Ice maker

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ice maker installed in a refrigerator so as to provide ice to an ice storage bin. The ice maker, according to one embodiment of the present invention, may comprise: a tray which contains water so as to form ice and is formed from a thermally conductive composite material which generates heat when a current is supplied thereto; a tray cap which is connected to the upper portion of the tray so as to reduce the area of the upper portion of the tray, thereby preventing the contained water from overflowing as a result of inertia generated by movement of the tray; a frame unit to which the tray is connected; electrodes which are connected to both sides of the tray; and a motor unit which is connected to the tray so as to rotate the tray so that the ice is separated from the tray by gravity.

Description

Ice Maker

[0001] The present invention relates to an ice maker.

[0002] A refrigerator is a home appliance that uses a refrigerant cycle to refrigerate or freeze stored items. A refrigerator comprises a main body with a storage compartment, such as a freezer or refrigerator, and a door installed on the main body to open and close the storage compartment.

[0003] The storage room or door provides a space for making and storing ice. This space is equipped with an ice maker with trays and a water supply device to supply water to the trays.

[0004] Ice removal in ice makers commonly used in home refrigerators is accomplished by heating the tray or rotating it so that the contact surface between the ice and the tray is mechanically separated and falls by gravity.

[0005] The heating method utilizes aluminum, which has excellent thermal conductivity, to create a tray, which is then heated and ejected through an ejector. This method can be used in high-end refrigerators that require large ice production volumes. However, the heating process consumes significant power, and the ejector only produces crescent-shaped ice.

[0006] The method of rotating the tray has the advantage of being able to make ice in a relatively narrow space and supplying only the amount of water required for making ice, but the rotating tray is generally made of plastic material, so the thermal conductivity of the tray is poor, and is used for home use where the amount of ice made is relatively small.

[0007] Additionally, due to the problem of ice formation, plastic trays are typically manufactured in cube form. While trays made of silicone and rubber can be used to create a variety of shapes, they suffer from problems with ice formation through rotation.

[0008] Based on the above technical background, the present invention aims to provide an ice maker that can be installed in a narrow space to form various ice shapes, while providing a larger amount of ice through high-speed ice making.

[0009] In an ice maker installed in a refrigerator to provide ice in an ice storage compartment, the ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a tray made of a thermally conductive composite material in which water is filled to form ice and which generates heat when current is supplied, a frame part to which the tray is connected, electrodes connected to both sides of the tray, and a motor part connected to the tray to rotate the tray so that the ice is separated from the tray by gravity.

[0010] The above tray may be arranged in a zigzag shape and may include a plurality of ice-making units, a moving unit through which the water is moved by interconnecting the plurality of ice-making units, and a tray wall extending from the outside of the ice-making unit to prevent water contained in the ice-making unit from overflowing.

[0011] The above moving part can be formed diagonally and between adjacent ice-making parts.

[0012] The above tray may include a curved surface formed concavely from the tray wall to the ice making unit.

[0013] The above tray wall can be formed to be between 1.5 and 3 times the height of the ice making unit.

[0014] The above plurality of ice-making units may be formed of several ice-making units having different cross-sectional shapes.

[0015] The electrode may be positioned at a location outside the tray where the ice can be detached from the ice maker.

[0016] The tray may further include a tray cap that is connected to the upper portion of the tray to reduce the upper area of ​​the tray and prevent the water contained therein from overflowing due to inertia generated by movement of the tray.

[0017] The above tray cap may include a guard portion that is formed to be inclined and whose shape is changed by the transport of the ice, and a connecting portion that protrudes from the guard portion and is connected to the tray.

[0018] The above composite material may be made of any one of carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, or graphene and a polymer containing a metal.

[0019] The frame portion may include a support portion having a groove formed to which the tray is connected, a frame formed in the longitudinal direction of the tray and to which the support portion is connected, and a guide portion having an injection portion connected to the upper surface of the frame and formed so that the inside thereof is inclined so that water moves toward the tray.

[0020] The above frame may include a plurality of ribs formed in a direction toward the tray.

[0021] The above motor unit can rotate the tray by 100 to 180 degrees.

[0022] The above motor unit can detect the fullness of the ice storage bin according to the rotation angle of the tray.

[0023] An ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention can be installed in a narrow space to form various ice shapes and can provide a larger amount of ice through high-speed ice making.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator with an ice maker connected to a door according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ice maker shown in Figure 2.

[0027] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tray taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2.

[0028] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tray taken along line V-V in Fig. 2.

[0029] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tray cap taken along the line Ⅵ-Ⅵ shown in Fig. 2.

[0030] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the ice-making operation of the ice maker illustrated in Figure 2.

[0031] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having an ice maker installed in a freezer according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having an ice maker installed in a refrigerator compartment according to the present invention.

[0033] Below, various embodiments are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments described below may be modified and implemented in various different forms. To more clearly explain the features of the embodiments, detailed descriptions of matters widely known to those skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertain below have been omitted. In addition, parts of the drawings that are not related to the description of the embodiments have been omitted, and similar parts have been designated with similar drawing reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0034] Throughout the specification, when a component is said to be "connected" to another component, this may include not only "directly connected" but also "connected with other components in between." Furthermore, when a component is said to "include" another component, this does not exclude other components, but rather may include other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0035] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings below.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator equipped with an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] In Fig. 1, the refrigerator compartment (212) is illustrated as being provided at the upper portion of the main body (210), and the freezer compartment (214) is illustrated as being provided at the lower portion of the main body (210), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to a side-by-side type in which the freezer compartment (214) is provided at the upper portion of the main body (210), or in which the refrigerator compartment (212) and the freezer compartment (214) are arranged in parallel. The following description will be given using Fig. 1 as an example.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator (200) may include a main body (210) and a door (220). The main body (210) may be provided with a refrigerator compartment (212) and a freezer compartment (214). For example, an evaporator (230) may be installed at the rear of the freezer compartment (214). Cold air generated from the evaporator (230) may be supplied and / or recovered to the freezer compartment (214) and the refrigerator compartment (212) through a cold air duct (240). For example, the cold air duct (240) may supply cold air generated from the evaporator (230) provided at the rear of the freezer compartment (214) to the refrigerator compartment (212) and / or the freezer compartment (214). By the operation of the cooling fan (7) placed around the evaporator (230), a significant portion of the cold air is introduced into the freezer (214), and some of the cold air can move to the ice maker (100) through the cooling duct (240).

[0039] The cold air duct (240) may include a cold air inlet (242) and a cold air outlet (244). The cold air inlet (242) and the cold air outlet (244) are formed on the side of the ice maker (100), so that when the refrigerator door (220) is closed, the ice maker (100) and the cold air inlet (242) and the cold air outlet (244) can be connected. Through this, cold air can be introduced into or discharged from the ice maker (100) only when the refrigerator door (220) is closed.

[0040] The door (220) can be rotatably connected to the main body (210) to open and close the refrigerator (212) and the freezer (214). The door can include a refrigerator door (220) and a freezer door (220).

[0041] The ice maker (100) may be installed in the refrigerator door (220). For example, an ice storage compartment (110) may be additionally installed in the refrigerator door (220), and the ice storage compartment (110) may be located at the bottom of the ice maker (100). Ice frozen from the ice maker (100) may be stored in the ice storage compartment (110). Accordingly, the consumer may open the refrigerator door (220) to receive ice. As another example, ice frozen from the ice maker (100) may be delivered directly to the user through an ice outlet (not shown) installed on the front of the refrigerator door (220).

[0042] The water supply hose (250) is located inside the main body (210) and can be connected to the ice maker (100). Through this, the water required to create ice can be automatically supplied to the ice maker (100).

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ice maker shown in FIG. 2.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the ice maker (100) may include a tray (10) and a frame portion (30).

[0045] The tray (10) in which supplied water is stored to form ice may include a body part (11) and an ice-making part (12). In addition, the tray (10) is positioned inside a frame part (30) and is rotatably connected to the frame part (30). For example, a connecting part (11a) may protrude outward from the side of the body part (11) of the tray (10). The connecting part (11a) may be connected to the frame part (30) to support the tray (10) so that it can rotate. As another example, a connecting groove may be formed that is inserted into the side of the body part (11) of the tray (10), and a connecting part formed in the frame part (30) may be fitted therein to be mutually connected.

[0046] A rotation space (18) may be formed between the frame portion (30) and the tray (10). For example, a rotation radius is formed based on a rotation axis (19) formed through a connecting portion (11a) of the tray (10), and this is related to the depth of the ice making portion (12), i.e., the size of the ice making portion (12). The rotation space (18) enables smooth rotation of the tray (10), and the presence of contamination in the inside of the frame portion (30) and the tray (10) can be visually checked through the rotation space (18).

[0047] The ice making unit (12) is formed by protruding from the lower surface of the body unit (11). A plurality of such ice making units (12) may be formed. Water is supplied to the ice making unit (12) and stored therein, and can be frozen by the supplied cold air. The shape of the ice can be formed to correspond to the inner shape of the ice making unit (12). By manufacturing the cross-sectional shape of the inner surface of the ice making unit (12) in various ways, ice of various shapes can be produced. For example, the cross-sectional shape can be formed into a star shape, a square shape, a circle shape, a triangle shape, or a character shape. Through this, various shapes can be combined at the same time to produce ice of various shapes in one tray.

[0048] A plurality of ice-making units (12) can be arranged in a zigzag shape inside the tray (10). For example, when forming two rows of ice-making units (12), the first row of ice-making units (12) can be arranged, and the second row of ice-making units (12) can be arranged in an alternating manner with the first row, so that the second row of ice-making units (12) can be positioned between the first row of ice-making units (12) and the adjacent ice-making units (12). Through this, the size of the tray (10) can be manufactured smaller while maintaining the size of the ice, and the supply area to which cold air should be supplied can be concentrated, thereby further improving the efficiency of ice production.

[0049] The moving part (13) can be formed between the ice making parts (12) and the ice making parts (12) so as to interconnect the ice making parts (12). That is, the water supplied to the tray (10) can be sequentially stored in the ice making parts (12) while being stored in one of the ice making parts (12). Through this, not only can the amount of water stored in the ice making part (12) be controlled while inducing the flow of water supplied to the tray (10), but also the overflow phenomenon that may occur when water is freely filled in the tray (10) can be prevented. Specifically, the moving part (13) can be arranged diagonally so as to be formed between adjacent ice making parts (12). Through this, the supplied water can be sequentially filled along the ice making parts (12) arranged in a zigzag pattern, and when movement or impact of an object to which the frame part (30) is connected occurs, such as when the refrigerator door (220) is opened, the water can be prevented from overflowing out of the tray (10).

[0050] The tray (10) can be manufactured from a thermally conductive composite material. For example, the ice-making portion (12) of the tray (10) can be manufactured from a thermally conductive composite material. By supplying current to the thermally conductive composite material, ice can be removed from the inner surface of the ice-making portion (12) through self-heating. Specifically, the larger the internal size of the ice-making portion (12), the larger the ice can be produced. In addition, if the depth of the interior of the ice-making portion (12) is formed deep, long ice can also be produced. Therefore, the ice-making portion (12) manufactured from a thermally conductive composite material that generates its own heat can more easily separate ice by applying heat to the surface of the ice formed inside to separate the ice from the ice-making portion (12). As the tray (10) rotates, the ice separated from the ice-making portion (12) falls freely, thereby enabling easier ice removal.

[0051] For example, the thermally conductive composite material can be manufactured from a material made of one or a combination of materials including carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, or graphene and a polymer containing a metal. That is, the tray (10) can enhance thermal conductivity while enabling self-heating by the electrode (50). An electrode (50) that supplies current to the thermally conductive composite material can be connected. For example, a refrigerator power line (260) and the electrode (50) can be connected.

[0052] The tray (10) supplied with current through the electrode (50) can be heated. The electrodes (50) can be arranged left and right with the ice-making section (12) as the center, and can be installed close to the area where ice is created. That is, since heat is generated between the two electrodes of the electrode (50), it is efficient to arrange the two electrodes (50) with the ice-making section (12) as the center.

[0053] The electrode (50) may include a covered electric wire made of a bundle of wires. That is, durability can be secured against frequent rotation through an electric wire made of a bundle of relatively flexible wires. For example, when the tray (10) is positioned in the correct position and ice production is completed in the ice maker (100), the tray (10) is rotated, and then current is supplied to the electrode (50) so that the thermally conductive composite material can generate heat on its own. That is, the connection of the electric circuit can be implemented according to the position of the tray (10). For example, after ice production in the ice maker (100) is completed and ice is detached from the tray (10), when the tray (10) is rotated to the correct position, the current supply can be cut off. Through this, whether or not to supply current can be controlled according to the change in the position of the tray (10) without an additional control device, so that the structure can be simplified.

[0054] A tray cap (40) can be connected to a tray (10). The tray cap (40) is positioned between the tray (10) and the frame portion (30). The tray cap (40) can include a guard portion (41) and a train connection portion (42). The tray connection portion (42) is formed in a direction from the guard portion (41) toward the tray (10), and can be fitted into a fitting groove (11c) formed in the tray body portion (11) to connect the tray (10) and the tray cap (40).

[0055] The guard part (41) may be formed to be inclined toward the inside of the tray (10). When movement or impact of an object to which the frame part (30) is connected, such as when the refrigerator door (220) opens, occurs and the water filled inside the tray (10) ripples due to inertia, the guard part (41) guides the water toward the inside of the tray to prevent the water from overflowing.

[0056] The motor unit (20) may be positioned outside the frame unit (30) and connected to the tray (10). The frame unit (30) may be positioned between the motor unit (20) and the tray (10). That is, the motor unit (20) may provide power to the tray (10) that is connected to the frame unit (30) and supported to be rotatable, thereby rotating the tray. For example, the motor unit (20) may rotate the tray (10) by 90 degrees or more. For example, the motor unit may rotate the tray between 100 degrees and 180 degrees. Through this, the ice formed inside the tray (10) may fall freely by gravity, and the ice formed in the tray (10) may be separated through smooth operation even in a narrow space.

[0057] The motor unit (20) can be connected to a connection unit (11a) formed on one side of the tray (10). The connection unit (11a) of the tray (10) connected to the motor unit (20) may further include an angled motor connection unit (11a). That is, the connection unit (11a) is formed in a circular shape and is connected to the frame unit (30), and the motor connection unit (11a) is connected to the motor unit (20). Through this, the rotational force of the motor unit (20) can be transmitted to the tray (10) more stably.

[0058] The frame part (30) can form the overall shape of the ice maker (100). That is, the tray (10) and tray cap (40), excluding the motor part (20), can be positioned inside the frame part (30). Through this, by connecting only the frame part (30) to the refrigerator door (220), etc., the ice maker (100) can be stably fixed, and the tray (10) can rotate in a stably fixed state to cause the ice generated in the tray (10) to fall freely. That is, by implementing an ice maker (100) with a simple structure and in which only the tray (10) rotates, stronger durability can be secured. In addition, the frame part (30) has an open front so that the tray (10) located inside the frame part can be visually checked. Through this, it is possible to visually check for abnormalities in the inside of the frame part (30), the tray (10), or the tray cap (40), making maintenance easy.

[0059] The frame portion (30) may be composed of a frame (31), a support portion (33), and a guide portion (35). The frame (31) may be formed in the longitudinal direction of the tray (10), and support portions (33) may be formed on both sides. The frame (31) may include an attachment plate (32). The attachment plate (32) comes into contact with a location where the refrigerator door (220) or the ice maker (100) is to be installed. A plurality of attachment holes (32a) are formed in the attachment plate (32), thereby connecting the ice maker (100) to the refrigerator door (220), etc.

[0060] A plurality of ribs (34) may be formed between the frame (31) and the attachment plate (32). For example, the frame (31) and the attachment plate (32) may be vertically interconnected, and a plurality of ribs (34) formed in a triangle shape may be connected between the frame (31) and the attachment plate (32). The ribs (34) may be formed in a direction toward the tray (10). Through this, the frame (31) and the attachment plate (32) may be more strongly coupled, and the ice making unit (12) may be prevented from being detached or damaged from the refrigerator door (220) or the like due to unexpected external impact.

[0061] The support member (33) is positioned on both sides of the tray (10) and can be fitted into the tray (10). The tray (10) can be formed with a connecting member (11a) that protrudes toward the support member (33). Due to the combination of the connecting member (11a) and the support member (33), a rotational axis of the tray (10) is formed, and the tray (10) rotates around the rotational axis (19).

[0062] The support portion (33) may be formed to be rounded in a semicircle toward the front of the frame portion (30), i.e., the main body (210) of the refrigerator. In addition, the support portion (33) may be formed with an extension portion (36) that starts from the center and becomes wider as it approaches the frame (31) of the frame portion (30). Through this, the structural rigidity of the frame portion (30) can be further improved.

[0063] The guide portion (35) may be formed on the upper surface of the frame (31). The guide portion (35) may have an inclined injection portion (35a) formed therein. The injection portion (35a) is formed so that its area becomes narrower as it approaches the tray (10) and is opened toward the tray (10). Accordingly, not only is the water supplied from the water supply hose (250) guided to the tray (10), but water is also supplied to the tray (10) while being contained within the guide portion (35), thereby supplying water to the tray (10) at a constant rate.

[0064] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tray taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tray taken along line V-V in Fig. 2.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the tray (10) may be composed of a body portion (11), an ice-making portion (12), and a tray wall (15). A connecting portion (11a) may protrude from both sides of the body portion (11). The ice-making portions (12) may be formed in multiple pieces by being arranged in a zigzag shape on the body portion (11).

[0066] A tray wall (15) may be formed along the outer side of the body (11). The tray wall (15) may be formed higher than the ice maker (12) so that when the refrigerator door (220) or the like moves or an impact is transmitted from the outside and the water contained inside the tray (10) ripples, the water may be prevented from overflowing through the tray wall (15). Specifically, the height (H2) of the tray wall (15) may be formed to be about 1.5 to 3 times higher than the height (H1) of the ice maker. For example, when the refrigerator door (220) closes very quickly and an inertial force is applied to the water contained in the tray (10), the water moves along the tray wall (15) and falls back into the tray (10) by gravity, preventing it from overflowing outside the tray (10).

[0067] A curved surface (17) may be formed from the tray wall (15) to the ice making unit (12). The curved surface (17) may be formed from the tray wall (15) toward the inside of the tray (10) to the ice making unit (12). For example, the curved surface (17) may be formed concavely. As described above, when water moves by inertia, it moves along the curved surface (17). At this time, the curved surface (17) formed concavely may increase the movement path of the water and thus reduce the movement speed of the water. In addition, since the curved surface (17) is a structure that forms one side of the ice making unit (12), when ice is formed inside the ice making unit (12), the overall rigidity of the tray (10) may be increased. As another example, the curved surface (17) may be formed convexly. In addition, the curved surface (17) may have alternating concave and convex shapes. Through this, the water movement path can be further improved.

[0068] The temperature detection sensor (60) can be connected to the bottom or lower side of the tray (10). For example, the temperature detection sensor (60) can be connected to the tray (10) by being inserted into the tray (10) holder formed at the bottom of the ice making unit (12). The temperature detection sensor can control the rotation of the tray (10) and the water supplied to the tray (10).

[0069] The temperature detection sensor (60) can generate a signal to control the operation of the ice maker (100) and transmit the signal to the control unit of the refrigerator. For example, the temperature detection sensor (60) can measure the temperature inside the ice maker (12). When ice formation is complete, the temperature inside the ice maker (12) can be below zero. This can serve as a standard for determining whether ice has been formed in the ice maker (12). As another example, the temperature detection sensor (60) can measure the difference in temperature. That is, the difference between the temperature when water is filled in the ice maker (12) and the temperature of the ice formed in the ice maker (12) can be measured. Specifically, since the average temperature of water supplied from the water supply hose (250) of the refrigerator is above zero, the temperature inside the ice maker (12) can rise to above zero as water is filled inside the ice maker (12). Afterwards, when ice formation is completed inside the ice making unit (12), the temperature inside the ice making unit (12) can drop below zero. In the case of -10 degrees Celsius, the temperature difference inside the ice making unit (12) can be at least 10°C and at most 30°C. In this way, the temperature detection sensor (60) can detect whether ice is formed in the ice making unit (12) through the temperature difference.

[0070] The temperature detection sensor (60) can transmit a signal for ice separation when it determines that ice formation is complete in the ice maker (12). For example, when it determines that ice formation is complete, it can transmit a signal for current transmission to the electrode (50), thereby heating the tray (10). Thereafter, when the ice is separated from the inner surface of the ice maker (12), a signal for rotating the tray (10) can be transmitted, thereby separating the ice. In addition, when ice separation is complete and the inside of the ice maker (12) is empty, a signal for water supply can be transmitted.

[0071] A plurality of temperature detection sensors (60) can be connected to the tray (10). For example, the temperature detection sensors (60) can detect the state inside the ice making unit (12) by dividing the ice making unit (12) into sections. Specifically, the ice making unit (12) can be formed in various shapes, and accordingly, the size of the ice formed inside the ice making unit (12) can also be varied. Accordingly, the temperature detection sensors (60) can be installed in each section of the ice making unit (12), thereby more accurately detecting whether or not ice is being made in the ice making unit (12), and preventing water from pouring into the ice storage unit (110) without the ice being frozen.

[0072] An electrode (50) may be placed on the side of the body (11). For example, the electrode (50) may be positioned at the lower portion of the tray wall (15). For example, the electrode (50) may be positioned at the portion where the ice maker (12) starts in the tray (10). Generally, the ice maker (12) is formed so that its cross-sectional area becomes narrower as it gets farther from the tray (10). Therefore, by positioning the electrode (50) at the starting portion with the largest cross-sectional area, the surface of the ice formed on the upper surface of the ice maker (12) can be melted and naturally separated from the ice maker (12). As another example, the electrode (50) may be positioned at the moving portion (13) between the ice makers (12). This means that when the water contained in the tray (10) turns into ice, ice is also formed on the moving portion (13), thereby connecting the ice formed in the ice maker (12) to each other. In this case, the ice making unit (12) may become like a lump of ice regardless of its shape, and in this case, the size of the ice that separates from the tray (10) may cause a strain on the ice storage unit (110) during free fall. Therefore, by positioning the electrode (50) on the moving unit (13), ice generated according to the shape of the ice making unit (12) is provided to the ice storage unit (110), thereby enabling easier transport of ice and reducing the weight and impact applied to the ice storage unit (110). As another example, the electrode (50) may be positioned on the lower surface of the ice making unit (12). That is, as the height (H1) of the ice making unit (12) increases, that is, as the depth of the ice making unit (12) increases, more elongated ice can be generated. In this case, the contact force between the ice making unit (12) and the ice may increase as the ice making unit (12) becomes deeper. Through this, it is possible to form the ice close to the ice-making unit (12) where the ice is created while making it invisible from the outside. Therefore, by positioning the electrode on the lower surface of the ice-making unit (12), heat is generated in the area where the contact force between the inner surface of the ice-making unit (12) and the ice is high, thereby making it easier for the ice to be removed from the ice-making unit (12).

[0073] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tray cap taken along the line Ⅵ-Ⅵ shown in Fig. 2.

[0074] Referring to Fig. 6, the guard portion (41) of the tray cap (40) may be formed to be inclined toward the inside of the tray (10). At this time, the inclination (θ) of the guard portion (41) may be formed to be 5° to 90°. For example, water moving along the curved surface (17) of the tray (10) may move to the tray wall (15) as the moving speed decreases. At this time, the water moves along the guard portion (41) formed to be inclined toward the inside of the tray (10), so that the water moves between the tray (10) and the tray cap (40) as if in a whirlpool. Accordingly, even water subjected to a very large inertial force can be prevented from overflowing outside the ice maker (100).

[0075] The guard member (41) can be shaped and deformed by the transport of ice. For example, the guard member (41) can be formed of silicone. This allows the guard member (41) to prevent water from overflowing, while being formed of a flexible material so as not to impede the transport of solidly frozen ice.

[0076] The tray connecting portion (42) is formed in a direction from the guard portion (41) toward the tray (10), and a protrusion (42a) may be formed on one side so that it can be inserted into the tray (10) and caught on the tray (10). Through this, the tray (10) and the tray cap (40) can be more closely coupled.

[0077] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the ice-making operation of the ice maker illustrated in Figure 2.

[0078] Referring to Fig. 7, the tray (10) of the ice maker (100) rotates around the rotation axis (19) formed by the connecting portion (11a). At this time, ice can be moved by free falling to the ice storage box (110), etc. Therefore, there is no need for additional space such as an ice moving duct to send the ice down due to free falling. Accordingly, the ice making portion (12) of the tray (10) can be made larger by the amount of space secured, so that a tray (10) having a larger ice making capacity can be made compared to other ice makers that do not rotate relatively and move ice through an ejector, etc.

[0079] For example, when ice is moved to the ice storage box (110) by free fall by rotating the tray (10), if the inside of the ice storage box (110) is full of ice, the tray (10) can detect that it is full because it is blocked by the ice and cannot rotate. The degree of full ice can be measured by dividing the load applied to the motor unit (20) due to the rotational force being transmitted but the tray (10) not being able to rotate, or the phenomenon of not being able to rotate as much as the target amount and not being able to rotate to the target point and not being able to return. Specifically, if it tries to rotate for ice separation but cannot rotate to the desired angle, it returns to the original position and stops making ice. In addition, if it gets caught on the ice filled in the ice storage box (110) after rotating and separating ice and cannot return to the original position, it can be recognized as full ice and stop making ice. After that, when ice is used, the ice height inside the ice storage box (110) goes down, so the motor is operated periodically to try to return to the original position.

[0080] Specifically, a 180° rotation based on the normal state (0°) of the tray (10) is defined as a forward rotation, and the direction of rotation from the 180° position to the 0° position is described as a reverse rotation. In addition, the time taken to go from the 0° to the 180° or from the 180° to the 0° position is called the setting time.

[0081] For example, when it is determined through the temperature detection sensor (60) that ice making is complete in the ice maker (12), if electricity is applied to the motor (20), it rotates forward 180°, and when it reaches 180° in the set time, the current increases. At that time, it stops, and when electricity is applied to the ice maker (100) for a certain period of time, the tray (10) is heated, and when the space between the ice and the ice maker (12) melts and the ice falls freely and the temperature of the tray (10) rises, the current supply to the tray (10) is stopped, and the tray (10) is rotated in reverse through the motor (20). At this time, if the load increases before the set time required for rotation, it is determined that the tray (10) is stuck due to full ice, and the water supply to the ice maker (100) is stopped and the forward rotation returns to the 180° position. When the reverse rotation is attempted periodically again and the load increases by reaching the 0° position in the set time, the full ice is released, water is supplied again, and ice making can begin.

[0082] As another example, when the temperature detection sensor (60) determines that ice making is complete in the ice making unit (12), if electricity is applied to the motor unit (20), the tray (10) rotates forward and if the load current increases in a shorter time than the set time, it can be determined that the ice is full.

[0083] In this case, it rotates in reverse and comes to the 0° position. Periodically, the tray (10) rotates forward, and when the load increases at the set time, it reaches the 180° position, and at this time, electricity is applied to the tray (10) to heat the tray (10) and ice is separated. After ice is separated, it rotates in reverse, and when the load increases at the set time, water is continuously supplied and ice is made. If the load increases before the set time when rotating in reverse at the 180° position, it is full ice, and at this time, it rotates in reverse again and comes to the 180° position and stops. Periodically, it attempts reverse rotation again, and when the load increases at the 0° position at the set time, the full ice state is released, and water can be supplied again and ice is made.

[0084] That is, the ice maker (100) can detect the presence of ice and the presence of ice by using the principle of rotating the motor unit (20) without using any other mechanism or sensor such as an optical sensor for detecting the presence of ice.

[0085] In addition, compared to the ice-filled lever (Shut-off Arm, Ball Wire) method or the optical sensor method that detects the full ice only in a part, the full ice can be detected more reliably by the entire mechanically rotating tray (10). That is, if the full ice is detected by the rotation of the tray (10) itself, the entire three-dimensional space under the ice maker (100) is detected, so detection errors can be eliminated, and control logic can be created using only the load of the motor without a separate sensor. Through this, the phenomenon of ice overflowing from the ice storage box (110) due to the full ice detection that moves or rotates vertically with respect to the direction in which the ice of the ice maker goes down by adding a gear structure to the ice-filled motor or the existing full ice detection that detects the longitudinal direction of the area where the ice falls using an optical sensor can be prevented from being detected because the entire upper part of the ice storage box (110) cannot be detected, and ice accumulates in the undetected space.

[0086] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having an ice maker installed in a freezer according to the present invention, and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a refrigerator having an ice maker installed in a refrigerator according to the present invention.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the ice maker (100) can be installed in various types of refrigerators (200). The ice maker (100) can be installed in the freezer (214) of a side-by-side type refrigerator (200). In this case, the ice maker (100) can use the cold air of the freezer (214) as it is to form water contained in the tray (10) into ice.

[0088] The ice maker (100) can be installed on top of the refrigerator compartment (212) in a three-door type refrigerator (200). In this case, a space in which the ice maker (100) is located can be partitioned within the refrigerator compartment (212). This can prevent the cold air supplied to the ice maker (100) from being transferred to the refrigerator compartment (212), thereby reducing the ice-making capacity.

[0089] An ice maker (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can be installed in a narrow space inside various types of refrigerators (200), yet can form ice of various shapes. Furthermore, it can save electricity when ice is being made, and can produce a relatively large amount of ice through high-speed ice making.

[0090] The scope of protection sought through this specification is indicated by the claims rather than the detailed description above, and should be interpreted to include all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts.

[0091] Description of the symbol

[0092] 100: Ice maker 110: Ice storage bin

[0093] 10: Tray 11: Body

[0094] 11a: Connection

[0095] 11c: Insertion groove 12: Ice making section

[0096] 13: Moving part 15: Tray wall

[0097] 17: Curved surface 18: Rotation space

[0098] 19: Rotating shaft 20: Motor section

[0099] 30: Frame 31: Frame

[0100] 32: Attachment plate 32a: Attachment hole

[0101] 33: Support 33a, 33b: Fitting groove

[0102] 34: Rib 35: Guide section

[0103] 35a: Injection part 36: Extension part

[0104] 40: Tray cap 41: Guard

[0105] 42: Tray connection part 42a: Protrusion part

[0106] 50: Electrode 60: Temperature sensor

[0107] 200: Refrigerator

[0108] 210: Main body 212: Refrigerator

[0109] 214: Freezer 220: Door

[0110] 230: Evaporator 240: Cold air duct

[0111] 242: Cold air inlet 244: Cold air outlet

[0112] 250: Water supply hose 260: Refrigerator power cord

Claims

1. In an ice maker installed in a refrigerator to provide ice to an ice storage compartment, A tray made of a thermally conductive composite material that contains water, forms ice, and generates heat when current is supplied; A frame portion to which the above tray is connected; Electrodes connected to both sides of the above tray; and An ice maker including a motor unit connected to the tray and rotating the tray so that the ice is separated from the tray by gravity.

2. In paragraph 2, The above tray, Arranged in a zigzag shape and having multiple ice-making sections; A moving part through which the water is moved by interconnecting the plurality of ice-making parts; and An ice maker having a tray wall formed to extend from the outside of the ice maker and prevent water contained in the ice maker from overflowing.

3. In paragraph 2, The above moving part, An ice maker that is arranged diagonally and formed between adjacent ice makers.

4. In paragraph 3, The above tray, An ice maker including a curved surface formed concavely from the tray wall to the ice making unit.

5. In paragraph 2, The above tray wall is, An ice maker formed between 1.5 and 3 times the height of the above ice making unit.

6. In paragraph 2, The above plurality of ice making units are: An ice maker composed of several ice-making parts with different cross-sectional shapes.

7. In paragraph 2, The above electrodes are, An ice maker positioned at a location outside the tray where the ice can be detached from the ice maker.

8. In paragraph 1, The above composite material is, An ice maker made of any one of carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, or graphene and a polymer containing a metal.

9. In paragraph 1, The above frame part, A support portion having a groove formed to which the above tray is connected; A frame formed in the longitudinal direction of the tray and to which the support is connected; and An ice maker comprising a guide part connected to the upper surface of the frame and having an injection part formed so that the inside thereof is inclined so that water moves toward the tray.

10. In paragraph 9, The above frame is, An ice maker comprising a plurality of ribs formed in a direction toward the tray.

11. In paragraph 1, The above motor part, An ice maker that rotates the above tray by 100 to 180 degrees.

12. In paragraph 11, The above motor part, An ice maker that detects the fullness of the ice storage bin based on the rotation angle of the tray.

13. In paragraph 1, An ice maker further comprising a tray cap connected to the upper portion of the tray to reduce the upper area of ​​the tray and prevent the water contained therein from overflowing due to inertia generated by movement of the tray.

14. In paragraph 13, The above tray cap is, A guard part formed at an angle and whose shape is changed by the transport of the ice; and An ice maker including a connecting portion protruding from the guard portion and connected to the tray.

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