Refrigerator and control method of ice maker thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a refrigerator and a control method of an ice maker thereof, the refrigerator comprises a box body, a refrigerating system, the ice maker and a controller, the refrigerating system is arranged in the box body and comprises a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a fan; the ice maker is arranged in the compartment, pressure sensors are arranged below an ice outlet and a water outlet of the ice maker, and the water outlet is connected with a water source through an ice water valve; the controller is configured to respond to ice water taking operation of a user, and when a first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is larger than a first pressure threshold value, the ice outlet is opened; when the difference value between the second pressure value and the first pressure value is larger than a second pressure threshold value, the ice outlet is closed, and the water outlet is opened until the difference value between the third pressure value and the second pressure value is larger than a third pressure threshold value, and the water outlet is closed. According to the refrigerator, ice taking and water taking can be achieved at the same time, the ice taking amount and the water taking amount can be controlled, a water storage tank does not need to be preset, the refrigerator volume is effectively increased, the material cost is reduced, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of refrigerators, and in particular to a refrigerator and a control method for an ice maker thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, smart home has become an inevitable development trend. As an indispensable tool for modern home life, refrigerators have become an important part of smart home, and users have higher and higher requirements for the intelligence and performance of refrigerators. At present, refrigerators with ice makers can only use ice and water separately. When users take ice, they press the ice function button through the display panel button; when taking water, they press the water button. However, when users want to take ice and water at the same time, the existing design cannot meet the requirements, and the current water function usually pre-installs a water storage tank in the refrigerator's refrigerator compartment in order to provide users with ice water, which not only takes up space but also increases costs. Summary of the invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a control method for a refrigerator and an ice maker thereof, which can realize simultaneous ice and water taking, and can control the amount of ice and water taken, without the need for pre-installed water storage tanks, thereby effectively increasing the volume of the refrigerator, reducing material costs, and improving user experience.

[0004] A refrigerator provided in a first embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0005] The box body, which serves as the supporting structure of the refrigerator, has several compartments inside;

[0006] A refrigeration system, which is arranged in the box, includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a fan;

[0007] The compressor is used to provide power for the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator, compressing the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas;

[0008] The condenser is used to condense and dissipate heat of high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas, and cool the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas into a normal-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid;

[0009] The evaporator is used to evaporate and absorb heat from a normal temperature and high pressure refrigerant liquid, and vaporize the normal temperature and high pressure refrigerant liquid into a low temperature and low pressure gas;

[0010] The fan is used to allow air to enter the evaporator of the refrigerator for heat exchange and to send the heat-released air into the refrigerator compartment;

[0011] An ice maker is arranged in the compartment, an ice outlet and a water outlet of the ice maker are arranged outside the box, a pressure sensor is arranged below the ice outlet and the water outlet, and the water outlet is connected to a water source through an ice water valve;

[0012] The controller is configured to, in response to a user's ice and water taking operation, open the ice outlet when a first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than a first pressure threshold; close the ice outlet and open the water outlet when a difference between a second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than a second pressure threshold, until a difference between a third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than a third pressure threshold, and then close the water outlet.

[0013] In the refrigerator provided by the second embodiment of the present invention, the controller is further configured as follows:

[0014] If the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is not greater than the first pressure threshold, it is determined that the water cup is not placed or is not placed properly, and a reminder signal is sent to the user.

[0015] In the refrigerator provided by the third embodiment of the present invention, the second pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, the third pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, and the second pressure threshold and the third pressure threshold are both positively correlated with the capacity of the water cup.

[0016] In the refrigerator provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the controller is further configured as follows:

[0017] If the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is not greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, and then the ice outlet is closed, the ice water valve is opened, and the water outlet is opened.

[0018] In the refrigerator provided in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the controller is further configured as follows:

[0019] If the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is not greater than the third pressure threshold, the water outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, and then the ice water valve is closed to close the water outlet.

[0020] A control method for a refrigerator ice maker is provided in a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The method is applied to a refrigerator including a box, a refrigeration system and an ice maker; wherein the ice maker is arranged in the compartment, an ice outlet and a water outlet of the ice maker are arranged on the outside of the box, a pressure sensor is arranged below the ice outlet and the water outlet, and the water outlet is connected to a water source through an ice water valve. The control method for the refrigerator ice maker includes:

[0021] In response to the user's operation of taking ice and water, when the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than a first pressure threshold, the ice outlet is opened;

[0022] When the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than a second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is closed and the water outlet is opened; until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than a third pressure threshold, the water outlet is closed.

[0023] In the control method of the refrigerator ice maker provided in the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes:

[0024] If the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is not greater than the first pressure threshold, it is determined that the water cup is not placed or is not placed properly, and a reminder signal is sent to the user.

[0025] In the control method of the refrigerator ice maker provided in the eighth embodiment of the present invention, the second pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, the third pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, and the second pressure threshold and the third pressure threshold are both positively correlated with the capacity of the water cup.

[0026] In the control method of the refrigerator ice maker provided in the ninth embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes:

[0027] If the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is not greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, and then the ice outlet is closed, the ice water valve is opened, and the water outlet is opened.

[0028] In the control method of the refrigerator ice maker provided in the tenth embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes:

[0029] If the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is not greater than the third pressure threshold, the water outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, and then the ice water valve is closed to close the water outlet.

[0030] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effect of a refrigerator and a control method for its ice maker provided by an embodiment of the present invention is that: by setting a pressure sensor below the ice outlet and water outlet of the refrigerator ice maker, the water outlet is connected to the water source through an ice water valve. In response to the user's ice and water extraction operation, when the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than the first pressure threshold, the ice outlet is opened; when the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is closed and the water outlet is opened until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, and then the water outlet is closed. The embodiment of the present invention can realize simultaneous ice extraction and water extraction, and can control the amount of ice extraction and water extraction, and does not require a pre-installed water storage tank, which effectively increases the volume of the refrigerator, reduces material costs, and improves user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a refrigerator body provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a single refrigeration system of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of a dual refrigeration system of a refrigerator provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of an ice maker for a refrigerator provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 6 is a front view of an ice maker for a refrigerator provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the position of an ice water valve of an ice maker of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of electrical connections of various components in a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Fig. 9 This is a working flow diagram of a controller in a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Fig.10 The present invention is a flowchart of a method for controlling an ice maker in a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0043] The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0044] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0045] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 : is a schematic diagram of the structure of a refrigerator provided in one embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator provided in the embodiment of the present invention comprises:

[0046] The box body 10, which serves as the supporting structure of the refrigerator, is provided with a plurality of compartments inside;

[0047] A refrigeration system 20, which is arranged in the box, includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a fan;

[0048] The compressor is used to provide power for the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator, compressing the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas;

[0049] The condenser is used to condense and dissipate heat of high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas, and cool the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas into a normal-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid;

[0050] The evaporator is used to evaporate and absorb heat from a normal temperature and high pressure refrigerant liquid, and vaporize the normal temperature and high pressure refrigerant liquid into a low temperature and low pressure gas;

[0051] The fan is used to allow air to enter the evaporator of the refrigerator for heat exchange and to send the heat-released air into the refrigerator compartment;

[0052] An ice maker 30 is disposed in the compartment, an ice outlet and a water outlet of the ice maker are disposed outside the box 10, a pressure sensor is disposed below the ice outlet and the water outlet, and the water outlet is connected to a water source through an ice water valve;

[0053] The controller 40 is configured to, in response to the user's ice and water taking operation, open the ice outlet when the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than a first pressure threshold; close the ice outlet and open the water outlet when the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, and then close the water outlet.

[0054] Specifically, a refrigerator provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 10, a refrigeration system 20, an ice maker 30 and a controller 40. Figure 2 , Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of a refrigerator body provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The refrigerator in this embodiment has an approximately rectangular shape, and the refrigerator includes a body 10 that defines a storage space. The body 10 serves as a supporting structure of the refrigerator, and is provided with a chamber inside, wherein the chamber includes a component storage cavity for placing components in the refrigerator, such as a compressor, etc., and also includes a storage space for storing food, etc. The storage space can be divided into a plurality of storage rooms (i.e., compartments), and the storage rooms can be configured as a refrigeration room, a freezing room, and a temperature-changing room (also called a fresh-keeping room) according to different uses. One or more door bodies 200 are provided at the opening of each storage room, for example, Figure 2 The upper storage room is a cold storage room, which is provided with a double-opening door body. The door body 200 includes a door body outer shell 210 located outside the box body 10, a door body inner liner 220 located inside the box body 10, an upper end cover 230, a lower end cover 240, and an insulation layer located between the door body outer shell 210, the door body inner liner 220, the upper end cover 230, and the lower end cover 240; usually, the insulation layer is filled with foam material. The door body can be pivotally arranged at the opening of the box body, and can also be opened in a drawer-like manner to achieve drawer-like storage.

[0055] The refrigerator performs refrigeration operation through the refrigeration system, providing cold energy to the compartment so as to maintain the compartment at a constant low temperature. Specifically, the refrigeration system of the refrigerator in this embodiment can be a single refrigeration system or a dual refrigeration system. Figure 3 , Figure 3 The single refrigeration system of a refrigerator provided in one embodiment of the present invention is a schematic diagram of the structure. The single refrigeration system of the refrigerator described in the embodiment of the present invention comprises a compressor 1, a condenser 2, an anti-condensation tube 3, a drying filter 4, a capillary tube 5, an evaporator 6 and a gas-liquid separator 7, and the working structure of the refrigeration system includes a compression process, a condensation process, a throttling process and an evaporation process.

[0056] The compression process is as follows: plug in the power cord of the refrigerator, and when the refrigerator needs to be cooled, the compressor 1 starts to work, and the low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant is sucked into the compressor, compressed into high-temperature and high-pressure superheated gas in the cylinder of the compressor 1, and then discharged to the condenser 2;

[0057] The condensation process is as follows: the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas dissipates heat through the condenser 2, the temperature continues to drop, and is gradually cooled to a saturated vapor at room temperature and high pressure, and further cooled to a saturated liquid, the temperature no longer drops. The temperature at this time is called the condensation temperature, and the pressure of the refrigerant remains almost unchanged during the entire condensation process;

[0058] The throttling process is as follows: the condensed refrigerant saturated liquid is filtered through the drying filter 4 to remove moisture and impurities and then flows into the capillary 5, through which the throttling and pressure reduction are carried out, and the refrigerant becomes wet steam at room temperature and low pressure;

[0059] The evaporation process is as follows: the refrigerant begins to absorb heat and vaporize in the evaporator 6, which not only reduces the temperature of the evaporator and its surroundings, but also turns the refrigerant into a low-temperature, low-pressure gas. The refrigerant coming out of the evaporator 6 passes through the gas-liquid separator 7 and returns to the compressor 1 again. The above process is repeated to transfer the heat in the refrigerator to the air outside the box, thereby achieving the purpose of refrigeration.

[0060] The fan allows air to continuously enter the fins of the evaporator 6 for heat exchange, and at the same time sends the air that becomes cold after the evaporator 6 releases heat to the refrigerator room through the air duct, so that the air in the room continuously circulates and flows, achieving the purpose of lowering the temperature.

[0061] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4: is a structural schematic diagram of a dual refrigeration system of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The dual refrigeration system of the refrigerator described in the embodiment of the present invention includes a compressor 21 for compressing the refrigerant, a first capillary tube 14a and a second capillary tube 14b for decompressing the refrigerant, a refrigeration evaporator 15a and a freezing evaporator 15b as heat absorption mechanisms, a three-way valve 17 for controlling the refrigerant flow path, a one-way valve 18 for preventing the refrigerant from flowing back, a dryer 19 for removing moisture in the refrigeration cycle, and a refrigerant junction 13 for connecting the refrigerant flow path, which are connected by a pipe 20 to circulate the refrigerant to form a refrigeration cycle. In this process, the fans 12a and 12b respectively provided for each storage room are used to speed up the air flow rate, thereby speeding up the speed at which the refrigeration evaporator and the freezing evaporator absorb heat and improving the refrigeration speed of the storage room. Among them, the three-way valve 17 has a first outflow port 17a and a second outflow port 17b. When the three-way valve 17 is controlled to open the first outflow port 17a, the refrigerant flows sequentially through the first capillary tube 14a, the refrigeration evaporator 15a, the gas-liquid separator 16a, and the refrigerant junction 13, and then returns to the compressor 21. After passing through the first capillary tube 14a, the low-pressure and low-temperature refrigerant flows through the refrigeration evaporator 15a, performs heat exchange with the refrigeration evaporator 15a and the air in the refrigeration chamber 110, and refrigerates the refrigeration chamber 110. Similarly, when the three-way valve 17 is controlled to open the second outflow port 17b, the refrigerant flows sequentially through the second capillary tube 14b, the freezing evaporator 15b, the gas-liquid separator 16b, and the refrigerant junction 13, and then returns to the compressor 21. After passing through the second capillary tube 14b, the low-pressure and low-temperature refrigerant flows through the freezing evaporator 15b, performs heat exchange with the freezing evaporator 15b and the air in the freezing chamber 120, and refrigerates the freezing chamber 120.

[0062] See also Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 5 is a structural schematic diagram of an ice maker for a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 This is a front view of an ice maker of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker 30 is arranged in the compartment, and the ice outlet 31 and the water outlet 32 ​​of the ice maker are arranged on the outside of the box 10. A storage table is arranged below the ice outlet 31 and the water outlet 32, and a pressure sensor 33 is arranged on the storage table. The pressure sensor 33 is used to detect the weight signal of the water cup placed on the storage table. The water outlet is directly connected to the water source through the ice water valve, and there is no need to pre-install a water storage tank inside the box. Please refer to Figure 7 , Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the position of the ice water valve of the ice maker of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the ice water valve can be located inside or outside the refrigerator, and usually has a water inlet connected to the user's water source, and the water outlets are respectively an ice making path and a drinking water path. The ice making path is used to supply water to the door ice maker, and the drinking water path is used for drinking water. In the embodiment of the present invention, a display panel can also be set above the ice outlet and the water outlet, and the display panel is provided with function buttons, such as ice taking, water taking, ice water taking, etc. Please refer to Figure 8 , Figure 8 The present invention is a schematic diagram of electrical connections of various components in a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention. When a user places a water cup on a storage table and presses the ice water dispensing button, the display panel transmits a signal to the main control panel, and the main control panel starts the ice water dispensing program in response to the user's ice water dispensing operation. At the same time, the pressure sensor detects the weight signal of the water cup and converts it into an electrical signal and sends it to the main control panel. After the main control panel collects the electrical signal, it performs a comparative analysis. When the analyzed and collected electrical signal is greater than a preset value, a corresponding action is performed. The main control panel can control the opening and closing of the ice water valve to control the water dispensing. The main control panel can control the action of the ice outlet motor to control the ice dispensing. When the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than the first pressure threshold, the ice outlet is opened to start dispensing ice. When the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is closed, and the water outlet is opened to start dispensing water until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, and then the water outlet is closed.

[0063] The embodiment of the present invention can realize simultaneous ice and water extraction, and can control the amount of ice and water extracted, without the need for pre-installing a water storage tank, thereby effectively increasing the volume of the refrigerator, reducing material costs, and improving user experience.

[0064] As one of the optional embodiments, the controller is further configured to:

[0065] If the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is not greater than the first pressure threshold, it is determined that the water cup is not placed or is not placed properly, and a reminder signal is sent to the user.

[0066] For details, please refer to Fig. 9 , Fig. 9This is a workflow diagram of a controller in a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, when a user places a water cup on the storage table and presses the ice water dispensing button, the display panel transmits a signal to the main control panel, and the main control panel starts the ice water dispensing program in response to the user's ice water dispensing operation. At the same time, the pressure sensor detects the weight signal of the water cup and converts it into an electrical signal and sends it to the main control panel. After collecting the electrical signal, the main control panel performs a comparative analysis. When the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than the first pressure threshold, the ice outlet is opened to start dispensing ice. If the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is not greater than the first pressure threshold, it is determined that the water cup is not placed or is not placed in place at this time, and a reminder signal is sent to the user. For example, the main control panel transmits this information to the display panel, and reminds the user to place the water cup by flashing the display panel.

[0067] As one of the optional embodiments, the second pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, the third pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, and the second pressure threshold and the third pressure threshold are both positively correlated with the capacity of the water cup.

[0068] Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first pressure threshold is a preset weight of the water cup, the second pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, and the third pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, and the second pressure threshold and the third pressure threshold are both positively correlated with the capacity of the water cup.

[0069] As one of the optional embodiments, the controller is further configured to:

[0070] If the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is not greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, and then the ice outlet is closed, the ice water valve is opened, and the water outlet is opened.

[0071] Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is closed, the water outlet is opened and water starts to be discharged. If the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is not greater than the second pressure threshold, it means that the amount of ice taken is insufficient at this time, and the ice outlet needs to be continuously opened until the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, then the ice outlet is closed, the ice water valve is opened, and the water outlet is opened to start water discharge.

[0072] As one of the optional embodiments, the controller is further configured to:

[0073] If the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is not greater than the third pressure threshold, the water outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, and then the ice water valve is closed to close the water outlet.

[0074] Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is closed, the ice water valve is opened, and the water outlet is opened to start discharging water. If the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is not greater than the third pressure threshold, it means that the water intake is insufficient at this time, and the water outlet needs to be continuously opened until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, then the ice water valve is closed and the water outlet is closed.

[0075] Exemplarily, when the refrigerator is just powered on, the main control board collects the pressure sensor signal and records it as M0. M0 is the weight signal when there is no water cup on the storage table. When the user places the water cup and presses the ice water button, the main control board collects the pressure sensor signal M1 and compares M1 with M0. If M1≤M0, it is considered that the water cup is not placed or is not placed in place. The main control board transmits this judgment information to the display panel, and the display panel prompts the user to check the placement of the water cup by flashing the light. If M1>M0, it is considered that the water cup is placed in place, and the main control board controls the ice outlet motor to operate, open the ice outlet, and let the ice cubes fall into the water cup. At the same time, the main control board collects the pressure sensor signal M2 and compares M2-M1 with MS1. When M2-M1<MS1, ice continues to be discharged. When M2-M1≥MS1, the main control board controls the ice outlet motor to close the ice outlet, stop discharging ice, and control the ice water valve to open, and the water dispenser discharges water. At the same time, the main control board collects the pressure sensor signal M3 and compares M3-M2 with MS2. When M3-M2<MS2, water continues to flow out. When M3-M2≥MS2, the main control board controls the ice water valve to close, stops water flow, and the process ends.

[0076] See also Fig.10 , Fig.10The present invention is a flowchart of a method for controlling an ice maker in a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of the present invention also provides a control method for a refrigerator ice maker, which is applied to a refrigerator including a box, a refrigeration system and an ice maker; wherein the box is provided with a plurality of compartments; the refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a fan; the compressor is used to provide power for the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator, compressing a low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas; the condenser is used to condense and dissipate heat for the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas, and cool the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas into a normal-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid; the evaporator is used to evaporate and absorb heat for the normal-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid, and vaporize the normal-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid into a low-temperature, low-pressure gas; the fan is used to allow air to enter the evaporator of the refrigerator for heat exchange and send the heat-released air into the refrigerator compartment; the ice maker is arranged in the compartment, an ice outlet and a water outlet of the ice maker are arranged on the outside of the box, a pressure sensor is arranged below the ice outlet and the water outlet, and the water outlet is connected to a water source through an ice water valve, and the control method for the refrigerator ice maker includes:

[0077] S1, in response to a user's ice water taking operation, when a first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than a first pressure threshold, opening the ice outlet;

[0078] S2: When the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than a second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is closed and the water outlet is opened; until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than a third pressure threshold, the water outlet is closed.

[0079] In the embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker is arranged in the room, the ice outlet and water outlet of the ice maker are arranged on the outside of the box, a storage table is arranged below the ice outlet and the water outlet, a pressure sensor is arranged on the storage table, the pressure sensor is used to detect the weight signal of the water cup placed on the storage table, the water outlet is directly connected to the water source through the ice water valve, and there is no need to pre-install a water storage tank inside the box. It should be noted that the ice water valve can be located inside or outside the refrigerator, usually with a water inlet connected to the user's water source, and the water outlets are respectively an ice making path and a drinking water path, the ice making path is used to supply water to the door ice maker, and the drinking water path is used for drinking water. In the embodiment of the present invention, a display panel can also be arranged above the ice outlet and the water outlet, and function buttons are arranged on the display panel, such as ice taking, water taking, ice water taking, etc. When the user places the water cup on the storage table and presses the ice water taking button, the display panel transmits a signal to the main control board, and the main control board starts the ice water dispensing program in response to the user's ice water taking operation. At the same time, the pressure sensor detects the weight signal of the water cup and converts it into an electrical signal and sends it to the main control board. After the main control board collects the electrical signal, it performs comparative analysis. When the collected electrical signal is greater than the preset value, the corresponding action is performed. The main control board can control the opening and closing of the ice water valve to control the water output. The main control board can control the action of the ice outlet motor to control the ice output. When the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than the first pressure threshold, the ice outlet is opened to start ice output. When the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is closed, the water outlet is opened to start water output, until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, then the water outlet is closed.

[0080] The embodiment of the present invention can realize simultaneous ice and water extraction, and can control the amount of ice and water extracted, without the need for pre-installing a water storage tank, thereby effectively increasing the volume of the refrigerator, reducing material costs, and improving user experience.

[0081] As an optional embodiment, the method further includes:

[0082] If the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is not greater than the first pressure threshold, it is determined that the water cup is not placed or is not placed properly, and a reminder signal is sent to the user.

[0083] Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the user places a water cup on the storage table and presses the ice water button, the display panel transmits a signal to the main control panel, and the main control panel starts the ice water dispensing program in response to the user's ice water dispensing operation. At the same time, the pressure sensor detects the weight signal of the water cup and converts it into an electrical signal and sends it to the main control panel. After the main control panel collects the electrical signal, it performs a comparative analysis. When the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than the first pressure threshold, the ice outlet is opened to start dispensing ice. If the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is not greater than the first pressure threshold, it is determined that the water cup is not placed or is not placed in place at this time, and a reminder signal is sent to the user. For example, the main control panel transmits this information to the display panel, and reminds the user to place the water cup by flashing the display panel.

[0084] As one of the optional embodiments, the second pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, the third pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, and the second pressure threshold and the third pressure threshold are both positively correlated with the capacity of the water cup.

[0085] Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first pressure threshold is a preset weight of the water cup, the second pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, and the third pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, and the second pressure threshold and the third pressure threshold are both positively correlated with the capacity of the water cup.

[0086] As an optional embodiment, the method further includes:

[0087] If the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is not greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, and then the ice outlet is closed, the ice water valve is opened, and the water outlet is opened.

[0088] Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is closed, the water outlet is opened and water starts to be discharged. If the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is not greater than the second pressure threshold, it means that the amount of ice taken is insufficient at this time, and the ice outlet needs to be continuously opened until the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, then the ice outlet is closed, the ice water valve is opened, and the water outlet is opened to start water discharge.

[0089] As an optional embodiment, the method further includes:

[0090] If the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is not greater than the third pressure threshold, the water outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, and then the ice water valve is closed to close the water outlet.

[0091] Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is closed, the ice water valve is opened, and the water outlet is opened to start discharging water. If the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is not greater than the third pressure threshold, it means that the water intake is insufficient at this time, and the water outlet needs to be continuously opened until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, then the ice water valve is closed and the water outlet is closed.

[0092] The embodiment of the present invention provides a control method for a refrigerator and its ice maker, by arranging a pressure sensor below the ice outlet and water outlet of the refrigerator ice maker, and connecting the water outlet to a water source through an ice water valve. In response to the user's operation of taking ice and water, when the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than the first pressure threshold, the ice outlet is opened; when the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is closed and the water outlet is opened, until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, then the water outlet is closed. The embodiment of the present invention can realize simultaneous ice and water taking, and can control the amount of ice and water taken, and does not require a pre-installed water storage tank, which effectively increases the volume of the refrigerator, reduces material costs, and improves user experience.

[0093] It should be noted that the system embodiment described above is merely illustrative, wherein the units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or they may be distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the modules may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the scheme of this embodiment. In addition, in the drawings of the system embodiment provided by the present invention, the connection relationship between the modules indicates that there is a communication connection between them, which may be specifically implemented as one or more communication buses or signal lines. A person of ordinary skill in the art may understand and implement it without paying any creative effort.

[0094] The above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that a person skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the principle of the present invention. These improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that: include: The box body, which serves as the supporting structure of the refrigerator, has several compartments inside; A refrigeration system, which is arranged in the box, includes a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and a fan; The compressor is used to provide power for the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator, compressing the low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas; The condenser is used to condense and dissipate heat of high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas, and cool the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas into a normal-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant liquid; The evaporator is used to evaporate and absorb heat from a normal temperature and high pressure refrigerant liquid, and vaporize the normal temperature and high pressure refrigerant liquid into a low temperature and low pressure gas; The fan is used to allow air to enter the evaporator of the refrigerator for heat exchange and to send the heat-released air into the refrigerator compartment; An ice maker is arranged in the compartment, an ice outlet and a water outlet of the ice maker are arranged outside the box, a pressure sensor is arranged below the ice outlet and the water outlet, and the water outlet is connected to a water source through an ice water valve; The controller is configured to, in response to a user's ice and water taking operation, open the ice outlet when a first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than a first pressure threshold; close the ice outlet and open the water outlet when a difference between a second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than a second pressure threshold, until a difference between a third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than a third pressure threshold, and then close the water outlet.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller is also configured to: If the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is not greater than the first pressure threshold, it is determined that the water cup is not placed or is not placed properly, and a reminder signal is sent to the user.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, the third pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, and the second pressure threshold and the third pressure threshold are both positively correlated with the capacity of the water cup.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, characterized in that: The controller is also configured to: If the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is not greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, and then the ice outlet is closed, the ice water valve is opened, and the water outlet is opened.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, characterized in that: The controller is also configured to: If the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is not greater than the third pressure threshold, the water outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, and then the ice water valve is closed to close the water outlet.

6. A control method for a refrigerator ice maker, characterized in that: The method is applied to a refrigerator including a box, a refrigeration system and an ice maker; wherein the ice maker is arranged in the compartment, an ice outlet and a water outlet of the ice maker are arranged outside the box, a pressure sensor is arranged below the ice outlet and the water outlet, and the water outlet is connected to a water source through an ice water valve, and the control method of the refrigerator ice maker includes: In response to the user's operation of taking ice and water, when the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is greater than a first pressure threshold, the ice outlet is opened; When the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than a second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is closed and the water outlet is opened; until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than a third pressure threshold, the water outlet is closed.

7. The control method of a refrigerator ice maker according to claim 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: If the first pressure value detected by the pressure sensor is not greater than the first pressure threshold, it is determined that the water cup is not placed or is not placed properly, and a reminder signal is sent to the user.

8. The control method of a refrigerator ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, the third pressure threshold is a preset ice output amount, and the second pressure threshold and the third pressure threshold are both positively correlated with the capacity of the water cup.

9. The control method of a refrigerator ice maker according to claim 8, characterized in that: The method further comprises: If the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is not greater than the second pressure threshold, the ice outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the second pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the first pressure value is greater than the second pressure threshold, and then the ice outlet is closed, the ice water valve is opened, and the water outlet is opened.

10. The control method of a refrigerator ice maker according to claim 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: If the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is not greater than the third pressure threshold, the water outlet is continuously opened until the difference between the third pressure value detected by the pressure sensor and the second pressure value is greater than the third pressure threshold, and then the ice water valve is closed to close the water outlet.

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