Method and apparatus for detecting ice-making state of refrigerator, and refrigerator

Abstract

A method for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator (1). The refrigerator (1) comprises: an ice storage device (10), which is configured to store ice cubes; and an ice-making device (20), which comprises an ice detection rod (201), an electric motor (202) and an ice flipper (203), wherein the ice detection rod (201) is configured to detect ice cubes in the ice storage device (10), the electric motor (202) is configured to control the movement of the ice detection rod (201), and the ice flipper (203) is configured to flip ice cubes to pour same into the ice storage device (10). The method comprises: once the ice flipper (203) has flipped ice cubes, controlling the ice detection rod (201) to move from the initial position to the bottom of the ice storage device (10); acquiring detection information of the ice detection rod (201) and the current of the electric motor (202) during movement of the ice detection rod (201); and on the basis of the detection information of the ice detection rod (201) and the current of the electric motor (202), determining the ice-making state of the refrigerator (1). An apparatus for detecting the ice-making state of the refrigerator (1), and the refrigerator (1).

Description

Method, device and refrigerator for detecting ice making status of refrigerator

[0001] This application is based on the Chinese patent application with application number 202311183753.6 and application date September 13, 2023, and claims the priority of the Chinese patent application. The entire content of the Chinese patent application is hereby introduced into this application as a reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of smart home appliances, for example, to a method and device for detecting the ice-making status of a refrigerator, and a refrigerator. Background Art

[0003] To meet the daily ice needs of ordinary households without specialized ice makers and to satisfy consumers' increasing demand for multifunctional home appliances, refrigerators are now equipped with ice-making functions. However, when using this function, it is necessary to monitor the ice-making status of the refrigerator.

[0004] To detect the ice-making status of a refrigerator's ice-making function, related technologies typically install a camera inside the refrigerator to capture images or videos of ice cubes in the ice storage device. The captured images or videos are then displayed on the refrigerator's display screen, allowing the user to manually determine the ice-making status. However, this manual determination of the ice-making status requires the user to check promptly. If the user fails to check promptly, it is difficult to accurately determine the ice-making status of the refrigerator.

[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of this application, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to ordinary technicians in this field.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed embodiments, a brief summary is given below. The summary is not an extensive review, nor is it intended to identify key / critical elements or delineate the scope of protection of these embodiments, but rather serves as a prelude to the detailed description that follows.

[0008] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, an apparatus, and a refrigerator for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator, so as to improve the accuracy of detecting the ice-making state of the refrigerator.

[0009] In some embodiments, the refrigerator includes: an ice storage device, configured to store ice cubes; an ice-making device, including an ice-detecting rod, a motor and an ice-turning device, wherein the ice-detecting rod is configured to detect ice cubes in the ice storage device, the motor is configured to control the movement of the ice-detecting rod, and the ice-turning device is configured to turn over ice to pour the ice cubes into the ice storage device; the method includes: after the ice-turning device turns over the ice, controlling the ice-detecting rod to move from an initial position toward the bottom of the ice storage device; obtaining ice-detecting rod detection information and motor current of the ice-detecting rod during the movement of the ice-detecting rod; and determining the ice-making status of the refrigerator based on the ice-detecting rod detection information and the motor current.

[0010] Optionally, the motor current is determined as follows: multiple detection currents of the motor during the movement of the ice probe are obtained, and the maximum current among the multiple detection currents is used as the motor current; or, multiple detection currents of the motor during the movement of the ice probe are obtained, the average current of the multiple detection currents is calculated, and the average current is used as the motor current; or, the detection current at the moment when the ice probe stops moving is obtained, and the detection current at the moment of stopping is used as the motor current.

[0011] Optionally, the ice probe detection information includes ice probe detection time.

[0012] Optionally, the detection duration of the ice probe is determined as follows: determine the target position; obtain a first displacement duration of the ice probe from the initial position to the target position; use the first displacement duration as the detection duration of the ice probe; or obtain a second displacement duration of the ice probe from the initial position to the blocking position; use the second displacement duration as the detection duration of the ice probe.

[0013] Optionally, the ice-making status of the refrigerator is determined based on the ice probe detection information and the motor current, including: when the ice probe detection time is greater than or equal to the preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, determining that the ice-making status of the refrigerator is a less-than-full-ice status; when the ice probe detection time is less than the preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, determining that the ice-making status of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making status; or, when the ice probe detection time is greater than or equal to the preset time, and the motor current is greater than the preset current, determining that the ice-making status of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making status; when the ice probe detection time is less than the preset time, and the motor current is greater than the preset current, determining that the ice-making status of the refrigerator is a full-ice status.

[0014] Optionally, the ice probe detection information includes the ice probe detection distance.

[0015] Optionally, the detection distance of the ice probe is determined in the following manner: determining a blocking position; obtaining a target distance of the ice probe from an initial position to the blocking position; and using the target distance as the detection distance of the ice probe.

[0016] Optionally, the ice-making status of the refrigerator is determined based on the ice-probe detection information and the motor current, including: when the ice-probe detection distance is greater than or equal to the preset distance, and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, determining that the ice-making status of the refrigerator is a less-than-full-ice status; when the ice-probe detection distance is less than the preset distance, and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, determining that the ice-making status of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making status; or, when the ice-probe detection distance is greater than or equal to the preset distance, and the motor current is greater than the preset current, determining that the ice-making status of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making status; when the ice-probe detection distance is less than the preset distance, and the motor current is greater than the preset current, determining that the ice-making status of the refrigerator is a full-ice status.

[0017] Optionally, the ice probe detection information includes ice probe detection time and ice probe detection distance.

[0018] Optionally, the ice-making state of the refrigerator is determined based on the ice probe detection information and the motor current, including: when the ice probe detection distance is greater than or equal to the preset distance, the ice probe detection time is greater than or equal to the preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, determining that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is a not-full-ice state; when the ice probe detection distance is less than the preset distance, the ice probe detection time is less than the preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, determining that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making state; or, when the ice probe detection distance is greater than or equal to the preset distance, the ice probe detection time is greater than or equal to the preset time, and the motor current is greater than the preset current, determining that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making state; when the ice probe detection distance is less than the preset distance, the ice probe detection time is less than the preset time, and the motor current is greater than the preset current, determining that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is a full-ice state.

[0019] Optionally, the method also includes: when the ice-making state of the refrigerator is not full of ice, controlling the ice-turning device to perform the ice-turning operation; when the refrigerator is in an abnormal ice-making state, controlling the ice-turning device to stop the ice-turning operation and prompting ice-turning device fault information; when the refrigerator is in a full ice state, controlling the ice-turning device to stop the ice-turning operation.

[0020] In some embodiments, the apparatus for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator includes a processor and a memory storing program instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the above-mentioned method for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator when running the program instructions.

[0021] In some embodiments, the refrigerator includes: a refrigerator body; an ice storage device, which is arranged on the refrigerator body and is configured to store ice cubes; an ice making device, which is arranged on the refrigerator body and includes an ice detection rod, a motor and an ice turner, wherein the ice detection rod is configured to detect ice cubes in the ice storage device, the motor is configured to control the movement of the ice detection rod, and the ice turner is configured to turn over ice to pour ice cubes into the ice storage device; and, a device for detecting the ice making status of the refrigerator as described above is installed on the refrigerator body.

[0022] The method, device, and refrigerator for detecting the ice-making status of a refrigerator provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve the following technical effects:

[0023] After the ice turning device turns ice, the ice detection rod is controlled to move from its initial position toward the bottom of the ice storage device to detect the ice storage status in the ice storage device. This prevents the ice making device from continuing to make ice when the ice storage device is full of ice, without manual intervention. The ice detection rod detection information and the motor current can accurately determine the specific obstruction of the ice detection rod during movement. Based on the specific obstruction, the ice making status can be accurately determined, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting the ice making status of the refrigerator.

[0024] The above general description and the following description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not intended to limit the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described by corresponding drawings. These exemplary descriptions and drawings do not limit the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are shown as similar elements. The drawings do not constitute a scale limitation. In addition,

[0026] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a method for detecting an ice-making state of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of another method for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of another method for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a device for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a refrigerator product provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of an ice-making device in a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an ice-making device in a refrigerator provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to be able to understand the features and technical content of the embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail, the implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are for reference only and are not used to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the following technical description, for the sake of convenience of explanation, a full understanding of the disclosed embodiments is provided through multiple details. However, one or more embodiments can still be implemented without these details. In other cases, to simplify the drawings, well-known structures and devices can be simplified for display.

[0035] The reference to any prior art in the specification is not and should not be taken as an admission or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the application area or any other jurisdiction, or that the prior art could reasonably be understood and regarded as relevant by a person skilled in the art.

[0036] In the description and claims of the embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as in the accompanying drawings, the terms "first," "second," and the like are used to distinguish similar items and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or precedence. It should be understood that the terms used in this manner are interchangeable where appropriate to describe the embodiments of the present disclosure herein. In addition, the terms "including," "having," and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0037] Unless otherwise stated, the term "plurality" means two or more.

[0038] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the character " / " indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B.

[0039] The term "and / or" describes an association between objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A or B, or A and B.

[0040] The term "correspondence" may refer to an association relationship or a binding relationship. The correspondence between A and B means that there is an association relationship or a binding relationship between A and B.

[0041] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be combined with each other.

[0042] A refrigerator 1 provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figures 1, 7 and 8. The refrigerator 1 includes an ice storage device 10, an ice making device 20 and an electronic control device 30. The ice storage device 10 is configured to store ice cubes. The ice making device 20 includes an ice detection rod 201, a motor 202 and an ice turner 203. The ice detection rod 201 is configured to detect ice cubes in the ice storage device 10, the motor 202 is configured to control the movement of the ice detection rod 201, and the ice turner 203 is configured to turn ice to pour ice cubes into the ice storage device 10. The electronic control device 30 includes a processor. The processor is used to determine the ice making state of the refrigerator 1 based on the detection information of the ice detection rod 201 and the current of the motor 202, so as to realize the function of detecting the ice making state of the refrigerator 1.

[0043] Optionally, the ice making device 20 further includes an ice making box 205 for making ice cubes. The ice turning device 203 performs an ice turning operation after the ice making box 205 completes making ice cubes, pouring the ice cubes in the ice making box 205 into the ice storage device 10.

[0044] Optionally, the ice-making device 20 further includes a gear 204 , and the motor 202 drives the ice-detecting rod 201 to move by driving the gear 204 .

[0045] Optionally, the refrigerator 1 further includes an ultrasonic vibration device 40. The ultrasonic vibration device 40 is disposed at the bottom of the ice storage device 10 and is used to spread the ice cubes flat in the ice storage device 10 by vibration after the ice turner 203 turns over the ice.

[0046] Optionally, the refrigerator 1 further includes a current detection device for detecting the motor current during the movement of the ice detection rod 201.

[0047] Optionally, the refrigerator 1 further includes a timer for recording the duration of the ice detection rod 201 moving a set displacement.

[0048] Optionally, the refrigerator 1 further includes a distance detection device for detecting the movement distance of the ice detection rod 201 .

[0049] Optionally, the refrigerator 1 further includes an ambient light 50 for indicating different ice-making states of the refrigerator 1 by having the ambient light 50 be in different states.

[0050] In conjunction with the refrigerators shown in Figures 1, 7, and 8, the present disclosure provides a method for detecting the ice-making state of the refrigerator. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes:

[0051] S21, after the ice turning device turns over the ice, the processor controls the ice detection rod to move from the initial position toward the bottom of the ice storage device.

[0052] The processor controls the rotation of the motor to control the operation of the ice probe, so that the ice probe moves from an initial position toward the bottom of the ice storage device.

[0053] S22, the processor obtains ice probe detection information and motor current of the ice probe during its movement.

[0054] S23, the processor determines the ice-making state of the refrigerator according to the detection information of the ice-detecting rod and the motor current.

[0055] In this embodiment, after the ice turning device turns ice, the ice detection rod is controlled to move from its initial position toward the bottom of the ice storage device to detect the ice storage status in the ice storage device. This prevents the ice making device from continuing to make ice when the ice storage device is full of ice, without manual intervention. The ice detection rod detection information and the motor current can accurately determine the specific obstruction of the ice detection rod during movement. Based on the specific obstruction, the ice making status can be accurately determined, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting the ice making status of the refrigerator.

[0056] Optionally, the processor determines the motor current as follows: the processor obtains multiple detected currents of the motor during the movement of the ice probe. The processor uses the maximum current among the multiple detected currents as the motor current. By selecting the maximum current as the motor current, the movement of the ice probe can be promptly determined, thereby promptly understanding the ice-making status of the refrigerator.

[0057] Optionally, the processor determines the motor current by calculating an average of multiple detected currents and using the average as the motor current. Using the average as the motor current allows for a comprehensive understanding of the motor current, thereby providing a holistic view of the refrigerator's ice-making status.

[0058] Optionally, the processor determines the motor current as follows: the processor obtains a detected current when the ice probe stops moving and uses the detected current at that moment as the motor current. Because this detected current corresponds to the moment the ice probe stops, i.e., the ice probe's stopped position, using this detected current as the motor current allows for a more reasonable determination of the refrigerator's ice-making status.

[0059] Optionally, the ice probe detection information includes ice probe detection time. Since the ice probe detection time can accurately reflect the movement of the ice probe, the ice probe detection time is used as the ice probe detection information.

[0060] Optionally, the processor determines the ice probe detection duration as follows: the processor determines a target position. The processor obtains a first displacement duration of the ice probe from an initial position to the target position. The processor uses the first displacement duration as the ice probe detection duration.

[0061] For example, the target position is located at a position 1 / 4 of the way down from the opening of the ice turning device. This target position indicates that the ice making state is not full.

[0062] Illustratively, the ice probe moves at a constant speed during the movement.

[0063] Optionally, the processor determines the ice probe detection duration in the following manner: obtaining a second displacement duration of the ice probe from the initial position to the blocking position, and using the second displacement duration as the ice probe detection duration.

[0064] The blocking position represents the corresponding position when the ice probe is blocked.

[0065] Optionally, the processor determines the ice-making state of the refrigerator based on the ice-probe detection information and the motor current, including: the processor determines that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is a not-full-ice state when the ice-probe detection time is greater than or equal to a preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current. The processor determines that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making state when the ice-probe detection time is less than a preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current. Alternatively, the processor determines that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making state when the ice-probe detection time is greater than or equal to a preset time, and the motor current is greater than a preset current. The processor determines that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is a full-ice state when the ice-probe detection time is less than a preset time, and the motor current is greater than a preset current.

[0066] Exemplarily, the preset duration is set to [7s (seconds), 10s].

[0067] Exemplarily, the preset current is set to [340 mA (milliamperes), 380 mA].

[0068] In this embodiment, the ice-making status of the refrigerator is determined by the duration of ice-probe detection and the motor current. If the ice-probe detection duration is greater than or equal to a preset duration and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current, the ice-probe movement duration is longer and unobstructed, indicating that the ice-probe has reached at least a preset position, thereby confirming that the ice-making status of the refrigerator is not full. If the ice-probe detection duration is less than the preset duration and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, the ice-probe cannot continue to move and detect without encountering an object blocking its movement, thus confirming that the ice-making status is abnormal. If the ice-probe detection duration is greater than or equal to the preset duration, the ice-probe movement duration is longer, but due to the high motor current, this is also confirmed as an ice-making abnormality. If the ice-probe detection duration is less than the preset duration and the motor current is greater than the preset current, the ice-probe is blocked before reaching the preset position, thus confirming that the ice-making status is full.

[0069] Optionally, the ice probe detection information includes the ice probe detection distance.

[0070] Optionally, the processor determines the ice probe detection distance in the following manner: the processor determines a blocking position. The processor obtains a target distance of the ice probe from an initial position to the blocking position. The processor uses the target distance as the ice probe detection distance.

[0071] Optionally, the processor determines the ice-making state of the refrigerator based on the ice-probe detection information and the motor current, including: the processor determines that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is a not-full-ice state when the ice-probe detection distance is greater than or equal to a preset distance and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current. The processor determines that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making state when the ice-probe detection distance is less than a preset distance and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current. Alternatively, the processor determines that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making state when the ice-probe detection distance is greater than or equal to a preset distance and the motor current is greater than a preset current. The processor determines that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is a full-ice state when the ice-probe detection distance is less than a preset distance and the motor current is greater than a preset current.

[0072] Exemplarily, the preset distance is set to 1 / 4 to 3 / 10 of the height of the ice storage device.

[0073] In this embodiment, the ice-making status is determined based on the ice-probe detection distance and motor current. If the ice-probe detection distance is greater than or equal to a preset distance and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current, the ice-probe has moved a considerable distance and was not obstructed during movement. Therefore, it can be determined that the ice-probe has moved at least the preset distance, thereby confirming that the ice-making status of the refrigerator is not full. If the ice-probe detection distance is less than a preset time duration, the ice-probe has moved a short distance, but the motor current is low. This indicates that the ice-probe has not encountered an object blocking its movement and is unable to continue moving and detecting. Therefore, in this case, an ice-making abnormality is determined. If the ice-probe detection distance is greater than or equal to a preset time duration, the ice-probe has moved a considerable distance, but the motor current is high. Therefore, in this case, an ice-making abnormality is also determined. If the ice-probe detection distance is less than a preset distance and the motor current is greater than a preset current, the ice-probe has been blocked before reaching the target position. Therefore, in this case, the ice-making status is determined to be full.

[0074] Optionally, the ice probe detection information includes ice probe detection time and ice probe detection distance.

[0075] Optionally, the processor determines the ice-making state of the refrigerator based on the ice probe detection information and the motor current, including: the processor determining that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is a partially full ice state when the ice probe detection distance is greater than or equal to a preset distance, the ice probe detection time is greater than or equal to a preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current. The processor determines that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making state when the ice probe detection distance is less than a preset distance, the ice probe detection time is less than a preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current. Alternatively, the processor determines that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making state when the ice probe detection distance is greater than or equal to a preset distance, the ice probe detection time is greater than or equal to a preset time, and the motor current is greater than a preset current. The processor determines that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is a fully full ice state when the ice probe detection distance is less than a preset distance, the ice probe detection time is less than a preset time, and the motor current is greater than a preset current.

[0076] In this embodiment, if the ice probe's detection distance is greater than or equal to a preset distance, the ice probe's detection duration is greater than or equal to a preset duration, and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current, further indicating that the ice probe has moved a long distance and duration and has not been blocked during movement, the refrigerator is determined to be in a partially full ice state. If the ice probe's movement duration and distance are short, the motor current is low, indicating that the ice probe has not encountered an object blocking its movement and is unable to continue detecting, thus determining an abnormal ice making state. If the ice probe's movement duration and distance are long, but the motor current is high, further determining an abnormal ice making state. If the ice probe's detection distance is less than a preset distance, the ice probe's detection duration is less than a preset duration, and the motor current is greater than a preset current, further indicating that the ice probe has been blocked before reaching the target position. Therefore, in this case, the ice making state can be determined to be fully iced. The ice probe's detection duration, distance, and motor current are combined to determine the refrigerator's ice making state, further improving the accuracy of the determination result.

[0077] As shown in FIG3 , the embodiment of the present disclosure provides another method for detecting the ice making state of a refrigerator. The method includes:

[0078] S301, after the ice turning device turns the ice, the processor controls the ice detection rod to move from the initial position toward the bottom of the ice storage device.

[0079] S302: The processor obtains ice probe detection information and motor current of the ice probe during its movement.

[0080] S303: The processor determines the ice-making state of the refrigerator according to the detection information of the ice-detecting rod and the motor current.

[0081] S304: When the ice-making state of the refrigerator is not full of ice, the processor controls the ice turning device to perform an ice turning operation.

[0082] S305: When the refrigerator is in an abnormal ice-making state, the processor controls the ice turning device to stop the ice turning operation and prompts an ice-making device failure message.

[0083] S306: When the refrigerator is full of ice, the processor controls the ice turning device to stop turning the ice.

[0084] In this embodiment, the ice turning device is controlled to perform different operations depending on the ice making state. If the ice box is not full, indicating that ice making needs to continue, the ice turning device is controlled to turn the ice, allowing ice making to continue. If ice making is abnormal, indicating a malfunction in the ice making device, the ice turning device is controlled to stop turning the ice and notify the user of the fault, allowing for prompt after-sales repair. If the ice box is full, the ice turning device is controlled to stop turning the ice to prevent ice overflow, which could waste ice and damage refrigerator components.

[0085] The ice-making device fault information includes: motor fault and gear fault.

[0086] For example, the processor determines that the ice-making device fault information is a gear fault if the ice-detecting rod detection time is less than a preset time and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current. The processor determines that the ice-making device fault information is a motor fault if the ice-detecting rod detection time is greater than or equal to a preset time and the motor current is greater than a preset current.

[0087] In this embodiment, if the ice probe detection duration is less than the preset time, it indicates that the ice probe movement duration is short. However, the motor current is low at this time, indicating that the ice probe has not touched an object blocking the movement of the ice probe and cannot continue to move for detection. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the gear is faulty. If the ice probe detection duration is greater than or equal to the preset time, it indicates that the ice probe movement duration is long. However, since the motor current is high at this time, it is determined that the motor is faulty.

[0088] For example, the processor determines that the ice-making device fault information is a gear fault if the ice-detecting rod detection distance is less than a preset distance and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current. The processor determines that the ice-making device fault information is a motor fault if the ice-detecting rod detection distance is greater than or equal to a preset distance and the motor current is greater than a preset current.

[0089] In this embodiment, if the ice probe's detection distance is less than the preset distance, it indicates that the ice probe has moved a short distance. However, the motor current is low at this time, indicating that the ice probe has not touched an object blocking its movement and is unable to continue moving and detecting. Therefore, in this case, it is determined that the gear is faulty. If the ice probe's detection distance is greater than or equal to the preset distance, it indicates that the ice probe has moved a long distance. However, since the motor current is high at this time, it is determined that the motor is faulty.

[0090] For example, the processor determines that the ice-making device fault information is a gear fault if the ice-probe detection distance is less than a preset distance, the ice-probe detection duration is less than a preset duration, and the motor current is less than or equal to a preset current. The processor determines that the ice-making device fault information is a motor fault if the ice-probe detection distance is greater than or equal to a preset distance, the ice-probe detection duration is greater than or equal to a preset duration, and the motor current is greater than a preset current.

[0091] In this embodiment, if the ice probe moves for a short time and a short distance, the motor current is low, indicating that the ice probe has not touched any object blocking its movement and cannot continue to move and detect, thus determining that a gear failure has occurred. If the ice probe moves for a long time and a long distance, but the motor current is high, then a motor failure can be determined.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the specific fault condition of the ice-making device is further determined by detecting the information of the ice probe and the motor current. The specific fault condition of the ice-making device facilitates the user to know the fault condition and perform after-sales maintenance, thereby improving maintenance efficiency.

[0093] Optionally, the processor prompts the ice-making device failure information by different states of the ambient light. In this way, the user does not need to be close to the refrigerator to know the current ice-making status of the refrigerator, which is more convenient and intuitive.

[0094] Optionally, the processor prompts the ice-making device fault information in a manner including prompting through information displayed on a display screen. In this way, the ice-making status of the refrigerator known to the user is more accurate and detailed.

[0095] Optionally, the processor prompts the ice-making device fault information in a manner including prompting through different states of the ambient light and prompting through information displayed on the display screen. In this way, the display effect of the result is not only convenient and intuitive, but also more accurate and detailed, which can meet the user's needs.

[0096] As shown in FIG4 , the embodiment of the present disclosure provides another method for detecting the ice making state of a refrigerator. The method includes:

[0097] S401, after the ice turning device turns the ice, the processor controls the ice detection rod to move from the initial position toward the bottom of the ice storage device.

[0098] S402: The processor obtains ice probe detection information and motor current of the ice probe during its movement.

[0099] S403: The processor determines the ice-making state of the refrigerator according to the detection information of the ice-detecting rod and the motor current.

[0100] S404: When the ice-making state of the refrigerator is not full of ice, the processor controls the ice turning device to perform an ice turning operation.

[0101] S405: The processor controls the ambient light to be in a constant on state.

[0102] S406: When the refrigerator is in an abnormal ice-making state, the processor controls the ice turning device to stop the ice turning operation and prompts an ice-making device failure message.

[0103] S407: The processor controls the ambient light to be in a flashing state.

[0104] S408: When the refrigerator is full of ice, the processor controls the ice turning device to stop turning the ice.

[0105] S409, the processor controls the ambient light to be in the off state.

[0106] In this embodiment, the ambient light is controlled to display different states of the refrigerator's ice-making status. When the user observes that the ambient light is constantly on, it indicates that the ice box is not full and ice making needs to continue. When the user observes that the ambient light is flashing, it indicates that the ice making is abnormal and the ice-making device is malfunctioning. When the ambient light is off, it indicates that the ice box is full and ice making is no longer necessary. This allows the user to intuitively obtain ice-making status information.

[0107] Optionally, the processor controlling the ambient light to be in a flashing state includes: the processor controlling the ambient light to flash at a first flashing frequency when the ice-making device fault state includes a gear fault; and controlling the ambient light to flash at a second flashing frequency when the ice-making device fault state includes a motor fault.

[0108] The absolute value of the difference between the first flickering frequency and the second flickering frequency is greater than or equal to a preset difference. For example, the preset difference is greater than 4 times per second.

[0109] In this embodiment, different fault states of the ice-making device are distinguished by setting a first flickering frequency and a second flickering frequency with a larger absolute value of the difference between them.

[0110] In conjunction with Figure 5, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device 200 for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator, including a processor 500 and a memory 501. Optionally, the device for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator may further include a communication interface 502 and a bus 503. The processor 500, the communication interface 502, and the memory 501 may communicate with each other through the bus 503. The communication interface 502 may be used for information transmission. The processor 500 may call the logic instructions in the memory 501 to execute the method for detecting the ice-making state of the refrigerator of the above embodiment.

[0111] In addition, the logic instructions in the memory 501 can be implemented in the form of software functional units and can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium when sold or used as an independent product.

[0112] Memory 501, as a storage medium, can be used to store software programs and computer executable programs, such as program instructions / modules corresponding to the methods in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Processor 500 executes the program instructions / modules stored in memory 501 to perform functional applications and data processing, thereby implementing the method for detecting the ice-making status of a refrigerator in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0113] The memory 501 may include a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area may store an operating system and at least one application required for a function; the data storage area may store data generated based on the use of the terminal device. Furthermore, the memory 501 may include a high-speed random access memory and a non-volatile memory.

[0114] As shown in FIG6 , an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a refrigerator 1. Refrigerator 1 includes a refrigerator body 100, an ice storage device, an ice-making device, and the aforementioned device 200 for detecting the ice-making status of the refrigerator. The installation relationship described herein is not limited to placement within refrigerator 1 but also includes installation connections with other components of refrigerator 1, including but not limited to physical connections, electrical connections, or signal transmission connections. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that device 200 for detecting the ice-making status of the refrigerator can be adapted to a suitable refrigerator body 10, thereby implementing other suitable embodiments. The ice storage device is disposed within the refrigerator body and is configured to store ice cubes. The ice-making device is also disposed within the refrigerator body and includes an ice-detecting rod, a motor, and an ice-turning device. The ice-detecting rod is configured to detect ice cubes in the ice storage device, the motor is configured to control the movement of the ice-detecting rod, and the ice-turning device is configured to turn the ice over to pour the ice cubes into the ice storage device.

[0115] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions are configured to execute the above-mentioned method for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator.

[0116] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to implement the above-mentioned method for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator.

[0117] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program product, which includes computer instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. When the program instructions are executed by a computer, the computer implements the above-mentioned method for detecting the ice-making status of a refrigerator.

[0118] The aforementioned computer-readable storage medium may be a transient computer-readable storage medium or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0119] The technical solution of the embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes one or more instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The aforementioned storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, including: a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and other media that can store program code, or a transient storage medium.

[0120] The above description and the accompanying drawings fully illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the art can practice them. Other embodiments may include structural, logical, electrical, process and other changes. The embodiments represent only possible variations. Unless explicitly required, individual components and functions are optional, and the order of operations may vary. Parts and features of some embodiments may be included in or replace parts and features of other embodiments. Moreover, the words used in this application are only used to describe the embodiments and are not used to limit the claims. As used in the description of the embodiments and claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms. Similarly, the term "and / or" as used in this application refers to any and all possible combinations of one or more associated listings. In addition, when used in this application, the term "comprise" and its variations "comprises" and / or comprising refer to the presence of stated features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups of these. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprising a..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method or device that includes the element. In this article, each embodiment may focus on the differences from other embodiments, and the same and similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other. For the methods, products, etc. disclosed in the embodiments, if they correspond to the method part disclosed in the embodiments, then the relevant parts can be found in the description of the method part.

[0121] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software may depend on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. The technicians may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. The technicians will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0122] In the embodiments disclosed herein, the disclosed methods and products (including but not limited to devices, equipment, etc.) can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units can be merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between each other shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or they may be distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected to implement this embodiment according to actual needs. In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0123] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings show the possible implementation architectures, functions and operations of the systems, methods and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each box in the flowchart or block diagram can represent a module, program segment or part of the code, and the module, program segment or part of the code contains one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical functions. In some alternative implementations, the functions marked in the box can also occur in an order different from that marked in the accompanying drawings. For example, two consecutive boxes can actually be executed substantially in parallel, or they can sometimes be executed in the opposite order, which can depend on the functions involved. In the descriptions corresponding to the flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings, the operations or steps corresponding to different boxes can also occur in an order different from that disclosed in the description, and sometimes there is no specific order between different operations or steps. For example, two consecutive operations or steps can actually be executed substantially in parallel, or they can sometimes be executed in the opposite order, which can depend on the functions involved. Each block in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or action, or may be implemented by a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

Claims

1. A method for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator, characterized in that the refrigerator include: An ice storage device is configured to store ice cubes; an ice making device includes an ice detection rod, a motor and an ice turning device, wherein the ice detection rod is configured to detect ice cubes in the ice storage device, the motor is configured to control the movement of the ice detection rod, and the ice turning device is configured to turn the ice to pour the ice cubes into the ice storage device; the method includes: After the ice turning device turns over the ice, the ice detection rod is controlled to move from the initial position toward the bottom of the ice storage device; Obtaining ice probe detection information and motor current of the ice probe during its movement; The ice-making status of the refrigerator is determined based on the detection information of the ice probe and the motor current.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The motor current is determined as follows: Obtain multiple detection currents of the motor during the movement of the ice probe, and use the maximum current among the multiple detection currents as the motor current; or, Obtain multiple detection currents of the motor during the movement of the ice probe, calculate the average current of the multiple detection currents, and use the average current as the motor current; or, The detection current at the moment when the ice probe stops moving is obtained, and the detection current at the moment of stopping is used as the motor current.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The ice probe detection information includes the ice probe detection time. The ice probe detection time is determined as follows: Determine the target location; Obtain the first displacement time of the ice probe from the initial position to the target position; The first displacement duration is taken as the ice probe detection duration; or, Obtaining the second displacement time of the ice probe from the initial position to the blocking position; The second displacement duration is taken as the detection duration of the ice probe.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The ice probe detection information includes the ice probe detection time; According to the ice probe information and motor current, the ice-making status of the refrigerator is determined, including: When the detection time of the ice detection rod is greater than or equal to the preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, it is determined that the ice making state of the refrigerator is not full of ice; When the detection time of the ice probe is less than the preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, the ice-making state of the refrigerator is determined to be an abnormal ice-making state; or when the detection time of the ice probe is greater than or equal to the preset time, and the motor current is greater than the preset current, the ice-making state of the refrigerator is determined to be an abnormal ice-making state; When the detection time of the ice detection rod is less than the preset time and the motor current is greater than the preset current, it is determined that the ice making state of the refrigerator is a full ice state.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The ice probe detection information includes the ice probe detection distance. The ice probe detection distance is determined as follows: Determine the blocking location; Obtain the target distance of the ice probe from the initial position to the blocking position; The target distance is used as the ice probe detection distance.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The ice probe detection information includes the ice probe detection distance; According to the ice probe information and motor current, the ice-making status of the refrigerator is determined, including: When the detection distance of the ice probe is greater than or equal to the preset distance and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, it is determined that the ice making state of the refrigerator is not full of ice; When the detection distance of the ice probe is less than the preset distance and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, the ice-making state of the refrigerator is determined to be an abnormal ice-making state; or, when the detection distance of the ice probe is greater than or equal to the preset distance and the motor current is greater than the preset current, the ice-making state of the refrigerator is determined to be an abnormal ice-making state; When the detection distance of the ice detection rod is less than the preset distance and the motor current is greater than the preset current, it is determined that the ice making state of the refrigerator is a full ice state.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The ice probe detection information includes the ice probe detection time and ice probe detection distance; According to the ice probe information and motor current, the ice-making status of the refrigerator is determined, including: When the detection distance of the ice probe is greater than or equal to the preset distance, the detection time of the ice probe is greater than or equal to the preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, it is determined that the ice making state of the refrigerator is not full of ice; When the detection distance of the ice probe is less than the preset distance, the detection time of the ice probe is less than the preset time, and the motor current is less than or equal to the preset current, it is determined that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making state; or, when the detection distance of the ice probe is greater than or equal to the preset distance, the detection time of the ice probe is greater than or equal to the preset time, and the motor current is greater than the preset current, it is determined that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is an abnormal ice-making state; When the detection distance of the ice probe is less than the preset distance, the detection time of the ice probe is less than the preset time, and the motor current is greater than the preset current, it is determined that the ice-making state of the refrigerator is a full ice state.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: Also includes: When the ice making state of the refrigerator is not full of ice, controlling the ice turning device to perform an ice turning operation; When the refrigerator is in an abnormal ice-making state, the ice turning device is controlled to stop the ice turning operation and an ice turning device fault message is prompted; When the refrigerator is in a state of being full of ice, the ice turning device is controlled to stop the ice turning operation.

9. A device for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator, comprising a processor and a memory storing program instructions, characterized in that: The processor is configured to execute the method for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when running the program instructions.

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that: include: Refrigerator body; An ice storage device, disposed on the refrigerator body and configured to store ice cubes; An ice-making device, arranged in the refrigerator body, comprises an ice-detecting rod, a motor and an ice-turning device, wherein the ice-detecting rod is configured to detect ice cubes in the ice storage device, the motor is configured to control the movement of the ice-detecting rod, and the ice-turning device is configured to turn over ice to pour ice cubes into the ice storage device; and, The device for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator as claimed in claim 9 is installed on the refrigerator body.

11. A computer program, when executed by a computer, enables the computer to implement the method for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A computer program product, comprising computer instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and when the program instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is enabled to implement the method for detecting the ice-making state of a refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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