Refrigerator and its control method

Abstract

This invention relates to a refrigerator and its control method. The refrigerator includes: a tray forming an ice-making compartment, the ice-making compartment being a space where water is phased into ice by cold air; a cold air supply unit for supplying cold air to the ice-making compartment; a storage compartment for housing the tray; a heater for supplying heat to the tray; and a control unit for controlling the heater. The control unit controls the heater to: increase the heating amount of the heater when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air and the water in the ice-making compartment increases, and decrease the heating amount of the heater when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air and the water in the ice-making compartment decreases, so that the ice-making speed of the water inside the ice-making compartment can be maintained within a predetermined range below the ice-making speed when ice-making is performed with the heater off. The control unit also increases the heating amount of the heater when the target temperature of the storage compartment decreases, or decreases the heating amount of the heater when the target temperature of the storage compartment increases.

Description

[0001] This case is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on October 2, 2019, with application number 201980064204.2 and titled "Refrigerator and Control Method Thereof". Technical Field

[0002] This manual relates to refrigerators and their control methods. Background Technology

[0003] Generally speaking, a refrigerator is a household appliance that stores food at low temperatures in an internal storage space enclosed by a door. The refrigerator uses cold air to cool the interior of the storage space, preserving the stored food in a refrigerated or frozen state. Typically, refrigerators include an ice maker. The ice maker takes water supplied from a water source or tank and places it in a tray, then cools the water to produce ice. Furthermore, the ice maker can remove the finished ice from the ice tray by heating or rotating a knob.

[0004] As described above, the ice maker that automatically supplies water and moves ice is formed with an upward opening to hold the shaped ice.

[0005] Ice produced in an ice maker with the structure described above, such as a crescent shape or a cube shape, has at least one flat surface.

[0006] Furthermore, forming ice into a spherical shape makes it more convenient to use and provides users with a unique experience. Also, when storing the ice, the contact area between ice crystals can be minimized, thus reducing the likelihood of them tangling together.

[0007] An ice maker is disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1850918 (hereinafter referred to as "Prior Document 1"), which is an existing document.

[0008] The ice maker in document 1 includes: an upper tray with a plurality of hemispherical upper shells arranged thereon, including a pair of connecting guides extending upward from both sides; a lower tray with a plurality of hemispherical lower shells arranged thereon, rotatably connected to the upper tray; a pivot shaft connected to the rear ends of the lower tray and the upper tray to allow the lower tray to rotate relative to the upper tray; a pair of connecting members, one end of which is connected to the lower tray and the other end of which is connected to the connecting guide; and a push pin assembly, which is clamped at both ends to the connecting guide, respectively connected to the pair of connecting members, and moves up and down together with the connecting members.

[0009] In the case of existing literature 1, although spherical ice can be generated by using a hemispherical upper shell and a hemispherical lower shell, since the ice is generated in the upper shell and the lower shell at the same time, the air bubbles contained in the water cannot be completely discharged. Instead, the air bubbles will be dispersed inside the water, resulting in the disadvantage that the generated ice is opaque.

[0010] An ice-making device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 9-269172 (hereinafter referred to as "Prior Document 2"), which is an existing document.

[0011] The ice-making device in existing document 2 includes: an ice-making dish; and a heating unit that heats the bottom of the water supplied to the ice-making dish.

[0012] In the ice-making apparatus described in existing document 2, during the ice-making process, a heater is used to heat the water on one side and the bottom of the ice block. This causes solidification on the water surface and induces convection within the water, thereby producing transparent ice.

[0013] As transparent ice grows, the volume of water inside the ice block decreases, and the freezing rate gradually increases, making it impossible to generate sufficient convection to match the freezing rate. Therefore,

[0014] In the case of existing literature 2, when approximately 2 / 3 of the water has solidified, the increase in the solidification rate is suppressed by increasing the heating amount of the heater.

[0015] However, according to existing literature 2, simply increasing the heating amount of the heater when the volume of water decreases makes it difficult to generate ice with uniform transparency based on the morphology of the ice. Summary of the Invention

[0016] The problem to be solved

[0017] This embodiment provides a refrigerator and its control method, which can generate ice with uniform transparency regardless of shape.

[0018] Furthermore, this embodiment provides a refrigerator and its control method, which can generate spherical ice blocks while making the transparency of each unit height of the spherical ice blocks uniform.

[0019] Furthermore, this embodiment provides a refrigerator and its control method, which, in accordance with the change in the amount of heat transfer between the water in the ice-making compartment and the cold air in the storage compartment, changes the heating amount of the transparent ice heater and / or the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit, thereby enabling the generation of ice with uniform overall transparency.

[0020] Technical solutions to the problem

[0021] A refrigerator according to one embodiment includes: a tray forming an ice-making compartment, the ice-making compartment being a space where water is phase-formed into ice by cold air; a cold air supply unit for supplying cold air to the ice-making compartment; a storage compartment for housing the tray; a heater for supplying heat to the tray; and a control unit for controlling the heater, the control unit controlling to: increase the heating amount of the heater when the heat transfer between the cold air and the water in the ice-making compartment increases, and decrease the heating amount of the heater when the heat transfer between the cold air and the water in the ice-making compartment decreases, such that the ice-making speed of the water inside the ice-making compartment can be maintained within a predetermined range below the ice-making speed when ice-making is performed with the heater off, the control unit increasing the heating amount of the heater when the target temperature of the storage compartment decreases, or the control unit decreasing the heating amount of the heater when the target temperature of the storage compartment increases.

[0022] According to a refrigerator control method, the refrigerator includes: a first tray housed in a storage compartment; a second tray forming an ice-making compartment together with the first tray; a drive unit for moving the second tray; and a heater for supplying heat to one or more of the first tray and the second tray. The control method includes: performing an ice-making step by supplying cold air to the ice-making compartment via a cold air supply unit after the second tray has moved to an ice-making position; a step of determining whether ice-making has ended; and a step of moving the second tray from the ice-making position to an ice-removing position if ice-making has ended, wherein in the ice-making step... The system is configured to: reduce the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit when the heat transfer between the cold air in the storage chamber and the water in the ice-making compartment increases; increase the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit when the heat transfer between the cold air in the storage chamber and the water in the ice-making compartment decreases; maintain the ice-making speed of the water inside the ice-making compartment within a specified range lower than the ice-making speed when ice-making is performed with the heater off; increase the heating capacity of the heater when the target temperature of the storage chamber decreases; or decrease the heating capacity of the heater when the target temperature of the storage chamber increases.

[0023] A refrigerator according to one method includes: a storage compartment for storing food; a cold air supply unit for supplying cold air to the storage compartment; a tray forming a space where water is phased into ice by the cold air, i.e., an ice-making compartment; a heater for providing heat to the tray; and a control unit for controlling the heater.

[0024] Furthermore, the tray includes: a first tray forming part of the ice-making compartment; and a second tray forming another part of the ice-making compartment.

[0025] In at least a portion of the area where the cold air supply unit supplies cold air, the heater is turned on, allowing air bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice-making compartment to move from the ice-generating portion toward the liquid water side to generate transparent ice.

[0026] In order to make the transparency of the water at each unit height in the ice-making compartment uniform, it can be controlled to change one or more of the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit and the heating capacity of the heater according to the mass of the water at each unit height in the ice-making compartment.

[0027] The second tray can be connected to the drive unit so that it can contact the first tray during ice making and be separated from the first tray during ice removal. The second tray can be connected to and receive power from the drive unit.

[0028] With the second tray in the water supply position, water is supplied to the ice-making compartment. After the water supply is completed, the second tray can move to the ice-making position. After the second tray moves to the ice-making position, the cold air supply unit supplies cold air to the ice-making compartment.

[0029] When ice formation in the ice-making compartment ends, the second tray can be moved in the forward direction to the ice-removal position to remove the ice. After the second tray has moved to the ice-removal position, it can be moved in the reverse direction to the water supply position, and water supply can be restarted.

[0030] On one side, while keeping the cooling power of the air supply unit the same, the heating amount of the heater can be controlled so that the heating amount of the heater is less when the mass of water per unit height is larger than when the mass of water per unit height is smaller.

[0031] As an example, while keeping the cooling power of the air supply unit the same, the heating amount of the heater can be controlled so that the heating amount of the heater is inversely proportional to the mass of water per unit height.

[0032] When the ice-making compartment is spherical, the heating output of the heater can be controlled to decrease first and then increase in order to produce spherical ice. At this point, the heating output of the heater can be minimized when the mass of water per unit height is at its maximum.

[0033] On the other hand, by keeping the heating amount of the heater the same, the cooling power of the air supply unit can be controlled so that the cooling power of the air supply unit is greater when the mass of water per unit height is larger than when the mass of water per unit height is smaller.

[0034] As an example, while keeping the heating amount of the heater the same, the cooling power of the cold air supply unit can be controlled so that the cooling power of the cold air supply unit is proportional to the mass of water per unit height.

[0035] When the ice-making compartment is spherical, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit can be controlled to increase and then decrease initially in order to generate spherical ice. At this point, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit can be maximized when the mass of water per unit height is at its maximum.

[0036] On another side, the heating amount of the heater can be controlled so that the heating amount of the heater is inversely proportional to the mass of water per unit height, and the cooling force of the cold air supply unit can be controlled so that the cooling force of the cold air supply unit is directly proportional to the mass of water per unit height.

[0037] In this embodiment, the cooling supply unit may include one or more of a compressor, a fan for blowing air to the evaporator, and a refrigerant valve for regulating the flow of refrigerant.

[0038] In this embodiment, the refrigerator can be controlled to increase the heating amount of the heater when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air in the storage compartment and the water in the ice-making compartment increases, and to decrease the heating amount of the heater when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air in the storage compartment and the water in the ice-making compartment decreases, thereby maintaining the ice-making speed of the water inside the ice-making compartment within a specified range lower than the ice-making speed when ice-making is performed with the heater turned off.

[0039] An increase in heat transfer between the cold air and water can occur when: the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit increases; or when air at a temperature lower than that of the cold air in the storage chamber is supplied to the storage chamber.

[0040] The amount of cooling power of the air supply unit may increase in the following ways: the target temperature of the storage chamber decreases; the output of the compressor and the fan used to blow air to the evaporator increases; the opening of the refrigerant valve used to regulate the flow of refrigerant increases; or the operating mode changes from the normal mode to the rapid cooling mode.

[0041] The reduction in heat transfer between the cold air and water can occur when: the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit decreases; or when air at a temperature higher than that of the cold air in the storage chamber is supplied to the storage chamber.

[0042] The amount of cooling capacity of the air supply unit may decrease in the following situations: the target temperature of the storage chamber increases; the output of the compressor and the fan used to blow air to the evaporator decreases; the opening of the refrigerant valve used to regulate the flow of refrigerant decreases; or the operating mode changes from rapid cooling mode to normal mode.

[0043] In this embodiment, one of the first tray and the second tray may be made of a non-metallic material, thereby reducing the heat transfer rate of the heater.

[0044] The second tray may be located below the first tray, and the heater may be configured adjacent to the second tray to allow water to freeze from the top in the ice-making compartment. At least the second tray may be made of a non-metallic material. Although not limited thereto, both the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may be made of a non-metallic material.

[0045] One or more of the first and second trays can be formed of a flexible material, allowing them to deform during ice removal and return to their original shape. Although not limited to this, the second tray can be formed of silicon. The first tray can also be formed of silicon if needed.

[0046] According to the control method of the refrigerator on the other side, the refrigerator includes: a first tray housed in a storage compartment; a second tray forming an ice-making compartment together with the first tray; a drive unit for moving the second tray; and a heater for supplying heat to one or more of the first tray and the second tray. The control method may include: a step of supplying water to the ice-making compartment when the second tray is moved to a water supply position; a step of making ice after the water supply ends and the second tray moves from the water supply position to the ice-making position in the opposite direction; a step of determining whether ice-making has ended; and a step of moving the second tray from the ice-making position to the ice-moving position in the forward direction when ice-making ends.

[0047] In order to generate transparent ice by allowing air bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice-making chamber to move from the ice-generating portion toward the liquid water side, the heater may be turned on during at least a portion of the ice-making process.

[0048] In order to keep the ice-making speed at each unit height of water within a specified range, the heating amount of the heater can be controlled during the ice-making process to vary according to the quality of the water at each unit height in the ice-making compartment.

[0049] As an example, the heating amount of the heater can be controlled such that the heating amount of the heater is less when the mass of water per unit height is larger than when the mass of water per unit height is smaller.

[0050] When the ice-making compartment is spherical, the heating amount of the heater can be controlled to decrease first and then increase from the initial output.

[0051] In the ice-making step, in order to keep the ice-making speed of the water inside the ice-making compartment below a specified range when ice-making is performed with the heater off, it can be controlled such that when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air in the storage compartment and the water in the ice-making compartment increases, the heating amount of the heater increases, and when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air in the storage compartment and the water in the ice-making compartment decreases, the heating amount of the heater decreases.

[0052] When the target temperature of the storage chamber decreases, the heating capacity of the heater can be increased; when the target temperature of the storage chamber increases, the heating capacity of the heater can be decreased.

[0053] According to another aspect of the refrigerator control method, the refrigerator includes: a first tray housed in a storage compartment; a second tray forming an ice-making compartment together with the first tray; a drive unit for moving the second tray; and a heater for supplying heat to one or more of the first tray and the second tray. The control method includes: performing a step of supplying water to the ice-making compartment while the second tray is moved to a water supply position; after the water supply ends, and after the second tray moves from the water supply position to the ice-making position in the opposite direction, causing the cold air supply unit to supply cold air to the ice-making compartment and perform ice making; a step of determining whether ice making has ended; and a step of moving the second tray from the ice-making position to the ice-moving position in the forward direction when ice making ends.

[0054] In order to generate transparent ice by allowing air bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice-making chamber to move from the ice-generating portion toward the liquid water side, the heater may be turned on during at least a portion of the ice-making process.

[0055] In order to ensure that the ice-making rate per unit height of water falls within a specified range, the ice-making process can be controlled to vary the cooling capacity of the air supply unit according to the mass of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment.

[0056] The cooling power of the air supply unit can be controlled so that the cooling power of the air supply unit is greater when the mass of water per unit height is larger than when the mass of water per unit height is smaller.

[0057] When the ice-making compartment is spherical, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit can be controlled to increase and then decrease during the ice-making process.

[0058] In the ice-making step, in order to keep the ice-making speed of the water inside the ice-making compartment below a predetermined range when ice-making is performed with the heater off, it can be controlled such that when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air in the storage compartment and the water in the ice-making compartment increases, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit is reduced, and when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air in the storage compartment and the water in the ice-making compartment decreases, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit is increased.

[0059] According to another aspect of the refrigerator control method, the refrigerator includes a first tray and a second tray for forming an ice-making compartment in a spherical shape. The control method may include: a step of supplying cold air to the ice-making compartment and starting ice making by a cold air supply unit after the water supply to the ice-making compartment is completed; a step of turning on a heater for supplying heat to the ice-making compartment after the ice making begins; a step of changing the output of the heater according to the mass of the ice-making compartment per unit height; a step of determining whether ice making has ended; and a step of turning off the heater when it is determined that ice making has ended.

[0060] In order to keep the ice-making speed of the water inside the ice-making compartment below a specified range when ice-making is performed with the heater off, the heating amount of the heater can be controlled such that when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air used to cool the storage compartment and the water in the ice-making compartment increases, the heating amount of the heater is increased, and when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air used to cool the storage compartment and the water in the ice-making compartment decreases, the heating amount of the heater is decreased.

[0061] According to another aspect of the refrigerator control method, the refrigerator includes: a tray defining an ice-making compartment; a heater for supplying heat to the tray, and the control method may include: a step of supplying water to the ice-making compartment; a step of performing ice making after the water supply is completed; a step of determining whether the ice making has ended; and a step of separating ice from the ice-making compartment.

[0062] During at least a portion of the ice-making process, the heater is turned on, allowing air bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice-making compartment to move from the ice-generating portion toward the liquid water side to generate transparent ice.

[0063] Invention Effects

[0064] According to the invention, a heater is turned on in at least a portion of the air supply unit during the air supply process, thereby using the heat of the heater to delay the ice-making speed, which allows air bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice-making compartment to move from the ice-forming part toward the liquid water side, thereby generating transparent ice.

[0065] In particular, in this embodiment, the control is configured to change one or more of the cooling power of the cold air supply unit and the heating amount of the heater according to the mass of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment, thereby enabling the generation of ice with uniform overall transparency regardless of the shape of the ice-making compartment.

[0066] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater and / or the cooling power of the cold air supply unit are changed according to the change in the amount of heat transfer between the water in the ice-making compartment and the cold air in the storage compartment, thereby generating ice with uniform overall transparency. Attached Figure Description

[0067] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A 3D view of an ice maker with its bracket removed.

[0070] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 5 This is used to illustrate the second temperature sensor disposed along the ice maker in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 A sectional view taken along line AA.

[0072] Figure 6 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ice maker when the second tray is in the water supply position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Figure 7 This is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Figure 8This is a flowchart illustrating the process of ice generation in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Figure 9 This is a diagram used to illustrate the height reference corresponding to the relative position of the transparent ice heater in the ice-making compartment.

[0076] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the output of a transparent ice heater per unit height of water within the ice-making compartment.

[0077] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the state of water supply termination at a water supply location.

[0078] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the formation of ice at the ice-making location.

[0079] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the state of the second tray and the first tray separating during the ice removal process.

[0080] Figure 14 This is a diagram showing the state of the second tray as it moves to the ice-moving position during the ice-moving process.

[0081] Figure 15 This diagram illustrates a refrigerator control method when the amount of heat transfer between cold air and water varies during the ice-making process.

[0082] Figure 16 It is a graph used to show the output changes of a transparent ice heater in response to increases or decreases in the amount of heat transferred from cold air and water. Detailed Implementation

[0083] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the illustrative accompanying drawings. When assigning reference numerals to structural elements in the various drawings, the same reference numerals will be assigned to the same structural elements as much as possible, even if they are indicated in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions will be omitted if it is determined that a specific description of a related known structural element or its function would affect the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0084] Furthermore, when describing the structural elements of embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. Such terms are merely for distinguishing the structural element from other structural elements and are not intended to define the nature, sequence, or order of the corresponding structural elements. When a structural element is described as being "connected," "bonded," or "in contact" with another structural element, the structural element may be directly connected or in contact with the other structural element; however, it can also be understood that there is another structural element "connected," "bonded," or "in contact" between the structural elements.

[0085] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] Reference Figure 1 A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a cabinet 14, including a storage compartment; and a door for opening and closing the storage compartment.

[0087] The storage compartment may include a refrigerator compartment 18 and a freezer compartment 32. The refrigerator compartment 18 is located on the upper side, and the freezer compartment 32 is located on the lower side, so that each storage compartment can be opened and closed individually using its respective door.

[0088] As another example, the freezer compartment can be arranged on the upper side and the refrigerator compartment on the lower side. Alternatively, the freezer compartment can be arranged on one side of the left and right sides and the refrigerator compartment on the other side.

[0089] The upper and lower spaces of the freezer compartment 32 can be separated from each other, and a drawer 40 that can be accessed from the lower space can be provided in the lower space.

[0090] The doors may include a plurality of doors 10, 20, and 30 for opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 18 and the freezer compartment 32. The plurality of doors 10, 20, and 30 may include some or all of the doors 10 and 20 that open and close the storage compartment in a rotating manner and the door 30 that opens and closes the storage compartment in a sliding manner.

[0091] The freezer compartment 32 can be configured to be separated into two spaces, even if it can be opened and closed using a door 30.

[0092] In this embodiment, the freezer compartment 32 can be referred to as the first storage compartment, and the refrigerator compartment 18 can be referred to as the second storage compartment.

[0093] An ice maker 200 capable of making ice may be provided in the freezer compartment 32. The ice maker 200 may, for example, be located in the upper space of the freezer compartment 32.

[0094] An ice bin 600 may be disposed at the lower part of the ice maker 200, into which ice generated by the ice maker 200 falls and is stored. The user can remove the ice bin 600 from the freezer compartment 32 and use the ice stored in it. The ice bin 600 may be placed on the upper side of the horizontal wall dividing the upper and lower spaces of the freezer compartment 32.

[0095] Although not shown in the figure, the housing 14 is provided with a pipe for supplying cold air to the ice maker 200. The pipe guides the cold air, after heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing in the evaporator, toward the ice maker 200.

[0096] As an example, the pipe is positioned at the rear of the housing 14 and can expel cold air towards the front of the housing 14. The ice maker 200 can be located in front of the pipe. Although not limited, the outlet of the pipe can be located on one or more of the rear and upper side walls of the freezer compartment 32.

[0097] The above description is based on the case where the ice maker 200 is installed in the freezer compartment 32. However, the space in which the ice maker 200 is located is not limited to the freezer compartment 32. The ice maker 200 can be located in various spaces that can be supplied with cold air.

[0098] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A 3D view of an ice maker with the bracket removed. Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 This is used to illustrate the second temperature sensor disposed along the ice maker in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 A sectional view taken along line AA.

[0099] Figure 6 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ice maker when the second tray is in the water supply position according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0100] Reference Figures 2 to 6 The various structural components of the ice maker 200 are disposed inside or outside the bracket 220, and the ice maker 200 can constitute a component.

[0101] As an example, the bracket 220 can be installed on the upper side wall of the freezer compartment 32. A water supply section 240 can be provided on the upper inner side of the bracket 220. The water supply section 240 has openings on its upper and lower sides, thereby guiding water supplied to the upper side of the water supply section 240 to the lower side. The upper opening of the water supply section 240 is larger than the lower opening, thereby limiting the discharge range of water guided downward through the water supply section 240. A water supply pipe for supplying water can be provided on the upper side of the water supply section 240.

[0102] The water supplied to the water supply unit 240 can move downwards. The water supply unit 240 prevents water from falling from a high position from the water supply pipe, thereby preventing water splashing. The water supply unit 240 is positioned lower than the water supply pipe, so water is guided downwards instead of splashing onto the water supply unit 240. The lower height reduces the amount of water splashing even as the water moves downwards.

[0103] The ice maker 200 may include a space where water is phased into ice by cold air, namely an ice-making compartment 320a.

[0104] The ice maker 200 may include: a first tray 320 forming at least a portion of the wall for providing the ice-making compartment 320a; and a second tray 380 forming at least another portion of the wall for providing the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0105] Although not specifically defined, the ice-making compartment 320a may include a first compartment 320b and a second compartment 320c. The first tray 320 may define the first compartment 320b, and the second tray 380 may define the second compartment 320c.

[0106] The second tray 380 can be configured to move relative to the first tray 320. The second tray 380 can move linearly or rotate. The following description uses the case of the second tray 380 rotating as an example.

[0107] As an example, during the ice-making process, the second tray 380 moves relative to the first tray 320, thereby allowing the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 to come into contact.

[0108] When the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 come into contact, the complete ice-making compartment 320 can be defined.

[0109] On the other hand, during the ice removal process after ice making, the second tray 380 moves relative to the first tray 320, thereby separating the second tray 380 from the first tray 320.

[0110] In this embodiment, the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 can be arranged vertically when forming the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0111] Therefore, the first tray 320 can be referred to as the upper tray, and the second tray 380 can be referred to as the lower tray.

[0112] A plurality of ice-making compartments 320a can be defined by the first tray 320 and the second tray 380. Figure 4 The diagram shows an example of a configuration with three ice-making compartments 320a.

[0113] When water is supplied to the ice-making compartment 320a and then cooled by cold air, ice of the same or similar form as that in the ice-making compartment 320a can be generated.

[0114] In this embodiment, the ice-making compartment 320a, as an example, can be formed in a spherical shape or a shape similar to a spherical shape.

[0115] In this case, the first compartment 320b can be formed in a hemispherical shape or a shape similar to a hemisphere. Furthermore, the second compartment 320c can be formed in a hemispherical shape or a shape similar to a hemisphere. Of course, the ice-making compartment 320a can also be formed in a cube shape or a polygonal shape.

[0116] The ice maker 200 may further include a first tray housing 300 that is coupled to the first tray 320.

[0117] As an example, the first tray housing 300 may be attached to the upper side of the first tray 320. The first tray housing 300 may be manufactured from a component independent of the bracket 220 and attached to the bracket 220, or may be integrally formed with the bracket 220.

[0118] The ice maker 200 may further include a first heater housing 280. An ice-transfer heater 290 may be provided in the first heater housing 280. The heater housing 280 may be integrally formed with the first tray housing 300, or formed separately.

[0119] The ice-removing heater 290 can be positioned adjacent to the first tray 320. For example, the ice-removing heater 290 can be a wire heater. For example, the ice-removing heater 290 can be positioned in contact with the first tray 320 or at a predetermined distance from the first tray 320. In either case, the ice-removing heater 290 can supply heat to the first tray 320, and the heat supplied to the first tray 320 can be transferred to the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0120] The ice maker 200 may further include a first tray cover 340 located on the lower side of the first tray 320.

[0121] The first tray cover 340 may have an opening corresponding to the shape of the ice-making compartment 320a of the first tray 320, and is attached to the lower side of the first tray 320.

[0122] A guide slot 302 may be provided in the first tray housing 300, the upper side of the guide slot 302 being inclined, while its lower side extending vertically. The guide slot 302 may be provided in a member extending toward the upper side of the first tray housing 300. The guide protrusion 262 of the first pusher 260, described later, can be inserted into the guide slot 302. Therefore, the guide protrusion 262 can be guided along the guide slot 302.

[0123] The first thruster 260 may include at least one extension 264. As an example, the first thruster 260 may include extensions 264, the number of which is the same as the number of ice-making compartments 320a, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0124] The extension 264 can push the ice located in the ice-making compartment 320a during ice transfer. As an example, the extension 264 can penetrate the first tray housing 300 and be inserted into the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0125] Therefore, the first tray housing 300 may be provided with a hole 304 for a portion of the first pusher 260 to pass through.

[0126] The guide protrusion 262 of the first thruster 260 can be engaged with the thruster connector 500. In this case, the guide protrusion 262 can be engaged with the thruster connector 500 in a rotatable manner. Therefore, if the thruster connector 500 moves, the first thruster 260 can also move along the guide slot 302.

[0127] The ice maker 200 may further include a second tray housing 400 that is coupled to the second tray 380.

[0128] The second tray housing 400 can support the second tray 380 from the underside.

[0129] As an example, at least a portion of the wall of the second compartment 320c forming the second tray 380 can be supported by the second tray housing 400.

[0130] A spring 402 may be connected to one side of the second tray housing 400. The spring 402 can provide an elastic force to the second tray housing 400, thereby enabling the second tray 380 to remain in contact with the first tray 320.

[0131] The ice maker 200 may also include a second tray cover 360.

[0132] The second tray 380 may include a peripheral wall 382 that surrounds a portion of the first tray 320 when in contact with it. The second tray cover 360 may surround the peripheral wall 382.

[0133] The ice maker 200 may further include a second heater housing 420. A transparent ice heater 430 may be provided in the second heater housing 420.

[0134] The transparent ice heater 430 is described in detail.

[0135] In the control unit 800 of this embodiment, in order to generate transparent ice, it can be controlled such that the transparent ice heater 430 can supply heat to the ice-making chamber 320a during at least a portion of the interval in which cold air is supplied to the ice-making chamber 320a.

[0136] By utilizing the heat of the transparent ice heater 430 to delay the ice formation rate, air bubbles dissolved in the water inside the ice-making chamber 320a are allowed to move from the ice-forming part towards the liquid water side, thereby enabling the formation of transparent ice in the ice maker 200. That is, air bubbles dissolved in the water can also be guided to escape to the outside of the ice-making chamber 320a, or captured at a predetermined location within the ice-making chamber 320a.

[0137] Additionally, when the air supply unit 900 (described later) supplies cold air to the ice-making chamber 320a, if the ice is generated quickly, air bubbles in the water dissolved inside the ice-making chamber 320a may freeze in a state where they fail to move from the ice-generating part to the liquid water side, which may reduce the transparency of the generated ice.

[0138] On the other hand, when the cold air supply unit 900 supplies cold air to the ice-making compartment 320a, if the ice-making speed is slow, although the above problem is solved and the transparency of the ice-making is increased, it may cause the problem of a long ice-making time.

[0139] Therefore, in order to reduce the delay in ice-making time and increase the transparency of the generated ice, the transparent ice heater 430 can be configured on one side of the ice-making compartment 320a to locally supply heat to the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0140] In addition, when the transparent ice heater 430 is disposed on one side of the ice-making compartment 320a, in order to reduce the heat of the transparent ice heater 430 from being easily transferred to the other side of the ice-making compartment 320a, at least one of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may be made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than metal.

[0141] In addition, in order to better separate the ice adhering to the trays 320 and 380 during the ice removal process, at least one of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 may be a resin including plastic.

[0142] In order to make it easy for the trays deformed by the pushers 260 and 540 to return to their original shape during the ice removal process, at least one of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 can be made of flexible or soft material.

[0143] The transparent ice heater 430 can be positioned adjacent to the second tray 380. As an example, the transparent ice heater 430 can be a wire heater.

[0144] As an example, the transparent ice heater 430 may be arranged in contact with the second tray 380, or configured at a predetermined distance from the second tray 380.

[0145] Alternatively, the second heater housing 420 can be omitted, and the transparent ice heater 430 can be installed in the second tray housing 400.

[0146] In either case, the transparent ice heater 430 can supply heat to the second tray 380, and the heat supplied to the second tray 380 can be transferred to the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0147] The ice maker 200 may further include a drive unit 480 that provides driving force. The second tray 380 may receive the driving force from the drive unit 480, thereby moving the first tray 320 relative to it. The first pusher 260 may receive the driving force from the drive unit 480 and move accordingly.

[0148] An extension 281 extending downward on one side of the first tray housing 300 may have a through hole 282. An extension 403 extending on one side of the second tray housing 400 may have a through hole 404. The ice maker 200 may also include a shaft 440 that passes through both the through holes 282 and 404.

[0149] Rotating arms 460 can be respectively provided at both ends of the shaft 440. The shaft 440 can receive rotational force from the drive unit 480 and rotate.

[0150] One end of the rotating arm 460 is connected to one end of the spring 402, so that when the spring 402 is stretched, its restoring force can be used to move the position of the rotating arm 460 to the initial position.

[0151] The driving part 480 may include a motor and a plurality of gears.

[0152] A full-ice sensing lever 520 may be connected to the driving part 480. The full-ice sensing lever 520 may be rotated by the rotational force provided by the driving part 480. The full-ice sensing lever 520 may have a generally C-shaped shape. As an example, the full-ice sensing lever 520 may comprise: a first portion 521; and a pair of second portions 522 extending from both ends of the first portion 521 in a direction crossing the first portion 521.

[0153] One of the pair of second portions 522 may be coupled to the driving part 480, and the other may be coupled to the bracket 220 or the first tray support 300.

[0154] The full-ice sensing lever 520 may sense ice stored in the ice storage 600 during rotation.

[0155] The driving part 480 may further include a cam that receives rotational power from the motor and rotates. The ice maker 200 may further include a sensor that senses rotation of the cam.

[0156] As an example, a magnet is disposed on the cam, and the sensor may be a Hall sensor configured to sense magnetism of the magnet during rotation of the cam. Depending on whether the sensor senses the magnet or not, the sensor may output a first signal and a second signal which are different outputs from each other. One of the first signal and the second signal may be a High signal, and the other is a low signal.

[0157] A control part 800 described below may confirm the position of the second tray 380 based on the type and pattern of the signal output from the sensor. That is, since the second tray 380 and the cam are rotated by the motor, the position of the second tray 380 can be indirectly determined based on the sensing signal of the magnet provided on the cam.

[0158] As an example, a water supply position and an ice making position described below can be distinguished and determined based on the signal output from the sensor.

[0159] The ice maker 200 may further include a second pusher 540. The second pusher 540 may be disposed on the bracket 220. The second pusher 540 may include at least one extending portion 544. As an example, the second pusher 540 may include extending portions 544 provided in the same number as the number of the ice making compartments 320a, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0160] The extension 544 can push the ice located in the ice-making compartment 320a. As an example, the extension 544 can penetrate the second tray housing 400 and contact the second tray 380 forming the ice-making compartment 320a, and can apply pressure to the contacted second tray 380. Therefore, the second tray housing 400 can be provided with a hole 422 through which a portion of the second pusher 540 passes.

[0161] The first tray housing 300 and the second tray housing 400 are rotatably coupled to each other about the axis 440, so that their angles change about the axis 440.

[0162] In this embodiment, the second tray 380 may be formed of a non-metallic material. For example, the second tray 380 may be formed of a flexible material whose shape can deform when pressed by the second pusher 540. Although not limited, the second tray 380 may be formed of silicon.

[0163] Therefore, during the process of the second thruster 540 applying pressure to the second tray 380, the second tray 380 deforms and can transfer the pressure applied by the second thruster 540 to the ice. Under the pressure of the second thruster 540, the ice and the second tray 380 can separate.

[0164] When the second tray 380 is formed of a non-metallic material and a flexible or soft material, the bonding or adhesion between the ice and the second tray 380 can be reduced, thereby making it easier for the ice to separate from the second tray 380.

[0165] Furthermore, when the second tray 380 is formed of a non-metallic material and a flexible or soft material, after the shape of the second tray 380 is deformed due to the second pusher 540, the second tray 380 can easily return to its original shape when the pressure applied by the second pusher 540 is removed.

[0166] As another example, the first tray 320 may also be made of metal. In this case, since the first tray 320 has a strong bond or adhesion to the ice, the ice maker 200 of this embodiment may include one or more of the ice-moving heater 290 and the first pusher 260.

[0167] As another example, the first tray 320 may be formed of a non-metallic material. When the first tray 320 is formed of a non-metallic material, the ice maker 200 may include only one of the ice-moving heater 290 and the first pusher 260.

[0168] Alternatively, the ice maker 200 may not include the ice-moving heater 290 and the first pusher 260.

[0169] Although not limited, the first tray 320, as an example, can be formed of silicon. That is, the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 can be formed of the same material. When the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 are formed of the same material, in order to maintain the sealing performance at the contact points of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380, the hardness of the first tray 320 and the hardness of the second tray 380 can be different. In the case of this embodiment, since the second tray 380 is deformed by the pressure of the second pusher 540, in order to make the shape of the second tray 380 easily deformable, the hardness of the second tray 380 can be lower than that of the first tray 320.

[0170] Additionally, refer to Figure 5 The refrigerator may also include a second temperature sensor 700 (or an ice-making compartment temperature sensor). The second temperature sensor 700 can sense the temperature of the water or the temperature of the ice in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0171] The second temperature sensor 700 is configured adjacent to the first tray 320 and senses the temperature of the first tray 320, thereby enabling it to indirectly sense the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0172] In this embodiment, the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making compartment 320a can be referred to as the internal temperature of the ice-making compartment 320a. The second temperature sensor 700 can be disposed in the first tray housing 300.

[0173] In this case, the second temperature sensor 700 may be in contact with the first tray 320 or separated from the first tray 320 by a predetermined interval. Alternatively, the second temperature sensor 700 may be disposed on the first tray 320 and in contact with the first tray 320.

[0174] Of course, when the second temperature sensor 700 is configured to penetrate the first tray 320, the temperature of the water or the temperature of the ice in the ice-making compartment 320a can be sensed directly.

[0175] Additionally, a portion of the ice-removing heater 290 may be located at a higher position than the second temperature sensor 700 and may be separated from the second temperature sensor 700.

[0176] The wire 701 connected to the second temperature sensor 700 can be guided toward the top of the first tray housing 300.

[0177] Reference Figure 6 In the ice maker 200 of this embodiment, the position of the second tray 380 can be designed differently at the water supply position and the ice making position.

[0178] As an example, the second tray 380 may include: a second compartment wall 381 that defines a second compartment 320c in the ice-making compartment 320a; and a peripheral wall 382 that extends along the outer edge of the second compartment wall 381.

[0179] The second compartment wall 381 may include an upper surface 381a. In this specification, it may also be referred to as the upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381 being the upper surface 381a of the second tray 380.

[0180] The upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381 may be located at a lower position than the upper end of the peripheral wall 381.

[0181] The first tray 320 may include a first compartment wall 321a, which defines a first compartment 320b within the ice-making compartment 320a. The first compartment wall 321a may include a straight portion 321b and a curved portion 321c. The curved portion 321c may be formed as an arc with a radius of curvature around the center of the axis 440. Therefore, the peripheral wall 381 may also include a straight portion and a curved portion corresponding to the straight portion 321b and the curved portion 321c.

[0182] The first compartment wall 321a may include a lower surface 321d. In this specification, it may also be referred to as the lower surface 321b of the first compartment wall 321a being the lower surface 321b of the first tray 320. The lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a may contact the upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381a.

[0183] For example, in such Figure 6 At the water supply location shown, at least a portion of the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a and the upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381 can be separated.

[0184] As an example, in Figure 6 The diagram shows the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a and the upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381 completely separated from each other. Therefore, the upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381 can be inclined at a predetermined angle to the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a.

[0185] Although not limited, the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a can be substantially horizontal at the water supply position, and the upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381 can be configured to be inclined relative to the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a below the first compartment wall 321a.

[0186] In such Figure 6 In the illustrated state, the peripheral wall 382 can surround the first compartment wall 321a. Furthermore, the upper end of the peripheral wall 382 can be located at a position higher than the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a.

[0187] Additionally, at the ice-making location (refer to...) Figure 12 On the first compartment wall 321a, the upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381 can contact at least a portion of the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a.

[0188] In the ice-making position, the angle formed by the upper surface 381a of the second tray 380 and the lower surface 321d of the first tray 320 is smaller than the angle formed by the upper surface 382a of the second tray 380 and the lower surface 321d of the first tray 320 in the water-supply position. In the ice-making position, the upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381 can be in full contact with the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a.

[0189] At the ice-making position, the upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381 and the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a can be substantially horizontal.

[0190] In this embodiment, the reason why the water supply position of the second tray 380 is different from the ice-making position is that, when the ice maker 200 includes a plurality of ice-making compartments 320a, the water channels for connecting the various ice-making compartments 320a are not formed on the first tray 320 and / or the second tray 380, and water is evenly distributed to the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a.

[0191] If the ice maker 200 includes the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a, and a water channel is formed in the first tray 320 and / or the second tray 380, then the water supplied to the ice maker 200 will be distributed to the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a along the water channel.

[0192] However, even after water has been distributed to multiple ice-making compartments 320a, water will still be present in the water channels. When ice is generated in this state, the ice generated in the ice-making compartments 320a is connected to the ice generated in the water channels.

[0193] In this case, after the ice is moved, there is a possibility that some ice will stick together. Even if the ice blocks are separated, some of the ice in the multiple ice blocks will contain the ice generated in the water channel section, which may result in the ice shape being different from the shape of the ice-making compartment.

[0194] However, as described in this embodiment, when the second tray 380 is separated from the first tray 320 at the water supply position, the water falling into the second tray 380 can be evenly distributed to the plurality of second compartments 381 of the second tray 380.

[0195] For example, the first tray 320 may include a communication hole 321e. If the first tray 320 includes a first compartment 320b, the first tray 320 may include a communication hole 321e.

[0196] When the first tray 320 includes a plurality of first compartments 320b, the first tray 320 may include a plurality of connecting holes 321e.

[0197] The water supply unit 240 can supply water to one of the plurality of connecting holes 321e. In this case, the water supplied via the connecting hole 321e falls into the second tray 380 after passing through the first tray 320.

[0198] During the water supply process, water can fall into one of the plurality of second compartments 320c of the second tray 380. Water supplied to one second compartment 320c will overflow that second compartment 320c.

[0199] In this embodiment, since the upper surface 381a of the second tray 380 is separated from the lower surface 321d of the first tray 320, water overflowing from one of the second compartments 320c will move along the upper surface 381a of the second tray 380 toward the adjacent second compartment 320c. Thus, the plurality of second compartments 320c of the second tray 380 can be filled with water.

[0200] Furthermore, when the water supply is stopped, a portion of the supplied water fills the second compartment 320c, and another portion of the supplied water can fill the space between the first tray 320 and the second tray 380.

[0201] Regarding the water supply location, depending on the volume of the ice-making compartment 320a, the water at the end of the water supply may be located only in the space between the first tray 320 and the second tray 380, or it may be located in the space between the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 as well as within the first tray 320 (see reference). Figure 11 ).

[0202] When the second tray 380 moves from the water supply position to the ice-making position, the water in the space between the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 can be evenly distributed to the plurality of first compartments 320b.

[0203] Additionally, when water channels are formed in the first tray 320 and / or the second tray 380, the ice generated in the ice-making compartment 320a will also be generated in the water channel portion.

[0204] In this case, in order to generate transparent ice, when the refrigerator's control unit controls the refrigerator to change one or more of the cooling power of the air supply unit 900 and the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 according to the mass of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment 320a, in the part where the water channel is formed, one or more of the cooling power of the air supply unit 900 and the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 will be controlled to change drastically by several times or more.

[0205] This is because, in the section where the water channel is formed, the mass of water per unit height will increase dramatically by several times. In this case, component reliability issues may arise, and expensive components with large ranges in maximum and minimum output may be used, potentially leading to disadvantages in terms of power consumption and component cost. Consequently, to generate transparent ice, the present invention may also require technology related to the aforementioned ice-making location.

[0206] Figure 7 This is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0207] Reference Figure 7 The refrigerator in this embodiment may further include a cold air supply unit 900 for supplying cold air to the freezer compartment 32 (or the ice-making compartment). The cold air supply unit 900 may utilize refrigerant circulation to supply cold air to the freezer compartment 32.

[0208] As an example, the air supply unit 900 may include a compressor for compressing refrigerant. The temperature of the cold air supplied to the freezer compartment 32 may vary depending on the output (or frequency) of the compressor.

[0209] Alternatively, the cooling supply unit 900 may include a fan for blowing air into the evaporator. The amount of cooling air supplied to the freezer compartment 32 may vary depending on the fan output (or rotation speed).

[0210] Alternatively, the cooling supply unit 900 may include a refrigerant valve that regulates the amount of refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant cycle.

[0211] By adjusting the opening of the refrigerant valve to change the amount of refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant cycle, the temperature of the cold air supplied to the freezer compartment 32 can be changed.

[0212] Therefore, in this embodiment, the air supply unit 900 may include one or more of the compressor, fan, and refrigerant valve.

[0213] The refrigerator in this embodiment may further include a control unit 800 for controlling the air supply unit 900. Furthermore, the refrigerator may also include a water supply valve 242 for controlling the amount of water supplied through the water supply unit 240.

[0214] The control unit 800 can control some or all of the ice transfer heater 290, the transparent ice heater 430, the drive unit 480, the cold air supply unit 900, and the water supply valve 242.

[0215] In this embodiment, when all ice makers 200 include the ice transfer heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430, the output of the ice transfer heater 290 and the output of the transparent ice heater 430 may be different.

[0216] When the outputs of the ice-moving heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 are different, the output terminals of the ice-moving heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 can be formed in different shapes, thereby preventing accidental tightening of the two output terminals.

[0217] Although not limited, the output of the ice transfer heater 290 can be set to be greater than the output of the transparent ice heater 430. Therefore, ice can be quickly separated from the first tray 320 using the ice transfer heater 290.

[0218] In this embodiment, if the ice heater 290 is not provided, the transparent ice heater 430 can be configured in a position adjacent to the aforementioned second tray 380, or in a position adjacent to the first tray 320.

[0219] The refrigerator may also include a first temperature sensor 33 (or a refrigerator internal temperature sensor) for sensing the temperature of the freezer compartment 32.

[0220] The control unit 800 can control the air conditioning supply unit 900 based on the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor 33. Furthermore, the control unit 800 can determine whether ice making has ended based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700.

[0221] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of ice generation in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0222] Figure 9 This is a diagram used to illustrate the height reference corresponding to the relative position of the transparent ice heater in the ice-making compartment. Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating the output of a transparent ice heater per unit height of water within the ice-making compartment.

[0223] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the state of water supply termination at a water supply location. Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the formation of ice at the ice-making location. Figure 13 This diagram shows the state of the second tray and the first tray separating during the ice removal process. Figure 14 This is a diagram showing the state of the second tray as it moves to the ice-moving position during the ice-moving process.

[0224] Reference Figures 6 to 14 In order to generate ice in the ice maker 200, the control unit 800 moves the second tray 380 toward the water supply position (step S1).

[0225] In this specification, the second tray 380 can be removed from... Figure 12 ice-making location towards Figure 14 The direction in which the ice is moved is called positive movement (or positive rotation).

[0226] Conversely, it can be from Figure 14 The location of the ice move towards Figure 11 The direction in which the water supply position moves is called the reverse movement (or the reverse rotation).

[0227] The movement of the water supply position of the second tray 380 is sensed by the sensor. When the sensor senses that the second tray 380 has moved to the water supply position, the control unit 800 stops the drive unit 480.

[0228] Water supply begins when the second tray 380 is moved to the water supply position (step S2). In order to supply water, the control unit 800 opens the water supply valve 242. If it is determined that the set amount of water has been supplied, the control unit 800 can close the water supply valve 242.

[0229] As an example, during the water supply process, the flow sensor shown in the figure outputs a pulse. When the output pulse reaches the reference pulse, it can be determined that the set amount of water has been supplied.

[0230] After the water supply ends, the control unit 800 controls the second tray 380 to move the drive unit 480 to the ice-making position (step S3). As an example, the control unit 800 can control the drive unit 480 to move the second tray 380 from the water supply position in the opposite direction.

[0231] If the second tray 380 moves in the opposite direction, its upper surface 381a will approach the lower surface 321e of the first tray 320. At this time, the water between the upper surface 381a of the second tray 380 and the lower surface 321e of the first tray 320 will be divided and distributed into the respective interiors of the plurality of second compartments 320c. If the upper surface 381a of the second tray 380 and the lower surface 321e of the first tray 320 are completely in contact, the first compartment 321a will be filled with water.

[0232] The movement of the second tray 380 toward the ice-making position is sensed by a sensor. When the sensor detects that the second tray 380 has moved to the ice-making position, the control unit 800 stops the drive unit 480.

[0233] Ice making begins when the second tray assembly 211 is moved to the ice-making position (step S4). For example, ice making can begin when the second tray 380 reaches the ice-making position. Alternatively, ice making can begin when the second tray 380 reaches the ice-making position and the water supply time has elapsed for a set period.

[0234] If ice making begins, the control unit 800 can control the cold air supply unit 900 to supply cold air to the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0235] After ice making begins, the control unit 800 can control the transparent ice heater 430 to turn on at least a portion of the area in which the cold air supply unit 900 supplies cold air to the ice making compartment 320a.

[0236] When the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, the heat from the transparent ice heater 430 is transferred to the ice-making chamber 320a, thereby delaying the rate of ice formation in the ice-making chamber 320a.

[0237] As described in this embodiment, the heat from the transparent ice heater 430 delays the ice formation rate, allowing dissolved air bubbles in the water inside the ice-making chamber 320a to move from the ice-forming part toward the liquid water side, thereby enabling the formation of transparent ice in the ice maker 200.

[0238] During the ice-making process, the control unit 800 can determine whether the opening conditions of the transparent ice heater 430 are met (step S5).

[0239] In this embodiment, the transparent ice heater 430 is not turned on immediately after ice making begins. Instead, the transparent ice heater 430 can only be turned on when the conditions for its activation are met (step S6).

[0240] Generally, the water supplied to the ice-making compartment 320a may be at room temperature or below room temperature. In this way, the temperature of the supplied water is above the freezing point of water.

[0241] Therefore, after the water is supplied, the water temperature first decreases under the influence of the cooling air, and when it reaches the freezing point of water, the water will turn into ice.

[0242] In this embodiment, the transparent ice heater 430 may not need to be turned on before the water phase turns into ice.

[0243] If the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on before the temperature of the water supplied to the ice-making compartment 320a reaches the freezing point, the rate at which the water temperature reaches the freezing point will be slower due to the heat from the transparent ice heater 430, thus delaying the start time of ice formation.

[0244] The transparency of ice can vary after ice formation begins, depending on the presence or absence of bubbles in the ice-forming section. When heat is supplied to the ice-making chamber 320a before ice formation, the transparent ice heater 430 can be operated regardless of the transparency of the ice.

[0245] Therefore, according to this embodiment, after the conditions for opening the transparent ice heater 430 are met, when the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, it is possible to prevent the consumption of electricity due to the unnecessary operation of the transparent ice heater 430.

[0246] Of course, even if the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on immediately after ice making begins, it will not affect the transparency. Therefore, the transparent ice heater 430 can also be turned on after ice making begins.

[0247] In this embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed from a set specific time point, the control unit 800 can determine that the opening conditions of the transparent ice heater 430 have been met. The specific time point can be set to at least one of the time points before the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on. For example, the specific time point can be set to the time when the cold air supply unit 900 starts supplying cooling power for ice making, the time when the second tray 380 is about to reach the ice making position, the time when the water supply ends, etc.

[0248] Alternatively, when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the start-up reference temperature, the control unit 800 can determine that the start-up conditions of the transparent ice heater 430 are met.

[0249] As an example, the opening reference temperature can be used to determine the temperature at which water begins to freeze on the uppermost side (connecting hole side) of the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0250] When a portion of the water in the ice-making compartment 320a freezes, the temperature of the ice in the ice-making compartment 320a is below zero.

[0251] The temperature of the first tray 320 can be higher than the temperature of the ice in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0252] Of course, although water is present in the ice-making compartment 320a, the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 can be below zero after ice begins to form in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0253] Therefore, in order to determine that ice has started to form in the ice-making compartment 320a based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700, the opening reference temperature can be set to a temperature below zero.

[0254] That is, when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the opening reference temperature, since the opening reference temperature is below zero, the temperature of the ice in the ice-making compartment 320a will be lower than the opening reference temperature. Therefore, it can be indirectly determined that ice has been generated in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0255] As described above, when the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, the heat from the transparent ice heater 430 is transferred to the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0256] As described in this embodiment, when the second tray 380 is located below the first tray 320 and the transparent ice heater 430 is configured to supply heat to the second tray 380, ice can be generated from the upper side of the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0257] In this embodiment, since ice is generated from the top in the ice-making chamber 320a, the air bubbles will move downward toward the liquid water in the ice-making chamber 320a during the ice-generating portion.

[0258] Since water is denser than ice, water or air bubbles may convect within the ice-making compartment 320a, and the air bubbles may move toward the transparent ice heater 430.

[0259] In this embodiment, depending on the shape of the ice-making compartment 320a, the mass (or volume) of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment 320a may be the same or different.

[0260] For example, if the ice-making compartment 320a is a cube, the mass (or volume) of water per unit height within the ice-making compartment 320a is the same.

[0261] On the other hand, when the ice-making compartment 320a is spherical or has a shape such as an inverted triangle or a crescent shape, the mass (or volume) of water per unit height is different.

[0262] Assuming the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 is constant, when the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 is the same, the rate at which ice is generated per unit height may be different because the mass of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment 320a is different.

[0263] For example, ice forms quickly when the mass of water per unit height is small, and conversely, ice forms slowly when the mass of water per unit height is large.

[0264] As a result, the rate at which ice forms per unit height of water will not be constant, causing the transparency of the ice at each unit height to vary. In particular, when the ice forms at a faster rate, air bubbles will fail to move from the ice block toward the water side, and the ice will contain air bubbles, resulting in low transparency.

[0265] That is, the smaller the deviation in the rate of ice formation per unit height of water, the smaller the deviation in the transparency of the formed ice per unit height will be.

[0266] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 800 can be controlled to change the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900 and / or the heating capacity of the transparent ice heater 430 based on the mass of water at each unit height in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0267] In this specification, the variable cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 may include one or more of the following: variable output of the compressor 801, variable output of the cooling fan 606, and variable opening degree of the refrigerant valve 903.

[0268] In this specification, the variable heating capacity of the transparent ice heater 430 can refer to changing the output of the transparent ice heater 430 or changing the duty cycle of the transparent ice heater 430.

[0269] At this time, the duty cycle of the transparent ice heater 430 can represent the ratio of the opening time and closing time of the transparent ice heater 430 to the opening time in a cycle, or the ratio of the opening time and closing time of the transparent ice heater 430 to the closing time in a cycle.

[0270] In this specification, the reference for the unit height of water in the ice-making compartment 320a may vary depending on the relative position of the ice-making compartment 320a and the transparent ice heater 430.

[0271] For example, such as Figure 9 As shown in (a), at the bottom of the ice-making compartment 320a, transparent ice heaters 430 can be arranged in a manner with the same height.

[0272] In this case, the line connecting the transparent ice heater 430 is a horizontal line, and the line extending from the horizontal line in a vertical direction will become the reference for the unit height of the water in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0273] exist Figure 9 In case (a), ice is generated and grows from the top side to the bottom side of the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0274] On the other hand, such as Figure 9 As shown in (b), the transparent ice heaters 430 can be arranged at the bottom of the ice-making compartment 320a in a manner with different heights.

[0275] In this case, since heat is supplied to the ice-making compartment 320a from different heights, it will be in accordance with... Figure 9 (a) Different patterns of ice generation.

[0276] As an example, in Figure 9 In case (b), ice can be generated at a position spaced to the left from the uppermost end of the ice-making compartment 320a, and the ice grows towards the lower right side of the transparent ice heater 430.

[0277] Therefore, in Figure 9In case (b), the line perpendicular to the line connecting the two locations of the transparent ice heater 430 (reference line) will become the reference for the unit height of the water in the ice-making compartment 320a. Figure 9 The reference line of (b) is tilted at a specified angle from the vertical line.

[0278] Figure 10 As shown Figure 9 The diagram (a) shows the water unit height differentiation and the output of the transparent ice heater per unit height in the case of the transparent ice heater arrangement. The following explanation will use the case where the ice formation rate is kept constant according to different water unit heights by controlling the output of the transparent ice heater as an example.

[0279] Reference Figure 10 In the case where the ice-making compartment 320a is formed into a spherical shape, the mass of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment 320a first increases from the top to the bottom, reaches a maximum, and then decreases again.

[0280] As an example, let's take the case where the water (or the ice-making compartment itself) in a spherical ice-making compartment 320a with a diameter of 50mm is divided into nine sections (section A to section I) with a height of 6mm (unit height). In this case, it should be clarified that there are no restrictions on the size of the unit height or the number of sections.

[0281] When the water in the ice-making compartment 320a is divided by unit height, the heights of the different divided sections are the same for sections A to H, and the height of section I is lower than the heights of the other sections. Of course, depending on the diameter of the ice-making compartment 320a and the number of divided sections, the unit height of all divided sections can be the same.

[0282] Among the plurality of intervals, interval E is the interval with the largest mass of water per unit height. For example, when the ice-making compartment 320a is spherical, the interval with the largest mass of water per unit height may include the diameter of the ice-making compartment 320a, the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the ice-making compartment 320a, or the largest portion of the circumference.

[0283] As described above, assuming that the cooling power of the cold air supply unit 900 is constant and the output of the transparent ice heater 430 is constant, the ice formation rate is slowest in the E zone and fastest in the A and I zones.

[0284] In this situation, the rate of ice formation per unit height is different, and therefore the transparency of ice per unit height is different. In certain ranges, the rate of ice formation is too fast, which causes the inclusion of air bubbles and reduces transparency.

[0285] Therefore, in this embodiment, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 can be controlled so that during the ice generation process, the bubbles move from the ice generation part to the water side, and the speed of ice generation is the same or similar per unit height.

[0286] Specifically, since the mass of the E interval is the largest, the output W5 of the transparent ice heater 430 in the E interval can be set to the minimum.

[0287] Since the mass in interval D is less than that in interval E, the rate of ice formation increases accordingly as the mass decreases, thus requiring a delay in the rate of ice formation.

[0288] Therefore, the output W4 of the transparent ice heater 430 in the D interval can be set to be higher than the output W5 of the transparent ice heater 430 in the E interval.

[0289] For the same reason, since the mass of the C section is less than that of the D section, the output W3 of the transparent ice heater 430 in the C section can be set to be higher than the output W4 of the transparent ice heater 430 in the D section.

[0290] Furthermore, since the mass of section B is less than that of section C, the output W2 of the transparent ice heater 430 in section B can be set to be higher than the output W3 of the transparent ice heater 430 in section C.

[0291] Furthermore, since the mass of section A is less than that of section B, the output W1 of the transparent ice heater 430 in section A can be set to be higher than the output W2 of the transparent ice heater 430 in section B.

[0292] For the same reason, the mass per unit height decreases as you move downwards from section E, therefore, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 can be increased as you move downwards from section E (see W6, W7, W8, W9).

[0293] Therefore, if we observe the output change pattern of the transparent ice heater 430, after the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 can be reduced in stages from the initial range to the middle range.

[0294] The output of the transparent ice heater 430 can be minimized in the middle of the range where the mass per unit height of water is minimum.

[0295] Starting from the next interval of the intermediate interval, the output of the transparent ice heater 430 can be increased again in stages.

[0296] By controlling the output of the aforementioned transparent ice heater 430, the transparency of the ice is made uniform per unit height, and air bubbles are concentrated in the lowest region. Thus, when viewed as a whole, the ice appears transparent with air bubbles concentrated in localized areas.

[0297] As described above, even if the ice-making compartment 320a is not spherical, transparent ice can still be generated by changing the output of the transparent ice heater 430 according to the mass of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0298] The heating capacity of the transparent ice heater 430 is less when the mass of water per unit height is large than when the mass of water per unit height is small.

[0299] As an example, while keeping the cooling power of the cold air supply unit 900 the same, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 can be changed in a manner inversely proportional to the mass of water per unit height.

[0300] Furthermore, by varying the cooling power of the cold air supply unit 900 according to the mass of water per unit height, transparent ice can be generated.

[0301] For example, when the mass of water per unit height is large, the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 can be increased; when the mass of water per unit height is small, the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 can be decreased.

[0302] As an example, while keeping the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 constant, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900 can be changed in a manner proportional to the mass of water per unit height.

[0303] If we observe the variable cooling power mode of the cold air supply unit 900 when generating spherical ice, the cooling power of the cold air supply unit 900 can be increased from the initial zone to the middle zone during the ice-making process.

[0304] The cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 can reach its maximum in the middle of the interval where the mass of water per unit height is the minimum.

[0305] Starting from the lower section of the intermediate section, the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 can be reduced again.

[0306] Alternatively, based on the mass of water per unit height, transparent ice can be generated by changing the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900 and the heating capacity of the transparent ice heater 430.

[0307] For example, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900 can be changed in a manner proportional to the mass of water per unit height, and the heating capacity of the transparent ice heater 430 can be changed in a manner inversely proportional to the mass of water per unit height.

[0308] As described in this embodiment, when one or more of the cooling power of the cold air supply unit 900 and the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 are controlled according to the mass of water per unit height, the rate of ice formation per unit height of water can be substantially the same or kept within a specified range.

[0309] In addition, the control unit 800 can determine whether ice making has ended based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 (step S8).

[0310] If it is determined that ice making has ended, the control unit 800 can turn off the transparent ice heater 430 (step S9).

[0311] As an example, when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the first reference temperature, the control unit 800 can determine that ice making has ended, thereby turning off the transparent ice heater 430.

[0312] In this embodiment, since the distance between the second temperature sensor 700 and each ice-making compartment 320a is different, in order to determine that ice formation has ended in all ice-making compartments 320a, the control unit 800 may start removing ice after a predetermined time has elapsed from the point when ice formation is determined to have ended, or when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches a second reference temperature lower than the first reference temperature.

[0313] When ice making is finished, in order to transfer the ice, the control unit 800 operates one or more of the ice transfer heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 (step S10).

[0314] When one or more of the ice transfer heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 are turned on, the heat of the heater is transferred to one or more of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380, thereby enabling the ice to be separated from the surface (inner surface) of one or more of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380.

[0315] Furthermore, the heat from the heaters 290 and 430 is transferred to the contact surfaces of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380, thereby making the lower surface 321e of the first tray 320 and the upper surface 381a of the second tray 380 separable.

[0316] If one or more of the ice-moving heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 operate for a set time, or if the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches or exceeds the shutdown reference temperature, the control unit 800 will turn off the turned-on heaters 290 and 430 (step S10).

[0317] Although not specified, the shut-off reference temperature can be set to a temperature above zero.

[0318] The control unit 800 operates the drive unit 480 to move the second tray assembly 211 in the positive direction (step S11).

[0319] like Figure 13 As shown, when the second tray 380 moves in the positive direction, the second tray 380 is separated from the first tray 320.

[0320] Additionally, the movement force of the second tray 380 is transmitted to the first pusher 260 via the pusher connector 500. At this time, the first pusher 260 will descend along the guide slot 302, and the extension 264 will penetrate the connecting hole 320e and pressurize the ice in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0321] In this embodiment, during the ice transfer process, the ice can be separated from the first tray 320 before pressure is applied to the ice by the extension 264. That is, the ice can be separated from the surface of the first tray 320 under the heat of the turned-on heater.

[0322] In this situation, the ice, supported by the second tray 380, can move together with the second tray 380.

[0323] As another example, even if the heater applies heat to the first tray 320, there may be cases where ice fails to separate from the surface of the first tray 320.

[0324] Therefore, when the second tray assembly 211 moves in the positive direction, the ice may separate from the second tray 380 while it is in close contact with the first tray 320.

[0325] In this state, during the movement of the second tray 380, the ice can be separated from the first tray 320 by applying pressure to the ice that is in close contact with the first tray 320 through the extension 264 that passes through the connecting hole 320e.

[0326] Ice separated from the first tray 320 can be supported by the second tray 380.

[0327] When the ice is supported by the second tray 380 and moves together with the second tray 380, it can be separated from the second tray 380 by its own weight even without applying external force to the second tray 380.

[0328] If, during the movement of the second tray 380, the ice fails to fall from the second tray 380 due to its own weight, such as Figure 13 As shown, when the second pusher 540 contacts the second tray 380 and applies pressure to the second tray 380, the ice can also separate from the second tray 380 and fall downwards.

[0329] Specifically, in such Figure 13 As the second tray 380 moves, it will come into contact with the extension 544 of the second pusher 540.

[0330] As the second tray 380 moves continuously in the positive direction, the extension 544 applies pressure to the second tray 380, causing the second tray 380 to deform. The pressure applied by the extension 544 is transmitted to the ice, thereby allowing the ice to separate from the surface of the second tray 380.

[0331] Ice that separates from the surface of the second tray 380 falls downwards and can be stored in the ice reservoir 600.

[0332] In this embodiment, the position where the second tray 380 is deformed by the pressure of the second pusher 540 as shown in 14 is called the ice-moving position.

[0333] In addition, during the process of the second tray 380 moving from the ice-making position to the ice-transfer position, the fullness of the ice storage 600 can be sensed.

[0334] As an example, the full ice sensing rod 520 rotates together with the second tray 380. During the rotation of the full ice sensing rod 520, if the rotation is interfered with by ice, it can be determined that the ice storage container 600 has reached a full ice state. On the other hand, during the rotation of the full ice sensing rod 520, if the rotation is not interfered with by ice, it can be determined that the ice storage container 600 has not reached a full ice state.

[0335] After the ice is separated from the second tray 380, the control unit 800 controls the drive unit 480 to move the second tray 380 in the opposite direction (step S11).

[0336] At this time, the second tray 380 will move from the ice removal position toward the water supply position.

[0337] If the second tray 380 moves Figure 6 If the water supply position is not specified, the control unit 800 stops the drive unit 480 (step S1).

[0338] If the second tray 380 is separated from the extension 544 during the process of the second tray 380 moving in the opposite direction, the deformed second tray 380 can be restored to its original shape.

[0339] During the reverse movement of the second tray 380, the moving force of the second tray 380 is transmitted to the first thruster 260 via the thruster connector 500, thereby causing the first thruster 260 to rise and the extension 264 to escape from the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0340] Figure 15 This diagram illustrates a refrigerator control method when the amount of heat transfer between cold air and water varies during the ice-making process. Figure 16 It is a graph used to show the output changes of a transparent ice heater in response to increases or decreases in the amount of heat transferred from cold air and water.

[0341] Reference Figures 15 to 16 The cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 can be determined in accordance with the target temperature of the freezer compartment 32. The cold air generated by the air supply unit 900 can be supplied to the freezer compartment 32.

[0342] By utilizing the heat transfer between the cold air supplied to the freezer compartment 32 and the water in the ice-making compartment 320a, the water in the ice-making compartment 320a can be phase-changed into ice.

[0343] In this embodiment, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 per unit height of water can be determined by taking into account the preset cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900.

[0344] In this embodiment, the heating amount (or output) of the transparent ice heater 430, determined by considering the preset cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900, is referred to as the reference heating amount. The reference heating amount (or reference output) per unit height of water varies.

[0345] However, when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air in the freezing chamber 32 and the water in the ice-making compartment 320a changes, if this change is not reflected in adjusting the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430, the problem of varying ice transparency per unit height will occur.

[0346] In this embodiment, an increase in the amount of heat transfer between cold air and water can be an example of an increase in the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900, or a case where air with a temperature lower than that of the cold air inside the freezer compartment 32 is supplied to the freezer compartment 32.

[0347] Conversely, a reduction in the amount of heat transferred between cold air and water could be caused by a decrease in the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900, or by supplying air to the freezer compartment 32 at a temperature higher than that of the cold air inside the freezer compartment 32.

[0348] For example, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900 can be increased when the target temperature of the freezer compartment 32 decreases, or the operating mode of the freezer compartment 32 is changed from a normal mode to a rapid cooling mode, or the output of one or more of the compressor and fan increases, or the opening degree of the refrigerant valve increases.

[0349] Conversely, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900 may be reduced if the target temperature of the freezer compartment 32 increases, or the operating mode of the freezer compartment 32 changes from rapid cooling mode to normal mode, or the output of one or more of the compressor and fan decreases, or the opening of the refrigerant valve decreases.

[0350] When the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900 increases, the temperature of the cold air around the ice maker 200 decreases, thereby accelerating the ice formation rate.

[0351] Conversely, when the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900 decreases, the temperature of the cold air around the ice maker 200 rises, thereby slowing down the ice formation rate and lengthening the ice-making time.

[0352] Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to keep the ice-making speed below a specified range when ice-making is performed with the transparent ice heater 430 turned off, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 can be controlled to increase when the heat transfer of cold air and water increases.

[0353] Conversely, when the heat transfer of the cold air and water is reduced, the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 can be controlled to be reduced.

[0354] In this embodiment, if the ice-making speed is kept within the specified range, the ice-making speed will be slower than the speed at which bubbles move in the ice-generating portion of the ice-making compartment 320a, so that there will be no bubbles in the ice-generating portion.

[0355] If the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 increases, the heating capacity of the transparent ice heater 430 can increase. Conversely, if the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 decreases, the heating capacity of the transparent ice heater 430 can decrease.

[0356] The following explanation will focus on the case where the target temperature of the freezer compartment 32 can change.

[0357] The control unit 800 can control the output of the transparent ice heater 430, thereby maintaining the ice-making speed within a specified range regardless of changes in the target temperature of the freezing chamber 32.

[0358] For example, when ice making begins (step S4), changes in the amount of heat transferred between the cold air and the water can be sensed (step S31).

[0359] For example, the target temperature of the freezer compartment 32 can be changed by sensing an input unit not shown in the figure.

[0360] The control unit 800 can determine whether the heat transfer between the cold air and water increases (step S32). For example, the control unit 800 can determine whether the target temperature increases.

[0361] If the target temperature increases as determined in step S32, the control unit 800 may reduce the preset reference heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 in each of the current interval and the remaining interval.

[0362] Until the ice-making process is complete, the control unit 800 can normally perform variable control of the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 according to different intervals (step S35).

[0363] On the other hand, when the target temperature decreases, the control unit 800 can increase the preset reference heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 in each of the current and remaining intervals. Until the ice-making process is completed, the control unit 800 can normally perform variable control of the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 according to different intervals (step S35).

[0364] In this embodiment, the reference heating amount that can be increased or decreased can be preset and stored in the memory.

[0365] According to this embodiment, the reference heating amount in different sections of the transparent ice heater is increased or decreased in response to changes in the heat transfer of cold air and water, thereby maintaining the ice-making speed within a specified range and making the transparency of the ice uniform at each unit height.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, wherein, include: A tray forms an ice-making compartment, which is a space where water is phase-transformed into ice by cold air. Temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making compartment; A cold air supply unit is used to supply cold air to the ice-making compartment; Storage compartment for accommodating the tray; A heater supplies heat to the tray; as well as The control unit controls the heater. The tray includes: The first tray forms part of the ice-making compartment; as well as The second tray forms another part of the ice-making compartment. The refrigerator also includes a first tray housing that is combined with the first tray. The second tray is connected to the drive unit so that it can contact the first tray during ice making and be separated from the first tray during ice transfer. The temperature sensor is installed in the first tray housing. The control unit controls the following to: When the heat transfer between the cold air and the water in the ice-making compartment increases, the heating capacity of the heater is increased; when the heat transfer between the cold air and the water in the ice-making compartment decreases, the heating capacity of the heater is decreased. This ensures that the ice-making rate of the water inside the ice-making compartment is maintained within a specified range lower than the ice-making rate when ice-making is performed with the heater off. The control unit increases the current heating amount of the heater when the current target temperature of the storage chamber decreases, or The control unit reduces the current heating amount of the heater when the current target temperature of the storage chamber increases.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit controls the air supply unit and the heater to change one or more of the cooling capacity of the air supply unit and the heating capacity of the heater based on the mass of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment or the volume per unit height in the ice-making compartment.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein, When the ice-making compartment is formed into a spherical shape When the heating amount of the heater is variable, this includes a range in which the heating amount of the heater decreases and a range in which the heating amount of the heater increases.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit controls the cooling capacity of the air supply unit to remain constant, and controls the heating amount of the heater so that the heating amount of the heater is less when the mass of water per unit height is greater than when the mass of water per unit height is less, or... The control unit controls the cooling power of the air supply unit to remain constant, and controls the heating amount of the heater so that the heating amount of the heater is inversely proportional to the mass of water per unit height.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The cooling supply unit includes one or more of a compressor, a fan for blowing air to the evaporator, and a refrigerant valve for regulating the flow of refrigerant.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The amount of heat transfer between the air conditioner and the water increases. This refers to the situation where the cooling capacity of the air supply unit increases, or This refers to the situation where air at a temperature lower than the temperature of the cold air inside the storage room is supplied to the storage room.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein, The amount of cooling capacity of the air supply unit increases. This refers to an increase in the output of the compressor and the fan used to blow air to the evaporator, or... This refers to the situation where the opening of the refrigerant valve, used to regulate refrigerant flow, is increased, or... This refers to the situation where the operating mode changes from normal mode to rapid cooling mode.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The amount of heat transfer between the air conditioner and the water decreases. This refers to a situation where the cooling capacity of the air supply unit decreases, or This refers to the situation where air at a temperature higher than the temperature of the cold air inside the storage room is supplied to the storage room.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein, When the cooling capacity of the air supply unit decreases, This is a situation where the output of the compressor and the fan used to blow air to the evaporator is reduced, or This refers to a situation where the opening of the refrigerant valve, used to regulate refrigerant flow, decreases, or This refers to the situation where the operating mode changes from rapid cooling mode to normal mode.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes a first thruster, the first thruster comprising an extension capable of pushing at least one of the ice located in the ice-making compartment during the ice-moving process. The first tray housing has a hole through which a portion of the first thruster passes.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 10, wherein, Also includes: The second propeller includes at least one extension capable of pushing ice located in the ice-making compartment; as well as The second tray housing is combined with the second tray; The second tray housing has a hole through which a portion of the second propeller passes.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein, It also includes a bracket, and the various structural components of the ice maker are located inside or outside the bracket. The second thruster is mounted on the bracket.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein, The first tray housing is manufactured from a component independent of the bracket and incorporated into the bracket, or is integrally formed with the bracket.

14. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The wires connected to the temperature sensor are guided upwards toward the first tray housing.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, It also includes an ice-transfer heater for supplying heat to the first tray. A portion of the ice-moving heater is located at a higher position than the temperature sensor and is separated from the temperature sensor.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, The first tray and the second tray are made of a flexible or soft material so that they can deform during the ice removal process and return to their original shape.

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