Ice making device

Abstract

An ice-making device capable of selectively generating ice with different transparency is disclosed. The ice-making device comprises an ice-making chamber equipped with an ice-making container capable of receiving ice-making water; a cooling unit that supplies cold air to the ice-making chamber to cool the ice-making water; an ice-making fan that circulates the supplied cold air; an ice-making heater unit that supplies heat to the ice-making water when cooling the ice-making water; and a control unit that controls at least one of the cooling unit, the ice-making fan, or the ice-making heater unit to adjust the rate of temperature change of the ice-making container so that one of the types of ice with different transparency is generated. The ice-making device according to the present invention has a transparency desired by the user by adjusting the rate of temperature change of the ice-making container.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an ice-making device capable of selectively producing different types of ice with different transparency. Background Technology

[0002] A refrigerator is a device that stores items at a low temperature by supplying cold air to a storage chamber using a refrigeration cycle, and can produce ice by supplying cold air to an ice-making chamber.

[0003] The ice-making chamber maintains conditions lower than the freezing point of 0°C while the ice-making container is filled with ice-making water. The ice-making water inside the container begins to cool from the point where it first comes into contact with the surrounding cold air, and freezing proceeds gradually toward the center. That is, cooling begins from the water surface or the point where it first comes into contact with the surrounding cold air, forming ice nuclei. Starting from these ice nuclei, the water gradually spreads toward the center of the container filled with ice-making water, forming ice throughout. A certain amount of air exists in the form of bubbles in the ice-making water supplied to the container. These bubbles must be rapidly expelled into the air to form clear ice; however, during actual ice making, as mentioned above, the water surface freezes first, preventing the bubbles from being expelled into the air and causing them to remain in the water, ultimately resulting in the formation of opaque ice.

[0004] A technology has been disclosed in which a defrosting rod that emits heat is immersed in the ice-making water inside the ice-making container during ice making to expel air bubbles that interfere with the formation of clear ice. In the clear ice making according to the prior art, freezing occurs simultaneously towards the central defrosting rod from the entire inner surface of the ice-making container, that is, from the sides and bottom.

[0005] Users do not always require only high-quality clear ice and may request standard or low-quality clear ice as needed. High-quality clear ice production has the problem of low ice yield due to a relatively slow production speed, while low-quality clear ice production has the problem of low ice transparency despite a fast production speed. The problem to be solved

[0006] Accordingly, the objective of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned conventional problems by providing an ice-making device capable of selectively making ice with a transparency desired by the user. means of solving the problem

[0007] An ice-making device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided to achieve the above objective. The ice-making device comprises an ice-making chamber having an ice-making container capable of receiving ice-making water, a cooling unit that supplies cold air to the ice-making chamber to cool the ice-making water, an ice-making fan that circulates the supplied cold air, an ice-making heater unit that supplies heat to the ice-making water when cooling the ice-making water, and a control unit that controls at least one of the cooling unit, the ice-making fan, or the ice-making heater unit to adjust the rate of change of temperature of the ice-making container so that one of the two types of ice with different transparency is produced. According to the present invention, the transparency of the ice can be selectively produced according to the rate of change of temperature of the ice-making container.

[0008] The above ice-making device further includes a temperature sensor installed in the ice-making container to measure the temperature of the ice-making container, thereby allowing the control unit to adjust the rate of temperature change of the ice-making container in real time while referring to the temperature of the ice-making container measured in real time by the temperature sensor.

[0009] The above control unit can lower the output of the ice-making heater unit and increase the output of the cooling device and the ice-making fan to follow the set rate of change if the rate of change of the temperature of the ice-making container is smaller than the set rate of change.

[0010] The above control unit can increase the output of the ice-making heater unit and decrease the output of the cooling device and the ice-making fan if the rate of change of temperature of the ice-making container is greater than the set rate of change, so as to follow the set rate of change.

[0011] The above-mentioned types of ice with different transparencys are generated by a rapid ice-making mode and a transparent ice-making mode set according to the temperature change rate of the ice-making container, thereby allowing the user to select various ice-making modes.

[0012] The above rapid ice-making mode can be set to a temperature change rate greater than 0.08 (℃ / min), and the above transparent ice-making mode can be set to a temperature change rate less than 0.03 (℃ / min).

[0013] The ice making device further includes a general ice making mode, and the general ice making mode can be set to a temperature change rate greater than 0.03 (℃ / min) and less than 0.08 (℃ / min).

[0014] The above control unit can turn off the ice-making heater unit in the rapid ice-making mode.

[0015] The above control unit can obtain even better transparent ice by varying the output of the ice-making heater unit in the transparent ice-making mode.

[0016] The above control unit can obtain improved transparent ice by turning the power of the ice-making heater unit on and off a preset number of times in the transparent ice-making mode.

[0017] In the above transparent ice-making mode, the temperature of the ice-making container during ice-making can be made higher than the temperature of the ice-making container during ice-making in the above rapid ice-making mode.

[0018] The above ice-making heater unit may be configured to include a heating rod that extends from above the surface of the ice-making water toward the bottom of the ice-making container so as to be submerged in the ice-making water and transfers heat to the ice-making water, and a rotating shaft unit that is connected to the heating rod and extends across the top of the ice-making container and rotates the heating rod to detach from the ice-making container, thereby enabling simultaneous ice making and ice removal.

[0019] By extending the heating rod to the bottom of the ice-making container within a range that does not interfere with rotation, the freezing direction can be controlled in a unidirectional manner to obtain ice with high transparency.

[0020] The above-mentioned rotating shaft portion has a hollow in the longitudinal direction, and the above-mentioned ice-making heater portion is configured to include a heater that is housed within the hollow of the above-mentioned rotating shaft portion and heats the heating rod, thereby simplifying the heating and ice-making structure.

[0021] The above heater can prevent a decrease in durability caused by the rotation of the rotating shaft by ensuring that a first air gap exists between it and the inner surface of the rotating shaft.

[0022] The device further includes a rotary drive unit that rotates the rotary shaft and a heater that supplies heat to the heating rod, wherein the rotary shaft may be configured to include a first rotary shaft portion in which the heater is supported and the heating rod is provided, and a second rotary shaft portion coupled to the first rotary shaft portion to transmit power from the rotary drive unit to the first rotary shaft portion.

[0023] The first rotating shaft is composed of a material with high thermal conductivity, and the second rotating shaft may be composed of a material having lower thermal conductivity than the high thermal conductivity part, thereby enabling the creation of uniform temperature conditions for the ice-making container.

[0024] The second rotating shaft portion can be provided such that a second air gap exists between it and the first rotating shaft portion, thereby enabling the creation of uniform temperature conditions for the ice-making container.

[0025] The heating rod further includes a heater that supplies heat to the heating rod, and the heating rod has a hollow space inside so that the heater can be accommodated in the hollow space to easily transfer heat to the heating rod.

[0026] An ice-making device according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises a main body having an ice-making chamber, a cooling unit for supplying cold air to the ice-making chamber, an ice-making unit having an ice-making container installed in the ice-making chamber and capable of receiving ice-making water, and an ice-making heater unit for transferring heat to the ice-making water, an ice-making fan for circulating cold air in the ice-making chamber, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the ice-making container, and a control unit for controlling at least one of the cooling unit, the ice-making fan, or the ice-making heater unit to adjust the rate of change of the temperature of the ice-making container so that one of the different types of ice with different transparency is produced.

[0027] A method for operating an ice-making device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of filling an ice-making container with ice-making water, measuring the temperature of the ice-making container in real time, and controlling at least one of the cooling unit, the ice-making fan, or the ice-making heater unit to adjust the rate of change of the temperature of the ice-making container based on the temperature of the ice-making container measured in real time, so that one of the types of ice with different transparency is produced. Effects of the invention

[0028] As described above, the ice-making device according to the present invention has the following effects.

[0029] First, it is possible to selectively produce ice with various transparency qualities and ice production quantities to meet the diverse needs of consumers.

[0030] Second, the structure is simple due to the heating and icing unit that performs both heating and icing for transparent ice making.

[0031] Third, ice with improved transparency can be obtained by varying the heater output or repeatedly turning the heater power on and off during ice making.

[0032] Fourth, the durability of the heating part can be improved by rotating the rotating shaft with a gap between it and the heating part inserted inside.

[0033] Fifth, the rotating shaft part is manufactured with a first rotating shaft part made of a metal with good thermal conductivity and a second rotating shaft part made of injection-moldable plastic, and by combining the second rotating shaft part with the first rotating shaft part such that a second air gap exists between them, manufacturing is easy and heat conduction can be effectively controlled. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0034] FIG. 1 is a front view showing the front of a stand-type refrigerator with the door opened according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a side cross-section of a stand-type refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a built-in freezer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a built-in freezer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ice-making device mounted in an ice-making chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an ice-making device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 7 to 9 are longitudinal, transverse, and plan views of the ice-making unit, respectively. FIG. 10 is a figure showing the state of the wire connected to the heating part of FIG. 6 during de-icing and de-icing. Figure 11 is a diagram showing a simulation of the freezing process inside an ice-making container. Figures 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating the process of removing ice made from an ice-making device. FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams showing the structure of a heating unit and a heating icing unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the structure of a heating wicking part according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrams showing the structure of a heating wicking part according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the shaving by rotation of the heating shaving part according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating the control flow of an ice-making device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 21 is a graph and table showing the relationship between transparency and ice production amount according to the rate of temperature change of the ice-making container. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an ice-making algorithm of an ice-making device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 23 is a diagram showing a method of controlling the output of the ice-making heater unit according to the set time during transparent ice-making mode. Figure 24 is a diagram showing a method of controlling the on / off of the ice-making heater unit at set intervals in transparent ice-making mode. Figure 25 is a graph showing the temperature change of the ice-making container. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an ice-making algorithm of an ice-making device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an ice-making algorithm of an ice-making device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. The present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. To clearly explain the present invention, the same reference numerals are used throughout the specification for identical or similar components.

[0036] An ice-making device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a refrigerator having a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment capable of freezing ice, a freezer having a freezer compartment capable of generating ice exclusively, or an ice-making device dedicated to generating ice. Additionally, an ice-making device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a stand-type refrigerator or a built-in freezer of an indirect cooling method or a direct cooling method.

[0037] Below, the overall structure of the refrigerator will be explained first with reference to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2.

[0038] FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front view showing the front of a refrigerator with the door opened and a cross-sectional view showing the side cross-section, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator may be configured to include a main body (10) having a freezer (11), a refrigerator (12) and an ice-making room (13), a freezer door (14) for opening and closing the freezer (11), a refrigerator door (15) for opening and closing the refrigerator (12), and a cooling unit (20) capable of supplying cold air to the freezer (11), the refrigerator (12) and the ice-making room (13).

[0040] The user can open the freezer door (14) to store items in the freezer (11). A freezer box (16) may be installed in the freezer (11), and the user can store items in the freezer box (16).

[0041] A first cold air supply duct (17) may be provided on the rear wall of the freezer room (11). An evaporator (27) for the freezer room of the cooling unit (20), a freezer fan (17a), and a cold air outlet (17b) for the freezer room may be installed in the first cold air supply duct (17). The freezer fan (17a) can supply cold air, which has been heat-exchanged by the evaporator (27) for the freezer room, to the freezer room (11) through the cold air outlet (17b) for the freezer room.

[0042] The user can open the refrigerator door (15) to store items in the refrigerator (12). Multiple shelves (18) may be installed in the refrigerator (12), and the user can store items by loading them onto each shelf (18).

[0043] A second cold air supply duct (19) may be provided on the rear wall of the refrigerator room (12). An evaporator (26) for the refrigerator room of the cooling unit (20), a refrigerator fan (19a), and a cold air outlet (19b) for the refrigerator room may be installed in the second cold air supply duct (19). The refrigerator fan (19a) can supply cold air, which has been heat-exchanged by the evaporator (26) for the refrigerator room, to the refrigerator room (12) through the cold air outlet (19b) for the refrigerator room.

[0044] The ice-making room (13) can be formed in a state of being insulated from the refrigerator room (12) by being partitioned from the refrigerator room (12) by an ice-making room case (31) that forms a predetermined space inside.

[0045] In the ice-making room (13), an ice-making unit (100) that generates ice and an ice storage container (50) that stores the ice generated by the ice-making unit (100) may be installed. The ice generated by the ice-making unit (100) may be stored in the ice storage container (50), and the ice stored in the ice storage container (50) may be moved to an ice crushing device (52) by a conveying device (51), and the ice crushed by the ice crushing device (52) may be supplied to a dispenser (54) by passing through an ice discharge duct (53).

[0046] At least one part of the refrigerant pipe (28) of the cooling unit (20) may be installed in the ice-making unit (100). The direct cooling section (28a) of the refrigerant pipe (28) of the cooling unit (20) may be inserted into the ice-making chamber (13), and the direct cooling section (28a) of the refrigerant pipe (28) inserted into the ice-making chamber (13) may be installed in the ice-making unit (100). The direct cooling section (28a) of the refrigerant pipe (28) may directly cool the ice-making unit (100) by coming into direct contact with the ice-making unit (100).

[0047] Additionally, an ice-making fan (37) that circulates the internal air may be installed in the ice-making room (13). The ice-making fan (37) can force the air of the ice-making room (13) to flow toward the direct cooling section (28a) of the refrigerant pipe (28) or the ice-making unit (100), thereby allowing the air of the ice-making room (13) to be cooled by exchanging heat with the direct cooling section (28a) of the refrigerant pipe (28) or the ice-making unit (100).

[0048] The cooling unit (20) may be configured to include a compressor (21), a condenser (22), a switching valve (23), a first expansion valve (24), a second expansion valve (25), an evaporator (26) for a refrigerator, an evaporator (27) for a freezer, and a refrigerant pipe (28).

[0049] The refrigerant pipe (28) can connect the compressor (21), the condenser (22), the first expansion valve (24), the second expansion valve (25), the evaporator (26) for the refrigerator room, and the evaporator (27) for the freezer room. The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe (28) can be discharged from the compressor (21), pass through the condenser (22) and the second expansion valve (25), and then be supplied to the evaporator (26) for the refrigerator room and the evaporator (27) for the freezer room. In the evaporator (26) for the refrigerator room, the refrigerant exchanges heat with the air of the refrigerator room (12) to cool the air of the refrigerator room (12), and the refrigerant supplied to the evaporator (27) for the freezer room can also exchange heat with the air of the freezer room (11) to cool the air of the freezer room (11). Additionally, the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe (28) can be supplied sequentially to the evaporator (26) for the refrigerator room and the evaporator (27) for the freezer room after passing through the first expansion valve (24) and the direct cooling section (28a) of the ice-making room (13).

[0050] In FIG. 2, a direct cooling method in which the refrigerant passes directly through the direct cooling section (28a) of the refrigerant pipe (28) is described as an example, but a method of indirect cooling through an evaporator for an ice-making room can be applied.

[0051] FIGS. 3 and 4 are a schematic perspective view and a schematic cross-sectional view of a freezer according to the present embodiment. The freezer according to the present embodiment employs an indirect cooling method, but a direct cooling method may also be applied. Regarding the freezer according to the present embodiment, parts similar to the refrigerator described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0052] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the freezer includes a cooling unit (40) applied within an ice-making room (13), at least one ice-making fan (47), and two ice-making units (100).

[0053] The ice-making room (13) is equipped with two ice-making units (100) for making ice, and cold air supplied from the evaporator (45) is introduced through the ice-making fan (37). Below the two ice-making units (100), an ice storage container (not shown) for receiving the ice is placed. The ice-making room (13) is an ice-making water supply section, and two ice-making water supply pipes (not shown) are introduced to supply ice-making water to the two ice-making units (100). The ice-making water supplied by the ice-making water supply pipes may undergo pretreatment processes such as filtering and sterilization.

[0054] The cooling unit (40) includes a compressor (41), a condenser (42), an expansion valve (44), first and second evaporators (45-1, 45-2), and a refrigerant pipe (48). The refrigerant pipe (48) connects the condenser (42), the expansion valve (44), and the first and second evaporators (45-1, 45-2). The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipe (48) is discharged from the compressor (41), passes through the condenser (42) and the expansion valve (44), and is then supplied to the first and second evaporators (45-1, 45-2). In the evaporator (45), the refrigerant can exchange heat with the air of the ice-making room (13) to cool the air of the ice-making room (13).

[0055] The ice-making fan (47) forcibly circulates air cooled by the first and second evaporators (45-1, 45-2) to lower the temperature of each ice-making room (13).

[0056] The ice-making unit (100) is a device that produces ice using cooled air. Normally, one of the two ice-making units (100) is used for making clear ice, and the other is used for making rapid ice. Depending on the situation, both ice-making units (100) may be used for making clear ice or making rapid ice.

[0057] FIGS. 5 to 9 are a perspective view, an exploded perspective view, a longitudinal section, a transverse section, and a planar section of an ice-making unit (100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

[0058] The ice-making unit (100) includes an ice-making container (110) having a space for receiving ice-making water, an ice-making heater section (120, 130) that supplies heat to the ice-making water inside the ice-making container (110), an ice-making guide section (140), a rotary drive section (150) that rotates the heating ice-making section to make the ice-making ice-making unit, a container support section (160), and a wire (170) that supplies power to the ice-making heater section (120, 130). The ice-making unit (100) includes a temperature sensor (103) mounted on the ice-making container (110). The temperature sensor (103) measures the temperature of the ice-making container (110) and provides information for temperature control inside the ice-making chamber (13) and inside the ice-making container (110).

[0059] The ice-making container (110) is made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than a predetermined value, for example, aluminum. The ice-making container (110) is an ice-making tray and includes four ice-making cells (112) arranged side by side, separated by, for example, a separating wall (113). The separating wall (113) includes an overflow section (115) that allows ice-making water to overflow into adjacent ice-making cells (112). Each ice-making cell (112) includes an inner surface of an unrestricted hemispherical shape.

[0060] The ice-making heater section (120, 130) includes a heater (120) that generates heat and a heating ice section (130) that extends from above the surface of the ice-making water toward the bottom of the ice-making container (110) and is submerged in the ice-making water, transfers heat supplied from the heater (120) to the ice-making water during cooling of the ice-making water, and is provided to be rotatable during ice-making.

[0061] The heater (120) is made of a material such as tungsten, for example, which emits heat through resistance when power is applied by the wire (170). The heater (120) includes a first heating wire (121) and a second heating wire (123) to which + and - power is applied. The wire (170) includes a first wire (171) and a second wire (172) which are respectively connected to the first heating wire (121) and the second heating wire (123). The first heating wire (121) and the second heating wire (123) are connected to each other at their ends to generate heat through resistance when + and - power is applied. The heater (120) is supported on the ice-making container (110) while extending along the arrangement direction of the ice-making cell (112) on the upper part of the ice-making cell (112). One side of the heater (120) is fixed by a heater cap (122), and the other side is fixed by a heater holder (124). The heater (120) may be coated or covered with a material having a thermal conductivity greater than a predetermined value, or inserted into a metal pipe having a thermal conductivity greater than a predetermined value. Here, the heater (120) serves as the rotational center of the heating part (130) in a fixed state. However, depending on the design, the heater (120) may be supported to rotate together with the heating part (130) rather than in a fixed state.

[0062] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state of a wire (170) connected to a heater (120) during freezing and freezing. As shown, during freezing, the wire (170) is extended in the horizontal direction, that is, the direction of rotation, from the initial state along the length direction of the heater (120) and is wound one or more times around the heater (120). At this time, the wire (170) has an excess wire (172) that is not wound and is hanging loose so that it can be additionally wound when the heater (120) rotates during freezing. During freezing, the excess wire (172) of the wire (170) is additionally wound according to the forward rotation of the heater (120). Again during freezing, the excess wire (172) of the wire (170) is unwound and hangs loose again due to the reverse rotation of the heater (120). In this way, the wire (170) is arranged in a structure that allows it to smoothly perform winding and unwinding according to the forward and reverse rotations of freezing and freezing. In addition, in addition to the structural design of the wire, durability can be further improved by using a flexible material such as silicone or Teflon for the sheathing of the wire (170). Also, durability can be improved by increasing the bending radius of the wire (170) when designing the operating mechanism for winding and unwinding the wire. This smooth winding and unwinding structure of the wire (170) allows the wire core to be reduced from, for example, 0.16φ to 0.08φ.

[0063] The heating ice section (130) includes a rotating shaft section (131, 132) having a hollow space and a heating rod (133) for heating ice water in the ice-making cell (112).

[0064] The rotation shaft portion (131, 132) includes a first rotation shaft portion (131) and a second rotation shaft portion (132) that are mutually connectable and separable. The second rotation shaft portion (132) is connected to the first rotation shaft portion (131) to transmit rotational power. The rotation shaft portion is not limited to being separated into the first rotation shaft portion (131) and the second rotation shaft portion (132), and may be manufactured as a single unit.

[0065] A heater (120) is inserted or supported within the first rotating shaft portion (131). The first rotating shaft portion (131) is inserted such that a first gap (G1) exists between it and the heater (120). The first gap (G1) may be filled with air or thermal grease. The first rotating shaft portion (131) and the heating rod (133) may be integrally formed from a metal material having a thermal conductivity greater than a predetermined value.

[0066] The first rotational shaft portion (131) includes at least one pair of hooks (134) facing each other on its outer surface for hook coupling with the second rotational shaft portion (132). The hooks (134) protrude upward from the outer surface of the first rotational shaft portion (131), are elastically deformable, and have a catch at their ends.

[0067] In another embodiment, the first rotating shaft portion may be configured in a semi-cylindrical shape with an open top, and the second rotating shaft portion may be configured in a semi-cylindrical shape with an open bottom. By connecting the first rotating shaft portion and the second rotating shaft portion to each other, a cylindrical shaft hole can be formed into which a heater can be inserted. Here, the heater can be inserted into the shaft hole such that a gap exists between the inner surface of the first rotating shaft portion and the second rotating shaft portion. At this time, the gap may be filled with air or thermal grease.

[0068] The second rotating shaft portion (132) is coupled longitudinally to the first rotating shaft portion (131), and a rotational drive portion (150) is connected to one end to receive rotational power. The second rotating shaft portion (132) is coupled such that a semicircular second gap (G2) exists between the first rotating shaft portion (131) and the heater (120). The second gap (G2) may be filled with air or thermal grease. The second gap (G2) prevents heat from the internal heater (120) from being transferred to the second rotating shaft portion (132) through the upper part of the first rotating shaft portion (131). The second rotating shaft portion (132) includes at least one pair of hook-catching portions (135) on its outer surface for hook coupling with the hook (134) of the first rotating shaft portion (131). A pair of hook-catching portions (135) each have a hook extending left and right from the outer surface of the second rotating shaft portion (132). The hook (134) of the first rotating shaft portion (131) is hook-coupled while passing through the hook of the hook-catching portion (135). The second rotating shaft portion (132) is made of a material that has a thermal conductivity of less than or equal to a predetermined value and is capable of injection molding, such as plastic. In another embodiment, the second rotating shaft portion (132) may be omitted, and the first rotating shaft portion (131) may directly receive power from the rotational drive portion (150).

[0069] As an example, the hook connection between the first rotational shaft part (131) and the second rotational shaft part (132) can be connected in various ways, such as by adhesive, press fit, etc.

[0070] The heating rod (133) may have a shape of any one of various three-dimensional forms, such as a rod or, for example, a cylinder. The heating rod (133) extends integrally, for example, vertically, along the longitudinal direction of the first rotational shaft portion (131). The heating rod (133) extends from above the surface of the ice-making water toward the bottom of the ice-making cell (112) and is submerged in the ice-making water. The heating rod (133) may extend to the bottom of the ice-making cell (112). The end of the heating rod (133) may be positioned with a clearance from the inner surface of the ice-making cell (112) for proper rotation. Although the heating rod (133) has been described as being integrally formed with the first rotational shaft portion (131), it may be manufactured separately and assembled according to the design.

[0071] The ice removal guide section (140) is made of an injection-moldable material, for example, plastic. The ice removal guide section (140) includes an ice removal guide (142) having four ice removal slots (144) through which the four heating rods (133) pass when rotating. The ice removal guide (142) extends from the edge of the ice-making container (110) toward the second rotation axis section (132) within the rotation radius of the heating rods (133). The ice removal guide section (140) is coupled to the side of the ice-making container (110) to guide the discharge of ice that is removed by the rotation of the heating ice removal section (130). The ice removal guide (142) has an arc shape in which the radius of curvature gradually increases from the end adjacent to the second rotation axis section (132) toward the edge of the ice-making container (110). As a result, the heating rod (133) inserted into the ice being leached gradually detaches from the ice as it passes through the arc-shaped ice leaching guide (142).

[0072] The rotary drive unit (150) is coupled to one end of the second rotary shaft (132) and transmits power so that the second rotary shaft unit (132) repeats forward and reverse rotation. The rotary drive unit (150) can be implemented as a stepping motor, and a cam (not shown) can be connected to the drive shaft (not shown) for power transmission.

[0073] The container support (160) is made of an injection-moldable material, for example, plastic. The container support (160) is positioned to cover the top of the ice-making container (110) and is fixed to the inner wall of the ice-making chamber (13). The container support (160) securely supports the ice-making container (110). The container support (160) includes a cup (162) that stores ice-making water supplied from the ice-making water supply pipe. The cup (162) supplies ice-making water to the first ice-making cell (112) adjacent to the lower ice-making container (110). When the first ice-making cell (112) is filled with ice-making water, it is filled into the next ice-making cell through the overflow section (115), and thus ice-making water is filled into all ice-making cells in stages. In conventional ice-making devices, the cup that stores ice-making water is attached integrally to the ice-making container. As a result, a cup with a predetermined volume additionally transmits cold air to an adjacent ice-making cell, making it difficult to control the temperature for transparent ice making in the ice-making cell adjacent to the cup among the four ice-making cells. However, the ice-making unit (100) of the present invention enables uniform temperature control of multiple ice-making cells by mounting the cup on the upper container support (160).

[0074] When making ice, freezing begins at the water surface of the ice cell (112) and across the entire inner surface of the ice cell. The heating ice section (130) is a structure in which the heating rod (133) is rotatable and extends from the center to the bottom of the ice cell (112) having a hemispherical inner surface. Since heat is applied to the ice water by the heating rod (133), freezing begins at a location far from the heating rod (133), as shown in FIG. 7.

[0075] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the freezing direction in the ice-making cell (112) in a stepwise simulation. In the first step, as an ice-making inducer, freezing begins from the surface of the ice-making water and the edge of the ice-making cell (112). In the second step, as a freezing growth stage, freezing is performed in a unidirectional direction, that is, parallel to the water surface, from the edge of the ice-making cell (112) toward the central heating rod (133). In the third step, as a freezing stopper, freezing is finished near the heating rod (133), and ice-making is completed. In this way, the ice-making unit (100) of the present invention enables uniform ice-making speed control and can induce transparent freezing by allowing freezing to proceed toward the heating rod (133) in a single direction parallel to the water surface from a position far from the heating rod (133).

[0076] FIGS. 12 and FIGS. 13 are drawings for explaining the ice removal process of an ice-making unit (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] When the ice making is complete, the heating rod (133) is inserted into the center of the ice as shown in FIG. 7. At this time, when the heating rod (133) rotates counterclockwise by the rotation of the rotary drive unit (150), the heating rod (133) is removed from the ice making cell (112) while still inserted into the ice (2) as shown in FIG. 12. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13, when the heating rod (133) rotates further and passes through the ice removal slot (144) and the ice removal guide (142), the ice is completely removed from the heating rod (133). In this way, the ice making unit (100) of the present invention provides the convenient advantage that, when freezing, the heating rod (133) performs the role of transferring heat to the ice making water for transparent ice making to induce the direction of freezing in a unidirectional manner, and when removing ice, it also performs the role of an ice ejector.

[0078] FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams showing the structure of a heater (220) and a heating element (230) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] The heater (220) includes four bends (222) that are individually inserted into the hollows inside each of the four heating rods (233). Unlike the conduction method of the previously described embodiment, the bends (222) individually and directly heat each heating rod (233). The heater (220) includes a first heating wire (221) and a second heating wire (223) made of a material such as tungsten that generates heat by resistance. The first heating wire (221) has four first bends (222) that are bent into a 'U' shape for each of the four heating rods (233) while extending along the longitudinal direction of the first rotational shaft (231). The second heating wire (223) is adjacent to the first heating wire (221) and extends along the longitudinal direction of the first rotating shaft portion (231), and includes four second bend portions (224) that are bent into a 'U' shape for every four heating rods (233). The first heating wire (221) and the second heating wire (223) are arranged in pairs adjacent to each other and their ends are connected to each other, so that when + and - power is applied respectively, heat is generated by resistance.

[0080] The heating member (230) includes, for example, a first rotating shaft member (231) in the shape of a semi-cylindrical shape, a second rotating shaft member (232) coupled along the longitudinal direction to the upper part of the first rotating shaft member (231) to transmit rotational power, and a heating rod (233) integrally provided at the lower part of the first rotating shaft member (231) and extending downward.

[0081] The first rotating shaft portion (231) has a first heating line (221) and a second heating line (223) arranged adjacent to each other on the inner circumference of a semi-cylindrical shape. The first rotating shaft portion (231) includes at least one hook (234) for coupling with the second rotating shaft portion (232).

[0083] The second rotating shaft portion (232) is made of a plastic material that has low thermal conductivity and is suitable for injection molding. The second rotating shaft portion (232) is coupled to the upper part of the first rotating shaft portion (231) to receive rotational power from the rotational drive portion and provide it to the first rotating shaft portion (231). The second rotating shaft portion (232) includes at least one hook-catching portion (235) that is hook-coupled to the hook (234) of the first rotating shaft portion (231). The second rotating shaft portion (232) includes four insertion protrusions (236) extending downward. The insertion protrusions (236) are inserted into the hollow within the heating rod (233) when the first rotating shaft portion (231) and the second rotating shaft portion (232) are coupled. When the insertion projection (236) is inserted into the heating rod (233), the heating rod (233) fixes and supports the first bend portion (222) and the second bend portion (224) of the first heating wire (221) and the second heating wire (223) within the hollow.

[0084] The heating rod (233) extends downward from the lower outer surface of the first rotating shaft portion (231). The heating rod (233) includes a hollow into which the first bend portion (222) and the second bend portion (224) of the first heating wire (221) and the second heating wire (223) are inserted.

[0085] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the structure of a heating rod (333) according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] The heating rod (333) includes a plurality of pores (337) on its outer surface. The pores (337) may be formed to be exposed to the outside along an internal passage (not shown) of the heating rod (333). The heating rod (333) extends from above the surface of the ice-making water toward the bottom of the ice-making cell (312) and is submerged in the ice-making water. As shown in FIG. 10, within the ice-making cell (312), freezing proceeds from the side of the inner surface toward the central heating rod (333) and is finally completed at the heating rod (333). At this time, air bubbles in the ice-making water enter the pores (337) of the heating rod (333), allowing the ice near the heating rod (333) to maintain its transparency. The heating rod (333) may extend to the bottom of the ice-making cell (312). The end of the heating rod (333) can be positioned with a clearance from the inner surface of the ice cell (312) for proper rotation.

[0087] The heating rod (133, 233, 333) may have its outer surface treated to be hydrophilic to prevent cloudiness from occurring on the ice on the surface of the heating rod during the freezing completion stage. Methods for treating the outer surface of the heating rod (333) to be hydrophilic include chemical treatment, ultraviolet irradiation, and oxygen plasma treatment.

[0088] FIGS. 17 and 18 are diagrams showing the structure of a heating wicking part (430) according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] The heating and freezing section (430) includes a first rotating shaft section (431) having a hollow space, a second rotating shaft section (432) that transmits rotational power in conjunction with the first rotating shaft section (431), and a heating rod (433) that sinks from the outer surface of the first rotating shaft section (431) to the bottom in the center of the freezing cell (412).

[0090] The first rotating shaft portion (431) is cylindrical in shape, and a heater (420) is placed inside it with a first air gap (G1). The first rotating shaft portion (431) and the heating rod (433) may be integrally made of a metal material having a thermal conductivity greater than a predetermined value. The first rotating shaft portion (431) includes at least one hook (434) on its outer surface for hook connection with the second rotating shaft portion (432). As one example, the hook connection between the first rotating shaft portion (431) and the second rotating shaft portion (432) can be achieved by various methods, such as adhesive, press fit, screw, etc.

[0091] The second rotating shaft section (432) is coupled longitudinally to the first rotating shaft section (431) in a semi-cylindrical shape so that a second air gap (G2) exists. The second rotating shaft section (432) receives rotational power through a rotational drive unit connected to one end. The second rotating shaft section (432) is provided with four ejectors (439) that discharge ice during ice removal. The ejectors (439) rotate according to the rotation of the second rotating shaft section (432). The second rotating shaft section (432) includes at least one hook-catching section (435) on its outer surface for hook coupling with the hook (434) of the first rotating shaft section (431).

[0092] The heating rod (433) extends integrally, for example, vertically, along the longitudinal direction of the first rotational shaft portion (431). The heating rod (433) includes a heating head (438) with a half-moon (dot) cross-sectional shape at its end. The heating head (438) includes an outer surface having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the inner surface of the ice-making cell (412). Consequently, the inner surface of the ice-making cell (412) and the outer surface of the heating head (438) can have the same shortest distance, so that freezing starting from the inner surface of the ice-making cell (412) can simultaneously end at the outer surface of the heating head (438).

[0093] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the ice removal of the heating ice removal unit (430) according to the fourth embodiment. As shown, when the second rotating shaft unit (432) rotates, the heating head (438) is removed from the ice (2), and at the same time, the ejector (439) rotating pushes the ice (2) up from the ice making cell (112). The ice removal guide (442) may be formed as a flat plate extending horizontally from the edge of the ice making container.

[0094] FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating the control flow of an ice-making device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 20, the control flow of an ice-making device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained. As shown, the ice-making device (1) includes a mode setting unit (101), a display unit (102), a temperature sensor (103), a storage unit (104), a control unit (105), and a cooling system (106).

[0095] The target temperature of the ice-making device (1) is set so that ice is produced by cooling the ice-making water in the ice-making room (13) to below the freezing point. The target temperature is set as an initial value when the ice-making device (1) is manufactured, and can be changed thereafter by user operation. The target temperature of the ice-making room (13) equipped with the ice-making unit (100) can be set as an initial value, for example, -20℃.

[0096] An ice-making unit (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention operates in one of a general ice-making mode, a transparent ice-making mode, and a rapid ice-making mode according to a user's selection through a mode setting unit (101). The general ice-making mode is a mode that produces ice with a transparency lower than high-quality transparency, the transparent ice-making mode is a mode that produces high-transparency ice with a transparency greater than a predetermined value, although the speed of ice production is slow, and the rapid ice-making mode is a mode that produces a large amount of ice in a short time by rapidly making ice regardless of transparency, and the user can select any one of these modes. As another embodiment, the setting mode may be divided into only two, general ice-making and transparent ice-making, or it may be divided more finely according to transparency.

[0097] In addition, the ice making device (1) controls the ice making temperature of the ice making room (13) and the temperature conditions of the ice making container (110) through the cooling system (106) according to the setting mode.

[0098] The mode setting unit (101) may employ a button switch, a switch, or a touchscreen. The mode setting unit (101) allows the user to select one of a normal ice making mode, a transparent ice making mode, and a rapid ice making mode, and additionally receives commands related to the amount of ice or transparency according to each ice making mode.

[0099] The display unit (102) may employ a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) panel. The display unit (102) displays information related to operation, such as setting mode information, ice making environment information for the ice making room (13), target temperature and current temperature of the refrigerator room (11) and freezer room (12), and whether or not to operate in energy-saving mode.

[0100] A temperature sensor (103) is installed in an ice-making container (110) to measure the temperature of the ice-making container (110). The temperature of the ice-making container (110) measured by the temperature sensor (103) is used as information for ice-making control, ice-making timing, etc., to control the temperature according to the set ice-making mode.

[0101] The storage unit (104) may be a flash memory, etc. The storage unit (104) stores various information related to control operations, such as control information of the cooling system (106), i.e., the cooling unit (20, 40), the ice-making fan (37, 47), the ice-making heater unit (120, 130), the target temperature of the ice-making room (13), the freezer room (12) and the refrigerator room (11), and the operating mode, measurement information, environmental information, etc., according to the ice-making mode.

[0102] The control unit (105) generally controls each component of the ice making device (1), such as the cooling unit (20, 40), ice making fan (37, 47), and ice making heater unit (120, 130), to produce ice according to the general ice making mode, transparent ice making mode, or rapid ice making mode set by the user.

[0103] The control unit (105) can be implemented as an integrated circuit with control functions, such as a system-on-chip (SoC), or as a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit).

[0104] A general-purpose processor executes a control program (or instruction) that enables control operations to be performed, and the control unit (105) may further include a non-volatile memory in which the control program is installed and a volatile memory in which at least a portion of the installed control program is loaded.

[0105] The cooling system (106) includes a cooling section (20, 40), an ice-making fan (37, 47), and an ice-making heater section (120, 130).

[0106] As described with reference to 2 and 4, the cooling section (20, 40) includes a compressor (21, 41), a condenser (22, 42), an expansion valve (24, 44), a direct cooling section (28a) or first and second evaporators (45-1, 45-2) and a refrigerant pipe (28, 48). The refrigerant pipe (28, 48) connects the condenser (22, 42), the expansion valve (24, 44), the direct cooling section (28a) or the first and second evaporators (45-1, 45-2). The refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant pipes (28, 48) is discharged from the compressor (21, 41), passes through the condenser (22, 42) and expansion valve (24, 44), and is supplied to the direct cooling section (28a) or the first and second evaporators (45-1, 45-2), and can cool the air in the ice-making room (13) by exchanging heat with the air in the ice-making room (13).

[0107] The ice-making fans (37, 47) are placed within the ice-making chamber (13) to circulate cold air and control the ice-making speed within the ice-making chamber (13). The ice-making fans (37, 47) can be mounted at various locations within the ice-making chamber (13) for precise control. Multiple ice-making fans (37, 47) may also be installed within a single ice-making chamber (13).

[0108] The ice-making heater unit (120, 130) is installed in the ice-making container (110) to increase the transparency of the ice and controls the temperature of the heating rod (133), and together with the cooling unit (20, 40) and ice-making fan (37, 47), controls the ice-making temperature, ice-making speed, etc.

[0109] FIG. 21 is a graph and table showing the relationship between transparency and ice production amount according to the rate of change of temperature of the ice-making container (110). As shown, the smaller the rate of change of temperature of the ice-making container, the higher the transparency and the smaller the ice production amount, and the larger the rate of change of temperature, the lower the transparency and the larger the ice production amount.

[0110] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the ice-making control process of an ice-making device (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] In step S10, the control unit (105) controls the supply of ice-making water to the ice-making container (ice-making tray) (110).

[0112] In step S11, the control unit (105) determines whether the ice making mode is set by the user through the mode setting unit (101) or is initially set, namely, high ice making mode, normal ice making mode, or transparent ice making mode. If it is high ice making mode, step S12 is performed.

[0113] In step S12, the control unit (105) controls the cooling unit (20, 40) so that the temperature of the ice-making room becomes the lowest, for example, -23℃.

[0114] In step S13, the control unit (105) controls the ice-making fan (37, 47) to maximum output.

[0115] In step S14, the control unit (105) turns off the ice-making heater unit (120, 130).

[0116] In step S15, the control unit (105) monitors the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor (104) and determines whether the temperature of the ice-making container reaches the ice temperature (-7.5℃).

[0117] In step S40, the control unit (105) controls the ice-making container temperature to be removed as the ice-making temperature (-7.5℃) is reached.

[0118] Continue by returning to the beginning and repeatedly performing de-icing.

[0119] In step S11, the control unit (105) proceeds to step S22 if the ice making mode is the general ice making mode.

[0120] In step S22, the control unit (105) controls the cooling unit (20, 40) so that the temperature of the ice-making room becomes, for example, about -20℃.

[0121] In step S23, the control unit (105) controls the ice-making fan (37, 47) to an intermediate output between the maximum and minimum.

[0122] In step S24, the control unit (105) turns on the ice-making heater unit (120, 130).

[0123] In step S25, it is determined whether the rate of change in the ice-making container temperature reaches 0.03 to 0.08. If it is less than 0.03 or greater than 0.08, the output of the ice-making fan and the ice-making heater unit is adjusted to make the rate of change in the ice-making container temperature reach 0.03 to 0.08. The control unit (105) performs step S26 when the rate of change in the ice-making container temperature reaches 0.03 to 0.08.

[0124] In step S26, the control unit (105) monitors the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor (104) and determines whether the temperature of the ice-making container reaches the ice temperature (-6.5℃).

[0125] In step S40, the control unit (105) controls the ice-making container temperature to be removed as the ice-making temperature (-6.5℃) is reached.

[0126] Continue by returning to the beginning and repeatedly performing de-icing.

[0127] In step S11, the control unit (105) proceeds to step S32 if the ice making mode is the transparent ice making mode.

[0128] In step S32, the control unit (105) controls the cooling unit (20, 40) so that the temperature of the ice-making room is maintained at, for example, -17℃.

[0129] In step S33, the control unit (105) lowers the output of the ice-making fan (37, 47).

[0130] In step S34, the control unit (105) increases the output of the ice-making heater unit (120, 130). The control unit (105) can efficiently manage the rate of change in the temperature of the ice-making container by variably controlling the output of the ice-making heater unit (120, 130) as shown in FIG. 23, or by repeatedly turning the power on and off at regular intervals as shown in FIG. 24.

[0131] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a method of controlling the output of the ice-making heater unit (120, 130) according to the set time in step S34.

[0132] The first stage (induction stage) is a section that induces a phase change from ice-making water to ice, and the control unit (105) controls freezing by applying a single voltage of about 6.8V to the ice-making heater unit for, for example, about 0 to 30 minutes.

[0133] The second stage (growth stage) is a section for accelerating ice growth under conditions of a certain speed or lower, and the control unit (105) applies a voltage of 5.9V for 30 to 60 minutes, a voltage of 6.2V for 60 to 80 minutes, and a voltage of 6.4V for 80 to 90 minutes to the ice-making heater unit to grow ice.

[0134] The third stage (stopping stage) is the section with the fastest ice-making speed, and the control unit (105) applies a voltage of 6.6V to the ice-making heater unit for, for example, 90 to 160 minutes.

[0135] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a method of controlling the on / off of the ice-making heater unit at set intervals in step S34. In the graph, the horizontal axis represents time (min), the left vertical axis represents heating power (W), and the right vertical axis represents the ice-making water temperature (°C). As shown, the control unit (105) performs the process of turning on the power of the ice-making heater unit at set intervals, maintaining it for a certain period, and then turning it off multiple times until freezing is complete. Specifically, the power of the ice-making heater unit is turned on and off at a power of 1.6W for a predetermined period (irregular period) approximately every 10 minutes. Consequently, it can be seen that the freezing speed is reduced as the ice-making water temperature gradually decreases during the on / off control of the ice-making heater unit.

[0136] In step S35, the control unit (105) continuously monitors the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor (104) to determine whether the rate of change in the ice-making container temperature is, for example, less than 0.003. If the rate of change in the ice-making container temperature is 0.003 or higher, the control unit (105) lowers the output of the ice-making fan (37, 47) and raises the output of the ice-making heater unit (120, 130).

[0137] FIG. 25 is a graph showing the temperature change of the ice-making container. As shown in the graph, it can be seen that the control unit (105) controls the ice-making fan (37, 47) and the ice-making heater unit (120, 130) to repeatedly control the rate of temperature change of the ice-making container to less than 0.003 according to the set transparent ice-making mode for a certain period of time.

[0138] In step S36, the control unit (105) determines whether the ice-making container temperature change rate is less than 0.003 and whether the ice-making container temperature reaches the ice-making temperature (-5℃). Here, the ice-making temperature of the transparent ice-making mode is -5℃, which is higher than the ice-making temperature of -6.5℃ of the general ice-making mode and the ice-making temperature of -7.5℃ of the high ice-making volume mode.

[0139] In step S40, the control unit (105) performs ice removal as the temperature of the ice-making container reaches the ice removal temperature (-5℃).

[0140] Continuing, the control unit (105) returns to the beginning and repeatedly performs de-icing control.

[0141] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the ice-making control process of an ice-making device (1) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the ice-making mode is divided into two types: a high ice-making volume mode and a transparent ice-making mode.

[0142] In step S50, the control unit (105) supplies ice-making water to the ice-making container (ice-making tray) (110).

[0143] In step S51, the control unit (105) determines whether the ice-making mode set by the user through the mode setting unit (101) or initially set is a transparent ice-making mode. If the control unit (105) determines that it is not a transparent ice-making mode, it proceeds to step S52.

[0144] In step S52, the control unit (105) controls the cooling unit (20, 40) to the lowest temperature of the ice-making room.

[0145] In step S53, the control unit (105) controls the ice-making fan (37, 47) to operate at maximum output.

[0146] In step S54, the control unit (105) controls the ice-making heater unit (120, 130) to turn off.

[0147] In step S55, the control unit (105) monitors the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor (104) and determines whether the temperature of the ice-making container reaches, for example, -7.5℃.

[0148] In step S70, the control unit (105) performs ice making as the temperature of the ice-making container reaches -7.5℃.

[0149] Continuing, the control unit (105) returns to the beginning and repeatedly performs de-icing control.

[0150] In step S51, if the control unit (105) is in transparent ice-making mode, proceed to step S61.

[0151] In step S61, the control unit (105) maintains the ice-making room temperature, for example, -17℃.

[0152] In step S62, the control unit (105) increases the output of the ice-making heater unit (120, 130). The control unit (105) can efficiently manage the rate of change in the temperature of the ice-making container by variably controlling the output of the ice-making heater unit (120, 130) as shown in FIG. 23, or by repeatedly turning the power on and off at regular intervals as shown in FIG. 24.

[0153] In step S63, the control unit (105) continuously monitors the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor (104) to determine whether the rate of change in the ice-making container temperature is, for example, 0.003 to 0.015. If the rate of change in the ice-making container temperature exceeds 0.003, the control unit (105) increases the output of the ice-making heater unit (120, 130).

[0154] In step S64, the control unit (105) determines whether the ice-making container temperature change rate is, for example, 0.003 to 0.015 and whether the ice-making container temperature reaches, for example, -5℃. Here, the ice-making temperature of the transparent ice-making mode is -5℃, which is higher than the ice-making temperature of the high ice-making volume mode, which is -7.5℃.

[0155] In step S70, the control unit (105) performs ice making as the temperature of the ice-making container reaches -5℃.

[0156] Continuing, the control unit (105) returns to the beginning and repeatedly performs de-icing control.

[0157] In the second embodiment described above, the control unit (105) controlled the rate of change of the ice container temperature using only the ice-making room temperature and the ice-making heater thrust.

[0158] FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the ice-making control process of an ice-making device (1) according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Here, the ice-making mode is divided into two types: a high ice-making volume mode and a transparent ice-making mode.

[0159] In step S80, the control unit (105) supplies ice-making water to the ice-making container (ice-making tray) (110).

[0160] In step S81, the control unit (105) determines whether the ice-making mode set by the user through the mode setting unit (101) or initially set is a high ice-making volume mode or a transparent ice-making mode. If it is a high ice-making volume mode, step S82 is performed.

[0161] In step S82, the control unit (105) controls the cooling unit (20, 40) to the lowest temperature of the ice-making room.

[0162] In step S83, the control unit (105) controls the ice-making fan (37, 47) to maximum output.

[0163] In step S84, the control unit (105) controls the ice-making heater unit (120, 130) to turn off.

[0164] In step S85, the control unit (105) monitors the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor (104) and determines whether the temperature of the ice-making container reaches, for example, -7.5℃.

[0165] In step S100, the control unit (105) performs ice making as the temperature of the ice-making container reaches -7.5℃.

[0166] Continuing, the control unit (105) returns to the beginning and repeatedly performs de-icing control.

[0167] In step S81, if the control unit (105) is in transparent ice-making mode, proceed to step S92.

[0168] In step S91, the control unit (105) controls the cooling unit (20, 40) so that the ice-making room temperature becomes, for example, -17℃.

[0169] In step S92, the control unit (105) lowers the output of the ice-making fan (37, 47).

[0170] In step S93, the control unit (105) continuously monitors the temperature value measured by the temperature sensor (104) to determine whether the rate of change in the ice-making container temperature is, for example, 0.003 to 0.015. If the rate of change in the ice-making container temperature exceeds 0.003, the control unit (105) further lowers the output of the ice-making fan (37, 47).

[0171] In step S94, the control unit (105) determines whether the ice-making container temperature change rate is, for example, 0.003 to 0.015 and whether the ice-making container temperature reaches, for example, -5℃. Here, the ice-making temperature of the transparent ice-making mode is -5℃, which is higher than the ice-making temperature of the high ice-making volume mode, which is -7.5℃.

[0172] In step S100, the control unit (105) performs ice making as the temperature of the ice container reaches -5℃.

[0173] Continuing, the control unit (105) returns to the beginning and repeatedly performs de-icing control.

[0174] In the aforementioned transparent ice-making mode, the rate of temperature change of the ice-making container was controlled solely by the output of the ice-making fan, excluding the ice-making heater unit.

[0175] Table 1 below is a table showing the control of each element of the cooling system (106) according to the ice-making mode.

[0176] Rapid freezing General ice making Transparent ice making transparency 20% 60% 90% Ice-making room temperature -23℃ -20℃ -17℃ De-icing heater unit OFF Output control Output control Ice-making fan maximum Output control Output control Temperature change rate of ice-making containers Exceeding 0.08 0.03~0.08 Less than 0.03

[0177] In the case of rapid ice making mode, the control unit (150) turns off the ice making heater unit so that the temperature change rate exceeds 0.08 with, for example, transparency of 20%, the ice making room temperature is at the lowest -23℃, and the ice making fan is at the maximum. In the case of general ice making mode, the control unit (150) controls the output of the ice making heater unit so that the temperature change rate is maintained at 0.03 to 0.08 with, for example, transparency of 60%, the ice making room temperature is at -20℃, and the ice making fan output is controlled.

[0178] In the case of transparent ice making mode, the control unit (150) controls the output of the ice making heater unit to maintain the temperature change rate at less than 0.03 with a transparency of 90%, for example, and controls the output of the ice making fan to maintain the ice making room temperature at -17℃.

[0179] Although the present invention has been described in detail through preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited thereto and can be implemented in various ways within the scope of the claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0180] 1: Refrigerator 2: Freezer 3: Ice-making system 20,40: Cooling section 37,47: Ice-making fan 100: Ice-making device 101: Mode Settings 102: Display unit 103: Temperature sensor 104: Storage section 105: Control unit 106: Cooling System 110: Ice-making container 112: Ice-making cell 120,130: Ice-making heater section 120,220,420: Heater 130, 230, 330, 430: Heating Iving Section 131,231,331,431: 1st rotational shaft part 132,232,332,432: Second rotation axis part 133,233,333,433: Heating rod 140: Eving Guide Department 150: Rotary drive unit 160: Container support 170: Frontline

Claims

Claim 1 A refrigerator comprising: an ice-making chamber; a first ice-making unit provided inside the ice-making chamber and including a first ice-making container for receiving ice-making water; a second ice-making unit provided inside the ice-making chamber and including a second ice-making container for receiving ice-making water and a heater provided to supply heat to the ice-making water when cooling the ice-making water received in the second ice-making container; a first ice-making water supply pipe provided to supply ice-making water to the first ice-making unit; a second ice-making water supply pipe provided to supply ice-making water to the second ice-making unit; and a control unit that controls the ON / OFF of the heater when cooling the ice-making water received in the second ice-making container; wherein the time required for the ice-making water supplied to the first ice-making container through the first ice-making water supply pipe to become ice and freeze is shorter than the time required for the ice-making water supplied to the second ice-making container through the second ice-making water supply pipe to become ice and freeze. Claim 2 A refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the amount of ice produced by the first ice-making unit during a predetermined period is greater than the amount of ice produced by the second ice-making unit during the predetermined period. Claim 3 A refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: a mode setting unit provided to receive a selection of an ice-making mode of the second ice-making unit; and a display unit that displays the mode selected through the mode setting unit. Claim 4 A refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the mode setting unit includes a first ice-making mode and a second ice-making mode, and the control unit turns on the heater in the first ice-making mode and the second ice-making mode, respectively, and controls the time during which the heater operates in the first ice-making mode and the time during which the heater operates in the second ice-making mode differently. Claim 5 In paragraph 4, the refrigerator is an ice-making mode in which the second ice-making mode produces ice having a higher transparency than the transparency of the ice produced in the first ice-making mode. Claim 6 A refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the time required for the ice generated by cooling the ice-making water contained in the second ice-making container to be removed from the second ice-making container is longer in the second ice-making mode than in the first ice-making mode. Claim 7 In paragraph 4, the first ice-making mode has a first ice-making amount for a predetermined period, the second ice-making mode has a second ice-making amount for the predetermined period, and the first ice-making amount is greater than the second ice-making amount. Claim 8 In claim 7, the first ice-making unit has a third ice-making amount during the above-mentioned period, and the third ice-making amount is greater than the first ice-making amount and the second ice-making amount. Claim 9 A refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the first ice-making unit further includes a heater and is configured to operate in a third ice-making mode, and the heater of the first ice-making unit does not operate when cooling the ice-making water contained in the first ice-making container in the third ice-making mode. Claim 10 A refrigerator in which, in claim 9, the transparency of the ice produced in the third ice-making mode is lower than the transparency of the ice produced in the first ice-making mode and the transparency of the ice produced in the second ice-making mode. Claim 11 A refrigerator according to claim 4, further comprising an ice-making fan that circulates cold air in the ice-making chamber; wherein the control unit controls the output of the ice-making fan differently in the first ice-making mode and the second ice-making mode. Claim 12 In claim 1, the first ice-making unit and the second ice-making unit are a refrigerator fixed to the upper part of the ice-making room. Claim 13 In claim 1, the control unit is a refrigerator that turns the heater on / off multiple times at regular intervals when cooling the ice-making water contained in the second ice-making unit. Claim 14 In paragraph 13, the refrigerator wherein the control unit controls the output of the heater by adjusting the ratio of the ON time to the OFF time of the heater. Claim 15 A refrigerator comprising: a first ice-making unit including a first ice-making container for receiving ice-making water; a second ice-making unit including a second ice-making container for receiving ice-making water and a heater arranged to supply heat to the ice-making water when cooling the ice-making water received in the second ice-making container; a first ice-making water supply pipe arranged to supply ice-making water to the first ice-making unit; a second ice-making water supply pipe arranged to supply ice-making water to the second ice-making unit; a mode setting unit arranged to receive a command regarding the amount of ice produced in the second ice-making unit; and a control unit that controls the heater based on the command entered through the mode setting unit. Claim 16 In claim 15, the refrigerator wherein the control unit controls the output of the heater by repeatedly turning the heater on and off when cooling the ice-making water contained in the second ice-making container. Claim 17 A refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the time required from when the ice-making water supplied to the first ice-making container through the first ice-making water supply pipe begins to cool down until the ice formed in the first ice-making container is released is shorter than the time required from when the ice-making water supplied to the second ice-making container through the second ice-making water supply pipe begins to cool down until the ice formed in the second ice-making container is released. Claim 18 In item 15, a refrigerator in which the transparency of the ice produced in the second ice-making unit is higher than the transparency of the ice produced in the first ice-making unit. Claim 19 In item 15, a refrigerator in which the ice production amount of the first ice-making unit during a specified period is greater than the ice production amount of the second ice-making unit during the specified period.

Images