Ice-making machine ice-drop control circuit and corresponding control method

Abstract

This application relates to the field of household appliances and discloses an ice-drop control circuit and corresponding control method for an ice maker. The control method includes: controlling the ice maker by a microcontroller to initiate demolding of ice cubes; utilizing an infrared sensor to detect infrared light obstruction caused by ice cubes dropping from the ice maker when demolded, thereby generating a corresponding detection signal; inputting the detection signal into a comparator for comparison with a preset reference voltage, which outputs a comparison signal representing the comparison result; and controlling the demolding process of the ice maker by the microcontroller based on the comparison signal. This application significantly improves ice drop detection without substantially increasing manufacturing costs, providing strong support for the widespread application and market promotion of ice makers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of household appliances, and in particular to an ice-drop control circuit for an ice maker and a corresponding control method. Background Art

[0002] In existing ice-making machine technology, infrared sensors are typically used to monitor the demolding and falling of ice cubes. The basic principle of this detection method is to utilize the transmission characteristics of infrared light to determine whether the ice cube has successfully fallen by detecting whether it blocks the infrared light during the demolding process. Specifically, the infrared sensor consists of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits infrared light. When the ice cube is demolded from the ice mold and falls, it blocks the transmission path of the infrared light, causing a significant change in the infrared light intensity detected by the receiver, thereby generating a corresponding detection signal. However, this simple infrared detection method has obvious limitations in practical applications.

[0003] First, the infrared detection method used in existing technologies has low accuracy for detecting dropped ice cubes. Due to variations in ice size, shape, and light transmittance, smaller or more translucent ice cubes may not block infrared light significantly, resulting in weaker signal changes detected by the receiver. In this case, the microcontroller (MCU) cannot accurately identify the dropped ice cube, leading to misjudgment. For example, when ice cubes are highly translucent, infrared light may still partially penetrate the ice cube and be detected by the receiver even after it has fallen, causing the output signal to inaccurately reflect the actual state of the ice cube. This misjudgment not only affects the ice maker's ability to accurately count dropped ice cubes, but may also cause the ice maker to prematurely stop ice-making when the ice basket is not full, or continue making ice even when the basket is full, impacting the user experience and device efficiency.

[0004] Secondly, the existing technology's processing of infrared detection signals is relatively simplistic, lacking effective signal processing mechanisms to cope with complex real-world operating conditions. In the actual operating environment of an ice maker, the infrared sensor may be subject to external interference, such as changes in ambient light and electromagnetic interference. These interference factors can cause noise in the detection signal, further reducing the signal's accuracy and reliability. Furthermore, because the existing technology lacks further analysis and processing of the ice drop signal, it is unable to effectively distinguish between normal ice drop signals and false signals caused by interference, increasing the possibility of misjudgment.

[0005] Furthermore, since ice makers are small appliances, their market price must be within a reasonable economic range. Therefore, it is reasonable to continue using infrared detection technology. Replacing this with various sophisticated detection methods would not only be unreasonable, but would also increase product costs and affect product competitiveness.

[0006] In summary, existing ice makers need to strive to improve their detection effect of falling ice cubes while weighing cost constraints to avoid misjudgment, so as to improve the performance of the ice maker and user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this application is to solve the above problems and provide an ice-making machine ice-drop control method and its corresponding device, equipment, and non-volatile readable storage medium.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present application, a method for controlling ice drop in an ice maker is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0009] The microcontroller controls the ice maker to start demoulding the ice cubes;

[0010] The infrared sensor is used to detect the obstruction of infrared light when ice cubes are demoulded and fall from the ice maker, and a corresponding detection signal is generated;

[0011] The detection signal is input into a comparator for comparison with a preset reference voltage, and the comparator outputs a comparison signal representing the comparison result;

[0012] The microcontroller controls the demoulding process of the ice maker according to the comparison signal.

[0013] In some embodiments, before the detection signal is inputted into a comparator for comparison with a preset reference voltage and the comparator outputs a comparison signal representing the comparison result, the following steps are included:

[0014] The comparator is configured by the microcontroller with a preset upper threshold and a lower threshold. The comparator is a hysteresis comparator. When the detection signal exceeds its upper threshold, it outputs a high-level comparison signal, and when the detection signal is lower than its lower threshold, it outputs a low-level comparison signal.

[0015] In some embodiments, in the step of inputting the detection signal into a comparator for comparison with a preset reference voltage, and having the comparator output a comparison signal representing the comparison result, the comparator includes multiple comparison units, and the microcontroller inputs the detection signal in parallel into multiple comparison units matching different reference voltages to obtain corresponding comparison signals respectively.

[0016] In some embodiments, before the step of inputting the detection signal into a comparator for comparison with a preset reference voltage and having the comparator output a comparison signal representing the comparison result, a microcontroller sets a corresponding reference voltage for the comparator according to a preset ice cube volume type, wherein small ice cubes correspond to a high reference voltage and large ice cubes correspond to a low reference voltage, so that the voltage of the detection signal when the ice cube blocks the object is always lower than the corresponding reference signal, thereby triggering a low-level signal.

[0017] In some embodiments, the microcontroller implements demoulding control on the ice maker according to the comparison signal, including:

[0018] determining whether ice cubes have fallen according to the comparison signal, and counting the fallen ice cubes to obtain a counting result;

[0019] determining whether the counting result reaches a preset counting threshold, and when the counting result reaches the preset counting threshold, determining that the ice basket is full of ice cubes, and controlling the ice maker to stop demolding;

[0020] When the counting result does not reach the preset counting threshold, and the comparison signal is in a low level state and has lasted for a preset period of time, it is determined that the ice cubes in the ice basket are in a vertically stacked state, an alarm signal is output, and demolding is suspended.

[0021] In some embodiments, determining whether ice has fallen according to the comparison signal includes:

[0022] Performing filtering on the comparison signal to remove noise interference;

[0023] determining the pulse amplitude of the filtered high-level signal;

[0024] When the pulse amplitude of the filtered comparison signal reaches a preset amplitude threshold, the counting result is not accumulated; otherwise, it is determined that an ice cube has fallen and the count is performed.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present application, an ice-drop control circuit for an ice maker is provided, comprising:

[0026] Infrared sensor, used to detect the obstruction of infrared light when ice cubes are demoulded and fall, and generate corresponding detection signals;

[0027] a comparator, whose input terminal is connected to the detection signal and a preset reference voltage, for comparing the detection signal with the reference voltage and outputting a comparison signal representing a comparison result;

[0028] A microcontroller for controlling the ice maker to start demolding of the ice cubes made and implementing demolding control on the ice maker according to the comparison signal;

[0029] The microcontroller is configured to drive the execution of the steps of the ice-making machine ice-drop control method.

[0030] In some embodiments, the comparator is a hysteresis comparator, including a positive feedback network, which is used to set a preset upper threshold and a lower threshold; when the detection signal exceeds the upper threshold, a high-level comparison signal is output; when the detection signal is lower than the lower threshold, a low-level comparison signal is output.

[0031] In some embodiments, the comparator is a multi-stage comparator including a plurality of comparison units, each comparison unit being set with a different reference voltage for performing graded detection on ice cubes of different sizes.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present application, an ice-making machine ice-drop control device is provided, comprising a central processing unit and a memory, wherein the central processing unit is configured to call and run a computer program stored in the memory to execute the steps of the ice-making machine ice-drop control method described in the present application.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present application, a non-volatile readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program implemented according to the ice-making machine ice-drop control method in the form of computer-readable instructions. When the computer program is called and executed by a computer, the steps included in the method are executed.

[0034] The implementation of this application has achieved significant beneficial effects. By introducing a comparator to process the detection signal of the infrared sensor, the accuracy of judging whether the ice cubes have fallen is significantly improved, effectively solving the problems of low signal detection accuracy and easy misjudgment caused by the light transmittance, size differences and external interference of the ice cubes in the prior art. The output signal of the comparator is stable and can accurately identify the state of ice cubes falling. Even when the ice cubes are small or have strong light transmittance, the accuracy and reliability of the counting can be ensured. In addition, the present application realizes precise control of the demoulding process of the ice maker. The microcontroller dynamically adjusts the demoulding operation according to the comparison signal to avoid equipment failure caused by overfilling the ice basket or vertical accumulation of ice cubes, thereby improving operating efficiency and equipment stability and enhancing user experience. At the same time, without adding high-cost detection means, the present application achieves an improvement in detection accuracy and reliability by optimizing the signal processing method, which meets the cost control requirements of ice makers as small household appliances and significantly improves the performance and market competitiveness of the product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the electromechanical control mechanism of the ice maker of this application;

[0036] Figure 2 A circuit diagram of the infrared sensor of this application;

[0037] Figure 3 A circuit diagram of a comparator used in an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a flow chart of the ice-drop control method for an ice maker of the present application;

[0039] Figure 5 This is a functional block diagram of the ice drop control device for an ice maker of the present application;

[0040] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a computer device that can be used in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] See also Figure 1 The exemplary ice-making machine of this application has an electromechanical control mechanism comprising an ice mold 12, a refrigeration system 14, a demolding mechanism 16, and a microcontroller 10 for overall machine control. In this application, the microcontroller 10 preferably employs a low-cost single-chip microcomputer (MCU). The ice mold 12 is used to shape the ice cubes; the refrigeration system 14 is used to freeze water into ice; and the demolding mechanism 16 is used to push the finished ice cubes out of the ice mold 12, flipping them, and dropping them into an ice basket 18. These components work together through a mechanical and electrical control system to complete the entire ice-making and demolding process.

[0042] The ice machine's refrigeration system 14 may consist of a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and a throttling device. The compressor compresses the refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, which then dissipates heat through the condenser, liquefying the refrigerant. After passing through the throttling device, the liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator, where it absorbs heat and vaporizes, lowering the temperature around the ice mold 12 and causing the water inside the mold to freeze into ice.

[0043] Once the ice cubes are completely frozen in the mold, the microcontroller 10 activates the demolding mechanism 16. This mechanism, typically driven by a motor, drives the ice mold 12 through a gear train or linkage, flipping the ice cubes out of the mold 12. During the demolding process, the ice cubes flip and fall out of the mold, ultimately landing in the ice basket 18 for storage.

[0044] The ice cubes produced by the ice mold 12 in this application are relatively small, such as ice cubes with a fixed side length between 1 cm and 3 cm, which can be called crushed ice. Such small ice cubes pose a series of technical challenges to the ice maker if it needs to detect ice cubes falling during demolding.

[0045] In order to detect the falling of ice cubes, the present application introduces an ice drop detection circuit in the ice maker, which includes an infrared sensor and a comparator. The infrared sensor is installed above the ice cube falling path and is used to detect whether the ice cube blocks the infrared light during the demolding process. When the ice cube falls, it blocks the transmission path of the infrared light, causing the intensity of the infrared light detected by the receiving end to change, thereby generating a detection signal. The detection signal is then sent to the comparator and compared with a preset reference voltage. Based on the comparison result of the detection signal and the reference voltage, the comparator outputs a stable high-level or low-level signal as a comparison signal. The comparison signal is received by the microcontroller 10 and used to determine whether the ice cube has successfully fallen.

[0046] The microcontroller 10 controls the ice maker's demolding process based on the comparison signal output by the comparator. For example, when the microcontroller 10 receives a comparison signal indicating a successful ice drop, it activates a counter to count the number of ice cubes dropped. When the count reaches a preset threshold, the microcontroller 10 determines that the ice basket 18 is full and controls the ice maker to stop demolding. Furthermore, the microcontroller 10 can determine whether the ice in the ice basket 18 is stacking vertically based on the count result and signal changes. If this is the case, an alarm signal is issued and demolding is suspended to prevent equipment failure.

[0047] Through the design of this electromechanical structure and working principle, the ice maker can efficiently complete the ice making and demolding process. At the same time, by introducing infrared sensors and comparators, it can achieve accurate detection and control of the ice falling state, thereby improving the performance and reliability of the ice maker.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present application, an ice-drop control circuit for an ice maker is provided. The circuit includes: Figure 2 The infrared sensor shown, Figure 3 The comparator and microcontroller 10 shown in the figure work together to achieve accurate detection and control of the ice cube demoulding and falling state. The following is a detailed explanation of this embodiment, combined with Figure 2 and Figure 3 The detection circuit structure and electrical connection relationship shown in the figure explain its working principle and function realization.

[0049] Figure 2 and Figure 3 The figure shows the relationship between the transmitter 11 and receiver 13 in the infrared sensor, as well as the electrical connection between the receiver 13 and the comparator (connected via U0). The infrared sensor consists of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits infrared light, while the receiver detects changes in the infrared light's intensity. When the microcontroller 10 triggers the ice mold 12 to release, the ice cubes fall out of the mold 12 and block the infrared light's transmission path as they pass through the infrared receiving path between the transmitter and receiver. This causes a change in the infrared light intensity detected by the receiver. Specifically, the voltage signal U0 detected by the receiver changes as the ice cube blocks the light. This change in voltage signal U0 serves as a detection signal for subsequent comparison and judgment.

[0050] The detection signal U0 is electrically connected to the non-inverting input (+) of the comparator. The inverting input (-) of the comparator is connected to a preset reference voltage Vref. The reference voltage Vref is set by a voltage divider circuit, namely, voltage divider resistors R1 and R2. The reference voltage is calculated as Vref = [R2 / (R2+R1)] × Vdd, where Vdd is the supply voltage. The voltage divider value can be achieved by adjusting the resistance values of R1 and R2 according to the size and light transmittance of the ice cube. The voltage divider resistors can be fixed-value resistors, which are matched to the corresponding resistance values during the comparison configuration, or variable resistors that can be adjusted by the microcontroller 10 for dynamic adjustment. In one embodiment, for relatively large ice cubes, the comparator can use a relatively low reference voltage by matching the voltage divider resistors. Conversely, for relatively small ice cubes, a relatively high reference voltage is used. The advantage of this configuration is that the detection signal fluctuation caused by smaller ice cubes is also smaller. The relatively high reference voltage ensures that the comparator outputs a low-level comparison signal corresponding to the falling ice cube. In a more specific embodiment, assuming a 5V supply voltage, the reference voltages for the largest, medium, and smallest ice cubes can be matched to 0.5V, 0.8V, and 1.2V, respectively. Under this specific 5V supply voltage, setting the reference voltage for the largest ice cube to 0.5V and the reference voltage for the smallest ice cube to 1.2V yields the optimal configuration. Assuming a smaller ice cube generates a 1.2V detection signal, the comparator's reference voltage is 1.2V, so it will output a low-level comparison signal, thereby determining that the ice cube has fallen. This indicates that when the ice cube blocks infrared light, the low-level signal U0 output by the receiver must be lower than the reference voltage Vref to trigger the comparator to output a low-level signal.

[0051] The comparator compares the detection signal U0 with the reference voltage Vref and outputs a corresponding comparison signal based on the comparison result. When the detection signal U0 is greater than the reference voltage Vref, the comparator outputs a high-level signal U1; when the detection signal U0 is less than the reference voltage Vref, the comparator outputs a low-level signal U1. The high-level signal or low-level signal output by the comparator is the comparison signal U1 representing the corresponding comparison result. The comparison signal U1 specifically indicates whether the ice cube has been successfully dropped. In this embodiment, when the comparison signal U1 is at a high level, it indicates that the ice cube has not been dropped. When the comparison signal jumps from a high level to a low level, it indicates that the ice cube has been dropped.

[0052] The microcontroller 10 is connected to the output of the comparator and is configured to receive a comparison signal U1. The microcontroller 10 controls the ice maker's demolding process based on the received comparison signal U1. The microcontroller 10 can run a computer program implemented according to the ice maker ice drop control method of the present application to achieve process control of the ice maker's demolding process. Specifically, the microcontroller 10 controls the ice maker to initiate the demolding operation on the formed ice cubes and monitors the comparison signal U1 in real time during the demolding process. When the microcontroller 10 receives a low-level comparison signal U1, it determines that the ice cubes have successfully fallen and starts a counter to count the number of fallen ice cubes, obtaining a corresponding count result. When the count result reaches a preset threshold, the microcontroller 10 determines that the ice basket 18 is full and controls the ice maker to stop the demolding operation. This preset threshold can be a pre-set empirical value. When the microcontroller 10 receives a high-level signal, it determines that no ice cubes have fallen. In addition, the microcontroller 10 can also determine whether the ice cubes in the ice basket 18 are stacked vertically based on the counting results and signal changes. If an abnormal situation occurs, an alarm signal is issued and demoulding is suspended to prevent equipment failure.

[0053] Through the structure and electrical connection of the above-mentioned detection circuit, the present application achieves precise detection and control of the ice cube's demolding and falling state. The infrared sensor is responsible for detecting the blockage of infrared light by the ice cube when it falls and generates a detection signal U0. The comparator compares the detection signal U0 with the reference voltage Vref and outputs a comparison signal U1. The microcontroller 10 controls the ice maker's demolding process based on the comparison signal U1. This circuit design not only improves the accuracy and reliability of ice cube drop detection, but also achieves a good balance between manufacturing cost and detection effect, providing strong support for the efficient operation of the ice maker and improved user experience.

[0054] In another embodiment of the present application, the comparator adopts a hysteresis comparator. The hysteresis comparator sets a preset upper threshold and lower threshold by introducing a positive feedback network, thereby effectively enhancing the stability and anti-interference ability of signal detection, and is particularly suitable for the complex working conditions of ice drop detection in ice makers.

[0055] The basic operating principle of a hysteresis comparator is to provide a certain "memory" function for the comparator's output through a positive feedback mechanism. Specifically, when the detection signal U0 exceeds a preset upper threshold value Vth, the hysteresis comparator outputs a high-level signal U1; when the detection signal U0 falls below a preset lower threshold value Vtl, the hysteresis comparator outputs a low-level signal U1. The key to this design is that whenever the comparator's output state changes, its threshold value adjusts accordingly, thus forming a hysteresis interval during the signal transition. For example, when the comparator output transitions from a low level to a high level, its threshold value switches from the lower threshold value Vtl to the upper threshold value Vth; and when the output transitions from a high level to a low level, the threshold value switches from the upper threshold value Vth to the lower threshold value Vtl. This hysteresis characteristic prevents the comparator from frequently switching near the threshold value due to minor signal fluctuations, effectively suppressing false positives caused by ice transparency or ambient noise.

[0056] In electronic circuits, a hysteresis comparator is implemented by introducing a positive feedback resistor network between the comparator's output and inverting input. Assume that the positive feedback network of a hysteresis comparator consists of resistors Rf and Rg, with Rf connected between the comparator's output and inverting input, and Rg connected between the inverting input and ground. When the comparator's output is high, the positive feedback resistor Rf feeds back part of the high-level signal to the inverting input, thereby raising the comparator's threshold. Conversely, when the comparator's output is low, the feedback signal lowers the threshold. By properly selecting (for fixed resistors) or setting (for variable resistors) the values of Rf and Rg, the upper and lower thresholds (Vth and Vtl) of the hysteresis comparator can be precisely set.

[0057] In ice-drop detection applications in ice machines, ice cubes are small and highly translucent. The signal detected by the infrared sensor can be affected by the ice's translucency, falling speed, and ambient light variations, causing the detection signal U0 to fluctuate around the threshold. By setting an upper threshold, Vth, and a lower threshold, Vtl, in a hysteresis comparator, false positives caused by these minor fluctuations can be effectively avoided, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the detection signal.

[0058] When microcontroller 10 receives comparison signal U1 from the hysteresis comparator, it can accurately determine whether an ice cube has been successfully dropped based on the signal's level. For example, if signal U1 switches to a low level, microcontroller 10 determines that an ice cube has been successfully dropped and counts the number of times it has been dropped. If signal U1 switches to a high level, microcontroller 10 determines that no ice cube has been dropped or that the ice cube has been dropped abnormally. In this way, the hysteresis comparator not only improves detection accuracy but also enhances the ice maker's operational stability under complex operating conditions.

[0059] As can be seen, this embodiment employs a hysteresis comparator design, introducing a positive feedback network and setting upper and lower thresholds, effectively resolving the misjudgment issues inherent in existing technologies caused by ice transparency, signal fluctuations, and environmental interference. This design significantly improves the accuracy and reliability of ice drop control in ice makers without significantly increasing manufacturing costs, providing strong support for efficient ice maker operation and an enhanced user experience.

[0060] In another embodiment of the present application, the comparator is implemented as a multi-stage comparator. Specifically, the comparator comprises multiple comparison units, each set with a different reference voltage, for performing graded detection of ice cubes of different sizes. This design effectively addresses the detection challenges presented by varying ice cube volumes within the ice maker, further improving the accuracy and adaptability of ice drop detection.

[0061] Each comparison unit in a multi-stage comparator contains an independent comparator. Its structure is similar to that of a single-stage comparator, but each comparison unit uses a different reference voltage (Vref) to distinguish between ice cubes of different sizes that block infrared light. Specifically, each comparison unit's inverting input is connected to a specific reference voltage, which is pre-set based on the expected size and light transmittance of the ice cube. For example, for smaller ice cubes, a higher reference voltage (Vref1) is set; for medium-sized ice cubes, a medium reference voltage (Vref2) is set; and for larger ice cubes, a lower reference voltage (Vref3) is set. In general, due to the high light transmittance of small ice cubes, the transistors in the infrared sensor's receiver are fully conductive, resulting in a small drop in U0 close to the power supply voltage, necessitating a higher reference voltage (Vref_high). However, due to the low light transmittance of large ice cubes, the transistors are not fully conductive, resulting in a large drop in U0 that is significantly lower than the power supply voltage, necessitating a lower reference voltage (Vref_low). In this way, the multi-level comparator can output different comparison signals U1 according to the comparison results between the detection signal U0 and different reference voltages, thereby achieving graded detection of ice cube sizes.

[0062] In electronic circuits, a multi-stage comparator can be implemented by connecting multiple single-stage comparators in parallel. Each comparator's non-inverting input is connected to the infrared sensor's output signal, U0, while its inverting input is connected to a different reference voltage, Vref. These reference voltages can be precisely set using a voltage-divider resistor network. For example, reference voltage Vref1 is divided by resistors R11 and R21, Vref2 by resistors R12 and R22, and Vref3 by resistors R13 and R23. Each comparator operates independently based on its set reference voltage. When the detection signal, U0, exceeds the corresponding reference voltage, it outputs a high-level signal; otherwise, it outputs a low-level signal.

[0063] When an ice cube is released from the ice mold 12 and falls, the signal U0 detected by the infrared sensor varies depending on the size and light transmittance of the ice cube. A multi-stage comparator uses multiple parallel comparison units to simultaneously compare signal U0 and output corresponding comparison signals U1 based on different reference voltages. After receiving these comparison signals, the microcontroller 10 accurately determines the size of the ice cube and performs counting or other control operations accordingly. For example, if the microcontroller 10 detects a low-level signal corresponding to a small ice cube, it records the fall of a small ice cube; if it detects a low-level signal corresponding to a large ice cube, it records the fall of a large ice cube. In this way, the ice maker not only accurately detects whether an ice cube has fallen, but also classifies and counts ice cubes of different sizes. Based on the corresponding count results obtained from the classification calculation, the microcontroller can control the demolding process of multiple ice molds separately, further enriching the functionality of the ice maker.

[0064] Furthermore, the multi-level comparator design enhances the ice maker's adaptability and flexibility in detecting dropped ice. Because ice cubes of varying sizes block infrared light to varying degrees, setting multiple reference voltages allows the ice maker to more accurately identify dropped ice, effectively reducing false positives even in cases of highly translucent ice or rapid drops. This design not only improves the ice maker's operational stability under complex operating conditions but also provides users with a more intelligent and personalized ice-making experience.

[0065] Thus, the multi-level comparator used in this embodiment, by providing multiple comparison units and different reference voltages, achieves graded detection of ice cubes of different sizes. This design significantly improves the accuracy and adaptability of ice drop control in the ice maker without significantly increasing manufacturing costs, providing strong support for the efficient operation of the ice maker and improving the user experience.

[0066] See also Figure 4 Another embodiment of the present application provides an ice-drop control method for an ice maker, comprising the following steps:

[0067] Step S3100: The microcontroller controls the ice maker to start demoulding the ice cubes;

[0068] The microcontroller 10 plays a central role in the ice maker's control system, managing the entire ice-making and demolding process through pre-set programs and logic instructions. In this step, the microcontroller 10 first receives a signal from the ice-making system indicating that the ice has completed freezing and is ready for demolding. At this point, the microcontroller 10, based on pre-set control logic, sends a start signal to the demolding mechanism 16, triggering the demolding operation.

[0069] The demolding mechanism 16 is typically driven by a motor, which drives the ice mold 12 through a gear transmission or linkage mechanism. In practice, the motor can be a DC motor or a stepper motor, and its drive method can be selected based on the design requirements of the ice maker. For example, for a small ice maker, a DC motor can be used to achieve mold flipping and ice demolding through a simple gear transmission. For more complex ice makers, a stepper motor can achieve more precise demolding through precise pulse control.

[0070] When the microcontroller 10 issues a demolding command, the motor begins operating, transmitting power to the ice mold 12 via a transmission mechanism. In one embodiment, the ice mold 12 can be connected to the motor's output shaft via one or more connecting rods. The motor's rotational motion is converted by the connecting rods into a tilting motion of the mold, thereby ejecting the ice cubes from the mold. In another embodiment, the ice mold 12 can be designed as a detachable structure, with the motor directly driving the mold's separation via a gear transmission, allowing the ice cubes to be smoothly demolded.

[0071] During the demolding process, the microcontroller 10 can also monitor the motor's operating status in real time to ensure smooth demolding. For example, by detecting changes in motor current or position feedback signals, the microcontroller 10 can determine whether demolding has been successfully completed. If an abnormality is detected, such as a motor overload or the demolding action not being completed as expected, the microcontroller 10 can promptly issue an alarm and take appropriate measures, such as pausing the demolding operation or attempting to restart the demolding process.

[0072] Step S3200: Using an infrared sensor to detect when ice cubes in the ice maker are demoulded and fall, blocking infrared light, and generating a corresponding detection signal;

[0073] An infrared sensor consists of an infrared transmitter and a receiver. The infrared transmitter emits infrared light of a specific wavelength, while the receiver detects changes in the intensity of that infrared light. In an ice maker, the infrared sensor is installed above the path where ice cubes fall. Its position and angle are pre-set to ensure accurate detection of any obstruction of infrared light during demolding. Because this application uses the count of fallen ice cubes to determine whether the ice basket is full, the relative height between the infrared sensor and the ice basket is not restricted, freeing up more longitudinal space for structural optimization of the ice maker.

[0074] When the ice maker's ejector mechanism 16 begins operating, the ice cube is ejected from the ice mold 12 and begins to fall. It passes through the infrared sensor's detection area. At this point, the ice cube blocks the infrared light emitted by the infrared emitter, causing a significant change in the infrared light intensity detected by the receiver. This change is converted into an electrical signal, the detection signal U0. The voltage value of the detection signal U0 changes as the ice cube blocks the light, indicating whether the ice cube has successfully fallen.

[0075] To improve detection accuracy, the infrared sensor in this application can adopt a variety of specific implementations. For example, a sensor that modulates infrared light can be used. By modulating the frequency of the emitted infrared light, the receiver can more accurately identify the infrared light from the transmitter, thereby reducing interference from ambient light. In addition, the receiver can be equipped with a highly sensitive photodiode or phototransistor to improve the detection capability of weak signals.

[0076] In practice, the size, shape, and light transmittance of ice cubes may affect the infrared light blocking effect. To account for these variations, the infrared sensor in this application can be equipped with multiple detection channels, improving the accuracy of ice drop detection through multi-angle or multi-level detection. For example, two or more infrared transmitter and receiver pairs can be set up to detect ice blockage at different locations, thereby more comprehensively capturing the signal of ice drop.

[0077] Furthermore, to further improve the quality of the detection signal, signal amplification and filtering circuits can be introduced at the receiver end. The signal amplification circuit amplifies the weak detection signal to a level suitable for subsequent processing, while the filtering circuit removes noise components from the signal, improving the signal-to-noise ratio. Through these technical measures, the detection signal U0 can more accurately reflect the falling state of the ice cube, providing a reliable basis for subsequent comparison and control.

[0078] The generation of detection signal U0 is based on the principle of infrared light blocking. When an ice cube falls and blocks infrared light, the infrared light intensity detected by the receiver decreases, generating a low-level signal. Conversely, when the ice cube does not block the infrared light, the infrared light intensity detected by the receiver increases, generating a high-level signal. This high- and low-level variation in the detection signal U0 provides a clear signal foundation for the subsequent comparator, enabling it to accurately determine whether an ice cube has fallen.

[0079] Step S3300: input the detection signal and a preset reference voltage into a comparator for comparison, and the comparator outputs a comparison signal representing the comparison result;

[0080] In this step, detection signal U0 and a preset reference voltage Vref are input to a comparator, which compares the two and outputs a comparison signal U1 representing the comparison result. The comparator's voltage comparison function converts the analog voltage variation of detection signal U0 into a clear digital logic signal for further processing by microcontroller 10.

[0081] As previously disclosed, a comparator is a common electronic component whose basic function is to compare the voltages of two input signals and output a corresponding level signal based on the comparison result. In this embodiment, the comparator's non-inverting input (+) is connected to the detection signal U0, and the inverting input (-) is connected to a preset reference voltage Vref. The reference voltage Vref is a voltage value pre-set based on the infrared light blocking effect when the ice cube is dropped, and is used as a benchmark for determining whether the ice cube has successfully dropped. When the voltage of the detection signal U0 is higher than the reference voltage Vref, the comparator outputs a high-level signal U1; when the voltage of the detection signal U0 is lower than the reference voltage Vref, the comparator outputs a low-level signal U1. This switching between high-level and low-level output signals U1 clearly indicates whether the ice cube has dropped, providing an accurate basis for the microcontroller 10 to make judgments.

[0082] To accommodate ice cubes of varying sizes and translucency, the reference voltage Vref can be set in a variety of ways. For example, a fixed reference voltage value can be set using a voltage-divider resistor network. Assuming resistors R1 and R2 are used for voltage division, the reference voltage Vref can be precisely set by adjusting the resistance values of R1 and R2. In practice, an appropriate reference voltage value is determined experimentally based on the size and translucency of the ice cubes. This ensures that the comparator accurately outputs a low-level signal when an ice cube falls and a high-level signal when there is no ice obstructing the path.

[0083] Furthermore, the choice of comparator also significantly impacts detection accuracy. In this embodiment, a standard operational amplifier can be used as the comparator, or a specialized comparator chip can be selected. Dedicated comparator chips typically offer faster response times and higher accuracy, better adapting to the rapidly changing detection signals in ice machines. For example, for small ice machines, a standard operational amplifier may be sufficient; however, for ice machines requiring higher detection accuracy, a specialized comparator chip may be more suitable.

[0084] At the comparator's output, the level of comparison signal U1 directly reflects the ice's falling condition. When comparison signal U1 switches to a low level, microcontroller 10 determines that ice has fallen; when comparison signal U1 switches to a high level, it determines that no ice has fallen. This clear level signal output enables microcontroller 10 to quickly and accurately control the ice maker's demolding process, thereby achieving precise monitoring and management of ice falling conditions.

[0085] The comparator used in this step, as disclosed above, can be implemented as a hysteresis comparator or a multi-stage comparator composed of multiple comparison units. Therefore, in embodiments employing a hysteresis comparator, prior to this step, the microcontroller 10 can configure the comparator with a preset upper and lower thresholds according to the reference voltage calculation formula described above. This can be achieved by changing the resistance value of the resistor in its positive feedback network. With this hysteresis comparator, when the detection signal exceeds its upper threshold, a high-level comparison signal is output, and when the detection signal falls below its lower threshold, a low-level comparison signal is output.

[0086] In the embodiment using a multi-stage comparator, in this step, the microcontroller 10 parallel-inputs the detection signal output by the infrared sensor into multiple comparison units with different reference voltages to generate corresponding comparison signals. It is easy to understand that as long as one comparison signal switches to a low-level signal, the microcontroller 10 will be considered to have recognized the falling of an ice cube.

[0087] In some embodiments, for the comparator, the microcontroller 10 may also set a corresponding reference voltage for the comparator according to a preset ice cube volume type before this step. Thus, the microcontroller 10 can set the comparator's ability to identify ice cubes of different sizes as needed, thereby further improving the accuracy of detection.

[0088] Step S3400: The microcontroller controls the demoulding process of the ice maker according to the comparison signal.

[0089] The microcontroller 10 can control the demoulding process of the ice maker according to the comparison signal U1 output by the comparator. Through precise signal processing and logical judgment, it realizes accurate monitoring of the falling state of ice cubes and intelligent control of the demoulding operation of the ice maker.

[0090] The microcontroller 10 receives a comparison signal U1 from the comparator. This signal, whether low or high, indicates whether an ice cube has been successfully dropped. When the comparison signal U1 switches to a low level, the microcontroller 10 determines that an ice cube has been dropped; when the comparison signal U1 switches to a high level, it determines that no ice cube has been dropped. Based on this determination, the microcontroller 10 activates an internal counter to count the number of dropped ice cubes. The counter's count is used to monitor the number of ice cubes in the ice basket 18 in real time, ensuring that the ice maker's operating status complies with the preset control logic.

[0091] Specifically, microcontroller 10 internally presets a threshold for the number of ice cubes, also known as a preset counting threshold. This threshold is set in advance based on the capacity of ice basket 18 and user requirements. When the counter reaches the preset counting threshold, microcontroller 10 determines that ice basket 18 is full and immediately sends a stop signal to demolding mechanism 16, terminating the demolding operation. This control logic ensures that ice basket 18 does not overfill, resulting in ice overflow or equipment failure.

[0092] In an optional embodiment, while controlling the demoulding mechanism 16 to stop or pause demoulding, the ice maker can also be controlled to synchronously stop or pause ice making.

[0093] Microcontroller 10 also has the ability to detect and handle abnormal situations. For example, if the count result does not reach the preset count threshold, but comparison signal U1 remains low for a period of time, microcontroller 10 determines that ice cubes may be vertically stacked in ice basket 18, causing basket 18 to fill prematurely. In this case, microcontroller 10 will issue an alarm signal and suspend the demolding operation, prompting the user to intervene to prevent damage to the device due to excessive ice cube accumulation.

[0094] In a specific embodiment, the control logic of the microcontroller 10 can be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, for a small ice maker, the microcontroller 10 can use a simple counting and threshold comparison algorithm to control the demolding operation. For more complex ice makers, the microcontroller 10 can combine real-time monitoring of the motor operating status and ice drop signal with comprehensive judgment logic to achieve more precise control. By detecting the current change or position feedback signal of the motor, the microcontroller 10 can determine whether the demolding is successfully completed. If an abnormal situation is detected, such as motor overload or the demolding action is not completed as expected, the microcontroller 10 can promptly issue an alarm and take appropriate measures, such as pausing the demolding operation or attempting to restart the demolding process.

[0095] It can be seen from the above embodiments that the implementation of this application can achieve significant beneficial effects, including but not limited to:

[0096] First, the present application significantly improves the accuracy of determining whether ice cubes have fallen by introducing a comparator to process the detection signal of the infrared sensor. In the prior art, due to factors such as the light transmittance, size differences, and external interference of ice cubes, it is difficult to accurately determine the falling state of ice cubes by relying solely on the output signal of the infrared sensor, which can easily lead to misjudgment. However, the present application effectively solves the problems of low signal detection accuracy and susceptibility to interference in the prior art by comparing the detection signal with a preset reference voltage, using the stable high-level or low-level signal output by the comparator as a comparison signal, and then implementing the ice cube demolding process control based on the comparison signal. The introduction of the comparator makes the judgment of ice cube falling more accurate. Even when the ice cubes are small or have strong light transmittance, the falling state of the ice cubes can be accurately identified, thereby improving the accuracy and reliability of the ice maker's counting of falling ice cubes.

[0097] Secondly, this application realizes the precise control of the demolding process of the ice maker using the comparison signal, further enriching the function of the ice maker. By using the microcontroller to control the demolding process in real time according to the comparison signal, the ice maker can dynamically adjust the demolding operation according to the actual falling situation of the ice cubes. For example, when it is detected that the ice cubes have successfully fallen and the count reaches the preset count threshold, the microcontroller can control the ice maker to stop demolding to prevent the ice basket from being overfilled; and when it is detected that the ice cubes have fallen abnormally, an alarm signal can be issued in time and the demolding operation can be suspended to prevent the ice cubes from vertically piling up in the ice basket and causing equipment failure. This intelligent control method not only improves the operating efficiency of the ice maker, but also enhances the stability of the equipment and user experience.

[0098] Furthermore, this application strikes a good balance between manufacturing costs and detection effectiveness. This application improves upon existing infrared detection technology by adding a comparator and optimizing signal processing, effectively enhancing detection accuracy and reliability without requiring expensive replacement detection methods. This technological improvement not only meets the cost control requirements of ice makers as small household appliances, but also significantly improves product performance and competitiveness.

[0099] Traditional ice makers usually place infrared sensors near the opening surface of the ice basket. Once the infrared rays of the infrared sensor are blocked, it can be directly determined that the ice basket is full of ice. On the one hand, if the ice cubes that fall into the ice basket do not disperse and continue to pile up quickly, it is easy to cause the ice basket to be filled in advance; on the other hand, there is still a large space between the ice mold and the opening surface that can be used. If the infrared sensor is confined to the vicinity of the opening surface, it will limit the structural improvement space of the ice maker product. For example, the assembly position of the infrared sensor must be fixed to the opening surface. Therefore, in order to open up this structural improvement space while being able to effectively distinguish vertical stacking, the logic of the infrared sensor to judge whether the ice basket is full of ice must be improved accordingly to achieve a systematic product upgrade. To this end, on the basis of any embodiment of the method of the present application, the microcontroller implements demoulding control on the ice maker according to the comparison signal, including:

[0100] Step S3410: determining whether ice cubes have fallen according to the comparison signal, and counting the fallen ice cubes to obtain a counting result;

[0101] In this step, the microcontroller 10 determines whether ice cubes have fallen based on the comparison signal U1 output by the comparator, and counts the fallen ice cubes to obtain the counting result, so as to ensure accurate monitoring of the ice cube falling status through precise signal processing and logical judgment.

[0102] Specifically, the microcontroller 10 receives a comparison signal U1 from the comparator. This signal, whether low or high, indicates whether the ice cube has been successfully dropped. When the comparison signal U1 switches to a low level, the microcontroller 10 determines that an ice cube has been dropped; when the comparison signal U1 switches to a high level, it determines that no ice cube has been dropped. Based on this determination, the microcontroller 10 activates an internal counter to count the number of dropped ice cubes. The counter's count is used to monitor the number of ice cubes in the ice basket 18 in real time, ensuring that the ice maker's operating status complies with the preset control logic.

[0103] To achieve this, microcontroller 10 has built-in counting logic. Whenever it receives a low-level comparison signal U1, the counter increments by 1, indicating that a dropped ice cube has been detected. The count result is stored in microcontroller 10's memory for subsequent logical analysis.

[0104] In specific embodiments, the microcontroller 10 can implement the counting function in a variety of ways. For example, for a small ice maker, the microcontroller 10 can use a simple counting algorithm, incrementing the counter each time it receives a low-level signal. For a more complex ice maker, the microcontroller 10 can incorporate a timestamp function to record the time each ice cube is dropped, allowing for subsequent analysis of the frequency and pattern of ice cube drops.

[0105] Step S3420: determining whether the counting result reaches a preset counting threshold; if the counting result reaches the preset counting threshold, determining that the ice basket is full of ice cubes, and controlling the ice maker to stop demolding;

[0106] The microcontroller 10 can perform logical judgment based on the counting result of the counter to determine whether the ice basket 18 is in a full basket state, and control the demoulding operation of the ice maker accordingly. Therefore, through accurate counting and threshold comparison, real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment of the status of the ice basket 18 are achieved.

[0107] Specifically, the microcontroller 10 internally presets a threshold for the number of ice cubes as a preset counting threshold. This threshold is set based on the capacity of the ice basket 18 and user requirements. For example, if the design capacity of the ice basket 18 is 50 ice cubes, the preset counting threshold can be set to 50. When the counter reaches this preset counting threshold, the microcontroller 10 determines that the ice basket 18 is full. At this point, the microcontroller 10 determines that the ice basket 18 is full and sends a stop signal to the demolding mechanism 16, terminating the demolding operation. This control logic ensures that the ice basket 18 does not overfill, resulting in ice overflow or equipment failure.

[0108] Furthermore, the microcontroller 10 can monitor the count results in real time, issuing a warning signal in advance when the ice basket 18 is nearing fullness. For example, when the count results approach a preset threshold, the microcontroller 10 can illuminate an indicator light or emit a warning tone to alert the user that the ice basket 18 is about to be full. This early warning function not only improves the user experience but also prevents device failures caused by an overfilled ice basket 18.

[0109] Step S3430: When the counting result does not reach the preset counting threshold and the comparison signal is in a low level state and has lasted for a preset period of time, it is determined that the ice cubes in the ice basket are in a vertically stacked state, an alarm signal is output, and demolding is suspended.

[0110] The microcontroller 10 determines whether the ice cubes in the ice basket 18 are in a vertically stacked state based on the counting result and the changing trend of the comparison signal U1, and accordingly outputs an alarm signal and suspends the demolding operation. Therefore, through precise logical judgment, the hidden dangers caused by the vertical stacking of ice cubes are avoided.

[0111] When the microcontroller 10 detects that the count result has not reached the preset count threshold, but the comparison signal U1 remains low for a preset period of time, the count result continues to increase. However, this is essentially due to vertical accumulation of ice cubes in the ice basket 18. Vertical accumulation refers to excessive accumulation of ice cubes in the ice basket 18, causing the ice basket 18 to be prematurely "filled." Ice cubes overflowing the opening of the ice basket block the infrared rays emitted by the infrared sensor, while the actual number of ice cubes has not yet reached the capacity threshold of the ice basket 18.

[0112] In a specific embodiment, the microcontroller 10 implements this function in the following manner: First, a timer is internally set in the microcontroller 10 to monitor the duration of the comparison signal remaining in a low-level state. If this duration does not reach a preset time period, the microcontroller does not intervene. If the duration of a comparison signal remaining in a low-level state reaches or exceeds a preset time period (e.g., 5 seconds), the microcontroller 10 determines that a vertical buildup state has occurred. The microcontroller 10 then outputs an alarm signal through a preset interface. For example, a buzzer can be connected to the microcontroller 10, which can be driven by a pulse signal to sound an alarm, or an LED indicator can be connected to the microcontroller 10, which can be made to flash by a control signal. Finally, the microcontroller 10 sends a pause signal to the demolding mechanism 16, stopping the motor to prevent more ice cubes from entering the ice basket 18. The pause signal can be directly controlled by an output pin of the microcontroller 10 or by an intermediate relay.

[0113] Thus, those skilled in the art can clearly understand how the microcontroller uses the counting results and the changing trends of the comparison signal to determine the accumulation state of ice cubes in the ice basket and take appropriate alarm and pause actions. This intelligent control method not only improves the operating efficiency of the ice maker, but also enhances the stability of the device and the user experience.

[0114] Through the execution of the above embodiments, the present application identifies whether the ice cubes in the ice basket are in a vertically stacked state by monitoring whether the duration of the comparison signal in a low-level state when the basket is not full exceeds a preset period. On the one hand, it can provide an early warning of the vertical stacking state of the ice cubes during the user's use phase, so that the user can adjust the stacking state of the ice cubes in the ice basket in time. On the other hand, this mechanism uses a counting mechanism to determine whether the ice basket is full, combined with the addition of intelligent recognition of the stacking state, allowing the infrared sensor to be placed at a position higher than the opening surface of the ice basket during product design, expanding the product structure improvement space of the ice maker.

[0115] Based on any embodiment of the method of the present application, determining whether an ice cube has fallen according to the comparison signal includes:

[0116] Step S3411: filtering the comparison signal to remove noise interference;

[0117] Taking into account the possibility of noise, in this embodiment, the microcontroller 10 first filters the high-level signal to remove noise interference, so as to ensure the accuracy of subsequent pulse amplitude measurement, thereby making the ice cube counting more accurate.

[0118] The purpose of filtering is to eliminate noise in the comparison signal caused by high-frequency noise in the detection signal. This noise can be caused by ambient light interference, circuit noise, or the subtle vibrations of falling ice. Filtering can smooth the signal waveform and make the pulse edges of the signal clearer, thus providing a basis for accurate measurement of pulse amplitude. In this application, filtering can be implemented in various ways, such as using digital filtering algorithms or analog filtering circuits.

[0119] For digital filtering, microcontroller 10 can use a sliding average filtering algorithm to effectively reduce the impact of random noise by averaging continuously sampled signal values. Another common digital filtering method is median filtering, which eliminates spike noise by taking the median value of the signal over a period of time. It is particularly suitable for processing sudden interference in pulse signals.

[0120] In terms of analog filtering, a low-pass filter can be used to remove high-frequency noise. The design of the low-pass filter can be achieved by selecting appropriate capacitor and resistor values. Its cutoff frequency should be adjusted according to the characteristics of the ice drop signal to ensure that the main characteristics of the signal are retained while removing noise.

[0121] In a specific implementation, the microcontroller 10 can be configured with an internal timer to sample the comparison signal and process the sampled data using a pre-set filtering algorithm. For example, for a simple sliding average filter, the microcontroller 10 can accumulate a certain number of sampled values within each sampling period and then calculate the average value as the filtered signal. For a median filter, the sampled values can be stored in an array, sorted, and the median value can be used as the filtering result.

[0122] Through filtering, the pulse amplitude measurement of the comparison signal is more accurate, providing a reliable basis for subsequent ice drop judgment. This technical approach not only improves detection accuracy but also enhances the ice maker's operational stability in complex environments.

[0123] Step S3412: determining the pulse amplitude of the filtered high-level signal;

[0124] Microcontroller 10 measures the pulse amplitude of the filtered comparison signal to determine whether the ice cube has been successfully dropped. Pulse amplitude measurement refers to the quantitative detection of the voltage amplitude of the filtered high-level signal. In this application, microcontroller 10 uses an internal timer or counter to monitor the filtered comparison signal in real time via an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), recording the voltage amplitude of the level signal.

[0125] To achieve this function, microcontroller 10 can employ a variety of techniques. For example, microcontroller 10 can be equipped with an internal analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to sample the filtered comparison signal and convert it into a digital value during each sampling cycle. By sampling multiple times and calculating the average value, measurement accuracy can be further improved. Another approach is to use an external ADC chip, with microcontroller 10 controlling the ADC's sampling and conversion processes to obtain the pulse amplitude.

[0126] Step S3413: When the pulse amplitude of the filtered comparison signal reaches the preset amplitude threshold, the counting result is not accumulated; otherwise, it is determined that ice cubes have fallen and the number is counted.

[0127] After completing the filtering process in step S3411 and the pulse amplitude measurement in step S3412, the microcontroller 10 compares the measured pulse amplitude with a preset amplitude threshold. The preset amplitude threshold is pre-set based on the signal characteristics generated when an ice cube falls, and is used to distinguish true ice cube falling signals from noise or other interfering signals. If the pulse amplitude of the filtered comparison signal does not reach the preset amplitude threshold, the microcontroller 10 determines that an ice cube has fallen and counts the number of fallen ice cubes. If the pulse amplitude reaches or exceeds the preset amplitude threshold, it is deemed that no ice cube has fallen, and the count result is not accumulated.

[0128] To implement this function, microcontroller 10 has a pre-set logic judgment mechanism. After measuring the pulse amplitude, microcontroller 10 compares the measurement result with a preset amplitude threshold. If the pulse amplitude meets the threshold, an internal counter in microcontroller 10 increments by 1, indicating that a dropped ice cube has been detected. If the pulse amplitude does not meet the threshold, the counter remains unchanged. The count result is stored in microcontroller 10's memory for subsequent logic judgment.

[0129] Furthermore, the microcontroller 10 can further analyze the pulse amplitude, such as calculating the average or standard deviation of the pulse amplitude to assess the stability and reliability of the signal. Through these technical means, the microcontroller 10 can more accurately identify ice drop signals, thereby improving the operating efficiency and reliability of the ice maker.

[0130] This embodiment significantly improves the accuracy and reliability of ice maker detection of falling ice cubes through a combined technical approach of filtering processing, pulse amplitude measurement, and threshold judgment.

[0131] First, filtering effectively removes noise from the comparison signal, smoothing the waveform and making the pulse edges clearer, providing an accurate basis for subsequent pulse amplitude measurement. This filtering not only reduces the impact of ambient light interference, circuit noise, or subtle vibrations from falling ice on the detection signal, but also improves signal stability and measurability.

[0132] Secondly, by precisely measuring the pulse amplitude of the filtered high-level signal, the microcontroller can accurately identify the ice drop signal. This pulse amplitude-based quantitative detection method, combined with logic judgment based on preset amplitude thresholds, effectively distinguishes true ice drop signals from noise or other interfering signals, reducing the possibility of misjudgment.

[0133] Furthermore, further analysis of the pulse amplitude by the microcontroller, such as calculation of the mean value or standard deviation, further enhances the stability and reliability of the signal evaluation.

[0134] Through these technologies, the ice maker not only operates stably in complex environments but also flexibly adjusts the preset amplitude threshold based on ice size and light transmittance, adapting to the needs of different application scenarios. Ultimately, this technical approach not only improves ice counting accuracy but also enhances the ice maker's intelligence and user experience, providing strong support for the product's market competitiveness.

[0135] See also Figure 5 According to one aspect of the present application, an ice-drop control device for an ice maker is provided, comprising: a demolding drive module 3100, a drop detection module 3200, a signal comparison module 3300, and a demolding control module 3400, wherein the demolding drive module 3100 is configured to control the ice maker to start demolding the ice cubes produced by the ice maker by a microcontroller; the drop detection module 3200 is configured to use an infrared sensor to detect the blocking of infrared light by ice cubes when they are demolded and dropped by the ice maker, and generate a corresponding detection signal; the signal comparison module 3300 is configured to compare the detection signal with a preset reference voltage input comparator, and the comparator outputs a comparison signal representing the comparison result; and the demolding control module 3400 is configured to control the demolding process of the ice maker by the microcontroller according to the comparison signal.

[0136] Based on any embodiment of the device of the present application, the demolding control module 3400 includes: a judgment and counting module, which is configured to determine whether ice cubes have fallen according to the comparison signal, count the fallen ice cubes, and obtain a counting result; a full basket control module, which is configured to determine whether the counting result reaches a preset counting threshold, and when the counting result reaches the preset counting threshold, it is determined that the ice cubes in the ice basket are in a full basket state, and the ice maker is controlled to stop demolding; an abnormality control module, which is configured to determine that the ice cubes in the ice basket are in a vertically stacked state when the counting result does not reach the preset counting threshold and the comparison signal is in a low level state and has lasted for a preset period of time, output an alarm signal and suspend demolding.

[0137] Based on any embodiment of the device of the present application, the discrimination counting module includes: a signal filtering module, configured to filter the comparison signal to remove noise interference; a width determination module, configured to determine the pulse amplitude of the filtered high-level signal; a calculation processing module, configured to not accumulate the counting result when the pulse amplitude of the filtered comparison signal reaches a preset amplitude threshold, otherwise, it is determined that ice cubes have fallen and counted.

[0138] Another embodiment of the present application also provides a computer device. Figure 6 FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of a computer device. The computer device includes a processor, a computer-readable storage medium, a memory, and a network interface connected via a system bus. The computer-readable non-volatile storage medium of the computer device stores an operating system, a database, and computer-readable instructions. The database may store an information sequence. When the computer-readable instructions are executed by the processor, the processor may implement a computer method.

[0139] The processor of the computer device is used to provide computing and control capabilities to support the operation of the entire computer device. The memory of the computer device may store computer-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, may cause the processor to perform the computer method of the present application. The network interface of the computer device is used to connect and communicate with a terminal.

[0140] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 6 The structure shown in the figure is only a block diagram of a part of the structure related to the solution of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the computer device to which the solution of the present application is applied. The specific computer device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have a different component arrangement.

[0141] In this embodiment, the processor is used to execute Figure 5 The memory stores the program code and various data required to execute the modules or submodules. The network interface is used to implement data transmission between user terminals or servers. The non-volatile readable storage medium in this embodiment stores the program code and data required to execute all modules in the ice drop control device for ice makers of this application. The server can call the server's program code and data to execute the functions of all modules.

[0142] The present application also provides a non-volatile readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions. When the computer-readable instructions are executed by one or more processors, the one or more processors execute the steps of the computer method of any embodiment of the present application.

[0143] The present application also provides a computer program product, comprising a computer program / instruction, which implements the steps of the method described in any embodiment of the present application when executed by one or more processors.

[0144] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the processes in the above-described embodiments of the present application can be implemented by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the above-described embodiments of the method. The aforementioned storage medium can be a computer-readable storage medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM).

[0145] In summary, this application significantly improves the accuracy and reliability of ice maker detection of falling ice cubes by introducing a comparator and optimizing the signal processing method. Even when the ice cubes are small or highly translucent, they can be accurately counted, effectively avoiding misjudgment. At the same time, the microcontroller dynamically adjusts the demoulding operation according to the comparison signal to ensure that demoulding automatically stops when the ice basket is full, and issues an alarm in time under abnormal circumstances, thereby enhancing the stability of the equipment and user experience. In addition, this application achieves a significant improvement in detection accuracy without adding high-cost detection methods, which meets the cost control requirements of small household appliances and significantly improves the performance and market competitiveness of the product.

Claims

1. A method for controlling ice drop in an ice maker, characterized in that: include: The ice maker is controlled by a microcontroller to start demoulding the ice cubes; The microcontroller sets a corresponding reference voltage for the comparator according to the preset ice cube volume type. Small ice cubes correspond to a high reference voltage, while large ice cubes correspond to a low reference voltage. This ensures that the voltage of the detection signal when ice cubes block the area is always lower than the corresponding reference voltage, triggering a low-level signal. The infrared sensor is used to detect the blockage of infrared light by ice cubes falling from the ice maker, and a corresponding detection signal is generated; The detection signal is input into a comparator for comparison with a preset reference voltage, and the comparator outputs a comparison signal representing the comparison result, wherein the detection signal is input into the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator, and the reference voltage is input into the inverting input terminal of the comparator; The microcontroller controls the demoulding process of the ice maker according to the comparison signal.

2. The ice-drop control method for an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection signal is inputted into a comparator for comparison with a preset reference voltage, and before the comparator outputs a comparison signal representing the comparison result, the method includes: The comparator is configured by the microcontroller with a preset upper threshold and a lower threshold. The comparator is a hysteresis comparator. When the detection signal exceeds its upper threshold, it outputs a high-level comparison signal, and when the detection signal is lower than its lower threshold, it outputs a low-level comparison signal.

3. The ice-drop control method for an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the step of inputting the detection signal into a comparator for comparison with a preset reference voltage, and having the comparator output a comparison signal representing the comparison result, the comparator includes multiple comparison units, and the microcontroller inputs the detection signal in parallel into multiple comparison units matching different reference voltages to obtain corresponding comparison signals respectively.

4. The ice-drop control method for an ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power supply voltage of the comparator is 5V, the high reference voltage corresponding to the small ice cube is 1.2V, and the low reference voltage corresponding to the large ice cube is 0.5V.

5. The ice-drop control method for an ice-making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The microcontroller implements demoulding control on the ice maker according to the comparison signal, including: determining whether ice cubes have fallen according to the comparison signal, and counting the fallen ice cubes to obtain a counting result; Determining whether the counting result reaches a preset counting threshold, when the counting result reaches the preset counting threshold, determining that the ice basket is full of ice cubes, and controlling the ice maker to stop demolding; When the counting result does not reach the preset counting threshold and the comparison signal is in a low level state and has lasted for a preset period of time, it is determined that the ice cubes in the ice basket are in a vertically stacked state, an alarm signal is output, and demolding is suspended.

6. The ice-drop control method for an ice-making machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: Determining whether ice has fallen according to the comparison signal includes: Performing filtering on the comparison signal to remove noise interference; determining the pulse amplitude of the filtered high-level signal; When the pulse amplitude of the filtered comparison signal reaches a preset amplitude threshold, the counting result is not accumulated; otherwise, it is determined that ice cubes have fallen and the count is performed.

7. An ice-drop control circuit for an ice maker, characterized in that: It includes: Infrared sensor, used to detect the obstruction of infrared light when ice cubes are demoulded and fall, and generate corresponding detection signals; a comparator, whose input terminal is connected to the detection signal and a preset reference voltage, for comparing the detection signal with the reference voltage and outputting a comparison signal representing the comparison result, wherein the detection signal is input to the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator, and the reference voltage is input to the inverting input terminal of the comparator; The microcontroller is used to control the ice maker to start demolding the ice cubes, and implement demolding control on the ice maker according to the comparison signal. It is also used to set a corresponding reference voltage for the comparator according to the preset ice cube volume type, wherein small ice cubes correspond to a high reference voltage and large ice cubes correspond to a low reference voltage, so that the voltage of the detection signal when the ice cubes are blocked is always lower than the corresponding reference voltage, thereby triggering a low-level signal.

8. The ice-drop control circuit for an ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that: The comparator is a hysteresis comparator, including a positive feedback network, for setting a preset upper threshold and a lower threshold; When the detection signal exceeds the upper threshold, a high-level comparison signal is output; when the detection signal is lower than the lower threshold, a low-level comparison signal is output.

9. The ice-drop control circuit for an ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that: The comparator is a multi-stage comparator, comprising a plurality of comparison units, each comparison unit being set with a different reference voltage for performing graded detection on ice cubes of different sizes.

10. The ice-drop control circuit for an ice maker according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The microcontroller is configured to drive the execution of the steps of the ice-drop control method for an ice-making machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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