cell C to create spherical ice. As an example, the upper cell 401 may have a hemispherical shape.
The upper tray 40 may be made of a metal material. For example, the upper tray 40 may be made of aluminum. Accordingly, the upper tray 40 is cooled by cold air passing through the upper tray 40, and uniform cooling is possible through heat transfer by conduction to the plurality of upper cells 401 formed in the upper tray 40.
Additionally, a heater 48 and a heater cover 49 may be disposed on the upper surface of the upper tray 40. The heater 48 may be operated to heat the upper tray 40 to separate ice. Heaters 48 may be disposed along the perimeter of the plurality of upper cells 401. In addition, the heater cover 49 may shield and secure the heater 48.
Additionally, a tray mounting part 431 may be formed at the front end of the upper tray 40. The tray mounting part 431 may be coupled to the mounting member 26. The ice maker 30 may be fixedly mounted in the ice-making chamber 23 by the tray mounting part 431.
In addition, a motor unit mounting part 44 on which the motor unit 70 is mounted may be formed in the upper tray 40. The motor unit 70 may rotate the lower tray 50 in a state of being mounted on the motor unit mounting part 44.
The motor unit 70 is comprised of a combination of a plurality of gears and motors, and may rotate the lower tray 50 forward and backward at a set angle. In addition, the motor unit 70 may be connected to the full ice detection member 71 and thus may operate the full ice detection member 71.
The motor unit 70 may include a first driving part 701 for rotating the lower tray 50 and a second driving part 702 for rotating the full ice detection member 71. The first driving part 701 may be connected to the motor connection part 722 of the tray holder 72 to provide rotational power to the tray supporter 51. The second driving part 702 may be connected to one end portion of the full ice detection member 71 and provide rotational power for the full ice detection member 71 to detect full ice. The second driving part 702 may define the central axis of rotation of the full ice detection member 71.
The second driving part 702 may be located lower than the first driving part 701. The second driving part 702 may be located rearward of the first driving part 701.
The motor unit 70 may further include a unit coupling protrusion coupled to the motor unit mounting part 44. In addition, the motor unit 70 may further include a screw fastening part for being coupled to the motor unit mounting part 44 by screw coupling.
The full ice detection member 71 may be formed in the shape of a wire bent multiple times. The full ice detection member 71 rotates when the lower tray 50 rotates, and may detect whether ice is full by contacting the ice stored in the ice bank 27 when the ice is located above a set height. The full ice detection member 71 may include a detection part 711 extending parallel to the rotation axis direction. The detection part 711 may be a part which has the largest rotation radius when the full ice detection member 71 rotates. Detection of full ice through the full ice detection member 71 may be substantially performed by the detection part 711.
Upper connection parts 411 may be formed on both sides of the upper tray 40 for connection to the lower tray 50. The upper connection part 411 protrudes downward and may be spaced apart from each other on both left and right sides. In addition, the upper connection part may be aligned with the lower connection part 512, which will be described below.
Additionally, tray holders 72 may be provided on both sides of the upper tray 40. The tray holder 72 may transmit the rotational force of the motor unit 70 to the tray supporter 51. A holder connection part 721 that penetrates the upper connection part 411 and is coupled to the lower connection part 512 may be formed to protrude from the tray holder 72. In addition, the drive shaft 73 may be inserted into the holder connection parts 721 on both sides disposed in opposite directions, and the tray holders 72 on both sides may be connected by the drive shaft 73.
Among the tray holders 72 on both sides, a motor connection part 722 connected to the first driving part 701 of the motor unit 70 may be formed on one tray holder 72 closer to the motor unit 70. Therefore, when the motor unit 70 operates, the tray holder 72 connected to the motor unit 70 rotates, and the tray holders 72 on both sides may be rotated simultaneously by the drive shaft 73. The tray supporter 51 may transmit rotational force to both the left and right sides simultaneously and may be rotated based on the drive shaft 73. Additionally, a bush 74 through which the holder connection part 721 penetrates may be mounted on the upper connection part 411.
Meanwhile, the tray holder 72 may include a holder arm 723 extending in a direction away from the rotation center of the tray holder 72. Additionally, an elastic member 75 may be connected to the end portion of the holder arm 723. For example, the elastic member 75 may be a spring. One end of the elastic member 75 may be fixed to the holder arm 723, and the other end thereof may be fixed to the tray supporter 51. Additionally, the elastic member 75 may provide elastic force to rotate the lower tray 50 in the closing direction so that the upper tray 40 and the lower tray 50 come into closer contact during ice making.
The upper tray 40 may be coupled with the cover 60. The cover 60 may be coupled with the cover 60 above the upper tray 40 and may form the upper portion of the ice maker 30. In addition, the cover 60 may have a structure capable of guiding cold air and supplying water to the upper tray 40. Additionally, the cover 60 may guide the upper ejector 80 to move up and down.
The upper ejector 80 may include an ejector body 81 extending toward both sides of the cover 60 and an upper pin 82 extending downward from the ejector body 81. The upper ejector 80 may be moved up and down while being guided by both sides of the cover 60.
In addition, links 76 connected to both sides of the tray supporter 51 may be coupled to both sides of the ejector body 81. Accordingly, the upper ejector 80 may be moved up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the lower tray 50.
A plurality of upper fins 82 may be formed at positions corresponding to the upper cell 401. Additionally, the upper pin 82 may separate the ice inside the upper cell 401 by passing through the cell extension part 422. The upper pin 82 moves up and down in conjunction with the rotation of the lower tray 50 and may enter and exit the cell extension part 422.
The lower tray 50 may have a plurality of lower cells 501 formed therein. The lower tray 50 may be referred to as a second tray. In addition, the lower cell 501 may be referred to as a second cell.
The lower cells 501 may be formed in a number corresponding to the positions corresponding to the upper cells 401. The lower cells 501 may be disposed in two rows in the front and rear direction. The lower cells 501 in the first and second rows may be disposed in staggering directions, and the open upper surfaces of the lower cells 501 in the first row and the lower cells 501 in the second row may be adjacent to each other. Accordingly, the width of the lower tray 50 in the front and rear direction may be minimized.
Additionally, the lower cell 501 may be open on the upper surface of the lower tray body 502. Additionally, the lower tray body 502 may be formed in a planar shape and may protrude further outward than the lower wall 503. The perimeter of the lower tray body 502 may be fixed between the tray supporter 51 and the lower cover 52.
Additionally, the lower wall 503 may extend upward along the outer edge of the lower cell 501. The lower wall 503 may protrude upward from the upper surface of the lower tray body 502. The lower wall 503 may prevent water filled in the lower cell 501 from overflowing to the outside of the lower tray 50.
Additionally, the lower tray 50 may be made of a soft material. As an example, the lower tray 50 may be made of silicon material. Accordingly, the lower tray 50 may be in close contact with the upper tray 40 to make them airtight and may be deformed when in contact with the lower ejector 90 for separating.
The tray supporter 51 may support the lower tray 50 from below. Additionally, in order to reinforce the soft tray supporter 51, it may be made of metal or plastic material. A plurality of support holes 511 may be formed in the tray supporter 51. The support hole 511 may be formed to allow the lower cell 501 protruding downward to pass through. In other words, when the lower tray 50 and the tray supporter 51 are coupled, the lower portion of the lower cell 501 may pass through the support hole 511 and protrude downward.
A lower connection part 512 may be formed on both left and right sides of the tray supporter 51, and a holder connection part 721 may be inserted into the lower connection part. At this time, the inner surface of the lower connection part 512 and the holder connection part 721 may be keyed, and thus the tray supporter 51 may be rotated according to the rotation of the tray holder 72. In addition, the lower tray 50 fixed to the tray supporter 51 may be rotated together.
Additionally, supporter protrusions 513 may be formed on both left and right sides of the tray supporter 51. The supporter protrusion 513 may protrude laterally and be connected to the link 76. The supporter protrusion 513 may be rotatably coupled to the lower end of the link 76.
A lower cover 52 may be provided on the upper surface of the lower tray 50. The lower cover 52 may be formed along the edge of the lower tray 50. Additionally, a cover opening 521 passing through the upper end of the lower tray 50 may be formed in the lower cover 52. The cover opening 521 may be formed along the perimeter of the lower cell 501. In addition, the lower wall 503 may pass through the cover opening 521 and protrude upward. The opened upper surfaces of the lower wall 503 and lower cell 501 are exposed through the cover opening 521, and when the lower tray 50 is closed, the opened upper surfaces of the lower wall 503 and lower cell 501 are in contact with the upper cell 401 to form a spherical cell C.
Additionally, a lower coupling part 522 extending downward may be formed along the front and rear ends of the lower cover 52. The lower coupling part 522 may be coupled to the front and rear ends of the tray supporter 51. When the lower cover 52 and the tray supporter 51 are coupled, the lower tray 50 may be disposed between the lower cover 52 and the tray supporter 51. The edge of the lower tray 50 may be restricted between the lower cover 52 and the tray supporter 51. The lower cover 52, the tray supporter 51, and the lower tray 50 may be configured as one assembly in a coupled state and may be rotated together. Accordingly, the lower cover 52, tray supporter 51, and lower tray 50 in a coupled state may be referred to as a lower tray assembly.
A lower ejector 90 may be provided below the upper tray 40 and the lower tray 50. The lower ejector 90 may be fixed to the upper tray 40. The lower ejector 90 may be supported on the inner surface of the ice-making chamber 23.
The lower ejector 90 may include a lower ejector body 91 providing a predetermined surface, and a lower pin 92 protruding from the lower ejector body 91. The upper end of the lower ejector body 91 may be coupled to the upper tray 40. Additionally, the front surface of the lower ejector body 91 may be supported by the inner surface of the ice-making chamber 23 or the mounting member 26. Additionally, a body inclined surface 911 may be formed on the rear surface of the ejector body 81.
The lower fin 92 may be provided on the body inclined surface 911 and may protrude rearward. At this time, the lower fins 92 may be formed in a number corresponding to the positions corresponding to the lower cells 501. In addition, when the lower tray 50 is completely rotated, the lower cell 501 may be deformed by pressing the lower portion of the lower cell 501. Additionally, the lower pin 92 may protrude to have a curvature or inclination corresponding to the rotation trajectory of the lower tray 50. Accordingly, the plurality of lower pins 92 may each come into contact with the entire lower cell 501 when the lower tray 50 is rotated to the maximum open state thereof, and may separate the ice inside the lower cell 501.
Hereinafter, the rotation of the tray supporter 51 will be described. Since the lower tray 50 rotates while being supported by the tray supporter 51, the rotation of the lower tray 50 will not be explained separately, but will be explained based on the tray supporter 51.
Referring to
When the tray supporter 51 rotates, the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 may rotate in an arc-shaped trajectory. At this time, the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 may enter and exit the interior of the ice bank 27.
As the tray supporter 51 is opened, the ice formed in the cell C may be separated to the ice bank 27. The tray supporter 51 may rotate until the ice is completely separated. When the tray supporter 51 is opened as much as possible, the lower ejector 90 presses the lower portion of the lower tray 50 to completely separate the ice present in the lower tray 50, and the upper ejector 80 presses the upper portion of the upper tray 40 and thus may completely separate the ice present in the upper tray 40.
The full ice detection member 71 may be rotated by the second driving part 702 of the driving unit 70. When the full ice detection member 71 rotates, the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 may detect whether the ice bank 27 is full of ice while reciprocating between the first wall 271 constituting the rear wall of the ice bank 27 and the second wall 272 constituting the front wall.
As described above, the second driving part 702 may be located rearward of the first driving part 701. Through the above structure, when the tray supporter 51 and the full ice detection member 71 rotate, the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 and the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 may not interfere with each other. Accordingly, the rotation direction of the tray supporter 51 and the rotation direction of the full ice detection member 71 may be freely set.
For example, the rotation direction of the tray supporter 51 and the rotation direction of the full ice detection member 71 may be set to be the same. In this case, a situation where the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 and the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 intersect may not occur in the separation process in which the tray supporter 51 rotates. Therefore, as the rotation direction of the tray supporter 51 and the rotation direction of the full ice detection member 71 are set to be the same, it is possible to fundamentally prevent malfunctions in which ice becomes trapped between the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 and the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71.
When the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is closest to the first wall 271, the detection part 711 and the first wall 271 may be spaced apart by a first distance L1. The first distance L1 may be the minimum distance between the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 and the inner surface of the first wall 271. A position where the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is spaced apart from the first wall 271 by a first distance L1 may be referred to as a first position P1.
The first distance L1 may be smaller than the diameter R of the cell C. The diameter R of the cell C may be substantially equal to the diameter of ice formed in the cell C. Accordingly, the full ice detection member 71 may more accurately detect whether the area adjacent to the first wall 271 within the ice bank 27 is full of ice.
When the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is closest to the second wall 272, the detection part 711 and the second wall 272 may be spaced apart by a second distance L2. The second distance L2 may be the minimum distance between the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 and the inner surface of the second wall 272. The position where the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is spaced apart from the second wall 272 by a second distance L2 may be referred to as the second position P2. The second position P2 may be located lower than the first position P1.
For example, the second distance L2 may be smaller than the diameter R of the cell C, but is not limited thereto.
Through the above structure, the full ice detection member 71 may detect full ice over the entire area between the first wall 271 and the second wall 272 of the ice bank 27. Therefore, there may not be a blind spot for full ice detection within the ice bank 27.
The rotation drive shaft of the lower tray 50 is located on the second wall 272 side, and the lower tray 50 may be opened on the first wall 271 side. When the lower tray 50 rotates and ice is separated, the ice may be separated toward the first wall 271. Ice within the ice bank 27 may be distributed more toward the first wall 271 than the second wall 272. Therefore, whether the ice is full needs to be detected more accurately on the first wall 271 side than on the second wall 272. Accordingly, the first distance L1 is set to be smaller than the second distance L2, so that it is possible to more accurately determine whether the area close to the first wall 271 is full of ice.
The rear rotation angle θ1 of the full ice detection member 71 may mean a rotation angle rotated to a specific rear position based on the state where the full ice detection member 71 is positioned vertically downward. In other words, the rear rotation angle θ1 of the full ice detection member 71 means the rotation angle rotated to a specific rear position based on the state where the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is located at the lowest position. can do. When the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is closest to the first wall 271, the rear rotation angle θ1 of the full ice detection member 71 may have a maximum value. At this time, the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 and the first wall 271 may be spaced apart from each other by a first distance L1.
The forward rotation angle θ2 of the full ice detection member 71 may mean a rotation angle rotated to a specific position in the front based on the state where the full ice detection member 71 is positioned vertically downward. In other words, the forward rotation angle θ2 of the full ice detection member 71 may mean the rotation angle rotated to a specific position in the front based on a state where the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is positioned at the lowest position. When the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is closest to the second wall 272, the forward rotation angle θ2 of the full ice detection member 71 may have a maximum value. At this time, the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 and the second wall 272 may be spaced apart by a second distance L2.
The maximum value of the rear rotation angle θ1 of the full ice detection member 71 may be greater than the maximum value of the front rotation angle θ2. Through the above structure, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the rear area of the ice bank 27 is full of ice while maintaining a compact size of the motor unit 70.
The full ice detection member 71 may reciprocate within the ice bank 27 by the rotational force provided from the second driving part 702. The full ice detection member 71 may reciprocate from a first position P1 where the rear rotation angle θ1 has a maximum value to a second position P2 where the front rotation angle θ2 has a maximum value. As an example, the reciprocating movement of the full ice detection member 71 may be performed once when the tray supporter 51 is rotated in the open direction and once when the tray supporter 51 is rotated in the closed direction.
The trajectory of the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 may be located above the trajectory of the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71. Based on the front and rear direction of the ice bank 27, the rotation trajectory of the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 may be located inside the rotation trajectory of the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51. Therefore, it is necessary to secure a sufficient distance between the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 and the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 to prevent ice from being trapped. The distance between the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 and the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 will be described later with reference to
The drive shaft 73, which is the rotation axis of the tray supporter 71, may be located at the same height as the center of the cell C. The drive shaft 73 may be positioned upwardly by a first distance h1 from the rotation axis of the full ice detection member 71 connected to the second drive part 702.
Among the plurality of cells C, the center of the cell C located most forward may be located rearwardly by a second distance h2 from the rotation axis of the full ice detection member 71. The drive shaft 73 may be positioned forward and spaced apart from the rotation axis of the full ice detection member 71 by a third distance h3. The second distance h2 may be smaller than the third distance h3, but is not limited to this and the second distance h2 may be larger than the third distance h3.
Referring to
Before the tray supporter 51 is rotated, the full ice detection member 71 may be rotated to detect full ice in the ice bank 27. Specifically, the full ice detection member 71 may rotate so that the detection part 711 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2. The full ice detection performed before rotation of the tray supporter 51 may be referred to as the first full ice detection. If it is detected that there is not in a full ice state in the first full ice detection process, rotation of the tray supporter 51 may begin as illustrated in
If it is detected that there is a full ice state in the first full ice detection process, rotation of the tray supporter 51 may not be performed. If ice is formed in the cell C, the first full ice detection process may be performed periodically.
The tray supporter 51 may be rotated and opened. When the tray supporter 51 is rotated, the full ice detection member 71 may return from the second position P2 to the first position P1. At this time, the rotation direction of the tray supporter 51 and the rotation direction of the full ice detection member 71 may be opposite to each other. In the rotation process, the tray supporter 51 and the full ice detection member 71 may intersect.
When the tray supporter 51 and the full ice detection member 71 intersect, the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 and the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 may be spaced apart by a third distance L3. In other words, the third distance L3 may mean the minimum separation distance between the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 and the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71.
It may be advantageous for the third distance L3 to be small from the viewpoint of maximizing the detection capacity of full ice in the ice bank 27. Meanwhile, when the tray supporter 51 and the full ice detection member 71 intersect, the third distance L3 may be preferably set to at least the diameter of the cell C or more to prevent malfunctions caused by ice becoming trapped between the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 and the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71. For example, the third distance L3 may be greater than the diameter of the cell C and less than twice the diameter of the cell C.
When the tray supporter 51 is fully opened, the lower tray 50 is pressurized by the lower ejector 90 so that the ice in the lower tray 50 may be completely separated. Once the ice is completely separated, the tray supporter 51 may be rotated to return to the closed state.
When the tray supporter 51 returns, the full ice detection member 71 may perform the second full ice detection by rotating from the first position P1 back to the second position P2. The second full ice detection may be performed to determine whether to perform additional ice making through water supply. For example, in the second full ice detection process, additional ice making may be performed if it is detected that there is not in a full ice state, and additional ice making may not be performed if it is detected that there is in a full ice state. If it is detected that there is in the full ice state and thus additional ice making is not performed, the additional ice making may be performed after ice is dispensed from the ice bank 27 or after additional full ice detection is performed.
When the full ice detection member 71 rotates from the first position P1 to the second position P2 for the second full ice detection, the rotation direction of the tray supporter 51 and the rotation direction of the full ice detection member 71 are opposite to each other, and the tray supporter 51 and the full ice detection member 71 may intersect. When the tray supporter 51 and the full ice detection member 71 intersect, the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 and the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 may be again spaced apart by a third distance L3. As described above, the third distance L3 is set to at least the diameter of the cell C or more, so that when the tray supporter 51 and the full ice detection member 71 intersect, malfunctions that occur when ice becomes trapped between the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51 and the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 may be prevented.
Afterwards, the tray supporter 51 is closed, and the full ice detection member 71, which has moved to the second position P2, may be rotated to return to the first position P1.
The process of detecting full ice by the full ice detection member 71 described above is merely illustrative and may be controlled in other ways.
In the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment, the full ice detection member 71 provided in the ice maker 30 may perform the full ice detection over the entire area from the first wall 271 to the second wall 272 of the ice bank 27. Therefore, there may not be a blind spot for full ice detection within the ice bank 27.
The refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment may prevent a malfunction in which ice becomes trapped between the full ice detection member 71 and the tray supporter 51 during the full ice detection and separation process by securing a third distance L3 equal to or greater than the ice diameter and the diameter R of the cell C between the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 and the end portion 514 of the tray supporter 51.
Hereinafter, another embodiment of the refrigerator 1 will be described. In the following embodiments, the description of the same configuration as the already described embodiment will be omitted or simplified, and the differences will be mainly explained.
Referring to
In this embodiment, the rotation drive shaft 73 of the tray supporter 51 is located on the first wall 271 side, and the lower tray 50 may be opened on the second wall 272 side. When the lower tray 50 rotates to separate ice, the ice may be separated to the second wall 272. In other words, the tray supporter 51 may rotate to open toward the front.
The full ice detection member 71 may be capable of detecting full ice over the entire area between the first wall 271 and the second wall 272 of the ice bank 27. Therefore, there may not be a blind spot for full ice detection within the ice bank 27.
The rotation drive shaft of the lower tray 50 is located on the second wall 272 side, and the lower tray 50 may be opened on the second wall 272 side. When the lower tray 50 rotates to separate ice, the ice may be separated to the second wall 272. Ice within the ice bank 27 may be distributed more toward the second wall 272 than the first wall 271. Therefore, whether the ice is full needs to be detected more accurately on the side of the second wall 272 than on the first wall 271. Accordingly, the first distance L1 is set to be smaller than the second distance L2, so that it is possible to more accurately determine whether the area close to the second wall 272 is full of ice.
The forward rotation angle θ1′ of the full ice detection member 71 may mean a rotation angle rotated to a specific position in the front based on the state where the full ice detection member 71 is positioned vertically downward. In other words, the forward rotation angle θ1′ of the full ice detection member 71 may mean the rotation angle rotated to a specific position in the front based on the state where the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is located at the lowest position. When the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is closest to the second wall 272, the forward rotation angle θ1′ of the full ice detection member 71 may have a maximum value. At this time, the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 and the second wall 272 may be spaced apart from each other by a first distance L1.
The rear rotation angle θ2′ of the full ice detection member 71 may mean a rotation angle rotated to a specific rear position based on the state where the full ice detection member 71 is positioned vertically downward. In other words, the rear rotation angle θ2′ of the full ice detection member 71 may mean the rotation angle rotated to a specific rear position based on the lowest position of the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71. When the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is closest to the first wall 271, the rear rotation angle θ2′ of the full ice detection member 71 may have a maximum value. At this time, the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 and the first wall 271 may be spaced apart by a second distance L2.
The maximum value of the front rotation angle θ1′ of the full ice detection member 71 may be greater than the maximum value of the rear rotation angle θ2′. Through the above structure, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the area in front of the ice bank 27 is full of ice while maintaining a compact size of the motor unit 70.
The position where the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is spaced apart from the second wall 272 by a first distance L1 may be referred to as the first position P1′.
The position where the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 is spaced apart from the first wall 271 by a second distance L2 may be referred to as a second position P2′. The second position P2 may be located lower than the first position P1.
The full ice detection member 71 may reciprocate within the ice bank 27 by the rotational force provided from the second driving part 702′. The full ice detection member 71 may reciprocate from a first position P1′ where the front rotation angle θ1′ has the maximum value to a second position P2′ where the rear rotation angle θ2′ has the maximum value.
In the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment, the full ice detection member 71 provided in the ice maker 30 may detect full ice over the entire area from the first wall 271 to the second wall 272 of the ice bank 27. Therefore, there may not be a blind spot for full ice detection within the ice bank 27.
The refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment secures the third distance L3 equal to or greater than the diameter of the ice and the diameter R of a cell C between the detection part 711 of the full ice detection member 71 and the end portion of the tray supporter 514, thereby preventing malfunction in which ice becomes trapped between the full ice detection member 71 and the tray supporter 51 in a process of the full ice detection and ice separation.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0155516 | Nov 2023 | KR | national |
