Ice maker

Abstract

An ice maker includes a first tray, a second tray, a cool air supply unit, a temperature sensor, a heater for supplying heat to an ice making compartment, an additional heater in contact with any one of the first tray and the second tray, for supplying heat to the ice making compartment for at least a part of an interval in which the cool air supply unit supplies cool air, a control part, controlling the heater to be turned on if ice making is completed, determining whether a heater turn-off reference is satisfied after the heater is turned on, controlling the heater to be turned off if the heater turn-off reference is satisfied, the heater turn-off reference including a case where a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is a heater turn-off reference temperature or more, controlling the second tray to be moved after the heater is turned off after performing heat transfer to the ice making compartment at an ice making position, controlling the heater to be turned on again after the second tray is moved, and controlling the heater to be turned off again if a reference time elapses after the heater is turned on again.

Description

[0001] This invention is a divisional application of the following patent application: Application No.: 201980064190.4, Application Date: October 1, 2019, Invention Title: Refrigerator and Control Method Thereof Technical Field

[0002] This instruction manual pertains to ice makers. 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 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 refrigerated ice from the ice tray by heating or rotating a knob.

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

[0008] The ice maker in the existing literature 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 an upper push pin assembly, which, with both ends inserted into the connecting guide, is respectively connected to the pair of connecting members and moves up and down together with the connecting members.

[0009] In the existing literature, although ice-moving heaters for heating the upper compartment for ice removal are included, there is no method or solution for sensing ice-moving heaters in case of malfunctions such as open circuits, which may prevent ice removal from proceeding smoothly.

[0010] Furthermore, if ice transfer continues while the ice transfer heater malfunctions, the upper push pin assembly used for ice transfer may be damaged, and there is a possibility that damaged debris may enter the ice storage container.

[0011] Furthermore, if the ice maker's drive stops when the ice transfer heater malfunctions, the ice continues to cool inside the ice maker's tray, which may cause the ice to solidify with the tray. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0013] This embodiment provides a refrigerator and its control method, which can determine the fault of the ice transfer heater.

[0014] This embodiment provides a refrigerator and its control method, which can easily achieve maintenance and repair by outputting fault prompts corresponding to the faults of the ice transfer heater.

[0015] This embodiment provides a refrigerator and its control method, which enables smooth ice transfer by activating the transparent ice heater in response to a malfunction of the ice transfer heater.

[0016] This embodiment provides a refrigerator and its control method, which prevents damage to other structural components caused by the failure of the ice-moving heater and ensures the reliability of each moving part.

[0017] This embodiment provides a refrigerator and its control method, which can apply the optimal heating amount by changing the amount of ice transfer heating according to the degree of cooling of the ice maker.

[0018] Technical solutions to the problem

[0019] According to one type of refrigerator, it includes: a control unit that activates a heater that supplies heat to an ice-making compartment, which is a space where water changes phase to ice due to cold air, thereby enabling easy separation of ice inside the ice-making compartment from a tray, the heater being located on one side of a first tray or a second tray forming the ice-making compartment.

[0020] The control unit can control the heater to turn off if, after a first reference time has elapsed with the heater on, the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor reaches a first shutdown reference temperature greater than 0.

[0021] If, after the heater has been turned on, a second reference time longer than the first reference time has elapsed without the first heater being turned off, the control unit can determine that the first heater has malfunctioned.

[0022] The refrigerator may also include an output unit that, when it is determined that the heater has malfunctioned, outputs a message to indicate that the heater has malfunctioned.

[0023] The refrigerator may further include: an additional heater in at least a portion of the area where the cold air supply unit supplies cold air, the additional heater supplying heat to the ice-making compartment, thereby enabling dissolved air bubbles in the water inside the ice-making compartment to move from the ice-forming portion to the liquid water side to generate transparent ice.

[0024] The control unit can be configured to turn on the additional heater if it determines that the heater has malfunctioned.

[0025] When the additional heater is turned on in order to generate transparent ice, if the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor reaches a first reference temperature which is below zero, the control unit can turn off the additional heater. After the additional heater is turned off and a predetermined time has elapsed, if the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor reaches a second reference temperature which is lower than the first reference temperature, the control unit determines that the ice generation is complete.

[0026] If it is determined that the ice has been formed, the control unit can turn on the heater.

[0027] The control unit can control the adjustment of one or more of the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit and the heating capacity of the additional heater based on the mass of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment.

[0028] After a predetermined time has elapsed since the second heater was turned off due to the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor reaching a first reference temperature below 0, if the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor reaches a second reference temperature below the first reference temperature, the control unit can determine that the ice has been formed.

[0029] The control unit can control the heating amount of the heater so that when the cooling power of the cold air supply unit is a second cooling power that is higher than the first cooling power during the ice-making process, the heating amount of the heater is greater than the heating amount of the heater when the cooling power of the cold air supply unit is the first cooling power.

[0030] The control unit can control the heating amount of the heater so that when the target temperature of the storage chamber is a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the heating amount of the heater is greater than when the target temperature of the storage chamber is the first temperature.

[0031] The control unit can control the heating amount of the heater so that when the door is open for a longer period than the first period during the ice-making process, the heating amount of the heater is less than the heating amount of the heater when the door is open for a longer period than the first period.

[0032] The control unit can control the defrosting heater to operate for defrosting such that when the defrosting heater is turned on for a second time longer than a first time, the heating amount of the heater is less than when the defrosting heater is turned on for the first time.

[0033] The refrigerator may further include a pusher, wherein the length of the pusher along the vertical direction of the ice-making compartment is greater than the length along the horizontal direction of the ice-making compartment in order to facilitate the separation of ice from the first tray.

[0034] The control unit can control the end of the pusher to move from a first location outside the ice-making compartment to a second location inside the ice-making compartment before the second tray moves in the positive direction toward the ice-moving position.

[0035] Additionally, the refrigerator control method of this embodiment may include: a step of turning on the heater in order to remove ice when it is determined that ice making is complete; a step of controlling the control unit to turn off the heater if the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor used to sense the temperature of the ice making compartment reaches a first shut-off reference temperature after a first reference time has elapsed with the heater on; and a step of moving the second tray to the ice removal position after the heater is turned off.

[0036] According to another embodiment of the refrigerator, it may include: a storage compartment for storing food; a cold air supply unit for supplying cold air to the storage compartment; a tray forming an ice-making compartment as a space where water changes phase to ice due to the cold air; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making compartment; a heater for providing heat to the tray; and a control unit for controlling the heater. The control unit controls the heater to turn on when ice making is complete, thereby allowing ice to be easily separated from the tray. The control unit also controls the heater to turn off if, after a first reference time has elapsed with the heater on, the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches a first shutdown reference temperature greater than 0.

[0037] The tray may include: a first tray forming part of the ice-making compartment; and a second tray forming another part of the ice-making compartment.

[0038] 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 transfer.

[0039] The control unit can control the second tray to move to the ice-making position after the water supply to the ice-making compartment is completed, and then cause the cold air supply unit to supply cold air to the ice-making compartment. The control unit can also control the second tray to move in the forward direction to the ice-removal position and then in the reverse direction after the ice in the ice-making compartment is completed, in order to remove the ice. Finally, the control unit can control the second tray to move in the reverse direction to the water supply position and then start supplying water after the ice removal is completed.

[0040] The refrigerator may further include a pusher, wherein the length of the pusher along the vertical direction of the ice-making compartment is greater than the length along the horizontal direction of the ice-making compartment, so that ice can be easily separated from the first tray. The control unit may control the end of the pusher to move from a first location outside the ice-making compartment to a second location inside the ice-making compartment before the second tray moves in the positive direction toward the ice-moving position.

[0041] Invention Effects

[0042] According to the invention described, a fault in the ice removal heater can be determined by whether the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor installed on the upper tray reaches the temperature used for fault determination during a reference time period.

[0043] Furthermore, by outputting fault prompts when the ice-removing heater malfunctions, maintenance and repair can be easily achieved.

[0044] Furthermore, by activating the transparent ice heater to address the malfunction of the ice-moving heater, ice moving can be carried out smoothly, damage to the upper propeller can be prevented, and the reliability of each moving part can be ensured.

[0045] Furthermore, by adjusting the amount of heating during ice transfer according to the degree of cooling of the ice maker, the optimal amount of heating can be applied. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A 3D view of an ice maker with its bracket removed.

[0049] Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] Figure 7 This is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of ice generation in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of determining a fault in an ice-moving heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the state of water supply completion at the water supply location.

[0056] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the formation of ice at the ice-making location.

[0057] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the state of the second tray and the first tray separating during the ice removal process.

[0058] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the state of the second tray as it moves to the ice-moving position during the ice-moving process.

[0059] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of ice generation in an ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of ice being transferred in an ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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. As another example, the freezer compartment may be arranged on the upper side and the refrigerator compartment on the lower side. Alternatively, the freezer compartment may be arranged on one side of the left and right sides, and the refrigerator compartment on the other side.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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 doors 10 and 20 that open and close the storage compartment by rotation and doors 30 that open and close the storage compartment by sliding. The freezer compartment 32 can be divided into two spaces even if it can be opened and closed using a single door 30.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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 the ice bin 600.

[0071] The ice storage unit 600 can be placed on the upper side of the horizontal wall that divides the upper and lower spaces of the freezer compartment 32.

[0072] Although not shown, the housing 14 is provided with a conduit for supplying cold air to the ice maker 200. The conduit guides the cold air, after heat exchange with the refrigerant flowing in the evaporator, toward the ice maker 200. As an example, the conduit is located at the rear of the housing 14 and can discharge cold air toward the front of the housing 14. The ice maker 200 can be located in front of the conduit. Although not limited, the outlet of the conduit can be located on one or more of the rear and upper side walls of the freezer compartment 32.

[0073] 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 can be installed 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] The bracket 220, as an example, 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 from 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 can be provided on the upper side of the water supply section 240. The water supplied to the water supply section 240 can move downward. The water supply section 240 prevents water from splashing by preventing water discharged from the water supply pipe from falling from a high position. Since the water supply unit 240 is positioned lower than the water supply pipe, water does not splash onto the water supply unit 240 but is guided downwards. Due to the lower height, even if the water moves downwards, the amount of water splashing can be reduced.

[0078] The ice maker 200 may include an ice-making compartment 320a, which serves as a space where water changes phase into ice due to cold air.

[0079] The ice maker 200 may include: a first tray 320 forming at least a portion of a wall for providing the ice-making compartment 320a; and a second tray 380 forming at least another portion of a wall for providing the ice-making compartment 320a. Although not limited thereto, 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] As an example, during the ice-making process, the second tray 380 moves relative to the first tray 320, thereby bringing the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 into contact. When the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 are in contact, the complete ice-making compartment 320a can be defined. 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.

[0082] In this embodiment, the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 can be arranged vertically when forming the ice-making compartment 320a. Therefore, the first tray 320 can be referred to as the upper tray, and the second tray 380 as the lower tray.

[0083] 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.

[0084] When water is supplied to the ice-making chamber 320a and then cooled by cold air, ice with the same or similar shape as that in the ice-making chamber 320a can be generated. In this embodiment, the ice-making chamber 320a can be formed into a spherical shape or a shape similar to a spherical shape. In this case, the first chamber 320b can be formed into a hemispherical shape or a shape similar to a hemispherical shape. Furthermore, the second chamber 320c can be formed into a hemispherical shape or a shape similar to a hemispherical shape. Of course, the ice-making chamber 320a can also be formed into a cube shape or a polygonal shape.

[0085] The ice maker 200 may include a first tray housing 300 that is coupled to the first tray 320.

[0086] 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 as a separate component of the bracket 220 and attached to the bracket 220, or it may be integrally formed with the bracket 220.

[0087] The ice maker 200 may also include a first heater housing 280. An ice-transfer heater 290 (or a first heater) may be disposed in the first heater housing 280. The heater housing 280 may be integrally formed with or separately from the first tray housing 300. The ice-transfer heater 290 may be positioned adjacent to the first tray 320. For example, the ice-transfer heater 290 may be a wire heater. For example, the ice-transfer heater 290 may be positioned in contact with the first tray 320 or at a predetermined distance from the first tray 320. In either case, the ice-transfer heater 290 is capable of supplying heat to the first tray 320, and the heat supplied to the first tray 320 can be transferred to the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0088] The ice maker 200 may also include a first tray cover 340 located on the lower side of the first tray 320. 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 be attached to the lower side of the first tray 320.

[0089] The first tray housing 300 may be provided with a guide slot 302 that is inclined at its upper side and extends vertically at its lower side. The guide slot 302 may be provided on a member extending toward the upper side of the first tray housing 300.

[0090] A 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 through the guide slot 302. The first pusher 260 may include at least one extension 264. As an example, the first pusher 260 may include the same number of extensions 264 as the ice-making compartment 320a, but the invention is not limited thereto. The extension 264 can push ice located in the ice-making compartment 320a during ice transfer. As an example, the extension 264 can be inserted into the ice-making compartment 320a through the first tray housing 300. Therefore, the first tray housing 300 may be provided with a hole 304 for a portion of the first pusher 260 to pass through. The guide protrusion 262 of the first pusher 260 can be coupled to the pusher connector 500. In this case, the guide protrusion 262 can be rotatably coupled to the pusher connector 500. Therefore, when the thruster connector 500 moves, the first thruster 260 can also move along the guide slot 302.

[0091] The ice maker 200 may also include a second tray housing 400 coupled to the second tray 380. The second tray housing 400 may support the second tray 380 from below. As an example, at least a portion of the wall of the second compartment 320c forming the second tray 380 may be supported by the second tray housing 400.

[0092] A spring 402 may be connected to one side of the second tray housing 400. The spring 402 can provide elastic force to the second tray housing 400, thereby enabling the second tray 380 to remain in contact with the first tray 320.

[0093] The ice maker 200 may also include a second tray cover 360.

[0094] The second tray 380 may include a peripheral wall 382 that surrounds a portion of the first tray 320 when in contact with the first tray 320. The second tray cover 360 may surround the peripheral wall 382.

[0095] The ice maker 200 may also include a second heater housing 420. A transparent ice heater 430 (or a second heater) may be provided in the second heater housing 420.

[0096] The transparent ice heater 430 is described in detail.

[0097] In the control unit 800 of this embodiment, in order to generate transparent ice, it can be controlled so that the transparent ice heater 430 can supply heat to the ice-making chamber 320a in at least a portion of the interval in which cold air is supplied to the ice-making chamber 320a.

[0098] By utilizing the heat from the transparent ice heater 430 to delay the ice formation rate, dissolved air bubbles in the water inside the ice-making chamber 320a can be moved from the ice-forming part to the liquid water side, thereby enabling the formation of transparent ice in the ice maker 200. That is, dissolved air bubbles in the water can also be induced to escape to the outside of the ice-making chamber 320a or captured at a predetermined location within the ice-making chamber 320a.

[0099] Additionally, when the cold air supply unit 900 in one of the later examples supplies cold air to the ice-making compartment 320a, if the ice is generated quickly, the dissolved air bubbles in the water inside the ice-making compartment 320a may freeze without moving from the ice-generating part to the liquid water side, which may result in lower transparency of the generated ice.

[0100] On the other hand, when cold air is supplied to the ice-making compartment 320a by the cold air supply unit 900, if the ice-making speed is slow, although the above-mentioned problem is solved and the transparency of the ice-making is increased, it may cause the problem of long ice-making time.

[0101] Therefore, in order to reduce the ice-making time and increase the transparency of the generated ice, the transparent ice heater 430 can be disposed on one side of the ice-making compartment 320a, thereby enabling the ice-making compartment 320a to supply heat in a localized manner.

[0102] 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 whose heat transfer is lower than that of metal.

[0103] 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.

[0104] In addition, in order to make it easy for the trays deformed by the pushers 260 and 540 during the ice removal process to return to their original state, at least one of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380 can be made of flexible or soft material.

[0105] The transparent ice heater 430 can be positioned adjacent to the second tray 380. For example, the transparent ice heater 430 can be a wire heater. Alternatively, the transparent ice heater 430 can be positioned in contact with the second tray 380, or positioned at a predetermined distance from the second tray 380.

[0106] As another example, instead of separately providing the second heater housing 420, the transparent ice heater 430 can be provided in the second tray housing 400.

[0107] 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.

[0108] The ice maker 200 may also include a drive unit 480 that provides driving force. The second tray 380 may receive the driving force of the drive unit 480 and move relative to the first tray 320.

[0109] An extension 281 extending downward from one side of the first tray housing 300 may have a through hole 282. An extension 403 extending from 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 the through holes 282 and 404 together.

[0110] 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. 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.

[0111] The drive unit 480 may include a motor and a plurality of gears.

[0112] A full ice sensing rod 520 may be connected to the driving unit 480. The full ice sensing rod 520 may rotate by using the rotational force provided by the driving unit 480.

[0113] The full ice sensing rod 520 may generally have a "匚" shape as a whole. As an example, the full ice sensing rod 520 may include: a first part 521; a pair of second parts 522 extending from both ends of the first part 521 in a direction intersecting the first part 521. One of the pair of second parts 522 may be coupled to the driving unit 480, and the other may be coupled to the bracket 220 or the first tray housing 300. The full ice sensing rod 520 may sense the ice stored in the ice reservoir 600 during rotation.

[0114] The driving unit 480 may further include a cam that receives the rotational power of the motor and rotates.

[0115] The ice maker 200 may further include a sensor that senses the rotation of the cam.

[0116] As an example, a magnet is provided on the cam, and the sensor may be a Hall sensor for sensing the magnetism of the magnet during the rotation of the cam. According to whether the magnet is sensed by the sensor, the sensor may output a first signal and a second signal as different outputs from each other. One of the first signal and the second signal may be a high signal, and the other signal may be a low signal.

[0117] The control unit 800 described later 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 rotate by using the motor, the position of the second tray 380 may be indirectly determined based on the sensing signal of the magnet provided on the cam.

[0118] As an example, the water supply position and the ice making position described later may be distinguished and determined based on the signal output from the sensor.

[0119] 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 extension 544. As an example, the second pusher 540 may include extensions 544 in the same number as the ice-making compartments 320a, but the invention is not limited thereto. The extensions 544 can push ice located in the ice-making compartments 320a. As an example, the extensions 544 may penetrate the second tray housing 400 and contact the second tray 380 forming the ice-making compartments 320a, and can apply pressure to the contacted second tray 380. Therefore, the second tray housing 400 may be provided with a hole 422 through which a portion of the second pusher 540 passes.

[0120] The first tray housing 300 and the second tray housing 400 are coupled in a manner that allows them to rotate relative to the axis 440, thereby changing their angle with respect to the axis 440 as the center.

[0121] 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 or soft material whose shape can be deformed when pressed by the second pusher 540. Although not limited, the second tray 380 may, for example, be formed of silicon.

[0122] 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] Alternatively, 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 transfer heater 290 and the first pusher 260.

[0126] 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 transfer heater 290 and the first pusher 260.

[0127] Alternatively, the ice maker 200 may not include the ice transfer heater 290 and the first pusher 260. Although not limited, the first tray 320 may, as an example, be formed of silicon.

[0128] 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.

[0129] In this embodiment, since the second tray 380 is deformed by the pressure of the second pusher 540, the hardness of the second tray 380 can be lower than that of the first tray 320 in order to make the shape of the second tray 380 easy to deform.

[0130] Additionally, refer to Figure 5 The ice maker 200 may further include a second temperature sensor (or tray temperature sensor) 700 for sensing the temperature of the ice-making compartment 320a. The second temperature sensor 700 can sense the temperature of the water or the temperature of the ice in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0131] The second temperature sensor 700 is disposed adjacent to the first tray 320 to sense the temperature of the first tray 320, thereby enabling indirect sensing of the water temperature or ice temperature in the ice-making compartment 320a. In this embodiment, the water temperature or ice temperature in the ice-making compartment 320a can be referred to as the internal temperature of the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0132] The second temperature sensor 700 may be disposed within the first tray housing 300. In this case, the second temperature sensor 700 may be in contact with the first tray 320 or spaced apart from the first tray 320 by a predetermined interval. Alternatively, the second temperature sensor 700 may be disposed within the first tray 320 and in contact with the first tray 320.

[0133] 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.

[0134] Additionally, a portion of the ice-moving heater 290 may be located at a higher position than the second temperature sensor 700 and may be spaced apart from the second temperature sensor 700. The wire 701 connected to the second temperature sensor 700 may be guided upwards towards the first tray housing 300.

[0135] Reference Figure 6 In the ice maker 200 of this embodiment, the position of the second tray 380 can be different in the water supply position and the ice making position.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] The first tray 320 may include a first compartment wall 321a defining a first compartment 320b in 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 shape with the center of the axis 440 as the radius of curvature. 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.

[0140] 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.

[0141] 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.

[0142] Figure 6 As an example, the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a and the upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381 are completely separated from each other.

[0143] Therefore, the upper surface 381a of the second compartment wall 381 can be tilted at a predetermined angle to the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a.

[0144] Although not limited, at the water supply position, the lower surface 321d of the first compartment wall 321a can remain substantially horizontal, 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.

[0145] 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.

[0146] Additionally, at the ice-making location (refer to...) Figure 11 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.

[0147] 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.

[0148] 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. In 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.

[0149] 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, water is evenly distributed to the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a so that the water channels for communication between the ice-making compartments 320a are not formed in the first tray 320 and / or the second tray 380.

[0150] If the ice maker 200 includes the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a, when a water channel is formed in the first tray 320 and / or the second tray 380, the water supplied to the ice maker 200 will be distributed along the water channel to the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a.

[0151] However, even after water has been distributed to the multiple ice-making chambers 320a, water will still be present in the water channels. When ice is generated in this state, the ice generated in the ice-making chambers 320a will be connected using the ice generated in the water channels.

[0152] In this case, there is a possibility that the ice may stick together after the ice is removed. Even if the ice separates from each other, some of the ice in the multiple ice will contain the ice generated in the water channel section, thus making the shape of the ice different from that of the ice-making compartment.

[0153] 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 onto the second tray 380 can be evenly distributed to the plurality of second compartments 320c of the second tray 380.

[0154] 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.

[0155] When the first tray 320 includes a plurality of first compartments 320b, the first tray 320 may include a plurality of connecting holes 321e. The water supply unit 240 may supply water to one of the connecting holes 321e. In this case, the water supplied through the one connecting hole 321e falls into the second tray 380 after passing through the first tray 320.

[0156] 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.

[0157] 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 to the adjacent second compartment 320c. Thus, the plurality of second compartments 320c of the second tray 380 can be filled with water.

[0158] Furthermore, when the water supply is complete, 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.

[0159] Regarding the water supply location, depending on the volume of the ice-making compartment 320a, the water after supplying water may only be located 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 10 ).

[0160] 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.

[0161] 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 is also generated in the water channel portion.

[0162] In this case, in order to generate transparent ice, when the refrigerator's control unit controls the change of one or more of the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 and the heating capacity of the transparent ice heater 430 based on the mass of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment 320a, in the portion where the water channel is formed, one or more of the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 and the heating capacity of the transparent ice heater 430 will be controlled to change drastically by several times or more.

[0163] This is because, in the section where the water channel is formed, the mass of water per unit height increases dramatically, several times over. In this case, reliability issues may arise with the components, 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, the present invention may also require technology related to the aforementioned ice-making location for generating transparent ice.

[0164] Figure 7 This is a control block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0165] 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 can supply cold air to the freezer compartment 32 using refrigerant circulation.

[0166] 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. Alternatively, the air supply unit 900 may include a fan for blowing air to the evaporator. The amount of cold air supplied to the freezer compartment 32 may vary depending on the output (or rotational speed) of the fan. Alternatively, the air supply unit 900 may include a refrigerant valve for regulating the amount of refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant cycle.

[0167] 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.

[0168] Therefore, in this embodiment, the air supply unit 900 may include one or more of the compressor, fan, and refrigerant valve.

[0169] The refrigerator in this embodiment may also 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.

[0170] Furthermore, the refrigerator may also include an input unit 940 capable of setting and changing the target temperature of the storage compartment provided by the ice maker 200. As an example, the target temperatures of the refrigerator compartment 18 and the freezer compartment 32 can be set and changed through the input unit 940.

[0171] The refrigerator may also include an output unit 950 that outputs information about the ice maker 200. As one example, the input unit 940 and the output unit 950 may be formed separately in the refrigerator; as another example, the input unit 940 and the output unit 950 may be served by a single structural element.

[0172] The refrigerator may also include a door opening / closing sensor 930 for sensing the opening and closing of the door of the storage compartment (for example, the freezer compartment 32) where the ice maker 200 is installed.

[0173] 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, the water supply valve 242, the input unit 940, and the output unit 950.

[0174] When the door opening / closing sensing unit 930 senses the opening or closing of the door (the state of the door being open or closed), the control unit 800 can determine whether the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 is variable based on the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor 33.

[0175] When the door opening and closing sensing unit 930 senses the opening and closing of the door, the control unit 800 can determine whether the output of the transparent ice heater 430 is variable based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700.

[0176] The control unit 800 can determine whether the output of the ice-moving heater 290 is variable based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700.

[0177] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the ice maker 200 includes both the ice transfer heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430, the outputs of the ice transfer heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 may be different. When the outputs of the ice transfer heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 are different, the output terminals of the ice transfer heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 may be formed with different shapes, thereby preventing accidental tightening of the two output terminals.

[0178] Although not limited, the output of the ice transfer heater 290 can be set to be greater than that of the transparent ice heater 430. Therefore, ice can be quickly separated from the first tray 320 using the ice transfer heater 290.

[0179] 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.

[0180] The control unit 800 can control the air conditioning supply unit 900 based on the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor 33. The control unit 800 can determine whether ice making is complete based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700.

[0181] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of ice generation in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of determining a fault in an ice-moving heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0182] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the state of water supply completion at a water supply location. Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the formation of ice at the ice-making location. Figure 12 This diagram shows the state of the second tray and the first tray separating during the ice removal process. Figure 13 This is a diagram showing the state of the second tray as it moves to the ice-moving position during the ice-moving process.

[0183] Reference Figures 6 to 13In 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).

[0184] In this specification, the second tray 380 can be removed from... Figure 11 ice-making location towards Figure 13 The direction in which the ice is moved is called positive movement (or positive rotation). Conversely, it can be considered as moving from... Figure 13 The location of the ice move towards Figure 6 The direction in which the water supply position moves is called the reverse movement (or the reverse rotation).

[0185] The movement of the second tray 380 toward the water supply position is sensed by a sensor. When the sensor detects that the second tray 380 has moved to the water supply position, the control unit 800 stops the drive unit 480.

[0186] 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 a set amount of water has been supplied, the control unit 800 can close the water supply valve 242.

[0187] As an example, during the water supply process, the flow sensor (not shown in the diagram) outputs a pulse. If the output pulse reaches the reference pulse, it can be determined that the set amount of water has been supplied.

[0188] After the water supply is completed, the control unit 800 controls the drive unit 480 to move the second tray 380 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.

[0189] When 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 is divided and distributed into the interiors of each of the plurality of second compartments 320c. When the upper surface 381a of the second tray 380 and the lower surface 321e of the first tray 320 are completely in contact, water will fill the first compartment 321a.

[0190] 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.

[0191] Ice making begins when the second tray 380 is in 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.

[0192] When 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.

[0193] After ice making begins, the control unit 800 can control the transparent ice heater 430 to turn on in at least a portion of the area where the cold air supply unit 900 supplies cold air to the ice making compartment 320a (step S5).

[0194] 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.

[0195] 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 to the liquid water side, thereby enabling the formation of transparent ice in the ice maker 200.

[0196] During the ice-making process, the control unit 800 can determine whether the opening conditions of the transparent ice heater 430 are met. In this embodiment, the transparent ice heater 430 is not turned on immediately after ice-making begins, but rather the opening conditions of the transparent ice heater 430 must be met before it can be turned on.

[0197] Generally, the water supplied to the ice-making compartment 320a may be at room temperature or below room temperature. This means the supplied water is at a temperature above the freezing point of water. Therefore, after the water is supplied, the water temperature decreases under the influence of the cooling air, and when it reaches the freezing point, the water will turn into ice.

[0198] In this embodiment, the transparent ice heater 430 may not need to be turned on before the water phase changes into ice.

[0199] 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.

[0200] 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.

[0201] Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on only after the conditions for turning on the transparent ice heater 430 are met, it is possible to prevent the unnecessary operation of the transparent ice heater 430 from consuming electricity.

[0202] 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.

[0203] 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 reaches the ice making position, the time when water supply is completed, etc.

[0204] 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.

[0205] 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.

[0206] 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. The temperature of the first tray 320 can be higher than the temperature of the ice in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0207] 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.

[0208] 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.

[0209] 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, being below zero, 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.

[0210] 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.

[0211] 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.

[0212] In this embodiment, since ice is generated from the top in the ice-making chamber 320a, the bubbles will move from the portion of the ice-making chamber 320a where ice is generated towards the liquid water and downwards.

[0213] 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 side.

[0214] 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. For example, when the ice-making compartment 320a is a cube, the mass (or volume) of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment 320a is the same. 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.

[0215] 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 differ due to the different mass of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0216] 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.

[0217] As a result, the rate at which ice forms per unit height of water will not be constant, causing the transparency of ice per unit height to vary. In particular, when ice forms quickly, air bubbles will fail to move from the ice to the water side, and the ice will contain air bubbles, resulting in low transparency.

[0218] That is, the smaller the deviation in the rate at which water forms ice per unit height, the smaller the deviation in the transparency of the formed ice per unit height will be.

[0219] Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 800 can be controlled to make the cooling power of the cold air supply unit 900 and / or the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 variable according to the mass of water per unit height in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0220] 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, variable output of the fan, and variable opening degree of the refrigerant valve.

[0221] Furthermore, in this specification, the variable heating amount 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.

[0222] 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 it can represent the ratio of the opening time and closing time of the transparent ice heater 430 to the closing time in a cycle.

[0223] 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.

[0224] When the output of the transparent ice heater 430 is constant, the transparency of the ice per unit height will vary because the ice formation rate per unit height is different. In a certain range, the ice formation rate is too fast, which will cause the ice to contain air bubbles and reduce its transparency.

[0225] 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 ice generation speed per unit height is the same or similar.

[0226] By controlling the output of the aforementioned transparent ice heater 430, the transparency of the ice per unit height becomes uniform, and the bubbles converge in the lowest region. Thus, when viewed as a whole, the ice appears transparent with bubbles concentrated in localized areas.

[0227] 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.

[0228] 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.

[0229] 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.

[0230] 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.

[0231] 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.

[0232] 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.

[0233] 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 in stages from the initial zone to the middle zone during the ice-making process.

[0234] In the middle interval of the interval where the mass of water per unit height is minimum, the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 reaches its maximum. From the next interval onwards, the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 can be reduced again in stages. Alternatively, depending on the mass of water per unit height, transparent ice can be generated by changing the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 and the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430.

[0235] 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.

[0236] 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.

[0237] Additionally, the control unit 800 can determine whether ice making is complete based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 (step S6). When it is determined that ice making is complete, the control unit 800 can turn off the transparent ice heater 430 (step S7).

[0238] 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 is complete, thereby turning off the transparent ice heater 430.

[0239] 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 has been formed in all ice-making compartments 320a, the control unit 800 may start moving ice after a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when ice-making is determined to be complete, or when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches a second reference temperature lower than the first reference temperature.

[0240] When ice making is complete, the control unit 800 activates the ice transfer heater 290 to facilitate ice transfer (step S8). When the ice transfer heater 290 is turned on and operating normally, the heat from the heater is transferred to the first tray 320, thereby allowing the ice to separate from the surface (inner surface) of the first tray 320.

[0241] Furthermore, the heat from the ice-moving heater 290 is transferred from the first tray 320 to the contact surface of the second tray 380, thereby enabling the lower surface 321d of the first tray 320 and the upper surface 381a of the second tray 380 to be separated.

[0242] However, when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air in the freezer 32 and the water in the ice-making compartment 320a changes, if the heating amount of the ice-moving heater 290 is not adjusted accordingly, it may cause problems such as ice being moved unsmoothly due to excessive melting or insufficient melting.

[0243] 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.

[0244] On the other hand, a reduction in the amount of heat transferred between cold air and water could be caused by a reduction in the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900, or by the door being open and supplying air to the freezer compartment 32 at a temperature higher than that of the cold air inside the freezer compartment 32, or by food being placed into the freezer compartment 32 at a temperature higher than that of the cold air inside the freezer compartment 32, or by the defrosting heater (not shown) used for defrosting the evaporator being turned on.

[0245] 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 is increased.

[0246] Conversely, 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, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900 may be reduced.

[0247] As the heat transfer between the cold air and water increases, the temperature of the cold air around the ice maker 200 will decrease, thereby accelerating the ice formation process.

[0248] Conversely, when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air and water decreases, the temperature of the cold air around the ice maker 200 will rise, thereby slowing down the ice formation rate and lengthening the ice-making time.

[0249] Therefore, in this embodiment, the heating amount of the ice-removing heater 290 can be increased when the heat transfer amount of the cold air and water increases. Conversely, the heating amount of the ice-removing heater 290 can be decreased when the heat transfer amount of the cold air and water decreases.

[0250] As another example, the ice transfer heater 290 can also transfer heat to the first tray 320 at a constant output.

[0251] At this time, in order to solve the problem of ice transfer not being smooth due to external factors, the control unit 800 can consider the initial conditions to determine the output of the ice transfer heater 290.

[0252] The initial conditions may include the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900, the target temperature of the storage compartment, the door opening time, and the start time of the defrost heater.

[0253] In detail, the control unit 800 can control the ice-making process so that when the cooling power of the cold air supply unit 900 is higher at the second cooling power than at the first cooling power, the heating amount of the ice-moving heater 290 is greater when the cooling power of the cold air supply unit 900 is the second cooling power.

[0254] A high cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 indicates an increase in the amount of heat transfer between the air and water. Therefore, in order to prevent the ice from failing to separate due to insufficient heating of the ice transfer heater 290, it can be controlled such that when the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 is high, the heating capacity of the ice transfer heater 290 is also greater.

[0255] Furthermore, the control unit 800 can be controlled to reduce the heating amount of the ice-moving heater 290 when the target temperature of the storage chamber set by the user is higher at the second temperature than at the first temperature.

[0256] This is to prevent the ice from melting excessively by the ice transfer heater 290 due to the target temperature being set higher in the storage chamber.

[0257] Furthermore, based on a similar principle, the control unit 800 can control the door opening time or the opening time of the defrosting heater that operates for defrosting to be longer in the second time than in the first time during the ice-making process, so that the heating amount of the ice-moving heater 290 is smaller when the door opening time or the opening time of the defrosting heater that operates for defrosting is the second time during the ice-making process.

[0258] After the ice transfer heater 290 is turned on, the control unit 800 determines whether the closing criteria of the ice transfer heater 290 are met (step S9).

[0259] The ice-removing heater 290 may be shut down when the ice-removing heater 390 has operated for a shutdown reference time (step S91), or when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 is higher than or equal to the shutdown reference temperature (or first shutdown reference temperature) of the ice-removing heater 290 (step S92). The shutdown reference time may be referred to as the first reference time. Furthermore, the ice-removing heater 290 may also be shut down if the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the first shutdown reference temperature during the shutdown reference time. As an example, the first shutdown reference temperature may be the temperature at which the first tray 320 and the ice can be separated using the ice-removing heater 290. Although not limited, the first shutdown reference temperature may be set to a temperature above zero.

[0260] When the ice transfer heater 290 meets the shutdown criteria, the control unit 800 shuts down the ice transfer heater 290 (step S10).

[0261] After the ice-moving heater 290 is turned off, the control unit 800 operates the drive unit 480 to move the second tray 380 in the positive direction for ice removal (step S13).

[0262] Additionally, if the ice removal heater 290 fails to meet the shutdown criteria, it is determined whether the ice removal heater 290 is faulty (step S11).

[0263] In detail, if the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 fails to reach the shut-off reference temperature during the shut-off reference time using the ice-moving heater 290, the control unit 800 can determine whether the ice-moving heater 290 is malfunctioning.

[0264] If the failure to meet the closing criteria of the ice transfer heater 290 is directly judged as a malfunction of the ice transfer heater 290, it may lead to problems such as failure to consider external factors of the ice maker, such as door opening time or the activation of the defrost heater. Therefore, it is preferable to judge whether the ice transfer heater 290 is malfunctioning separately from the closing criteria of the ice transfer heater 290.

[0265] In detail, the control unit 800 can determine whether a fault reference time (or a second reference time) has elapsed after the ice transfer heater 290 is turned on (step S111).

[0266] If the shut-off criteria of the ice transfer heater 290 are not met by the time the fault reference time has elapsed, the control unit 800 may determine that the ice transfer heater 290 has malfunctioned.

[0267] As an example, if the second reference time has elapsed after the ice-moving heater 290 is turned on, but the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 does not reach the first shutdown reference temperature, the control unit 800 can determine that the ice-moving heater 290 has malfunctioned.

[0268] The second reference time can be longer than the first reference time. The first and second reference times can vary depending on the degree of change in the amount of heat transfer between the cold air in the freezer compartment 32 and the water in the ice-making compartment 320a.

[0269] In detail, in this embodiment, when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air and water increases, the first reference time and the second reference time can be increased; when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air and water decreases, the first reference time and the second reference time can be decreased.

[0270] Furthermore, the second reference time can be the time it takes for all the cooled ice in the ice-making compartment 320a to melt and converge to a predetermined temperature while the ice heater 290 continues to heat up in a malfunction-free state. As an example, the second reference time can be approximately 100 minutes.

[0271] When it is determined that the ice transfer heater 290 has malfunctioned, the control unit 800 can execute steps to deal with the malfunction (step S12). When it is determined that the ice transfer heater 290 has malfunctioned, all operations of the ice maker 200 can be stopped at once.

[0272] Alternatively, to prevent continued power supply to the ice-removing heater 290, the ice-removing heater 290 can be turned off (step S121).

[0273] However, if the ice generated by the performed actions continues to remain in the ice-making compartment 320a, there is a possibility that the ice in the ice-making compartment 320a may melt due to subsequent power outages or opening of the door. Therefore, steps can be taken to address a malfunction of the ice-moving heater 290.

[0274] As an example of responding to a malfunction of the ice transfer heater 290, the control unit 800 can display information indicating a malfunction of the ice transfer heater 290 via the output unit 950. The user can replace the ice transfer heater 290 based on the malfunction information from the output unit 950.

[0275] As another example of dealing with a malfunction of the ice heater 290, the control unit 800 can turn on the transparent ice heater 430 (step S122).

[0276] When the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, the heat from the transparent ice heater 430 is transferred to the contact surfaces of the first tray 320 and the second tray 380, thereby enabling the lower surface 321d of the first tray 320 and the upper surface 381a of the second tray 380 to separate. Furthermore, the heat from the transparent ice heater 430 is also transferred to the first tray 320, thereby enabling the ice bonded to the inner surface of the first tray 320 to separate.

[0277] After the transparent ice heater 430 is turned on, the control unit 800 can determine whether the closing criteria of the transparent ice heater 430 are met (step S123).

[0278] As an example, if the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the shutdown reference temperature (or second shutdown reference temperature) of the transparent ice heater 430, it can be determined that the shutdown criteria of the transparent ice heater 430 are met. As another example, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the transparent ice heater 430 has been operating, it can be determined that the shutdown criteria are met.

[0279] Furthermore, the shut-off threshold of the transparent ice heater 430 can be determined by whether it reaches the second shut-off reference temperature within a predetermined time. In this case, the second shut-off reference temperature may be the same as or lower than the first shut-off reference temperature.

[0280] Since the second temperature sensor 700 is in contact with the first tray 320, the time elapsed before the heat from the transparent ice heater 430 in contact with the second tray 380 is transferred to the second temperature sensor 700 is relatively long. Therefore, even if the second shut-off reference temperature is set to be the same as or lower than the first shut-off reference temperature, the heat from the transparent ice heater 430 can still be fully transferred to the first tray 320.

[0281] When the shut-off criteria of the transparent ice heater 430 are met, the control unit 800 shuts off the transparent ice heater 430 (step S124).

[0282] As another example, regardless of whether the ice transfer heater 290 is faulty, when ice making is complete, the ice transfer heater 290 and the transparent ice heater 430 can be turned on simultaneously or sequentially for ice transfer. In this case, even if the ice transfer heater 290 malfunctions, the heat from the transparent ice heater 430 can be used to easily separate the ice from the tray.

[0283] After the transparent ice heater 430 is turned off, the control unit 800 operates the drive unit 480 to move the second tray 380 in the positive direction in order to move the ice (step S13).

[0284] like Figure 12 As shown, when the second tray 380 moves in the positive direction, the second tray 380 is separated from the first tray 320.

[0285] 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.

[0286] 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, under the heat of the activated heater, the ice can be separated from the surface of the first tray 320. In this case, the ice can move together with the second tray 380 while being supported by the second tray 380.

[0287] As another example, even if the heater applies heat to the first tray 320, there is a possibility that ice may fail to separate from the surface of the first tray 320.

[0288] Therefore, when the second tray 380 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.

[0289] In this state, during the movement of the second tray 380, pressure is applied to the ice that is in close contact with the first tray 320 through the extension 264 of the connecting hole 320e, which can separate the ice from the first tray 320. The ice separated from the first tray 320 can be supported by the second tray 380.

[0290] 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.

[0291] 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 12 As shown, when the second thruster 540 is used to pressurize the second tray 380, ice can be separated from the second tray 380 and fall downwards.

[0292] Specifically, such as Figure 12 As shown, during the movement of the second tray 380, the second tray 380 will come into contact with the extension 544 of the second pusher 540.

[0293] As the second tray 380 moves continuously in the positive direction, the extension 544 applies pressure to the second tray 380, causing it to deform. This pressure is transmitted to the ice, allowing it to separate from the surface of the second tray 380. The ice separated from the surface of the second tray 380 falls downwards and can be stored in the ice reservoir 600.

[0294] In this embodiment, as Figure 13 As shown, the position where the second tray 380 is deformed by the pressure applied by the second pusher 540 can be referred to as the ice-moving position.

[0295] 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.

[0296] 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.

[0297] 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 S14). At this time, the second tray 380 will move from the ice removal position toward the water supply position.

[0298] When the second tray 380 moves Figure 6 When the water supply position is reached, the control unit 800 stops the drive unit 480 (step S1).

[0299] During the process of the second tray 380 moving in the opposite direction, when the second tray 380 is separated from the extension 544, the deformed second tray 380 can return to its original shape.

[0300] 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.

[0301] Furthermore, in this embodiment, 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.

[0302] 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.

[0303] 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.

[0304] The heating amount (or output) of the transparent ice heater 430, which is determined by taking into account the preset cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900, is called the reference heating amount (or reference output). The magnitude of the reference heating amount per unit height of water varies.

[0305] 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 the heating amount of the transparent ice heater 430 is not adjusted accordingly, the transparency of the ice per unit height will vary.

[0306] In this embodiment, an example of an increase in the amount of heat transfer between cold air and water is an increase in the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900, or an increase in the temperature of air supplied to the freezer compartment 32 that is lower than the temperature of the cold air inside the freezer compartment 32.

[0307] 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 the door being opened and air being supplied to the freezer compartment 32 at a temperature higher than that of the cold air inside the freezer compartment 32, or by food being placed into the freezer compartment 32 at a temperature higher than that of the cold air inside the freezer compartment 32, or by the defrosting heater (not shown) used for defrosting the evaporator being turned on.

[0308] 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 when the operating mode of the freezer compartment 32 changes from a normal mode to a rapid cooling mode, or when the output of one or more of the compressor and fan increases, or when the opening of the refrigerant valve increases.

[0309] 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.

[0310] When the amount of heat transfer between the cold air and water increases, the temperature of the cold air around the ice maker 200 will decrease, thereby speeding up the ice formation process. Conversely, when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air and water decreases, the temperature of the cold air around the ice maker 200 will increase, thereby slowing down the ice formation process and lengthening the ice-making time.

[0311] 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.

[0312] 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.

[0313] In this embodiment, when the ice-making speed is maintained 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.

[0314] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of ice generation in an ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of ice being transferred in an ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0315] Figure 14 and Figure 15 The description of this embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that the ice removal method is different. Therefore, the following description only focuses on the feature parts of this embodiment.

[0316] Reference Figure 14 and Figure 15 In order to generate ice in the ice maker 200, the control unit 800 moves the second tray 380 to the water supply position (step S1). With the second tray 380 in the water supply position, water supply begins (step S2).

[0317] After the water supply is completed, the control unit 800 controls the drive unit 480 to move the second tray 380 to the ice-making position (step S3). With the second tray 380 in the ice-making position, ice making begins (step S4).

[0318] After ice making begins, the control unit 800 can control the transparent ice heater 430 to turn on in at least a portion of the area where the cold air supply unit 900 supplies cold air to the ice making compartment 320a (step S5).

[0319] The control unit 800 can determine whether ice making is complete based on the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 (step S6). When it is determined that ice making is complete, the control unit 800 can turn off the transparent ice heater 430 (step S7).

[0320] When ice making is complete, the control unit 800 activates the ice-removing heater 290 in order to remove the ice (step S8). When the ice-removing heater 290 is turned on, the heat of the heater is transferred to the first tray 320, thereby allowing the ice to separate from the surface (inner surface) of the first tray 320.

[0321] However, when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air in the freezer 32 and the water in the ice-making compartment 320a changes, if the heating amount of the ice-moving heater 290 is not adjusted accordingly, problems may occur such as excessive melting of ice or insufficient melting of ice, resulting in difficulty in ice transfer.

[0322] In this embodiment, an example of an increase in the amount of heat transfer between cold air and water is an increase in the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900, or an increase in the temperature of air supplied to the freezer compartment 32 that is lower than the temperature of the cold air inside the freezer compartment 32.

[0323] 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 the door being opened and air being supplied to the freezer compartment 32 at a temperature higher than that of the cold air inside the freezer compartment 32, or by food being placed into the freezer compartment 32 at a temperature higher than that of the cold air inside the freezer compartment 32, or by the defrosting heater (not shown) used for defrosting the evaporator being turned on.

[0324] For example, when the target temperature of the freezer compartment 32 decreases, or the operating mode of the freezer compartment 32 changes 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, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900 can increase. Conversely, when the target temperature of the freezer compartment 32 increases, or the operating mode of the freezer compartment 32 changes from a rapid cooling mode to a normal mode, or the output of one or more of the compressor and fan decreases, or the opening degree of the refrigerant valve decreases, the cooling capacity of the cold air supply unit 900 can decrease.

[0325] When the amount of heat transfer between the cold air and water increases, the temperature of the cold air around the ice maker 200 will decrease, thereby speeding up the ice formation process. Conversely, when the amount of heat transfer between the cold air and water decreases, the temperature of the cold air around the ice maker 200 will increase, thereby slowing down the ice formation process and lengthening the ice-making time.

[0326] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the heat transfer rate of the cold air and water increases, the heating amount of the ice-moving heater 290 can be controlled to increase. Conversely, when the heat transfer rate of the cold air and water decreases, the heating amount of the ice-moving heater 290 can be controlled to decrease.

[0327] As another example, the ice-moving heater 290 can also transfer heat to the first tray 320 at a constant output.

[0328] At this time, in order to solve the problem of ice transfer not being smooth due to external factors, the control unit 800 can take into account the initial conditions to determine the output of the ice transfer heater 290.

[0329] The initial conditions may include the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900, the target temperature of the storage compartment, the door opening time, and the start time of the defrost heater.

[0330] In detail, the control unit 800 can control the ice-moving heater 290 to heat more when the cooling force of the cold air supply unit 900 is higher at the second cooling force than at the first cooling force during the ice-making process.

[0331] A high cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 indicates an increase in the amount of heat transfer between the air and water. Therefore, in order to prevent the ice from failing to separate due to insufficient heating of the ice transfer heater 290, the heating capacity of the ice transfer heater 290 can also be controlled to be greater when the cooling capacity of the air supply unit 900 is high.

[0332] Furthermore, the control unit 800 can control the heating amount of the ice-moving heater 290 when the target temperature of the storage chamber set by the user is higher at the second temperature than at the first temperature.

[0333] This is to prevent the ice from melting excessively by the ice transfer heater 290 due to the target temperature being set higher in the storage chamber.

[0334] Furthermore, based on a similar principle, the control unit 800 can control the ice-moving heater 290 to have a smaller heating amount if the door opening time or the opening time of the defrosting heater operated for defrosting is longer in the second time than in the first time during the ice-making process.

[0335] After the ice heater 290 is turned on, when the movement conditions of the second tray 380 are met, the control unit 800 can rotate the second tray 380 in the positive direction to move it to the standby position (or the additional heating position) (step S31).

[0336] The movement conditions of the second tray 380 can be determined based on one or more of the on-time of the ice heater 290 and the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700.

[0337] When the second tray 380 moves in the forward direction, it is separated from the first tray 320. As an example, the standby position can be a state where the second tray 380 moves further forward than the water supply position and further in the opposite direction than the ice removal position. That is, the additional heating position can be between the water supply position and the ice removal position.

[0338] The angle formed by the lower surface 321d of the first tray 320 and the upper surface 381a of the second tray 380 at the additional heating position can be referred to as the first angle, which can be between 15 degrees and 65 degrees.

[0339] In this embodiment, before the second tray 380 rotates in the positive direction, the ice can be separated from the surface of the first tray 320 using the heat from the activated ice-moving heater 290. In this case, the ice can move together with the second tray 380 while being supported by it.

[0340] As another example, even if the heat from the ice heater 290 is applied to the first tray 320, there is a possibility that the ice may fail to separate from the surface of the first tray 320.

[0341] That is, when the second tray 380 is moved to the additional heating position, in the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a that are separated from the first tray 320, the ice may be placed on the second tray 380, while in the other compartments the ice may be attached to the first tray 320.

[0342] After the second tray 380 rotates in the positive direction to the standby position, it is determined whether the closing criteria of the ice transfer heater 290 are met (step S32).

[0343] The shut-off criteria for the ice-removing heater 290 can be determined based on one or more of the on-time of the ice-removing heater 290 and the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700.

[0344] When the shut-off criteria of the ice transfer heater 290 are met, the control unit 800 shuts off the ice transfer heater 290 (step S33).

[0345] From the time the ice transfer heater 290 is turned on until it is turned off, the ice transfer heater 290 may remain on while the second tray 380 moves to the standby position.

[0346] Reference Figure 15 Another example will be described up to the point where the ice-removing heater 290 is turned on and then turned off, and the second tray 380 is moved to the ice-removing position.

[0347] The ice transfer heater 290 can transfer heat to the ice-making compartment 320a for the first time in the ice-making position and then turn off. After that, the second tray 380 moves to the standby position and turns the ice transfer heater 290 back on in the standby position. That is, when the movement conditions of the second tray 380 are met, the control unit 800 can turn off the ice transfer heater 290, and when the second tray 380 moves to the standby position, the ice transfer heater 290 is turned on again.

[0348] The moving condition for shutting down the second tray 380 of the ice-moving heater 290 can be that the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches or exceeds the shut-off reference temperature (or first shut-off reference temperature) of the ice-moving heater 290 (step S41), or that a shut-off reference time has been operated (step S42). The shut-off reference time can also be referred to as the first reference time.

[0349] Furthermore, the ice-removing heater 290 can also be turned off if the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the first shutdown reference temperature during the shutdown reference time.

[0350] As an example, if the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 700 reaches the first closing reference temperature during a sufficient closing reference time to the extent that all ice can be separated in the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a, it can be determined that the movement conditions of the second tray 380 are met.

[0351] However, under such circumstances, excessive melting may occur in some of the multiple ice-making compartments 320a, which may result in melted water falling into the ice storage tank 600.

[0352] Therefore, as another example, a closing reference time or a first closing reference temperature can also be set for separating only a portion of the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a. That is, the first closing reference temperature can be the temperature at which it is determined that the ice inside a portion of the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a can be separated, and the closing reference time can be the time at which it is determined that the ice inside a portion of the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a can be separated.

[0353] Although not limited, the first shutdown reference temperature can be set to a temperature above zero. Alternatively, the first shutdown reference temperature can be set to a temperature higher than the first reference temperature.

[0354] When the movement conditions of the second tray 380 are met, the control unit 800 shuts off the ice-moving heater 290 (step S43). After the ice-moving heater 290 is shut off, the second tray 380 can rotate in the positive direction by a first angle to move to the standby position (step S44).

[0355] In order to provide additional heating for separating the ice attached to the first tray 320, the control unit 800 can turn the ice transfer heater 290 back on (step S45).

[0356] After the second tray 380 moves to the additional heating position, it is possible that a portion of the ice-making compartment 320a is attached to the first tray 320 and has not been melted. Therefore, the control unit 800 can operate the ice-moving heater 290.

[0357] By additionally operating the ice-removing heater 290, the load applied to the first thruster 260 can be reduced, thereby preventing damage to the first thruster 260.

[0358] When the second reference time has elapsed after the ice transfer heater 290 has been in operation, the ice transfer heater 290 can be turned off (steps S46 and S47).

[0359] The second reference time may be the time it takes for ice attached to the first tray 320 but not placed on the second tray 380 in the plurality of ice-making compartments 320a to be sufficiently melted.

[0360] Furthermore, in the case of ice adhering to the first tray 320, it is easily separated from the first tray 320 due to the influence of gravity, and the second reference time can be shorter than the first reference time. As an example, the second reference time can be about 30 seconds.

[0361] After the ice-removing heater 290 is turned off, a predetermined time can be waited for the water melted by the ice-removing heater 290 to cool down (step S48).

[0362] If water melted by the heat of the ice-moving heater 290 falls into the ice reservoir 600, ice may stick inside the ice reservoir 600, or the ice may deform due to the melted water. To prevent such problems, the melted water can be cooled by waiting for a predetermined time before the ice is moved into the ice reservoir 600.

[0363] The control unit 800 can cause the second tray 320 to wait for a predetermined time (or standby time) (step S48). The standby time can be a time sufficient for the dissolved water to cool down, and it is preferably longer than the second reference time.

[0364] As an example, when the second tray 320 is in the additional heating position, a predetermined time can be waited for.

[0365] As another example, after the ice-moving heater 290 additionally transfers heat to the second tray 320, the control unit 800 can also cause the second tray 320 to wait for a predetermined time at a specific position where it is further moved in the positive direction. This specific position can be between the standby position and the ice-moving position.

[0366] This operation allows cold air to easily flow into the ice-making compartment 320a while preventing ice inside the ice-making compartment 320a from moving to the ice storage unit 600.

[0367] When the standby time has elapsed, the control unit 800 can rotate the second tray 380 in the positive direction to move it to the ice-moving position for the purpose of moving ice (step S13).

[0368] 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 S14). At this time, the second tray 380 moves from the ice-removing position toward the water supply position. When the second tray 380 moves to the water supply position, the control unit 800 stops the drive unit 480.

[0369] exist Figure 14 and Figure 15 The process of transferring ice after ice making, as described in the instructions, can be followed. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The document describes the fault diagnosis (step S11) and fault handling (step S12) of the ice transfer heater 290. Specifically, after the ice transfer heater 290 is turned on, if... Figure 8 and Figure 9 As described above, when it is determined that the ice transfer heater 290 has malfunctioned, a fault response can be executed; when it is determined that no fault has occurred, the following actions are executed. Figure 14 and Figure 15 The process of moving ice is described in the text.

Claims

1. An ice maker, in, include: The first tray forms part of an ice-making compartment that serves as a space where water changes phase to ice due to the cold air. The second tray forms another part of the ice-making compartment; A cold air supply unit is used to supply cold air to the ice-making compartment; Temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making compartment; A heater is provided to supply heat to the ice-making compartment in order to separate the ice from the ice-making compartment; An additional heater, in contact with either the first or the second tray, supplies heat to the ice-making compartment within at least a portion of the area where cold air is supplied by the cold air supply unit, so that dissolved air bubbles in the water inside the ice-making compartment can move from the ice-forming portion to the liquid water side to generate transparent ice; and Control Department; Once ice making is complete, the control unit controls the heater to turn on in order to remove the ice. After the heater is turned on, the control unit determines whether the heater's shutdown criteria are met; If the shut-off criteria of the heater are met, the control unit controls the heater to shut down; The shut-off reference for the heater includes cases where the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor is above the shut-off reference temperature of the heater; After the heater transfers heat to the ice-making compartment in the ice-making position and then shuts off, the control unit controls the movement of the second tray; After the second tray moves, the control unit controls the heater to turn on again; If a reference time elapses after the heater is turned on again, the control unit controls the heater to turn off again.

2. The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit controls the output of the heater to be different from the output of the additional heater.

3. The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein, Once ice making is complete, the control unit controls the heater and the additional heater to be turned on simultaneously or sequentially to transfer the ice.

4. The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein, During the ice-making process, the output of the additional heater changes.

5. The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein, The control unit controls the heater to increase its heating capacity when the heat transfer rate of the cold air and water increases, and to decrease its heating capacity when the heat transfer rate of the cold air and water decreases.

6. The ice maker according to claim 5, wherein, The reduction in heat transfer between the cold air and water is as follows: The cooling capacity of the air supply unit is reduced, or The door is open and supplies air at a temperature higher than the cold air inside the storage chamber to the storage chamber where the ice maker is located, or When food at a temperature higher than the temperature of the cold air inside the storage room is placed into the storage room, or The defrost heater used for defrosting the evaporator is turned on.

7. The ice maker according to claim 5, wherein, The increase in heat transfer between the cold air and water is as follows: The cooling capacity of the air supply unit increases, or The case where air at a temperature lower than that of the cold air inside the storage room is supplied to the storage room.

8. The ice maker according to claim 6, wherein, The cooling capacity of the air supply unit is reduced as follows: The target temperature of the storage chamber increases, or The operating mode of the storage chamber is changed from rapid cooling mode to normal mode, or The output of one or more of the compressor and fan is reduced, or The opening degree of the refrigerant valve decreases.

9. The ice maker according to claim 7, wherein, The increase in cooling capacity of the air supply unit is as follows: The target temperature of the storage chamber decreases, or The operating mode of the storage chamber is changed from normal mode to 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.

10. The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein, After the reference time has elapsed and the heater has been turned off again, the control unit controls the supply of water to the ice-making compartment.

11. An ice maker, in, include: The first tray forms part of an ice-making compartment that serves as a space where water changes phase to ice due to the cold air. The second tray forms another part of the ice-making compartment; A cold air supply unit is used to supply cold air to the ice-making compartment; Temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making compartment; A heater is provided to supply heat to the ice-making compartment in order to separate the ice from the ice-making compartment; An additional heater, in contact with either the first or the second tray, supplies heat to the ice-making compartment within at least a portion of the area where cold air is supplied by the cold air supply unit, so that dissolved air bubbles in the water inside the ice-making compartment can move from the ice-forming portion to the liquid water side to generate transparent ice; and Control Department; Once ice making is complete, the control unit controls the heater to turn on in order to remove the ice. After the heater is turned on, the control unit determines whether the heater's shutdown criteria are met; If the shut-off criteria of the heater are met, the control unit controls the heater to shut down; After the heater transfers heat to the ice-making compartment in the ice-making position and then shuts off, the control unit controls the movement of the second tray; After the second tray moves, the control unit controls the heater to turn on again; After the heater is turned on again, the control unit controls the heater to turn off again; The control unit controls the output of the heater to be different from the output of the additional heater.

12. An ice maker, in, include: The first tray forms part of an ice-making compartment that serves as a space where water changes phase to ice due to the cold air. The second tray forms another part of the ice-making compartment; A cold air supply unit is used to supply cold air to the ice-making compartment; Temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making compartment; A heater is provided to supply heat to the ice-making compartment in order to separate the ice from the ice-making compartment; An additional heater, in contact with either the first or the second tray, supplies heat to the ice-making compartment within at least a portion of the area where cold air is supplied by the cold air supply unit, so that dissolved air bubbles in the water inside the ice-making compartment can move from the ice-forming portion to the liquid water side to generate transparent ice; and Control Department; Once ice making is complete, the control unit controls the heater to turn on in order to remove the ice. After the heater is turned on, the control unit determines whether the heater's shutdown criteria are met; If the shut-off criteria of the heater are met, the control unit controls the heater to shut down; After the heater transfers heat to the ice-making compartment in the ice-making position and then shuts off, the control unit controls the movement of the second tray; After the second tray moves, the control unit controls the heater to turn on again; After the heater is turned on again, the control unit controls the heater to turn off again; Once ice making is complete, the control unit controls the heater and the additional heater to be turned on simultaneously or sequentially to transfer the ice.

13. An ice maker, in, include: The first tray forms part of an ice-making compartment that serves as a space where water changes phase to ice due to the cold air. The second tray forms another part of the ice-making compartment; A cold air supply unit is used to supply cold air to the ice-making compartment; Temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making compartment; A heater is provided to supply heat to the ice-making compartment in order to separate the ice from the ice-making compartment; An additional heater, in contact with either the first or the second tray, supplies heat to the ice-making compartment within at least a portion of the area where cold air is supplied by the cold air supply unit, so that dissolved air bubbles in the water inside the ice-making compartment can move from the ice-forming portion to the liquid water side to generate transparent ice; and Control Department; Once ice making is complete, the control unit controls the heater to turn on in order to remove the ice. After the heater is turned on, the control unit determines whether the heater's shutdown criteria are met; If the shut-off criteria of the heater are met, the control unit controls the heater to shut down; After the heater transfers heat to the ice-making compartment in the ice-making position and then shuts off, the control unit controls the movement of the second tray; After the second tray moves, the control unit controls the heater to turn on again; After the heater is turned on again, the control unit controls the heater to turn off again; During the ice-making process, the output of the additional heater changes.

14. An ice maker, in, include: The first tray forms part of an ice-making compartment that serves as a space where water changes phase to ice due to the cold air. The second tray forms another part of the ice-making compartment; A cold air supply unit is used to supply cold air to the ice-making compartment; Temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making compartment; A heater is provided to supply heat to the ice-making compartment in order to separate the ice from the ice-making compartment; An additional heater, in contact with either the first or the second tray, supplies heat to the ice-making compartment within at least a portion of the area where cold air is supplied by the cold air supply unit, so that dissolved air bubbles in the water inside the ice-making compartment can move from the ice-forming portion to the liquid water side to generate transparent ice; and Control Department; Once ice making is complete, the control unit controls the heater to turn on in order to remove the ice. After the heater is turned on, the control unit determines whether the heater's shutdown criteria are met; If the shut-off criteria of the heater are met, the control unit controls the heater to shut down; After the heater transfers heat to the ice-making compartment in the ice-making position and then shuts off, the control unit controls the movement of the second tray; After the second tray moves, the control unit controls the heater to turn on again; After the heater is turned on again, the control unit controls the heater to turn off again; The control unit controls the heater to increase its heating capacity when the heat transfer between the cold air and water increases, or to decrease its heating capacity when the heat transfer between the cold air and water decreases.

15. An ice maker, in, include: The first tray forms part of an ice-making compartment that serves as a space where water changes phase to ice due to the cold air. The second tray forms another part of the ice-making compartment; A cold air supply unit is used to supply cold air to the ice-making compartment; Temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the water or ice in the ice-making compartment; A heater is provided to supply heat to the ice-making compartment in order to separate the ice from the ice-making compartment; An additional heater, in contact with either the first or the second tray, supplies heat to the ice-making compartment within at least a portion of the area where cold air is supplied by the cold air supply unit, so that dissolved air bubbles in the water inside the ice-making compartment can move from the ice-forming portion to the liquid water side to generate transparent ice; and Control Department; Once ice making is complete, the control unit controls the heater to turn on in order to remove the ice. After the heater is turned on, the control unit determines whether the heater's shutdown criteria are met; If the shut-off criteria of the heater are met, the control unit controls the heater to shut down; After the heater transfers heat to the ice-making compartment in the ice-making position and then shuts off, the control unit controls the movement of the second tray; After the second tray moves, the control unit controls the heater to turn on again; If a reference time elapses after the heater is turned on again, the control unit controls the heater to turn off again; After the reference time has elapsed and the heater has been turned off again, the control unit controls the supply of water to the ice-making compartment.

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