Ice maker failure detection method, storage medium, and ice maker

Abstract

This application provides a fault detection method, storage medium, and ice maker for an ice maker. The fault detection method includes: when the ice maker's self-test process is abnormal, checking whether the ice maker's distributor is faulty; if the distributor is not faulty, checking the distributor's on / off state; if the distributor is on, waiting for the distributor to close before re-checking whether the self-test process is abnormal; if the distributor is off, obtaining the ice storage volume in the ice maker's ice storage box to determine the fault type of the ice maker. The above method of this application can first rule out self-test process abnormalities caused by manually opening the distributor. If the distributor is not opened, the fault type is initially determined by the ice storage volume. Compared to the scheme of sequentially checking the water injection component, ice making component, and ice dispensing component for faults when the self-test process is abnormal, this method improves the fault detection efficiency of the ice maker.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of ice maker technology, and particularly relates to a fault detection method, storage medium and ice maker for an ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] Some existing ice-making refrigerators address ice-making malfunctions by adding electronic hardware or design features to detect these issues. This approach not only creates structural redundancy but also increases manufacturing costs, hindering production. However, some other ice-making refrigerators use programmed checks to sequentially inspect each component for malfunctions, but this doesn't account for external factors affecting short-term operation, resulting in low fault detection efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a fault detection method, storage medium, and ice maker for an ice maker, which can solve the problem of how to improve the fault detection efficiency of an ice maker.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution:

[0005] A fault detection method for an ice maker, comprising:

[0006] If the self-test process of the ice maker is abnormal, check whether the distributor of the ice maker is faulty;

[0007] If the distributor is fault-free, then the switch status of the distributor is detected;

[0008] If the distributor is turned on, wait for the distributor to turn off and then determine whether the self-test process is abnormal again;

[0009] If the dispenser is turned off, the ice storage capacity of the ice maker's ice storage box is obtained to determine the fault type of the ice maker.

[0010] In some embodiments, obtaining the ice storage capacity of the ice maker's ice storage box to determine the fault type includes:

[0011] Obtain the ice storage capacity of the ice storage box of the ice maker;

[0012] Determine whether the ice storage capacity is less than the first preset ice storage capacity;

[0013] If the ice storage capacity is less than the first preset ice storage capacity, the fault type of the ice maker is determined to be an ice-making fault.

[0014] If the ice storage capacity is greater than or equal to the first preset ice storage capacity, the fault type of the ice maker is determined to be ice dispensing fault.

[0015] Wherein, the first preset ice storage amount is less than or equal to the full ice storage amount when the ice storage box is in a full ice state.

[0016] In some embodiments, after determining that the fault type of the ice maker is an ice-making fault, the method further includes:

[0017] Determine whether the ice-making failure is a water injection failure;

[0018] If the fault type of the ice-making failure is not a water injection failure, then determine whether the fault type of the ice-making failure is an ice removal failure.

[0019] If the fault type of the ice-making failure is not an ice-removal failure, then determine whether the fault type of the ice-making failure is a freezing failure.

[0020] If the ice-making failure is not a freezing failure, then the self-test process should be re-checked to see if it is abnormal.

[0021] In some embodiments, determining whether the ice-making failure is an ice-removal failure includes:

[0022] Control the ice-removing motor of the ice maker to rotate for a first preset time, and obtain the first angle of rotation of the ice-removing motor within the first preset time.

[0023] Determine whether the first angle has reached the first preset angle;

[0024] If the first angle does not reach the first preset angle, the fault type of the ice-making failure is determined to be an ice-removal failure.

[0025] In some embodiments, determining whether the ice-making failure is a freezing failure includes:

[0026] Obtain the first temperature of the ice container of the ice maker;

[0027] Determine whether the first temperature is higher than the preset temperature;

[0028] If the first temperature is higher than the preset temperature, then the ice-making failure is determined to be a freezing failure.

[0029] In some embodiments, determining that the ice-making failure is a freezing failure if the first temperature is higher than a preset temperature includes:

[0030] If the first temperature is higher than the preset temperature, then start timing;

[0031] When the timing duration reaches the second preset duration, the second temperature of the ice-making box is obtained;

[0032] Determine whether the second temperature is higher than the preset temperature;

[0033] If the second temperature is higher than the preset temperature, the ice-making failure is determined to be a freezing failure.

[0034] In some embodiments, the ice maker is installed in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator, the freezer compartment has a freezer door, the refrigerator includes a door opening sensor, the door opening sensor is used to feed back an electrical level signal according to the open / closed state of the freezer door, the electrical level signal is high when the freezer door is open, and after determining that the ice-making fault is a freezing fault, the system further includes:

[0035] Obtain the level signal;

[0036] Determine whether the duration for which the voltage signal remains high exceeds a third preset duration;

[0037] If the level signal remains high for more than a third preset duration, then a freezer door malfunction is determined.

[0038] In some embodiments, after determining that the ice maker's malfunction is an ice dispensing malfunction, the method further includes:

[0039] Obtain the operating current of the ice pusher motor of the ice maker;

[0040] Determine whether the operating current exceeds the preset current;

[0041] If the operating current exceeds the preset current, the ice-out fault is determined to be an ice-pushing fault.

[0042] A storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the aforementioned method for detecting faults in an ice maker.

[0043] An ice maker, comprising:

[0044] Distributor;

[0045] An ice storage box is equipped with an ice detection rod, which is used to detect the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box;

[0046] The controller, connected to the distributor and the ice probe, is used for:

[0047] When the self-test process of the ice maker is abnormal, determine whether the dispenser is faulty;

[0048] If the distributor is fault-free, then the switch status of the distributor is detected;

[0049] If the distributor is turned on, wait for the distributor to turn off and then determine whether the self-test process is abnormal again;

[0050] If the dispenser is turned off, the ice storage amount is obtained to determine the fault type of the ice maker.

[0051] The ice maker fault detection method, storage medium, and ice maker provided in this application embodiment, when the ice maker's self-test process is abnormal, if it is confirmed that the distributor is not faulty, first checks the switch status of the distributor. If the distributor is open, it indicates that the ice maker itself may not be faulty, but the abnormal self-test process is caused by the distributor being opened manually. In this case, the system waits for the distributor to close and then returns to check if the self-test process is abnormal again. If the distributor is closed, the fault type is initially determined by the ice storage volume. Through the above process, this application can first rule out the abnormal self-test process caused by the distributor being opened manually. Compared with the solution of sequentially checking the water injection component, ice making component, and ice dispensing component for faults when the self-test process is abnormal, this method can improve detection efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0052] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0053] To gain a more complete understanding of this application and its beneficial effects, the following description will be provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

[0054] Figure 1 This is a first flowchart of a fault detection method for an ice maker provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0055] Figure 2 This is a second flowchart of a fault detection method for an ice maker provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0056] Figure 3 A flowchart of a water injection failure detection method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0057] Figure 4 A flowchart of a method for detecting de-icing faults provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0058] Figure 5 A flowchart of a method for detecting freezing faults provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0059] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating the method for determining ice-pushing failure provided in this application embodiment.

[0060] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice-making refrigerator provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0061] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice maker provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0062] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0063] This application provides a fault detection method for an ice maker. The ice maker can be a stand-alone vertical or horizontal ice maker, or it can be an ice maker device placed inside the freezer compartment of a refrigerator. The fault detection method for the ice maker can be executed by the controller of the ice maker or the refrigerator equipped with an ice maker. For example, please refer to [link to example]. Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a first flowchart of a fault detection method for an ice maker provided in an embodiment of this application. The fault detection method includes the following steps S101-S104:

[0064] Step S101: If the ice maker's self-test process is abnormal, check if the ice maker's dispenser is faulty;

[0065] Among them, an abnormality in the ice maker's self-test process is, for example, the ice maker's initialization failure, which may be due to the ice maker's main control chip failing to initialize.

[0066] The dispenser of an ice maker is used to dispense the produced ice cubes. The dispenser has an ice dispensing valve; when the user presses or pushes this valve, the dispenser opens, dispensing the ice cubes. Dispenser malfunctions can include problems such as insufficient power, overload, circuit failure, signal interference, or the ice dispensing valve being frozen. Dispenser malfunction detection methods can include voltage sampling to check the power supply and signal strength, and sensor detection to check the ice dispensing valve's functionality.

[0067] Step S102: If the distributor is not faulty, check the switch status of the distributor;

[0068] It should be noted that, assuming the distributor is fault-free, detecting the switch status of the distributor is used to determine whether the distributor has been manually opened. By eliminating the possibility that the ice maker's self-test process is abnormal due to the distributor being manually opened, the efficiency and accuracy of ice maker fault detection can be improved.

[0069] Step S103: If the distributor is on, wait for the distributor to close and then check the self-test process again to see if it is abnormal.

[0070] Understandably, if the dispenser is detected to be open, it indicates that the ice maker's self-test process may be abnormal due to the dispenser being manually opened. Therefore, after the dispenser is detected to be closed, the process returns to re-evaluate whether the self-test process will be abnormal. If the self-test process is normal at this time, the problem is resolved; if the self-test process is still abnormal at this time, the process returns to the above step S101.

[0071] Step S104: If the distributor is off, obtain the ice storage capacity of the ice maker's ice storage box to determine the fault type of the ice maker.

[0072] Understandably, if the dispenser is off, it means the ice maker's self-test process malfunction wasn't caused by the dispenser being manually opened, and the detection of the fault causing the malfunction will continue. The ice storage box stores the ice produced by the ice maker's ice storage box. Under normal operating conditions, when the ice level in the storage box enters the preset ice level range, the ice maker is considered full and stops making ice. If the user removes ice, causing the storage level to decrease, the ice maker will start making ice again. Therefore, except for the preset time period immediately after ice is removed or immediately after the ice maker is turned on, if the ice level in the storage box is too high or too low, a malfunction can be identified. Furthermore, by obtaining the ice level in the ice storage box, the type of malfunction can be determined. Specifically, assuming the ice probe used to detect the ice level is functioning correctly, if the ice level in the storage box is too low, it can be identified as an ice-making malfunction; otherwise, it can be identified as an ice-dispensing malfunction.

[0073] The fault detection method for an ice maker provided in this application, when the self-test process of the ice maker is abnormal, if it is confirmed that the distributor is not faulty, first checks the switch status of the distributor. If the distributor is open, it indicates that the ice maker itself may not be faulty, but the abnormal self-test process is caused by the distributor being opened manually. In this case, the method waits for the distributor to close and then returns to check whether the self-test process is abnormal again. If the distributor is closed, the fault type is initially determined by the ice storage volume. Through the above process, this application can first rule out the abnormal self-test process caused by the distributor being opened manually. Compared with the solution of sequentially checking the water injection component, ice making component, and ice dispensing component for faults when the self-test process is abnormal, this method can improve detection efficiency.

[0074] For further details, please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a second flowchart of a fault detection method for an ice maker provided in an embodiment of this application. The fault detection method includes the following steps S201-S210:

[0075] Step S201: Check if the ice maker initialization is abnormal;

[0076] If initialization is successful, return to re-check for any abnormalities in initialization.

[0077] If an initialization error occurs, proceed to step S202 below.

[0078] Step S202: Check if the ice maker's dispenser is faulty;

[0079] If the distributor malfunctions, a distributor malfunction warning can be issued immediately. This warning can be issued by displaying a preset indicator on the control panel, such as E1.

[0080] If the distributor is not faulty, proceed to step S203 below.

[0081] Step S203: Check if the distributor is open;

[0082] If the distributor is open, wait for the distributor to close and then return to step S201 to re-check if the initialization is abnormal.

[0083] If the distributor is closed, proceed to step S204 below.

[0084] Step S204: Obtain the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box of the ice maker;

[0085] An ice maker may be equipped with an ice probe rod, which is used to periodically rotate and probe into the ice storage box. The probe rod is limited to different positions according to the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box. The control module is connected to the ice probe rod, and the control module determines the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box based on the position of the ice probe rod.

[0086] In some embodiments, before obtaining the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box, the method further includes detecting whether the ice probe is faulty. The method for detecting ice probe faults may include collecting the operating voltage of the ice probe to determine whether there is a circuit fault, signal fault, or power supply fault, and may also include detecting whether the sensor can move according to a preset path to determine whether the probe motor is faulty.

[0087] In some embodiments, before obtaining the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box of the ice maker, the method further includes: if it is detected that the ice maker has just taken ice or just turned on, the method can calculate the first time required for the ice storage box to reach a full state under normal working conditions based on the amount of ice stored after taking ice or just turned on, and wait for the first time before obtaining the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box of the ice maker.

[0088] Step S205: Determine whether the ice storage capacity is less than the first preset ice storage capacity;

[0089] It should be noted that the timing for obtaining the ice storage capacity can be limited to at least a first time interval since the last ice extraction. This first time interval can be calculated, for example, based on the first ice storage capacity at the time of the last ice extraction. The first preset ice storage capacity can be less than or equal to the full ice storage capacity of the ice storage box, but greater than the first preset ice storage capacity. Using this setting, if the detected ice storage capacity is less than the first preset ice storage capacity, it can be determined that the ice maker has failed to produce ice as it normally would.

[0090] For example, after the last ice dispensing, the ice maker's ice storage capacity decreases to a first ice storage capacity. The control module calculates based on this first ice storage capacity that the ice maker should reach a full ice state after at least a first time interval during normal operation. The first preset ice storage capacity is equal to the minimum threshold for a full ice storage capacity. However, if the ice storage capacity is still less than the first preset ice storage capacity after the first time interval following the last ice dispensing, the fault type is determined to be an ice-making fault, and step S206 is executed.

[0091] If the ice storage amount is greater than or equal to the first preset ice storage amount, the fault type is determined to be an ice discharge fault, and the following step S209 is executed.

[0092] Step S206: Determine whether the ice-making failure is a water injection failure;

[0093] Ice makers include a water filling assembly for filling the ice containers with water. Water filling malfunctions may be caused by factors such as blocked water filling channels or faulty water filling valves.

[0094] For example, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 The flowchart below shows a method for detecting water injection failure provided in an embodiment of this application. The method for detecting water injection failure includes the following steps S301-S303:

[0095] Step S301: Obtain the unit flow velocity of water at the water inlet during the water injection process;

[0096] Step S302: Determine whether the unit flow velocity is less than the preset flow velocity threshold;

[0097] Step S303: If the unit flow rate is less than the preset flow rate threshold, the fault type of the ice-making failure is determined to be a water injection failure.

[0098] Understandably, if the unit flow rate is greater than or equal to the preset flow rate threshold, then the following step S207 is executed.

[0099] Step S207: Determine whether the ice-making failure type is an ice-removal failure;

[0100] Ice removal failure can manifest as the ice removal motor failing to drive the ice maker to rotate as expected, resulting in the ice maker failing to remove ice properly. It can also manifest as the ice maker being damaged or deformed, resulting in a reduction in the amount of ice made or the inability to remove ice properly.

[0101] For example, please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 The flowchart illustrates a method for detecting de-icing faults provided in this application embodiment. The method includes the following steps S401-S405:

[0102] Step S401: Check if the ice maker is damaged or deformed;

[0103] If the ice maker is damaged or deformed, it will result in a reduced ice production or some ice trays failing to release ice, leading to insufficient ice storage. For example, the ice maker is equipped with a deformation detection device to detect whether the ice maker is deformed.

[0104] The deformation detection device includes, for example, a detection rod slidably disposed on the side wall of the ice maker. When the ice maker deforms, such as by denting or breaking, the detection rod's sliding is restricted. In other embodiments, the deformation detection device includes a camera module and a processing module. The camera module is used to capture images of the ice maker, and the processing module is used to determine whether the ice maker has deformed based on the captured images. For example, the processing module can create a three-dimensional model of the ice maker based on the images and compare the three-dimensional model with a pre-stored three-dimensional model to confirm whether the ice maker has deformed.

[0105] Step S402: If the ice maker is damaged or deformed, the ice-making failure type is determined to be an ice separation failure.

[0106] In some embodiments, an ice maker malfunction warning may also be issued. This warning may be issued by displaying a preset indicator on the control panel, such as E2.

[0107] If the ice maker is not damaged or deformed, proceed to step S402 below.

[0108] Step S403: If the ice container is not damaged or deformed, control the ice-removing motor to rotate for a first preset time, and obtain the first angle of rotation of the ice-removing motor within the first preset time.

[0109] An ice maker includes an ice-removing motor, whose shaft is connected to the ice container. The motor rotates to drive the ice container to rotate, thus removing ice from the container. If the ice-removing motor fails to drive the ice container to rotate as expected, the ice container will not remove ice properly, potentially resulting in insufficient ice storage.

[0110] Step S404: Determine whether the first angle has reached the first preset angle.

[0111] Step S405: If the first angle does not reach the first preset angle, the ice-making fault type is determined to be an ice-removal fault.

[0112] In some embodiments, a fault indication for the de-icing motor can also be issued. This fault indication can be issued by displaying a preset indicator on the control display panel, such as E3.

[0113] Understandably, if the first angle does not reach the first preset angle, then the following step S208 will be executed.

[0114] Step S208: Determine whether the ice-making failure type is a freezing failure;

[0115] If the ice-making fault is classified as a freezing fault, a corresponding fault message can be issued. If the ice-making fault is not classified as a freezing fault, the process returns to step S201.

[0116] It is understood that the embodiments provided in this application troubleshoot the faults sequentially in the order of water injection, ice removal, and freezing, and this order is related to the failure rate of water injection, ice removal, and freezing. However, in some other embodiments, the faults may be troubleshooted sequentially in other orders, such as ice removal, water injection, and freezing.

[0117] If the ice maker malfunctions, the water in the ice maker tray cannot freeze, thus preventing ice from being poured into the ice storage tray. As a result, the ice storage tray contains too little ice.

[0118] For example, please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a freezing fault detection method provided in an embodiment of this application. The ice-free fault detection method includes the following steps S501-S507:

[0119] Step S501: Obtain the first temperature of the ice maker;

[0120] Step S502: Determine whether the first temperature is higher than the preset temperature;

[0121] The preset temperature can be, for example, -18℃.

[0122] Step S503: If the first temperature is higher than the preset temperature, the ice-making fault is determined to be a freezing fault.

[0123] In some embodiments, if the first temperature is lower than the preset temperature, it is determined that there is no freezing fault, and the process can return to step S201.

[0124] In some embodiments, step S503 further includes: if the first temperature is higher than a preset temperature, then start timing; when the timing duration reaches a second preset duration, obtain the second temperature of the ice-making box; determine whether the second temperature is higher than the preset temperature; if the second temperature is higher than the preset temperature, then determine that the type of the ice-making failure is a freezing failure.

[0125] The cause of the freezing failure may be that the ice maker door or the freezer door of the refrigerator with an ice maker cannot be closed, or it may be a malfunction in the refrigeration system itself.

[0126] For example, an ice maker is installed in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator. The freezer compartment has a freezer door. The refrigerator includes a door opening sensor. The door opening sensor is used to feed back an electrical signal based on the open / closed state of the freezer door. When the freezer door is open, the electrical signal is high. After determining that the ice-making fault is a freezing fault, the following steps S504-S507 can be executed:

[0127] Step S504: Obtain the level signal of the door opening sensor;

[0128] Step S505: Determine whether the duration for which the signal remains high exceeds the third preset duration;

[0129] Step S506: If the level signal remains high for more than the third preset duration, then a freezer door malfunction is determined;

[0130] In some embodiments, a freezer door malfunction warning may be issued. This warning may be issued by displaying a preset indicator on the control display panel, such as E4.

[0131] Step S507: If the duration of the high-level signal does not exceed the third preset duration, it is determined that the refrigeration system of the ice maker or refrigerator is abnormal.

[0132] Step S209: Determine whether the ice fault type is an ice-pushing fault.

[0133] If the fault type of the ice-out fault is ice-pushing fault, an ice-pushing fault prompt can be issued. Specifically, the control module can control the display panel to display a preset indicator, such as E5, to issue an ice-pushing fault prompt.

[0134] If the ice-out fault type is not an ice-pushing fault, then proceed to step S210 below. In some embodiments, if the ice-out fault type is not an ice-pushing fault, the fault type can also be directly determined to be an ice-breaking fault.

[0135] Ice pushing failure may be caused by a faulty ice pushing motor or frozen ice in the ice storage box. Therefore, the presence of an ice pushing failure can be determined by checking the operating current of the ice pushing motor.

[0136] For example, see Figure 6 , Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining ice-pushing failure provided in an embodiment of this application. The ice maker also includes an ice-pushing screw, an ice-pushing motor, and an ice-crushing motor. The ice-pushing screw is disposed within an ice storage box and connected to the ice-pushing motor. The ice-pushing screw rotates under the drive of the ice-pushing motor to push ice from the ice storage box into the ice-crushing chamber. The ice-crushing chamber is equipped with ice-crushing blades, which are connected to the ice-crushing motor and rotate under the drive of the ice-crushing motor to push ice, either as whole ice or crushed ice, to the dispenser. The method for determining ice-pushing failure includes the following steps S601-S603:

[0137] Step S601: Obtain the operating current of the ice pusher motor;

[0138] The operating current can be the average operating current of the ice pusher motor within the fourth preset time period.

[0139] Step S602: Determine whether the operating current exceeds the preset current;

[0140] Step S603: If the operating current exceeds the preset current, the type of ice-breaking fault is determined to be an ice-pushing fault.

[0141] If the operating current does not exceed the preset current, then the following step S210 is executed.

[0142] Step S210: Determine whether the ice fault type is ice breakage fault.

[0143] Ice-crushing malfunctions typically manifest as a faulty ice-crushing motor or damaged ice-crushing blades, preventing the ice maker from crushing ice properly. Understandably, one can determine if the ice-crushing motor is faulty by checking its operating current, and determine if the ice-crushing blades are damaged by checking their shape or the size of the ice pieces.

[0144] If there is no ice-breaking fault, return to step S201. If there is an ice-breaking fault, an ice-breaking fault prompt can be issued. Similarly, the control module can control the display panel to display a preset indicator, such as E6, to issue an ice-breaking fault prompt. Understandably, one can rule out ice-breaking faults first, and then determine ice-pushing faults.

[0145] The fault detection method for an ice maker provided in this application quickly and initially determines the first-level fault type—namely, ice dispensing fault or ice-making fault—by measuring the ice storage capacity of the ice storage box. Then, based on the first-level fault type, it determines the second-level fault type—namely, ice pushing fault, ice crushing fault, ice detachment fault, or freezing fault. Furthermore, it can further determine the fault of a specific component of the ice maker based on the second-level fault type. This detection method improves the efficiency of fault detection, and by issuing specific fault prompts based on the detection results, it enhances the maintenance efficiency of the ice maker.

[0146] This application also provides a storage medium storing a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the above-described method for detecting faults in an ice maker.

[0147] This application also provides an ice maker, which is installed, for example, in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator. The refrigerator equipped with the ice maker can be as follows: Figure 7 The ice-making refrigerator 10 is shown. See, for example, the following... Figure 8 , Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ice maker provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0148] The ice maker 100 includes a dispenser 110, an ice storage box 120, and a controller 130.

[0149] Dispenser 110 is used to dispense the prepared ice cubes. The dispenser is equipped with an ice dispensing valve, which is opened when the user presses or pushes the ice dispensing valve, thus dispensing the ice cubes from the dispenser.

[0150] The ice storage box 120 is used to store the produced ice blocks. The ice storage box 120 is equipped with an ice probe 121, which is used to detect the amount of ice stored in the ice storage box.

[0151] The controller 130 is connected to the distributor 110 and the ice probe 121. It is used to determine whether the distributor 110 is faulty when the self-test process of the ice maker 100 is abnormal. If the distributor 110 is not faulty, the controller detects the on / off status of the distributor 110. If the distributor 110 is on, the controller waits for the distributor 110 to be closed before re-determining whether the self-test process is abnormal. If the distributor 110 is closed, the controller obtains the ice storage amount to determine the fault type of the ice maker 100.

[0152] The ice maker provided in this application embodiment, when encountering an abnormal self-test process, if the distributor is confirmed to be fault-free, first checks the distributor's on / off status. If the distributor is open, it indicates that the ice maker itself may not be faulty, but the abnormal self-test process is caused by the distributor being manually opened. The system then waits for the distributor to close before re-checking whether the self-test process is abnormal. Only if the distributor is closed does the system preliminarily determine the fault type based on the ice storage capacity. This process effectively eliminates self-test process abnormalities caused by the distributor being manually opened, improving detection efficiency compared to sequentially checking the water injection component, ice-making component, and ice dispensing component for faults during a self-test process abnormality.

[0153] The above provides a detailed description of the fault detection method, storage medium, and ice maker for the ice maker provided in the embodiments of this application. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the ideas of this application. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

Claims

1. A method of detecting a failure of an ice maker, the method comprising: The method comprises the following steps: when the self-checking process of the ice maker is abnormal, detecting whether the dispenser of the ice maker is faulty; if the dispenser is not faulty, detecting the switch state of the dispenser; if the dispenser is open, waiting for the dispenser to close and then determining whether the self-checking process is abnormal again; if the dispenser is closed, obtaining the ice storage amount of the ice storage box of the ice maker to determine the fault type of the ice maker; wherein, the step of obtaining the ice storage amount of the ice storage box of the ice maker to determine the fault type comprises: obtaining the ice storage amount of the ice storage box of the ice maker; determining whether the ice storage amount is less than a first preset ice storage amount; if the ice storage amount is less than the first preset ice storage amount, determining that the fault type of the ice maker is ice making failure; if the ice storage amount is greater than or equal to the first preset ice storage amount, determining that the fault type of the ice maker is ice ejection failure; wherein, the first preset ice storage amount is less than or equal to the full ice storage amount when the ice storage box is in a full ice state.

2. The ice maker failure detection method according to claim 1, wherein after determining that the fault type of the ice maker is ice making failure, further comprising: determining whether the fault type of the ice making failure is water injection failure; if the fault type of the ice making failure is not water injection failure, determining whether the fault type of the ice making failure is ice ejection failure; if the fault type of the ice making failure is not ice ejection failure, determining whether the fault type of the ice making failure is freezing failure; if the fault type of the ice making failure is not freezing failure, re-detecting whether the self-checking process is abnormal.

3. The ice maker failure detection method according to claim 2, wherein determining whether the fault type of the ice making failure is ice ejection failure comprises: controlling the ice ejection motor of the ice maker to rotate for a first preset time length and obtaining a first angle rotated by the ice ejection motor within the first preset time length; determining whether the first angle reaches a first preset angle; if the first angle does not reach the first preset angle, determining that the fault type of the ice making failure is ice ejection failure.

4. The ice maker failure detection method according to claim 2, characterized by, determining whether the fault type of the ice making failure is freezing failure comprises: obtaining a first temperature of the ice making box of the ice maker; determining whether the first temperature is higher than a preset temperature; if the first temperature is higher than the preset temperature, determining that the fault type of the ice making failure is freezing failure.

5. The ice maker failure detection method according to claim 4, wherein if the first temperature is higher than the preset temperature, determining that the fault type of the ice making failure is freezing failure comprises: if the first temperature is higher than the preset temperature, starting timing; when the timing duration reaches a second preset time length, obtaining a second temperature of the ice making box; determining whether the second temperature is higher than the preset temperature; if the second temperature is higher than the preset temperature, determining that the fault type of the ice making failure is freezing failure.

6. The ice maker failure detection method according to claim 4, wherein The ice maker is arranged in a freezing chamber of a refrigerator, the freezing chamber is provided with a freezing door, the refrigerator comprises an opening door sensor, the opening door sensor is used to feed back a level signal according to the switch state of the freezing door, the level signal is high level when the freezing door is opened, and after determining that the fault type of the ice making failure is freezing failure, further comprising: obtaining the level signal; determining whether the duration that the level signal remains high level exceeds a third preset time length; If the time length that the level signal keeps high level exceeds a third preset time length, it is determined that the freezing door is faulty.

7. The ice maker malfunction detection method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by, After determining that the fault type of the ice maker is the ice-out fault, the method further comprises: acquiring a working current of an ice-ejecting motor of the ice maker; determining whether the working current exceeds a preset current; if the working current exceeds the preset current, determining that the type of the ice-out fault is an ice-ejecting fault.

8. A storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, characterized in that The computer program is executed by a processor to implement the fault detection method of the ice maker according to any one of claims 1-7.

9. An ice maker characterized by, comprises: a dispenser; an ice storage box, which is internally provided with an ice detecting rod for detecting an ice storage amount of the ice storage box; a controller, which is connected with the dispenser and the ice detecting rod, and is used for: determining whether the dispenser is faulty when a self-checking process of the ice maker is abnormal; if the dispenser is not faulty, detecting a switch state of the dispenser; if the dispenser is opened, waiting for the dispenser to be closed and then determining whether the self-checking process is abnormal again; if the dispenser is closed, acquiring the ice storage amount to determine a fault type of the ice maker; wherein the acquiring of the ice storage amount of the ice storage box of the ice maker to determine the fault type comprises: acquiring the ice storage amount of the ice storage box of the ice maker; determining whether the ice storage amount is less than a first preset ice storage amount; if the ice storage amount is less than the first preset ice storage amount, determining that the fault type of the ice maker is an ice-making fault; if the ice storage amount is greater than or equal to the first preset ice storage amount, determining that the fault type of the ice maker is an ice-out fault; wherein the first preset ice storage amount is less than or equal to a full-ice ice storage amount when the ice storage box is in a full-ice state.

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