A refrigerator, an ice maker, and an ice making control method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a refrigerator, an ice maker and an ice making control method. The refrigerator includes: an ice maker, which is provided with an ice tray, a water injection device, a cooling capacity input device, a defrosting heating device and a defrosting device; the control device is configured to: in response to a preset ice making instruction, control the water injection device to inject water with a first preset water injection volume into the ice tray, and control the cooling capacity input device to cool the ice tray; when a preset first defrosting start condition is satisfied, control the cooling capacity input device to stop cooling, and control the defrosting heating device to heat the ice tray; when a preset second defrosting start condition is satisfied, control the defrosting heating device to stop heating, and control the water injection device to inject water with a second preset water injection volume into the ice tray; when a preset ice block detachment condition is satisfied, control the defrosting device to perform defrosting. By adopting the present invention, the ice making cycle can be effectively shortened, the ice making amount can be increased, the temperature fluctuation in the ice making chamber can be reduced at the same time, and the ice storage environment in the ice making chamber can be optimized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ice making, and particularly to a refrigerator, an ice maker and an ice making control method. Background Art

[0002] An ice maker is a refrigeration mechanical device that cools water through an evaporator by a refrigeration system to generate ice, and makes ice with water as the raw material when powered on. After the existing American ice maker finishes making ice, it uses a heating method for defrosting.

[0003] The heat source for heating defrosting of the American ice maker comes from an electric heater at the lower part of the ice tray. The electric heater is generally between 140W and 160W. When it is considered that the water in the ice tray has been completely frozen into solid ice, the defrosting program is started. At this time, the electric heater is started. After heating for 3 - 6 minutes, the defrosting rod rotates to scrape the ice out of the ice tray. Then water is injected to enter the next ice making and defrosting program.

[0004] However, the inventor found that the prior art has at least the following problems: In the current ice making control scheme, in each ice making cycle, all the heat for defrosting comes from the heat of the electric heater. Therefore, there is generally a problem that the temperature of the ice making chamber rises after defrosting is completed. After defrosting is completed, the injection of external water further exacerbates the temperature rise of the ice making chamber, deteriorating the ice storage environment in the ice making chamber. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator, an ice maker and an ice making control method, which can effectively shorten the ice making cycle, increase the ice making amount, while reducing the temperature fluctuation in the ice making chamber and optimizing the ice storage environment in the ice making chamber.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the embodiments of the present invention provide a refrigerator, including:

[0007] A refrigerator cabinet;

[0008] An ice maker, disposed in the refrigerator cabinet, the ice maker being provided with an ice tray, a water injection device, a cooling capacity input device, a defrosting heating device and a defrosting device;

[0009] A control device, connected to the ice maker, for:

[0010] Responding to a preset ice making instruction, controlling the water injection device to inject water with a first preset water injection amount into the ice tray, and controlling the cooling capacity input device to refrigerate the ice tray;

[0011] When a preset first defrosting start condition is satisfied, controlling the cooling capacity input device to stop refrigerating, and controlling the defrosting heating device to heat the ice tray;

[0012] When the preset second ice defrosting start condition is satisfied, control the ice defrosting heating device to stop heating, and control the water injection device to inject water with a second preset water injection volume into the ice tray;

[0013] When the preset ice block detachment condition is satisfied, control the ice defrosting device to perform ice defrosting.

[0014] As an improvement of the above solution, after controlling the ice defrosting device to perform ice defrosting when the preset ice block detachment condition is satisfied, the control device is further configured to:

[0015] Control the cooling capacity input device to cool the ice tray;

[0016] When the preset water injection condition is satisfied, control the water injection device to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice tray;

[0017] After controlling the water injection device to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice tray, execute: when the preset first ice defrosting start condition is satisfied, control the cooling capacity input device to stop refrigerating, and control the ice defrosting heating device to heat the ice tray.

[0018] As an improvement of the above solution, the refrigerator further includes:

[0019] An ice tray temperature sensing device, disposed in the ice maker, for detecting the current ice tray temperature of the ice tray; the control device is further connected to the ice tray temperature sensing device;

[0020] The preset first ice defrosting start condition is: the ice tray temperature is less than or equal to a first preset ice tray temperature;

[0021] The preset second ice defrosting start condition is: the ice tray temperature is greater than or equal to a second preset ice tray temperature;

[0022] The preset ice block detachment condition is: the ice tray temperature is greater than or equal to a third preset ice tray temperature;

[0023] Wherein, the first preset ice tray temperature is less than the second preset ice tray temperature, and the second preset ice tray temperature is less than the third preset ice tray temperature.

[0024] As an improvement of the above solution, the preset water injection condition is: the ice tray temperature is less than or equal to a fourth preset ice tray temperature; wherein, the fourth preset ice tray temperature is greater than the first preset ice tray temperature.

[0025] As an improvement of the above solution, the refrigerator further includes:

[0026] An ice tray temperature sensing device, disposed in the ice maker, for detecting the current ice tray temperature of the ice tray;

[0027] An ice-making timing device for timing;

[0028] The control device is also respectively connected to the ice grid temperature sensing device and the ice-making timing device;

[0029] The preset first ice removal start condition is: the refrigeration duration of the cooling capacity input device reaches a first preset duration, and the temperature of the ice grid is less than or equal to a fourth preset ice grid temperature;

[0030] The preset second ice removal start condition is: the heating duration of the ice removal heating device is greater than or equal to a second preset duration;

[0031] The preset ice block detachment condition is: after the water injection of a second preset water injection volume into the ice grid is completed, the waiting time reaches a third preset duration.

[0032] As an improvement of the above solution, the preset water injection condition is: after the ice removal device completes ice removal, the waiting time reaches a fourth preset duration.

[0033] As an improvement of the above solution, the sum of the second preset water injection volume and the third preset water injection volume is equal to the water injection volume required for single ice making of the ice grid.

[0034] As an improvement of the above solution, if the current ice-making cycle is the first ice making after the ice maker is powered on, the first preset water injection volume is the sum of the second preset water injection volume and the third preset water injection volume;

[0035] If the current ice-making cycle is not the first ice making after the ice maker is powered on, the first preset water injection volume is equal to the third preset water injection volume.

[0036] An embodiment of the present invention also provides an ice maker, which is provided with an ice grid, a water injection device, a cooling capacity input device, an ice removal heating device and an ice removal device;

[0037] A control device, which is respectively connected to the water injection device, the cooling capacity input device, the ice removal heating device and the ice removal device, and is used for:

[0038] In response to a preset ice-making instruction, controlling the water injection device to inject water with a first preset water injection volume into the ice grid, and controlling the cooling capacity input device to cool the ice grid;

[0039] When the preset first ice removal start condition is satisfied, controlling the cooling capacity input device to stop refrigeration, and controlling the ice removal heating device to heat the ice grid;

[0040] When the preset second defrost start condition is satisfied, control the defrost heating device to stop heating, and control the water injection device to inject water with a second preset water injection volume into the ice tray;

[0041] When the preset ice block detachment condition is satisfied, control the defrost device to perform defrosting.

[0042] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an ice making control method for an ice maker, where the ice maker is provided with an ice tray, a water injection device, a cooling capacity input device, a defrost heating device, and a defrost device;

[0043] The method includes:

[0044] In response to a preset ice making instruction, control the water injection device to inject water with a first preset water injection volume into the ice tray, and control the cooling capacity input device to cool the ice tray;

[0045] When the preset first defrost start condition is satisfied, control the cooling capacity input device to stop cooling, and control the defrost heating device to heat the ice tray;

[0046] When the preset second defrost start condition is satisfied, control the defrost heating device to stop heating, and control the water injection device to inject water with a second preset water injection volume into the ice tray;

[0047] When the preset ice block detachment condition is satisfied, control the defrost device to perform defrosting.

[0048] Compared with the prior art, the refrigerator, ice maker, and ice making control method disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention are provided with a control device for controlling the start and stop of each device inside the ice maker. When an ice making instruction is received, the ice maker performs water injection and refrigeration operations, and in the defrosting stage after the ice block is made, first control the defrost heating device to heat the ice tray, and then inject water into the ice tray to assist defrosting, so that the ice blocks in the ice tray are detached from the inner surface of the ice tray. By adopting the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, the defrosting operation is realized through the combination of the heating defrosting method and the water injection method, which can achieve the purpose of shortening the defrost heating time, reducing the introduction of external heat, avoiding aggravating the large temperature rise of the ice making chamber, optimizing the ice storage environment of the ice making chamber, and at the same time reducing the energy consumption of the defrost heating device. Using the sensible heat of the external water source to assist defrosting, the external water exchanges heat with the ice blocks in an infiltrating manner, accelerating the detachment of the ice blocks in the ice tray. At the same time, the cold quantity of the solid ice reduces the temperature of the external water, avoiding the temperature of the water injected in the next ice making cycle from being too high and aggravating the temperature rise of the ice making chamber again, reducing the temperature fluctuation during the defrosting process of the ice making chamber, optimizing the ice storage environment of the ice making chamber, and moreover, the entire ice making process can effectively shorten the freezing time of the liquid water and improve the ice making efficiency. Description of the Drawings

[0049] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of an ice maker in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 3 It is another schematic structural diagram of an ice maker in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 4 It is a schematic working process diagram of a control device of a refrigerator in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 5 It is another schematic working process diagram of a control device of a refrigerator in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 6 It is a preferred schematic working process diagram of a control device of a refrigerator in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of an ice maker provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] Figure 8 It is a schematic process diagram of an ice making control method of an ice maker provided by an embodiment of the present invention; Detailed implementation manners

[0057] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without making creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0058] Refer to Figure 1 , which is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention. An embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator 10, including: a refrigerator body 11, an ice maker 12, and a control device 13. The ice maker 12 is disposed in the refrigerator body 11. The control device 13 is connected to the ice maker 12.

[0059] Further, refer to Figures 2-3 , Figure 2 which is a schematic structural diagram of an ice maker in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 which is another schematic structural diagram of an ice maker in an embodiment of the present invention; The ice maker 12 is provided with an ice tray 121, a water injection device 122, a cooling input device 123, a defrosting heating device 124, and a defrosting device 125.

[0060] In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice tray 121 is used to hold water for making ice cubes; the water injection device 122 is used to inject water into the ice tray; the cooling capacity input device 123 includes an ice-making blower 1231, an ice-making evaporation pipe 1232, a compressor and other components, and is used to provide a cooling load to the ice tray 121 so that the water in the ice tray freezes into ice cubes; the ice melting heating device 124 is arranged at the bottom of the ice tray 121 and is used to heat the bottom of the ice tray 121 to promote the separation of the ice cubes in the ice tray 121 from the inner surface of the ice tray 121; the ice melting device 125 is used to remove the ice cubes from the ice tray 121.

[0061] It should be noted that since the heating ice melting method is adopted in the embodiment of the present invention, the material of the ice tray 121 needs to be a heat-resistant material. For example, the ice tray 121 is a metal ice tray.

[0062] The ice melting device 125 can be an ice melting rod, and by controlling the rotation of the ice melting rod, the ice can be scraped out from the ice tray 121; of course, the ice melting device 125 can also be set as an ice melting clamp for clamping the ice cubes out of the ice tray, or an ice melting push plate for pushing the ice cubes out of the ice tray and other ice melting methods, which do not affect the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention.

[0063] The control device 13 is respectively connected to the water injection device 122, the cooling capacity input device 123, the ice melting heating device 124 and the ice melting device 125 in the ice maker 12. See Figure 4 , which is a schematic diagram of a working process of the control device of the refrigerator in the embodiment of the present invention. The control device 13 is configured to execute steps S11 to S14:

[0064] S11. In response to a preset ice-making instruction, control the water injection device to inject water with a first preset injection volume into the ice tray, and control the cooling capacity input device to refrigerate the ice tray.

[0065] S12. When a preset first ice melting start condition is met, control the cooling capacity input device to stop refrigerating, and control the ice melting heating device to heat the ice tray.

[0066] S13. When a preset second ice melting start condition is met, control the ice melting heating device to stop heating, and control the water injection device to inject water with a second preset injection volume into the ice tray.

[0067] S14. When a preset ice cube separation condition is met, control the ice melting device to perform ice melting.

[0068] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the ice maker 12 receives an ice-making instruction, in response to the ice-making instruction, the control device 13 controls the water injection device 122 to inject a first preset amount of water into the ice tray through the water injection port, and controls the cold input device 123 to start, and the compressor and the ice-making fan start running to deliver a cold load to the ice tray 121 so that the water in the ice tray 121 freezes.

[0069] When the controller 18 determines that all the liquid water in the current ice tray is frozen into solid ice, it determines that the preset first defrosting start condition is met and the defrosting action can be started. Then, the compressor and the ice-making fan are controlled to stop running, that is, the cooling input device 123 stops refrigeration. At the same time, the defrosting heating device 124 is started to heat the bottom of the ice tray 121.

[0070] When the controller 18 determines that the preset second deicing start condition is currently met, it controls the deicing heating device 124 to stop heating. It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present invention, the heating time of the deicing heating device 124 can be shorter than the heating time of the deicing heating device alone in the prior art to complete the deicing operation. In other words, the deicing heating device 124 does not need to heat until the solid ice in the ice tray 121 is completely separated from the inner surface of the ice tray 121 before stopping heating.

[0071] After the de-icing heating device 124 is controlled to stop heating, the water injection device 122 is controlled to inject a second preset amount of water into the ice tray 121 to assist in de-icing. The second preset amount of water is used to accelerate the melting of the surface of the real ice in the ice tray 121, so that the ice cubes are quickly separated from the ice tray 121.

[0072] It should be noted that the second preset water filling amount is controlled based on the size of the ice tray and the amount of water required to fill the ice tray for a single ice making cycle, so that the water of the second preset water filling amount does not overflow from the ice tray 121 after being filled into the ice tray 121. Thus, the water of the second preset water filling amount can remain in the ice tray 121 and be used to make ice cubes in the ice tray during the next ice making cycle.

[0073] When the controller 18 determines that the real ice in the current ice tray is completely separated from the inner surface of the ice tray 121, and determines that the preset ice separation condition is currently met, it controls the ice removing device 125 to remove the ice, thereby removing the real ice in the ice tray for use by the user. At this point, the current ice making cycle is completed.

[0074] An embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator, including an ice maker. A control device is provided to control the start and stop of each device inside the ice maker. When an ice making instruction is received, the ice maker performs water injection and refrigeration operations. During the ice removal stage after the ice cubes are made, first, the ice removal heating device is controlled to heat the ice grid, and then water is injected into the ice grid to assist in ice removal, so that the ice cubes in the ice grid are separated from the inner surface of the ice grid. By adopting the technical means of the embodiment of the present invention, the ice removal operation is realized through the combination of the heating ice removal method and the water injection method, which can achieve the purpose of shortening the ice removal heating time, reducing the introduction of external heat, avoiding aggravating the significant temperature rise of the ice making chamber, optimizing the ice storage environment of the ice making chamber, and at the same time reducing the energy consumption of the ice removal heating device. The sensible heat of the external water source is used to assist in ice removal, and the external water exchanges heat with the ice cubes in an infiltration manner, accelerating the separation of the ice cubes in the ice grid. At the same time, the cold quantity of the solid ice reduces the temperature of the external water, shortening the freezing time of the liquid water and improving the ice making efficiency.

[0075] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 5 , which is another schematic diagram of the working process of the control device of the refrigerator in the embodiment of the present invention. On the basis of the above embodiment, after step S14, the control device is further configured to execute steps S15 to S17:

[0076] S15. Control the cold quantity input device to refrigerate the ice grid.

[0077] S16. When the preset water injection condition is met, control the water injection device to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice grid.

[0078] S17. After controlling the water injection device to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice grid, execute step S12: When the preset first ice removal start condition is met, control the cold quantity input device to stop refrigerating, and control the ice removal heating device to heat the ice grid.

[0079] In the embodiment of the present invention, after the ice removal device 125 completely performs the ice removal operation on the solid ice in the ice grid, the control device 13 controls the cold quantity input device 123 to deliver cold load to the ice grid 121 again, realizing the refrigeration of the water with a second preset water injection volume remaining in the ice grid 121 and the refrigeration of the entire ice making chamber.

[0080] When the preset water injection condition is met, the control device 13 controls the water injection device 122 to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice grid again.

[0081] It should be noted that the sum of the second preset water injection volume and the third preset water injection volume is equal to the water injection volume required for the ice tray to make ice once. That is, on the basis of the water with the second preset water injection volume left in the ice tray in the previous ice-making cycle, some external water is added to make the water in the ice tray reach the water volume required for making ice once. As an example, if the water injection volume required for making ice once is 95 ml, the second preset water injection volume can be set to 45 ml, and the third preset water injection volume can be set to 50 ml.

[0082] It can be understood that the water injection volume required for making ice once is related to the size of the ice tray and can be set according to the actual situation. The values of the first preset water injection volume, the second preset water injection volume, and the third preset water injection volume can also be set according to the actual situation, and no specific limitations are made here.

[0083] After the water with the third preset water injection volume is injected, a new ice-making cycle starts, and it jumps to step S12: when the preset first ice removal start condition is met, control the cooling input device to stop refrigerating, and control the ice removal heating device to heat the ice tray.

[0084] It should be noted that if the current ice-making cycle is the first ice-making after the ice maker is powered on, the first preset water injection volume is the sum of the second preset water injection volume and the third preset water injection volume. Since it is the first ice-making after the ice maker is powered on, there is no water left in the ice tray from the previous ice-making cycle in the current ice-making cycle. Therefore, the first preset water injection volume should be the water injection volume of 95 ml required for making ice once.

[0085] If the current ice-making cycle is not the first ice-making after the ice maker is powered on, the first preset water injection volume is equal to the third preset water injection volume. Since it is the first ice-making after the ice maker is powered on, there is no water with the second preset water injection volume left in the ice tray in the current ice-making cycle. Therefore, the first preset water injection volume is the third preset water injection volume, forming a cycle.

[0086] By adopting the technical means of the embodiment of the present invention, during the ice removal process, in addition to heating with the ice removal heating device, the sensible heat of the external water source is also used to assist in ice removal. The external water exchanges heat with the ice in an infiltrating manner, accelerating the detachment of the ice cubes in the ice tray. At the same time, the cold of the solid ice also reduces the temperature of the external water, avoiding the temperature of the water injected in the next ice-making cycle from being too high and further exacerbating the temperature rise in the ice-making chamber, reducing the temperature fluctuation during the ice removal process in the ice-making chamber, optimizing the ice storage environment in the ice-making chamber, and moreover, the entire ice-making process can effectively shorten the freezing time of the liquid water and improve the ice-making efficiency.

[0087] See Figure 6 , which is a schematic diagram of the preferred working process of the control device of the refrigerator in the embodiment of the present invention. As a preferred implementation manner, in one implementation manner, the refrigerator 10 further includes:

[0088] The ice tray temperature sensing device 14 is provided in the ice maker 12 and is used to detect the ice tray temperature of the current ice tray 121; the control device 13 is also connected to the ice tray temperature sensing device 14.

[0089] The preset first ice removal start condition is that the ice tray temperature is less than or equal to the first preset ice tray temperature;

[0090] The preset second ice removal start condition is that the ice tray temperature is greater than or equal to the second preset ice tray temperature;

[0091] The preset ice cube detachment condition is that the ice tray temperature is greater than or equal to the third preset ice tray temperature.

[0092] It should be noted that the first preset ice tray temperature T1 is less than the second preset ice tray temperature T2, and the second preset ice tray temperature T2 is less than the third preset ice tray temperature T3.

[0093] In the embodiment of the present invention, by setting the ice tray temperature sensing device 14, the detection of the first ice removal start condition, the second ice removal start condition, and the ice cube detachment condition is realized.

[0094] Specifically, in response to the ice making instruction, the control device 13 controls the water injection device 122 to inject water with a first preset water injection volume into the ice tray, and controls the cold quantity input device 123 to start running to deliver a cold load to the ice tray 121.

[0095] When the controller 18 receives the current ice tray temperature T detected by the ice tray temperature sensing device 14 b less than or equal to the first preset ice tray temperature T1, that is, when T b ≤T1, it is determined that all the liquid water in the current ice tray has frozen into solid ice, and the current reaches the first ice removal start condition, then the control device controls the cold quantity input device 123 to stop refrigerating, and at the same time, starts the ice removal heating device 124 to heat the bottom of the ice tray 121.

[0096] When the controller 18 receives the current ice tray temperature T b greater than or equal to the second preset ice tray temperature T2, that is, when T b ≥T2, it is determined that the current reaches the second ice removal start condition, then the control device controls the ice removal heating device 124 to stop heating, and controls the water injection device 122 to inject water with a second preset water injection volume into the ice tray 121 for assisting ice removal.

[0097] When the controller 18 receives the current ice tray temperature T b greater than or equal to the third preset ice tray temperature T3, that is, when T bWhen it is greater than or equal to T3, it is determined that the solid ice in the current ice tray 121 has completely detached from the inner surface of the ice tray 121, meeting the ice block detachment condition, and the ice removal device 125 is controlled to perform ice removal.

[0098] Furthermore, the detection of the preset water injection condition is also achieved through the ice tray temperature sensing device 14. Then the preset water injection condition is: the temperature of the ice tray is less than or equal to the fourth preset ice tray temperature; wherein, the fourth preset ice tray temperature T4 is greater than the first preset ice tray temperature T1.

[0099] Specifically, after the ice removal device 125 has completely performed the ice removal operation on the solid ice in the ice tray, the control device 13 controls the cooling capacity input device 123 to deliver cooling load to the ice tray 121 again, and when the controller 18 receives the current ice tray temperature T b is less than or equal to the fourth preset ice tray temperature T4, that is, when T b ≤ T4, it is determined that the water injection condition is met, and the water injection device 122 is controlled to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice tray. After the water with the third preset water injection volume is injected, a new ice-making cycle begins.

[0100] It can be understood that the first to fourth preset ice tray temperatures can be set according to actual situations and are not specifically limited here.

[0101] See Figure 6 , as a preferred implementation manner, in another implementation manner, the refrigerator 10 further includes:

[0102] An ice tray temperature sensing device 14, disposed in the ice maker 12, for detecting the ice tray temperature of the current ice tray 121;

[0103] An ice-making timing device 15, for timing;

[0104] The control device 13 is also respectively connected to the ice tray temperature sensing device 14 and the ice-making timing device 15;

[0105] The preset first ice removal start condition is: the cooling duration of the cooling capacity input device reaches the first preset duration, and the ice tray temperature is less than or equal to the fourth preset ice tray temperature;

[0106] The preset second ice removal start condition is: the heating duration of the ice removal heating device is greater than or equal to the second preset duration;

[0107] The preset ice block detachment condition is: after the water with the second preset water injection volume is injected into the ice tray, the waiting time reaches the third preset duration.

[0108] In an embodiment of the present invention, by providing an ice tray temperature sensing device 14 and an ice making timing device 15, the detection of the first ice melting start condition, the second ice melting start condition, and the ice block detachment condition is realized.

[0109] Specifically, in response to the ice making instruction, the control device 13 controls the water injection device 122 to inject water with a first preset water injection volume into the ice tray, and controls the cooling capacity input device 123 to start operating to deliver a cooling load to the ice tray 121, and the ice making timing device 15 starts timing.

[0110] When the controller 18 determines that the cooling duration of the cooling capacity input device 123 reaches a first preset duration t1, and receives the current ice tray temperature T detected by the ice tray temperature sensing device 14 b less than or equal to a fourth preset ice tray temperature T4, that is, when T b ≤T4, even if the condition that all the liquid water in the ice tray is frozen into solid ice, that is, T b ≤T1 is not satisfied, it is also determined that the current reaches the first ice melting start condition, then the cooling capacity input device 123 is controlled to stop refrigerating, and at the same time, the ice melting heating device 124 is started to heat the bottom of the ice tray 121.

[0111] When the controller 18 determines that the heating duration of the ice melting heating device is greater than or equal to a second preset duration t2, it is determined that the current reaches the second ice melting start condition, then the ice melting heating device 124 is controlled to stop heating, and the water injection device 122 is controlled to inject water with a second preset water injection volume into the ice tray 121 for assisting ice melting.

[0112] After the water injection is completed, when the controller 18 determines that a third preset duration t3, for example, 2 min, has passed, it is determined that the solid ice in the current ice tray 121 has completely detached from the inner surface of the ice tray 121, reaching the ice block detachment condition, and the ice melting device 125 is controlled to perform ice melting.

[0113] Further, the detection of the preset water injection condition is also realized through the ice making timer 128. The preset water injection condition is: after the ice melting device completes ice melting, the waiting time reaches a fourth preset duration t4.

[0114] Specifically, after the ice melting device 125 completely performs the ice melting operation on the solid ice in the ice tray, when the controller 18 determines that a fourth preset duration t4, for example, 3 min, has passed, it is determined that the water injection condition is satisfied, and the water injection device 122 is controlled to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice tray again. After the water with the third preset water injection volume is injected, a new ice making cycle starts.

[0115] Understandably, the first to fourth preset time durations can be set according to actual situations and are not specifically limited herein.

[0116] To test the beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present invention, in a freezer at -20°C, the ice-making situation of an air-cooled ice maker was simulated, and the ice-making and ice-grid temperature situations of two control schemes were respectively compared and tested. The data is shown in the following table: (Temperature unit: °C)

[0117]

[0118]

[0119] Through actual measurement, the water injection amount required for single ice-making (such as 95 ml) is injected into the ice grid in two times, that is, the second preset water injection amount and the third preset water injection amount. The water injection of the second preset water injection amount (such as 45 ml) is used to assist in ice removal. After 2 minutes of ice removal completion, there is approximately 45 ml of low-temperature liquid water remaining in the ice grid, and then the water source of the third preset water injection amount (such as 50 ml) is injected again. Under the water injection method of this control method, under the same experimental conditions, the measured single ice-making time is shortened by 15.7 minutes, the ice-making amount is increased by 21.8%, the ice removal heating time is shortened from 4 minutes to 2 minutes, the energy consumption for ice removal heating is saved by 50%, the temperature fluctuation of the ice-making grid during the ice removal process is reduced by 5°C, and the ice quality is good.

[0120] See Figure 7 , which is a schematic structural diagram of an ice maker provided by an embodiment of the present invention. An embodiment of the present invention provides an ice maker 20, and the ice maker 20 is provided with an ice grid 21, a water injection device 22, a cooling capacity input device 23, an ice removal heating device 24, and an ice removal device 25;

[0121] A control device 26, which is respectively connected to the water injection device 22, the cooling capacity input device 23, the ice removal heating device 24, and the ice removal device 25, and is used to execute steps S21 to S24:

[0122] S21. In response to a preset ice-making instruction, control the water injection device to inject water with a first preset water injection amount into the ice grid, and control the cooling capacity input device to cool the ice grid;

[0123] S22. When a preset first ice removal start condition is satisfied, control the cooling capacity input device to stop cooling, and control the ice removal heating device to heat the ice grid;

[0124] S23. When a preset second ice removal start condition is satisfied, control the ice removal heating device to stop heating, and control the water injection device to inject water with a second preset water injection amount into the ice grid;

[0125] S24. When the preset ice detachment condition is satisfied, control the ice detachment device to perform ice detachment.

[0126] By adopting the technical means of the embodiment of the present invention, a control device is provided to control the start and stop of each device inside the ice maker. When receiving an ice making instruction, the ice maker performs water injection and refrigeration operations. During the ice detachment stage after the ice is made, first control the ice detachment heating device to heat the ice grid, and then inject water into the ice grid to assist in ice detachment, so that the ice cubes in the ice grid are detached from the inner surface of the ice grid. The ice detachment operation is realized through the combination of the heating ice detachment method and the water injection method, which can achieve the purpose of shortening the ice detachment heating time, reducing the introduction of external heat, avoiding exacerbating the significant temperature rise in the ice making chamber, optimizing the ice storage environment in the ice making chamber, and at the same time reducing the energy consumption of the ice detachment heating device. Using the sensible heat of the external water source to assist in ice detachment, the external water exchanges heat with the ice cubes in an infiltrative manner, accelerating the detachment of the ice cubes in the ice grid. At the same time, the cold quantity of the solid ice reduces the temperature of the external water, shortening the freezing time of the liquid water and improving the ice making efficiency.

[0127] As a preferred embodiment, after step S24, the control device is further configured to execute steps S25 to S27:

[0128] S25. Control the cold quantity input device to refrigerate the ice grid.

[0129] S26. When the preset water injection condition is satisfied, control the water injection device to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice grid.

[0130] S27. After controlling the water injection device to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice grid, execute: when the preset first ice detachment start condition is satisfied, control the cold quantity input device to stop refrigerating, and control the ice detachment heating device to heat the ice grid.

[0131] By adopting the technical means of the embodiment of the present invention, during the ice detachment process, in addition to heating with the ice detachment heating device, the sensible heat of the external water source is also used to assist in ice detachment. The external water exchanges heat with the ice cubes in an infiltrative manner, accelerating the detachment of the ice cubes in the ice grid. At the same time, the cold quantity of the solid ice also reduces the temperature of the external water, avoiding the temperature of the water injected in the next ice making cycle from being too high and exacerbating the temperature rise in the ice making chamber again, reducing the temperature fluctuation during the ice detachment process in the ice making chamber, optimizing the ice storage environment in the ice making chamber, and moreover, the entire ice making process can effectively shorten the freezing time of the liquid water and improve the ice making efficiency.

[0132] See Figure 8 , which is a schematic flow chart of an ice making control method for an ice maker provided by an embodiment of the present invention. An embodiment of the present invention provides an ice making control method for an ice maker. The ice maker is provided with an ice grid, a water injection device, a cold quantity input device, an ice detachment heating device, and an ice detachment device;

[0133] The method is executed through steps S31 to S34:

[0134] S31. In response to a preset ice-making instruction, control the water injection device to inject water with a first preset water injection volume into the ice tray, and control the cooling capacity input device to cool the ice tray;

[0135] S32. When a preset first ice removal start condition is satisfied, control the cooling capacity input device to stop cooling, and control the ice removal heating device to heat the ice tray;

[0136] S33. When a preset second ice removal start condition is satisfied, control the ice removal heating device to stop heating, and control the water injection device to inject water with a second preset water injection volume into the ice tray;

[0137] S34. When a preset ice block detachment condition is satisfied, control the ice removal device to perform ice removal.

[0138] By adopting the technical means of the embodiment of the present invention, when an ice-making instruction is received, control the ice maker to perform water injection and cooling operations, and in the ice removal stage after the ice block is made, first control the ice removal heating device to heat the ice tray, and then inject water into the ice tray to assist in ice removal, so that the ice block in the ice tray is detached from the inner surface of the ice tray. The ice removal operation is realized by combining the heating ice removal method and the water injection method, which can achieve the purpose of shortening the ice removal heating time, reducing the introduction of external heat, avoiding aggravating the large temperature rise of the ice-making chamber, optimizing the ice storage environment of the ice-making chamber, and at the same time reducing the energy consumption of the ice removal heating device. Using the sensible heat of the external water source to assist in ice removal, the external water exchanges heat with the ice block in an infiltrating manner, accelerating the detachment of the ice block in the ice tray. At the same time, the cold quantity of the solid ice reduces the temperature of the external water, shortening the freezing time of the liquid water and improving the ice-making efficiency.

[0139] As a preferred implementation manner, after step S34, the method further includes steps S35 to S37:

[0140] S35. Control the cooling capacity input device to cool the ice tray;

[0141] S36. When a preset water injection condition is satisfied, control the water injection device to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice tray;

[0142] S37. After controlling the water injection device to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice tray, execute: when a preset first ice removal start condition is satisfied, control the cooling capacity input device to stop cooling, and control the ice removal heating device to heat the ice tray.

[0143] By adopting the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, during the defrosting process, in addition to heating with a defrosting heating device, the sensible heat of an external water source is also utilized to assist defrosting. The external water exchanges heat with the ice in an immersion manner, accelerating the detachment of the ice cubes in the ice grid. At the same time, the cold quantity of the solid ice also reduces the temperature of the external water, preventing the temperature of the water injected in the next ice-making cycle from being too high and further exacerbating the temperature rise in the ice-making chamber, reducing the temperature fluctuation during the defrosting process of the ice-making chamber, optimizing the ice storage environment in the ice-making chamber, and moreover, the entire ice-making process can effectively shorten the freezing time of liquid water and improve the ice-making efficiency.

[0144] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes of implementing the methods in the above embodiments can be completed by instructing relevant hardware through a computer program. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. Among them, the storage medium can be a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a read-only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0145] The above is the preferred implementation mode of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art of this technology, without departing from the principle of the present invention, several improvements and refinements can still be made, and these improvements and refinements are also regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, Comprising: A refrigerator cabinet; An ice maker disposed in the refrigerator cabinet, the ice maker being provided with an ice tray, a water injection device, a cooling capacity input device, a defrosting heating device, and a defrosting device; A control device connected to the ice maker for: In response to a preset ice-making instruction, controlling the water injection device to inject water with a first preset water injection volume into the ice tray, and controlling the cooling capacity input device to cool the ice tray; When a preset first defrosting start condition is satisfied, controlling the cooling capacity input device to stop cooling, and controlling the defrosting heating device to heat the ice tray; When a preset second defrosting start condition is satisfied, controlling the defrosting heating device to stop heating, and controlling the water injection device to inject water with a second preset water injection volume into the ice tray; When a preset ice block detachment condition is satisfied, controlling the defrosting device to perform defrosting.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, After controlling the defrosting device to perform defrosting when the preset ice block detachment condition is satisfied, the control device is further configured to: Control the cooling capacity input device to cool the ice tray; When a preset water injection condition is satisfied, control the water injection device to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice tray; After controlling the water injection device to inject water with a third preset water injection volume into the ice tray, execute: when a preset first defrosting start condition is satisfied, control the cooling capacity input device to stop cooling, and control the defrosting heating device to heat the ice tray.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The refrigerator further includes: An ice tray temperature sensing device disposed in the ice maker for detecting the current ice tray temperature of the ice tray; the control device is further connected to the ice tray temperature sensing device; The preset first defrosting start condition is: the ice tray temperature is less than or equal to a first preset ice tray temperature; The preset second defrosting start condition is: the ice tray temperature is greater than or equal to a second preset ice tray temperature; The preset ice block detachment condition is: the ice tray temperature is greater than or equal to a third preset ice tray temperature; Wherein, the first preset ice tray temperature is less than the second preset ice tray temperature, and the second preset ice tray temperature is less than the third preset ice tray temperature.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein, The preset water injection condition is: the ice tray temperature is less than or equal to a fourth preset ice tray temperature; wherein, the fourth preset ice tray temperature is greater than the first preset ice tray temperature.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein The refrigerator further includes: An ice tray temperature sensing device disposed in the ice maker for detecting the current ice tray temperature of the ice tray; An ice-making timing device for timing; The control device is further respectively connected to the ice tray temperature sensing device and the ice-making timing device; The preset first defrosting start condition is: the cooling duration of the cooling capacity input device reaches a first preset duration, and the ice tray temperature is less than or equal to a fourth preset ice tray temperature; The preset second defrosting start condition is: the heating duration of the defrosting heating device is greater than or equal to a second preset duration; The preset ice block detachment condition is: after injecting water with a second preset water injection volume into the ice tray, the waiting time reaches a third preset duration.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein, The preset water injection condition is: after the defrosting device completes defrosting, the waiting time reaches a fourth preset duration.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sum of the second preset water injection volume and the third preset water injection volume is equal to the water injection volume required for the ice tray to make ice once.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, If the current ice-making cycle is the first ice-making after the ice maker is powered on, the first preset water injection volume is the sum of the second preset water injection volume and the third preset water injection volume; If the current ice-making cycle is not the first ice-making after the ice maker is powered on, the first preset water injection volume is equal to the third preset water injection volume.

9. An ice maker, characterized in that, The ice maker is provided with an ice tray, a water injection device, a cooling capacity input device, a de-icing heating device and a de-icing device; A control device, respectively connected to the water injection device, the cooling capacity input device, the de-icing heating device and the de-icing device, is configured to: In response to a preset ice-making instruction, control the water injection device to inject water with a first preset water injection volume into the ice tray, and control the cooling capacity input device to cool the ice tray; When a preset first de-icing start condition is satisfied, control the cooling capacity input device to stop cooling, and control the de-icing heating device to heat the ice tray; When a preset second de-icing start condition is satisfied, control the de-icing heating device to stop heating, and control the water injection device to inject water with a second preset water injection volume into the ice tray; When a preset ice block detachment condition is satisfied, control the de-icing device to perform de-icing.

10. An ice-making control method for an ice maker, characterized in that, The ice maker is provided with an ice tray, a water injection device, a cooling capacity input device, a de-icing heating device and a de-icing device; The method includes: In response to a preset ice-making instruction, control the water injection device to inject water with a first preset water injection volume into the ice tray, and control the cooling capacity input device to cool the ice tray; When a preset first de-icing start condition is satisfied, control the cooling capacity input device to stop cooling, and control the de-icing heating device to heat the ice tray; When a preset second de-icing start condition is satisfied, control the de-icing heating device to stop heating, and control the water injection device to inject water with a second preset water injection volume into the ice tray; When a preset ice block detachment condition is satisfied, control the de-icing device to perform de-icing.

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