Refrigerator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a control method therefor. The refrigerator of the present invention comprises an ice maker for rotating, in a first direction, a motor, which is connected to a tray, in order to separate ice from the tray, and rotating the motor in a second direction in order to return the tray to a horizontal state. The refrigerator primarily controls the rotation of the motor in the second direction on the basis that power is turned off and then turned on, measures the rotation time of the motor, identifies whether an on signal is received from a position sensor when the measured rotation time exceeds a preset time, controls the rotation of the motor in the first direction after controlling stopping of the motor when it is identified that the on signal has been received from the position sensor, secondarily controls the rotation of the motor in the second direction after controlling stopping of the motor when an off signal is received from the position sensor, and completes an initialization operation of the tray and the motor by controlling stopping of the motor when the on signal is received from the position sensor.

Description

refrigerator

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigerator having an ice maker that automatically produces ice by cooling a tray supplied with water and separates the produced ice from the tray.

[0002] A refrigerator is typically a device that stores food at low temperatures in a storage compartment enclosed by a door. A refrigerator cools the storage compartment using the cold air generated through heat exchange with the refrigerant circulating in the refrigeration cycle, thereby maintaining optimal storage conditions for the food stored there.

[0003] The refrigerator may include an ice maker that produces ice.

[0004] The ice maker may include a water supply device that supplies water to a tray, an ice separating device that separates ice from the tray when ice is created by freezing water, an ice bucket that stores ice separated from the tray, and a detection lever for detecting the amount of ice stored in the ice bucket. It is also possible to further include a cooling device that causes water in the tray to freeze.

[0005] Conventional ice makers had a problem supplying water for ice making to a tilted tray because they could not tell the state of the tray when the refrigerator was turned on after being turned off.

[0006] Recent ice makers perform a tray initialization operation to level the trays when the refrigerator is turned on after being turned off.

[0007] An example tray initialization operation involves rotating a motor connected to the tray for a period of time.

[0008] Another example of a tray initialization operation involves rotating a motor connected to the tray in a first direction for a period of time, and then rotating it again in a second direction for a period of time.

[0009] When initializing the tray, modern ice makers often keep the motor running for a certain amount of time, even when the tray is level and the motor is no longer needed. This can cause mechanical locking of the motor, damage to the gears connected to the motor, and slippage, potentially leading to ice maker failure.

[0010] One aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator that controls the stop and rotation direction of a motor based on a signal received from a position sensor to control the initialization operation of a tray provided in an ice maker when the power is turned on after being turned off.

[0011] According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, a refrigerator comprises: a motor connected to a tray and rotating in a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction; a detection lever for detecting the amount of ice stored in an ice bucket when the motor rotates in the first direction; a cam having first, second, and third positions provided in different areas, a first movement path provided between the first position and the second position, and a second movement path provided between the first position and the second position but including the third position, the cam being rotated by the rotation of the motor; an interlocking lever moving along the first movement path or the second movement path by the rotation of the cam and moving to any one of the first, second, and third positions; a position sensor for generating an on signal when the position of the interlocking lever is the first position, the second position, or the third position, and for generating an off signal when the position of the interlocking lever is the first movement path or the second movement path; And based on the power being turned on after being turned off, the motor is controlled to rotate in the second direction for the first time, and when an on signal is received from the position sensor during the first rotation control of the motor, the motor is controlled to rotate in the first direction for the second time, and when an off signal is received from the position sensor during the second rotation control of the motor, the motor is controlled to rotate in the second direction for the third time, and when an on signal is received from the position sensor during the third rotation control of the motor, the motor is stopped, thereby controlling the initialization operation of the tray and the motor. When the motor is controlled to rotate in the second time, the linkage lever moves from the third position to the first movement path, or moves from the first position to the first movement path.

[0012] According to one aspect, the processor of the refrigerator controls the rotation of the motor in the first direction when an on signal is received from the position sensor while the motor is being first rotated, controls the rotation of the motor to stop and then changes the rotation direction of the motor to the first direction, and controls the rotation of the motor to stop and then changes the rotation direction of the motor to the second direction when an off signal is received from the position sensor while the motor is being second rotated.

[0013] When the processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the primary rotation of the motor, it counts the rotation time of the motor, and when the counted rotation time passes a preset time, it identifies whether a signal from the position sensor has been received.

[0014] The interlocking lever of the refrigerator according to one aspect moves from the third position to the first movement path by the second rotation of the motor, and moves to the first position along the first movement path by the third rotation of the motor.

[0015] The interlocking lever of the refrigerator according to one aspect moves from the first position to the first movement path by the second rotation of the motor, and moves away from the first position by the third rotation of the motor.

[0016] The first position of the refrigerator according to one aspect is a position corresponding to the initial angle of the motor and a position at which the interlocking lever is seated when the tray is in a horizontal state. The second position of the refrigerator according to one aspect is a position corresponding to the maximum angle of the motor and a position at which the interlocking lever is seated when the tray is in an ice-free state. The third position of the refrigerator according to one aspect is a position at which the interlocking lever is seated when the ice level corresponding to the amount of ice detected by the detection lever is a reference level.

[0017] The interlocking lever of the refrigerator according to one aspect moves along the first movement path of the cam when moving the tray, and if the ice level detected by the detection lever while moving along the first movement path is a reference level, it deviates from the first movement path and moves to the third position of the second movement path.

[0018] A processor of a refrigerator according to one aspect controls the rotation of a motor in a first direction when performing the moving of a tray, and if a signal from a position sensor is received before the time for which the motor rotates in the first direction reaches a first reference time, the processor determines the ice level detected by the detection lever as the reference level.

[0019] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect controls the rotation of the motor in the second direction when the ice level is determined to be the reference level, and controls the rotation of the motor to stop when a signal from the position sensor is received.

[0020] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect recognizes an on signal from the position sensor when the time for rotating the motor in the first direction reaches the first reference time when performing the moving of the tray as an on signal at the second position.

[0021] The interlocking lever of the refrigerator according to one aspect moves to the first position along the second movement path of the cam by rotating the motor in the second direction when performing the moving of the tray, but moves to the first position via the third position.

[0022] The processor of the refrigerator according to one aspect recognizes an on signal from the position sensor when the time for rotating the motor in the second direction reaches the second reference time after completing the moving of the tray, as an on signal at the first position.

[0023] According to one aspect, the tray of the refrigerator is brought into a floating state by the motor rotating in the first direction when the tray is moved, and into a horizontal state by the motor rotating in the second direction.

[0024] A detection lever of a refrigerator according to one aspect moves toward the inside of an ice bucket based on the rotation of the motor in a first direction, stops moving at a position of a reference level based on the ice level corresponding to the amount of ice in the ice bucket being a reference level while moving toward the inside of the ice bucket, and moves to an initial position based on the rotation of the motor in a second direction. The detection lever is at the initial position when the tray is in a horizontal state.

[0025] According to another aspect, a method for controlling a refrigerator includes an ice maker that rotates a motor connected to a tray in a first direction to separate ice from the tray and rotates the motor in a second direction to return the tray to a horizontal state, wherein an initialization operation of the tray and the motor is performed based on the power being turned on after being turned off. The initialization operation of the tray and the motor includes controlling the motor to rotate in the second direction for the first time, counting the rotation time of the motor rotating for the first time, identifying whether an ON signal has been received from a position sensor when the counted rotation time has passed a preset time, controlling the motor to stop when it is identified that an ON signal has been received from the position sensor, controlling the motor to rotate in the first direction for the second time, controlling the motor to stop when an OFF signal is received from the position sensor during the second rotation control, controlling the motor to rotate in the second direction for the third time, and controlling the motor to stop when an ON signal is received from the position sensor during the third rotation control.

[0026] The on signal of the position sensor may be generated when the linkage lever is settled in the first position, second position, or third position of the cam rotated by the motor. The off signal of the position sensor may be generated when the linkage lever is disengaged from the first position, second position, or third position of the cam rotated by the motor.

[0027] In another aspect of the control method of a refrigerator, the first position corresponds to the initial angle of the motor and is the position at which the interlocking lever is seated when the tray is in a horizontal state. The second position corresponds to the maximum angle of the motor and is the position at which the interlocking lever is seated when the tray is in an ice-free state. The third position corresponds to the position at which the interlocking lever is seated when the ice level corresponding to the amount of ice detected by the detection lever is at the reference level.

[0028] Controlling the motor rotation in the second direction includes causing the motor to rotate in the first direction, thereby causing the linkage lever to move out of the third position and along the first movement path. Controlling the motor rotation in the third direction includes causing the linkage lever to move along the first movement path to the first position by controlling the motor to rotate in the second direction.

[0029] Controlling the motor rotation in the second direction includes causing the linkage lever to move out of the first position and along the first movement path of the cam by the motor rotating in the first direction. Controlling the motor rotation in the third direction includes controlling the motor rotation in the third direction when an off signal is received from the position sensor due to the linkage lever moving out of the first position.

[0030] A method of controlling a refrigerator according to another aspect further includes controlling a motor to rotate in a first direction when moving a tray so that a linkage lever moves along a first movement path of a cam, and when an ice level detected by a detection lever while the linkage lever is moving along the first movement path is a reference level, moving the lever away from the first movement path to a third position of a second movement path.

[0031] According to the disclosed invention, the disclosed invention can perform an initialization operation of a tray provided in an ice maker by changing the rotation direction after stopping the rotation of the motor based on a signal received from a position sensor, and changing the rotation direction twice.

[0032] The disclosed invention can prevent the second position (the position of the motor when the tray is in a state of maximum twisting) and the third position (the position of the motor for detecting the level of ice in the ice bucket) from being mistakenly recognized as the first position (the position of the motor when the tray is in a horizontal state) when signals from the position sensor are received. In other words, the disclosed invention can improve the accuracy of the initialization operation of the tray.

[0033] The disclosed invention can prevent water flow due to water supply by improving the accuracy of the initialization operation of the tray.

[0034] The disclosed invention can stably perform an initialization operation of a tray provided in an ice maker of a refrigerator (also called an initialization operation of a motor) when the power is turned on after being turned off, can reduce the time required for the tray initialization operation, and can reduce noise generated during the tray initialization operation.

[0035] The disclosed invention can reduce the locking load due to mechanical locking of the motor by immediately stopping the motor when a signal from a position sensor is received during a tray initialization operation, thereby increasing the durability of the part.

[0036] The disclosed invention can prevent failure of a motor and power transmission member (e.g., gear) provided in an ice maker of a refrigerator.

[0037] The disclosed invention can improve the safety of a refrigerator, enhance the quality and marketability of the refrigerator, and further secure the competitiveness of the refrigerator.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an exploded view of an ice maker of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram of a cam provided in an ice maker of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram of a detection lever provided in an ice maker of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b are drawings showing the movement path of the linkage lever of the ice maker of the refrigerator in the ice maker mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 7 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are exemplary diagrams of signals from an angle and position sensor of a motor provided in an ice maker of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIGS. 10A and 10B to 16A and 16B are drawings showing the path of the linkage lever moving by the angle-specific tray initialization operation of the motor when the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is turned on after being turned off and then performs a tray initialization operation.

[0047] FIG. 17 is a table showing the time required for a tray initialization operation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 18 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 19 is a control flowchart of an initialization operation of a tray of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present disclosure and the terminology used therein are not intended to limit the technical features described in the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but rather to encompass various modifications, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments.

[0051] In connection with the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used for similar or related components.

[0052] The singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of said items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0053] In this disclosure, each of the phrases "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" may include any one of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase, or all possible combinations thereof.

[0054] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0055] Terms such as "first," "second," or "first" or "second" may be used simply to distinguish one component from another and do not qualify the components in any other respect (e.g., importance or order).

[0056] In addition, terms such as 'front', 'rear', 'top', 'bottom', 'side', 'left', 'right', 'upper', and 'lower' used in the present disclosure are defined based on the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms.

[0057] Terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the present disclosure, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0058] When a component is said to be “connected,” “coupled,” “supported,” or “in contact with” another component, this includes not only cases where the components are directly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact, but also cases where the components are indirectly connected, coupled, supported, or in contact through a third component.

[0059] When we say that a component is "on" another component, this includes not only cases where the component is in contact with the other component, but also cases where there is another component between the two components.

[0060] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a body.

[0061] The "body" may include an inner case, an outer case disposed on the outside of the inner case, and an insulating material provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0062] The "inner case" may include at least one of a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment. The inner case may be formed as a single body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates. The "outer case" may form the outer appearance of the main body, and may be joined to the outer side of the inner case so that insulation is placed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0063] "Insulation" can insulate the interior and exterior of a storage room so that the temperature inside the storage room can be maintained at a set temperature without being affected by the external environment. In one embodiment, the insulation can include foam insulation. The foam insulation can be formed by injecting and foaming urethane foam, a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent, between the inner and outer layers.

[0064] In one embodiment, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation material in addition to the foam insulation, or the insulation may consist solely of the vacuum insulation material instead of the foam insulation. The vacuum insulation material may include a core material and an outer shell material that accommodates the core material and seals the interior under a vacuum or near-vacuum pressure. However, the insulation material is not limited to the foam insulation or vacuum insulation material described above, and may include various materials that can be used for insulation.

[0065] A "storage room" may include a space defined by an interior wall. The storage room may further include an interior wall defining a corresponding space. The storage room may store various items, such as food, medicine, and cosmetics, and the storage room may be configured to be open on at least one side for the entry and exit of items.

[0066] A refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. When a refrigerator includes two or more storage compartments, each compartment may have a different purpose and be maintained at different temperatures. To achieve this, each storage compartment may be separated from the others by a partition wall containing insulation.

[0067] The storage room may be designed to maintain an appropriate temperature range depending on its intended use, and may include a "refrigerator," a "freezer," or a "variable temperature room," which are distinguished by their intended use and / or temperature range. A refrigerator may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for refrigerating items, and a freezer may be maintained at a temperature appropriate for freezing items. "Refrigeration" may mean cooling items to a temperature that does not freeze them, and for example, a refrigerator may be maintained at a temperature ranging from 0 degrees Celsius to +5 degrees Celsius. "Freezing" may mean cooling items to freeze them or keep them frozen, and for example, a freezer may be maintained at a temperature ranging from -23 degrees Celsius to -17 degrees Celsius. A variable temperature room may be used as either a refrigerator or a freezer, at the user's option or not.

[0068] In addition to names such as "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room," a storage room may also be called by various other names such as "vegetable room," "fresh room," "cooling room," and "ice room." The terms "refrigerator," "freezer," and "variable temperature room" used hereinafter should be understood to encompass storage rooms having corresponding uses and temperature ranges.

[0069] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include at least one door configured to open and close an open side of a storage compartment. The door may be configured to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be configured to open and close multiple storage compartments. The door may be installed on the front of the main body in a pivotal or sliding manner.

[0070] The "door" may be configured to seal the storage compartment when the door is closed. The door may include insulation, similar to the body, to insulate the storage compartment when the door is closed.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the door may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door, a door inner panel forming the back of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided on the interior of these.

[0072] The door inner panel may be provided with a gasket that seals the storage compartment by contacting the front of the body when the door is closed. The door inner panel may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to accommodate a door basket for storing items.

[0073] In one embodiment, the door may include a door body and a front panel detachably coupled to the front side of the door body and forming the front of the door. The door body may include a door outer panel forming the front of the door body, a door inner panel forming the rear of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and door insulation provided inside these.

[0074] Depending on the arrangement of the door and storage compartment, refrigerators can be classified into French door type, side-by-side type, bottom mounted freezer (BMF), top mounted freezer (TMF), or single-door refrigerator.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0076] A "cold air supply device" may include a system of machines, devices, electronic devices and / or combinations thereof that can generate cold air and guide the cold air to cool a storage room.

[0077] In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can generate cold air through a refrigeration cycle that includes the processes of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of a refrigerant. To this end, the cold air supply device can include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator capable of driving the refrigeration cycle. In one embodiment, the cold air supply device can include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element can cool a storage compartment by generating heat and cooling through the Peltier effect.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a machine room in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are arranged.

[0079] The "machine room" may be designed to be partitioned and insulated from the storage room to prevent heat generated by components placed within the machine room from being transferred to the storage room. The interior of the machine room may be configured to be in communication with the exterior of the main body to dissipate heat from components placed within the machine room.

[0080] In one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and / or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door so that it is accessible to a user without having to open the door.

[0081] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include an ice maker configured to produce ice. The ice maker may include a tray for storing water, an ice separator for separating ice from the tray, and an ice bucket for storing ice produced in the ice tray.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

[0083] The "control unit" may include a memory that stores or memorizes a program and / or data for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor that outputs a control signal for controlling a cold air supply device, etc. according to the program and / or data memorized in the memory.

[0084] Memory stores or records various information, data, commands, programs, etc. necessary for the operation of the refrigerator. Memory can store temporary data generated during the generation of control signals for controlling components within the refrigerator. Memory may include at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

[0085] The processor controls the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor can control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate NPU that performs the operations of an artificial intelligence model. The processor may also include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or the like. The processor may generate control signals to control the operation of the cooling system. For example, the processor may receive temperature information about the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control the operation of the cooling system based on the temperature information.

[0086] Additionally, the processor may process user input of the user interface and control the operation of the user interface based on programs and / or data stored / stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided using an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive user input from the user interface. Additionally, the processor may transmit display control signals and image data to the user interface for displaying an image on the user interface in response to the user input.

[0087] The processor and memory may be provided as a single unit or separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one subprocessor. The memory may include one or more memories.

[0088] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control all components within the refrigerator, and may include multiple processors and multiple memories that individually control the components within the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control the operation of a cooling device based on the output of a temperature sensor. Additionally, the refrigerator may separately include a processor and memory that control the operation of a user interface based on user input.

[0089] The communication module can communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances, via a nearby access point (AP). The AP can connect the local area network (LAN) where the refrigerator or user device is connected to the wide area network (WAN) where the server is connected. The refrigerator or user device can then connect to the server via the WAN.

[0090] The input interface may include keys, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive user input and transmit it to the processor.

[0091] The output interface may include a display unit and a speaker, etc. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, etc. generated by the processor.

[0092] Hereinafter, refrigerators according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0093] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main body (10), a storage compartment (20: 21, 22) provided inside the main body (10), a door (30: 31, 32) for opening and closing the storage compartment (20: 21, 22), and a cooling system for supplying cold air to the storage compartment (21, 22).

[0095] For example, the storage rooms (21, 22) may include a refrigerator that is maintained at approximately 0 to 5 degrees Celsius and used to refrigerate food. For example, the storage rooms (21, 22) may include a freezer that is maintained at approximately -30 to 0 degrees Celsius and used to freeze food.

[0096] The storage room (21, 22) may be provided with shelves (23) for placing food, drawers (24) for storing food, etc.

[0097] The main body (10) may include an inner case (11, 12) forming a storage room (21, 22) and an outer case (13) forming the exterior of the refrigerator (1).

[0098] The outer case (13) can be formed to have a shape of a box with an open front. The outer case (13) can form the upper and lower surfaces, left and right sides, and the rear of the refrigerator (1).

[0099] The outer surface (13) may be configured to include a metal material. For example, the outer surface (13) may be manufactured by processing a steel plate material.

[0100] The main body (10) may include a first inner case (11) and a second inner case (12). The first inner case (11) may form a first storage chamber (21). The second inner case (12) may form a second storage chamber (22). For example, the first storage chamber (21) may be configured as a freezer. For example, the second storage chamber (22) may be configured as a refrigerator. The inner walls of the first and second inner cases (11, 12) may form the inner walls of the storage chambers (21, 22).

[0101] In a side-by-side type refrigerator as illustrated in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the first inner case (11) and the second inner case (12) can be arranged side by side in the left-right direction (Y direction) of the refrigerator (1). Similarly, the first storage compartment (21) and the second storage compartment (22) can be arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the refrigerator (1).

[0102] The first and second internal wounds (11, 12) can be opened at the front. The first and second internal wounds (11, 12) can be provided on the inner side of the external wound (13).

[0103] The inner casing (11, 12) may be configured to include a plastic material. For example, the inner casing (11, 12) may be manufactured by a vacuum forming process. For example, the inner casing (11, 12) may be manufactured by an injection molding process.

[0104] In FIG. 1, an embodiment is illustrated in which the inner box arranged on the left among the inner boxes (11, 12) is the first inner box (11), and a first storage compartment (21), which is a freezer, is provided inside the first inner box (11), and the inner box arranged on the right among the inner boxes (11, 12) is the second inner box (12), and a second storage compartment (22), which is a refrigerator, is provided inside the second inner box (12). However, the idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a freezer compartment may be provided inside the inner box arranged on the right among the inner boxes (11, 12) of the refrigerator (1), and a refrigerator compartment may be provided inside the inner box arranged on the left. However, for the convenience of explanation, the following description will be based on the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0105] The main body (10) may include a partition (15) that divides a first storage room (21) and a second storage room (22). For example, the partition (15) may extend in a vertical direction (Z direction) to divide the first storage room (21) and the second storage room (22) in a horizontal direction (Y direction).

[0106] The doors (30: 31, 32) may be provided to open and close the storage compartments (21, 22), respectively. The doors (30: 31, 32) may be provided to be rotatable relative to the main body (10). More specifically, each door (30) may be rotatably coupled to the main body (10) by a hinge (40) connected to the door (30) and the main body (10), respectively. The hinge (40) may be coupled to the door (30) and the outer case (13), respectively.

[0107] The outer surface of each door (30) may form part of the exterior of the refrigerator (1). In the closed position of each door (30), the outer surface of the door (30) may form the front surface of the door (30).

[0108] In the closed position of each door (30), the inner surface of the door (30) may form the rear surface of the door (30). In the closed position of each door (30), the inner surface of the door (30) may be arranged to face the interior of the main body (10). In the closed position of each door (30), the inner surface of each door (30) may be arranged to cover the front of the storage compartment (21, 22).

[0109] A door basket (33) for storing food may be provided on the back of the door (30).

[0110] As shown in Fig. 2, the refrigerator may include a body insulation material (14) provided between the inner case (11, 12) and the outer case (13).

[0111] The main body insulation (14) can be provided so that the outer case (13) and the inner case (11, 12) are insulated from each other. The main body insulation (14) can be foamed between the inner case (11, 12) and the outer case (13) to bond the inner case (11, 12) and the outer case (13) to each other. The main body insulation (14) can prevent heat exchange between the inside of the storage chamber (21, 22) and the outside of the main body (10), thereby improving the cooling efficiency inside the storage chamber (21, 22).

[0112] As the main body insulation material (14), urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene insulation, vacuum insulation panel, etc. can be used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the main body insulation material (14) can be composed of various materials.

[0113] The refrigerator (1) may include a cooling system (50) that generates cold air using a cooling cycle and supplies the generated cold air to a storage room (20: 21, 22).

[0114] A cooling system (50) can generate cold air by utilizing a cooling cycle of compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant. For example, the cooling system may include a compressor (51), a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator (52), a blower fan (53), and the like. The cooling system may be a cooling device described below.

[0115] A machine room (60) in which a compressor (51) is installed may be provided in the main body (10).

[0116] The main body (10) may include a cold air supply duct (16). The cold air supply duct (16) may form a cold air flow path through which cold air generated by the cooling system flows to the storage chamber (21, 22).

[0117] The cold air supply duct (16) may be formed inside the inner case (11, 12). The cold air supply duct (16) may be formed at the rear of the inner case (11, 12). More specifically, the cold air supply duct (16) may be provided at the rear of the storage room (21, 22).

[0118] The cold air generated by one evaporator (52) can flow to the first storage chamber (21) or the second storage chamber (22), respectively. The cold air generated by one evaporator (52) can have a temperature within a certain range. Therefore, in order to maintain different temperatures in the first storage chamber (21) and the second storage chamber (22), the cold air inflow amounts into the first storage chamber (21) and the cold air inflow amounts into the second storage chamber (22) can be provided differently.

[0119] For example, a damper (not shown) may be provided in the cold air supply duct (16) to control the amount of cold air flowing into the second storage room (22). The damper may be provided to open and close the cold air passage toward the second storage room (22). A storage room temperature sensor may be provided in the first storage room (21) and the second storage room (22) to measure the temperature of the first storage room (21) and the second storage room (22), respectively, and the opening and closing of the damper may be controlled by the output value of the temperature sensor.

[0120] However, this is not limited thereto, and various configurations may be provided to maintain different temperatures in the first storage chamber (21) and the second storage chamber (22). For example, a refrigerator may be provided with two or more evaporators.

[0121] At least one evaporator may be arranged to produce cold air supplied to the first storage chamber (21), and at least another evaporator may be arranged to produce cold air supplied to the second storage chamber (22).

[0122] The refrigerator (1) may include an ice maker (100) that creates ice using cold air from the first storage room (21), and may include an ice bucket (101) that stores ice created in the ice maker (100).

[0123] An ice maker (100) may be installed in a first storage room (21) configured as a freezer. The ice maker (100) may be mounted on a first inner case (11).

[0124] The refrigerator (1) may further include a water supply pipe (102) configured to receive water from an external water source (not shown). The water supply pipe (100) may be configured to supply water supplied from an external water source or a water purifier to the ice maker (100).

[0125] The ice maker (100) can create ice using water supplied through a water supply pipe (102).

[0126] The water supply pipe (102) can be formed to have a shape of a pipe having a hollow space, and a water supply path through which water flows can be formed in the hollow space of the water supply pipe (102).

[0127] The water supply pipe (102) may be arranged to penetrate the main body (10). The water supply pipe (102) may be arranged to penetrate the outer case (13) and the first inner case (11). More specifically, the water supply pipe (102) may penetrate the rear surface of the outer case (13) and the first inner case (11). In addition, the water supply pipe (102) may penetrate the cold air supply duct (16).

[0128] An ice bucket (101) can be provided in the first storage room (21). The ice bucket (101) can be mounted on the first inner case (11).

[0129] The ice bucket (101) can be placed at the bottom of the ice maker (100).

[0130] An ice bucket (101) may be provided to receive and store ice discharged from an ice maker (100) and moved downward.

[0131] For example, the ice bucket (101) may be provided so that it can be inserted or removed from the first storage room (21). That is, the ice bucket (101) may be mounted so as to be movable in a sliding manner with respect to the first inner case (11).

[0132] However, the ice bucket (101) described above is only an example of a configuration for storing ice generated by an ice-making unit in a refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure, and the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0133] The configuration of the refrigerator (1) described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is merely an example for explaining a refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure, and the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure may be provided to include various configurations for performing the function of supplying cold air to a storage room for storing food.

[0134] For convenience of explanation, a side-by-side type refrigerator (1) in which the refrigerator and freezer compartments are arranged on the left and right has been described as an example of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and a refrigerator according to the spirit of the present disclosure may include various types of refrigerators, such as a French door type, a BMF (Bottom Mounted Freezer) type, a TMF (Top Mounted Freezer) type, or a single-door type.

[0135] In addition, although the above description is made as an example of the present disclosure on the premise that it is a direct-cooling refrigerator (1), the idea of ​​the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can also be applied to a direct-cooling refrigerator.

[0136] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an exploded view of an ice maker (100) of a refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 4 is an exemplary drawing of a cam provided in an ice maker (100) of a refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 5 is an exemplary drawing of a detection lever provided in an ice maker (100) of a refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0137] A refrigerator (1) may include one or more ice makers (100). The present embodiment describes a refrigerator including two ice makers as an example.

[0138] The first and second ice makers (100a, 100b) can be supported by the ice case (104) and can be placed in the inner space of the ice case (104).

[0139] The first and second ice makers (100a, 100b) may be arranged parallel to each other. For example, the first and second ice makers (100a, 100b) may be arranged parallel to each other in the left-right direction (Y direction) of the refrigerator (1).

[0140] The ice making case (104) can be formed to have a shape roughly like a box. The ice making case (104) can be formed to have a shape like a box with at least one side open.

[0141] For example, the ice making case (104) may have a shape that is open downward, i.e., facing the ice bucket (101). However, this is not limited thereto, and the ice making case (104) may be formed to have various shapes.

[0142] The ice making case (104) may include a water supply opening (104a) formed to allow water to flow into the first and second ice makers (100a, 100b) through a water supply pipe (102). The water supply opening (104a) may be provided at the top of the ice making case (104). The number of water supply openings (104a) may correspond to the number of ice makers.

[0143] Each ice maker (100a, 100b) may include a tray. Each tray may include cells for producing the same or different types of ice.

[0144] For example, the first ice maker (100a) may include one or more first cells and a first tray that produces a first type of ice through the one or more first cells. The second ice maker (100b) may include one or more second cells and a second tray that produces a second type of ice through the one or more second cells. Here, the first type of ice and the second type of ice may be types of ice that are different from each other in terms of shape, size, etc.

[0145] The first and second ice makers (100a, 100b) may have the same configuration except that the cells of the tray that determine the type of ice are different.

[0146] Let us explain the ice maker in more detail, using the first ice maker (100a) as a representative example. Hereinafter, the first ice maker (100a) will be referred to as the ice maker (100).

[0147] The ice maker (100) may include a tray (110), an ice removal unit (120), and a detection lever (130), and may further include a temperature sensor (140).

[0148] The tray (110) may include at least one cell (111), which is a space that receives water through a water supply pipe (102), stores the supplied water, and changes the stored water into ice.

[0149] The cells (111) of the tray may be provided in a receiving groove shape. When the cells (111) of the tray are multiple, the multiple cells (111) may be partitioned by partition walls.

[0150] The water stored in the cell (111) of the tray can be changed into ice by the cold air of the first storage room (21).

[0151] It is also possible for the tray (110) to be provided with a refrigerant pipe through which refrigerant flows. In this case, it is also possible for the water stored in the cell (111) of the tray (110) to change into ice by the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant pipe.

[0152] The cell (111) of the tray (110) may have a shape in which one side is open. When water is supplied to the tray (110) or when water is frozen, the open side of the cell (111) may face approximately upwards of the refrigerator (1).

[0153] When ice generated on the tray (110) is separated and moved to the ice bucket (101), the open side of the cell (111) of the tray may face approximately downwards of the refrigerator (1).

[0154] The tray (110) may include a rotation axis (112). The tray (110) may rotate about the rotation axis (112).

[0155] The tray (110) can be coupled to a shaft coupling hole (not shown) provided on the rear wall of the ice making case (110). The rotational axis (112) of the tray (110) can be coupled to the shaft coupling hole. The shaft coupling hole can rotatably support the tray (110).

[0156] When the tray (110) rotates, the rotation angles of the two sides of the tray (110) may be different. Here, the two sides of the tray (110) may be one side to which the moving part (120) is connected and one side facing the other side. In other words, the tray (110) may change from a state in which both sides are horizontal to a state in which both sides are twisted.

[0157] The tray (110) can receive power from the moving part (120) and can rotate around a rotation axis (112) extending in the horizontal direction of the refrigerator (1).

[0158] The moving part (120) can be coupled to the tray (110). The moving part (120) can be coupled to one side of the tray (110) in the extension direction of the rotation shaft (112). Here, one side of the tray (110) in the extension direction of the rotation shaft (112) can be a coupling part (114) provided on the tray (110). That is, the moving part (120) can be coupled to the coupling part (114) provided on the tray (110).

[0159] The ice removal unit (120) separates the ice produced in the tray (110) from the tray and moves it to the ice bucket (101). The ice removal unit (120) can perform an ice removal mode.

[0160] The ice-moving part (120) can rotate the tray (110) around a rotation axis (112) extending in the horizontal direction (e.g., X direction) of the refrigerator (1) so that the ice in the tray (110) can be moved to the ice bucket (101).

[0161] The moving part (120) may include a case (121), a motor (122), a power transmission member (123), and a position sensor (124).

[0162] A case (121) may be connected to a tray (110). The case (121) may include a receiving space. A motor (122), a power transmission member (123), and a position sensor (124) may be provided in the receiving space of the case (121).

[0163] The motor (122) can generate power through rotation. The motor (122) can rotate in a first direction or a second direction.

[0164] Here, the second direction may be the opposite direction to the first direction. For example, if the first direction is clockwise, the second direction may be counterclockwise. For example, the first direction may be forward, and the second direction may be reverse.

[0165] The power transmission member (123) can be connected to the motor (122) and the tray (110). The power transmission member (123) can be connected to the joint (114) of the tray.

[0166] The power transmission member (123) may include a drive shaft (125) that rotates the tray (110).

[0167] The drive shaft (125) can be coupled to the joint (114) of the tray to transmit rotational force to the tray (110) as the motor (122) rotates.

[0168] The power transmission member (123) can receive power from the motor (122) and transmit the received power to the tray (110).

[0169] The power transmission member (123) may include, for example, one or more gears. Each of the two or more gears may include teeth. The two or more gears may be connected by the teeth.

[0170] The power transmission member (123) may include a cam (123a) that rotates by a motor (122). The power transmission member (123) may further include a linkage lever (126) that moves along the lever groove of the rotating cam (123a) and is provided with a magnet.

[0171] As shown in Fig. 4, the cam (123a) may include a shaft hole (a1) to which the shaft of the motor (122) is connected, and a lever groove (a2) through which the linkage lever (126) moves by rotation of the cam (123a).

[0172] The lever home (a2) may include a first movement path (r1) and a second movement path (r2), and may include a first position (p1) at which the linkage lever (126) is seated when the tray (110) is in a first state, a second position (p2) at which the linkage lever (126) is seated when the tray (110) is in a second state, and a third position (p3) at which the linkage lever (126) is moved and seated when the ice level of the ice bucket (101) is at a reference level.

[0173] The reference level may include a full ice level corresponding to a state in which the amount of ice stored in the ice bucket (101) is full, which is a predetermined level.

[0174] The first state of the tray (110) may be a state in which the tray (110) is horizontal and can be supplied with water, or a state in which water is frozen.

[0175] The state in which the tray (110) is horizontal may include a state in which it is horizontal to the ground or a state in which it is horizontal to the bottom of the refrigerator.

[0176] The first state of the tray (110) may be a state when the angle of the motor (122) is the initial angle. The initial angle of the motor (122) may be an angle between approximately -4 degrees and 0 degrees.

[0177] The second state of the tray (110) may be a state in which the tray (110) is rotated at a maximum twist angle, such that the ice in the tray (110) is separated from the tray (110). The maximum twist angle may be a preset angle, such as a maximum rotation angle of the motor (122).

[0178] The second state of the tray (110) may be a state when the angle of the motor is at its maximum angle. The maximum angle of the motor may be an angle between approximately 160 and 164 degrees.

[0179] The first movement path (r1) may be an inner path of the lever home (a2), which may be a path along which the linkage lever (126) moves when the motor (122) rotates in the first direction.

[0180] A part of the first movement path (r1) (r11) may be a path along which the linkage lever (126) moves when the motor rotates in the second direction while the linkage lever (126) is positioned at the third position.

[0181] A part of the path (r11) of the first movement path (r1) may include a path between a first location (p1) and a part of the location (p31) on the first movement path.

[0182] Some positions (p31) may be positions corresponding to the third position (p3) on the second movement path (r2) among the positions on the first movement path (r1).

[0183] The second movement path (r2) may be an outer path of the lever home, which may be a path along which the linkage lever (126) moves when the motor (122) rotates in the second direction.

[0184] The first position (p1) and the second position (p2) can be provided at two points where the first movement path (r1) and the second movement path (r2) are connected, and the third position (p3) can be provided on the second movement path (r2).

[0185] The first position (p1) may be the starting position of the lever home (a2), and the second position (p2) may be the ending position of the lever home (a2).

[0186] The third position (p3) is provided in a shape that protrudes from the second movement path (r2), but may be provided in a direction opposite to that of the first movement path (r1).

[0187] The first, second, and third positions (p1, p2, p3) may be positions where a signal from a position sensor is generated by a magnet (not shown) provided on a linkage lever (126).

[0188] For example, when the tray (110) is in a horizontal state and the interlocking lever (126) is settled in the first position, a signal from the position sensor may be generated by the magnet, when the tray (110) is in a maximum twisted state and the interlocking lever (126) is settled in the second position, a signal from the position sensor may be generated by the magnet, and when the ice level in the ice bucket is at the full level and the interlocking lever (126) is settled in the third position, a signal from the position sensor may be generated by the magnet.

[0189] The position sensor (124) can detect the position of the linkage lever (126). The position of the linkage lever (126) detected by the position sensor (124) can include the first, second, and third positions (p1, p2, p3) within the lever groove (a2) of the cam (123a).

[0190] The position of the linkage lever (126) may correspond to the rotation angle of the motor. For example, the first position may correspond to the first angle of the motor (122), the second position may correspond to the second angle of the motor (122), and the third position may correspond to the third angle of the motor.

[0191] The first position may be the position of the linkage lever (126) when the angle of the motor (122) is the first angle, the second position may be the position of the linkage lever (126) when the angle of the motor (122) is the second angle, and the third position may be the position of the linkage lever (126) when the angle of the motor is the third angle.

[0192] The first angle of the motor may be an angle between approximately -4 degrees and 0 degrees, the second angle of the motor may be an angle between approximately 160 degrees and 164 degrees, and the third angle of the motor may be an angle between approximately 40 degrees and 60 degrees.

[0193] When the angle of the motor (122) is the first angle, the tray can be in a horizontal state.

[0194] When the angle of the motor (122) is the second angle, the tray can be in a maximum twist state or a floating state.

[0195] The position sensor (124) can generate an on signal or an off signal based on the distance from a magnet (not shown) provided on a linkage lever (126) of a power transmission member (123).

[0196] For example, the position sensor (124) can generate an on signal when the distance from the magnet is less than or equal to a reference distance, and can generate an off signal when the distance from the magnet exceeds the reference distance. In this case, the position sensor (124) can generate an on signal at the first, second, and third positions.

[0197] As another example, the position sensor (124) may generate an off signal when the distance from the magnet is less than or equal to a reference distance, and may generate an on signal when the distance from the magnet exceeds the reference distance. In this case, the position sensor (124) may generate an off signal at the first, second, and third positions.

[0198] The shape of the cam (123a) of the ice maker illustrated in Fig. 4 is only an example and is not limited thereto, and may be formed in various shapes.

[0199] The detection lever (130) is coupled to the moving part (120), but can be coupled to the side of the moving part (120).

[0200] The detection lever (130) may include a lever mounting portion (131) that is coupled to the case of the moving portion (120).

[0201] The detection lever (130) can be rotatably coupled to the moving part (120). The detection lever (130) can be provided to be rotatable about the lever mounting part (131) as an axis. The rotation axis of the detection lever (130) can extend in a horizontal direction (e.g., Y direction).

[0202] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the detection lever (130) can move from the tray (110) toward the ice bucket (101) based on the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction, and can move from the ice bucket (101) toward the initial position based on the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction. Here, the initial position can be a position on the side of the tray (110).

[0203] The detection lever (130) moves downward from the initial position (d1) based on the rotation of the motor (122) of the moving part in the first direction, and moves upward based on the rotation of the motor (122) of the moving part in the second direction, but can move upward to the initial position (d1).

[0204] The initial position (d1) may be the position at which the detection lever remains before detecting the level of ice in the ice bucket.

[0205] The tray can rotate in a first direction when the detection lever (130) moves downward, and can rotate in a second direction when the detection lever (130) moves upward.

[0206] The detection lever (130) can detect the amount of ice stored in the ice bucket (101) placed at the bottom of the ice maker (100).

[0207] When the detection lever (130) moves downward toward the ice bucket (101) by the rotation of the motor, if the level of ice stored in the ice bucket (101) is not at the reference level, it can move downward to a position lower than the full ice detection position (d2).

[0208] Here, the reference level may include a full ice level corresponding to a state in which the ice bucket (101) is full of ice.

[0209] When the detection lever (130) moves downward to a position lower than the full ice detection position (d2), the tray can rotate to the maximum twist angle.

[0210] The full ice detection position (d2) may be the position where the detection lever (130) remains when the ice bucket is full of ice.

[0211] The detection lever (130) may be moved downward toward the ice bucket (101) by the rotation of the motor, and if the level of ice stored in the ice bucket (101) is at a reference level, the downward movement may be restricted. That is, the detection lever (130) may be stopped from moving at the full ice detection position (d2). Through this, the detection lever (130) may be able to detect whether the ice bucket (102) is full of ice (i.e., whether it is full).

[0212] When the level of ice stored in the ice bucket (101) becomes the reference level and the downward movement of the detection lever (130) is restricted, the linkage lever (126) can be moved to the third position of the cam (123a).

[0213] When the ice level of the ice bucket is at the reference level and the cam (123a) is positioned at the third position, when the motor rotates in the second direction, the linkage lever (126) can move to the first position along the second movement path.

[0214] When the ice level of the ice bucket is not at the reference level and the cam (123a) is positioned at the third position, and the motor rotates in the second direction, the linkage lever (126) can move to the first position along the first movement path.

[0215] When the detection lever (130) moves upward after its movement is restricted at the full ice detection position (d2), the tray can be rotated to a horizontal state without rotating to the maximum twist angle.

[0216] A temperature sensor (140) is provided at the bottom of the tray (110) and can detect the temperature of the tray (110). The refrigerator can determine whether ice production is complete based on the temperature of the tray detected by the temperature sensor (140).

[0217] The movement of the linkage lever of the ice maker installed in the refrigerator in the ice maker mode is described with reference to FIGS. 6a and 6b.

[0218] Fig. 6a is a drawing showing the path of the interlocking lever when the ice level of the ice bucket is not at the reference level, and Fig. 6b is a drawing showing the path of the interlocking lever when the ice level of the ice bucket is at the reference level.

[0219] Ice level is the height of ice stored in an ice bucket, measured from the bottom of the ice bucket to the top surface of the ice.

[0220] As shown in Fig. 6a, the linkage lever moves along the first movement path (r1) of the cam (123a) by rotating the motor (122) in the first direction.

[0221] If the ice level in the ice bucket is not at the reference level, the linkage lever moves along the first movement path (r1) until it reaches the second position of the cam (123a).

[0222] In this case, the tray rotates in the first direction to reach the maximum twist angle.

[0223] The linkage lever moves along the second movement path (r2) of the cam (123a) by rotating the motor in the second direction at the second position (p2) of the cam (123a), and moves along the second movement path (r2) of the cam (123a) until it reaches the first position (p1).

[0224] In this case, the tray can be rotated in the second direction to become horizontal.

[0225] As shown in Fig. 6b, the linkage lever moves along the first movement path (r1) of the cam (123a) by rotating the motor (122) in the first direction.

[0226] When the ice level in the ice bucket is at the reference level, the linkage lever moves to the third position (p3) of the second movement path (r2) of the cam (123a).

[0227] The linkage lever moves along the second movement path (r2) of the cam (123a) by rotating the motor (122) in the second direction at the third position (p3) of the cam (123a), and moves along the second movement path (r2) until it reaches the first position (p1) of the cam (123a).

[0228] In this case, the tray can be rotated in the second direction to become horizontal without reaching the maximum twist angle.

[0229] Fig. 7 is a control configuration diagram of a refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9.

[0230] FIGS. 8 and 9 are exemplary diagrams of signals from angle and position sensors of a motor provided in an ice maker of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Here, FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram of signals from a rotation direction, angle, and position sensor of a motor when the ice level of an ice bucket is not at a reference level, and FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of signals from a rotation direction, angle, and position sensor of a motor when the ice level of an ice bucket is at a reference level.

[0231] The refrigerator may include a cooling device (50), an ice maker (100), a user interface (210), a power supply (220), a processor (230), and a memory (231).

[0232] A cooling device (50, see FIG. 2) may include a compressor (51) that compresses a refrigerant into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas, a condenser that condenses the refrigerant discharged from the compressor, an expansion valve that throttles and expands the liquid refrigerant discharged from the condenser, an evaporator (52) that evaporates the refrigerant discharged through the expansion valve into a low-temperature, low-pressure gas to absorb and cool the surrounding heat, and a blower fan (53) that blows air heat-exchanged in the evaporator (52) into a storage room.

[0233] The cooling device (50) may further include a heat dissipation fan that discharges the heat-exchanged air in the condenser to the outside and cools the condenser.

[0234] The air heat-exchanged in the evaporator (52) of the cooling device (50) can be supplied to the ice maker (100). The ice maker (100) can produce ice using the air heat-exchanged in the evaporator (52) of the cooling device (50).

[0235] The ice maker (100) may include a water supply device (102a), a motor (122), a position sensor (124), and a temperature sensor (140).

[0236] The water supply device (102a) can supply water from a water purifier or an external water supply device and supply the supplied water to the tray (110) of the ice maker.

[0237] The water supply device (102a) may include a water supply pipe (102) through which water flows, a water supply valve provided in the water supply pipe (102) to control the supply of water, and may further include a flow sensor (not shown) to detect the amount of water flowing in the water supply pipe (102). The configuration of the water supply device is merely an example, and the configuration of the water supply device (102a) is not limited thereto.

[0238] Here, the opening degree and opening time of the water supply valve can be controlled by the processor (230) based on the amount of water supplied to the tray (110). The closing of the water supply valve can be controlled by the processor (230).

[0239] Flow rate information detected by a flow rate sensor (not shown) can be transmitted to a processor (230).

[0240] The rotation of the motor (122) can be controlled by the processor (230).

[0241] The motor (122) can rotate in a first direction by a control command of the processor (230), or the motor (122) can rotate in a second direction by a control command of the processor (230).

[0242] The first direction can be forward or clockwise.

[0243] The second direction may be the opposite direction to the first direction, i.e., reverse or counterclockwise.

[0244] The position sensor (124) detects the position of the linkage lever moving along the lever groove (a2) of the cam (123a) and transmits information about the detected position to the processor (230).

[0245] The position sensor (124) can generate an on signal and transmit the generated on signal to the processor (230) when the distance from the magnet provided on the linkage lever is less than or equal to a reference distance, and can generate an off signal and transmit the generated off signal to the processor (230) when the distance from the magnet provided on the linkage lever exceeds the reference distance.

[0246] The position sensor (124) may include, but is not limited to, a hall sensor that detects the magnetic field of the magnet.

[0247] When the linkage lever is present in the first, second, and third positions of the lever groove of the cam, the distance from the magnet may be less than or equal to the reference distance. That is, the position sensor (124) may generate an on signal when the linkage lever is present in the first, second, and third positions of the lever groove of the cam.

[0248] The first position is a position corresponding to the first angle of the motor, and may be a position where the tray is in a horizontal state.

[0249] The second position corresponds to the second angle of the motor and may be the position at which the tray is maximally twisted.

[0250] The third position corresponds to the third angle of the motor and may be a position for detecting the level of ice in the ice bucket.

[0251] The tray (110) of the ice maker can be in a horizontal state when the angle of the motor (122) is the first angle.

[0252] The tray of the ice maker can be in a state of maximum twisting when the motor angle is the second angle. In this case, ice can be separated from the tray of the ice maker and fed into the ice bucket (101).

[0253] The temperature sensor (140) can detect the temperature of the tray (110) and transmit temperature information about the detected temperature to the processor (230).

[0254] The user interface (210) may be provided on one of the plurality of doors, but may be provided on the door panel.

[0255] The user interface (210) can receive user input and output information related to the operation of the refrigerator.

[0256] The user interface (210) may include an input interface (211) and an output interface (212, 213).

[0257] The input interface (211) can receive user input and transmit the received user input to the processor (230).

[0258] The input interface (211) can receive a target temperature for each storage room.

[0259] The input interface (211) can receive an ice-making on command and an ice-making off command.

[0260] The input interface (211) can also receive a power on / off command for the refrigerator.

[0261] The input interface (211) may include various input devices such as keys, buttons, trackballs, mice, pedals, microphones, levers, tact switches, push switches, slide switches, toggle switches, micro switches, touch switches, touch screens, or buttons.

[0262] The output interface can output the refrigerator's operating information.

[0263] The output interface can output operation information of the refrigerator corresponding to user input.

[0264] The output interface may include a display unit (212) that displays an image and a speaker (213) that outputs audio and sound.

[0265] The display unit (212) can display ice-making information related to the ice-making mode.

[0266] The display unit (212) can display information about ice making preparation, ice making in progress, ice making completion, and information about the initial operation of the tray.

[0267] The display unit (212) can display the ice bucket's full ice level information.

[0268] The display unit (212) can also display information corresponding to power re-supply.

[0269] The display unit (212) may include a plurality of seven segments.

[0270] The display unit (212) may be provided as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a digital light processing (DLP) panel, a plasma display panel, an electroluminescence (EL) panel, an electrophoretic display (EPD) panel, an electrochromic display (ECD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, but is not limited thereto. Any device capable of visually displaying various information about the refrigerator (1) and displaying a user interface capable of receiving various control commands from a user may be employed as the display unit without limitation.

[0271] There may be one or more speakers (213).

[0272] The speaker (213) can output a notification sound corresponding to power on and a notification sound corresponding to power off.

[0273] The speaker (213) can output a door opening sound by opening the door.

[0274] The speaker (213) can output guidance information about ice-making preparation, ice-making, and ice-making completion as sound, and can output guidance information about the initial operation of the tray as sound.

[0275] The speaker (213) can also output sound information regarding the fullness of the ice bucket.

[0276] The speaker (213) can also output guidance information corresponding to power re-supply as sound.

[0277] The power supply (220) can supply power to various loads installed in the refrigerator.

[0278] The power supply unit (220) receives power from a commercial power source, converts the supplied power into power required to drive various loads, and can supply the converted power to the various loads. Here, the load may be a device installed in a refrigerator and may be a device that operates using electricity.

[0279] The power supply device (220) can stop supplying power to various loads of the refrigerator by interruption of commercial power, and can cut off power supplied to various loads by a failure of the refrigerator or a transition to a safety mode.

[0280] The processor (230) controls the overall operation of the refrigerator (1).

[0281] The processor (230) can receive a target temperature for each storage room from the input interface (211) and control the display unit (212) to display the received target temperature for each storage room.

[0282] The processor (230) can control the operation of the cooling device based on the target temperature for each storage room and the temperature detected by a temperature sensor (not shown) for each storage room.

[0283] The processor (230) can control the ice-making mode and the ice-moving mode based on the reception of the ice-making on command received from the input interface (211). This will be described in more detail.

[0284] The processor (230) can control the water supply device (102a) to supply water to the tray (110).

[0285] The processor (230) can control the water supply device (102a) to terminate the water supply based on the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor (not shown) during the water supply.

[0286] The processor (230) controls the opening of the water supply valve to supply water, counts the opening time of the water supply valve, and can also control the closing of the water supply valve based on the counted opening time reaching a preset time.

[0287] The processor (230) can identify whether the temperature of the tray (110) is below a reference temperature based on temperature information received from a temperature sensor (140) provided in the tray (110), and can determine that ice production in the tray (110) is complete based on the temperature of the tray being identified as being below the reference temperature.

[0288] The processor (230) can control the ice-making mode based on the completion of ice creation.

[0289] When controlling the moving mode, the processor (230) can control the rotation of the motor (122). In this case, the rotation of the motor (122) can cause the tray to rotate, thereby separating the ice generated on the tray from the tray. At this time, the separated ice can be fed into the ice bucket (101).

[0290] As illustrated in FIG. 8, when controlling the performance of the moving mode, the processor (230) can rotate the motor (122) in a first direction, and when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received while rotating in the first direction, the rotation of the motor (122) can be controlled to stop.

[0291] When a signal from the position sensor (124) is received, the processor (230) can recognize the time between the time the motor rotates in the first direction and the time the signal is received, and identify whether the recognized time is less than or equal to the first reference time.

[0292] The processor (230) can determine the position of the linkage lever as the second position based on the signal received from the position sensor (124) and the recognized time exceeding the first reference time.

[0293] The processor (230) may determine that the ice level of the ice bucket (101) is not at the reference level based on the signal received from the position sensor (124) and the recognized time exceeding the first reference time.

[0294] The processor (230) can determine the state of the tray as a maximum twist state based on the signal received from the position sensor (124) and the recognized time exceeding the first reference time.

[0295] Here, the maximum twist state of the tray may be a twisting state for the tray to separate. When the tray (110) is in the maximum twist state, the rotation of the rotation shaft (112) is limited by the rotation shaft coupling portion (not shown) adjacent to the shaft coupling hole, and the coupling portion (114) continues to rotate by the driving shaft (125), thereby causing the tray (110) to twist.

[0296] The maximum twisting of the tray causes the ice in the tray (110) to separate from the tray and fall into the ice bucket (101).

[0297] The processor (230) can count the time from the time a signal from the position sensor is received and determine the completion of moving based on the counted time reaching a preset moving time.

[0298] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the processor (230) can rotate the motor (122) in the second direction at the second position based on the determination that the moving is complete.

[0299] When the processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction at the second position, if the first on signal is received from the position sensor (124), the processor can ignore the first on signal received, and if the second on signal is received from the position sensor (124), the processor can control the motor to stop.

[0300] When the processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction at the second position, if the first on signal is received from the position sensor (124), it can recognize it as an on signal at the third position, and if the second on signal is received from the position sensor (124), it can recognize it as an on signal at the first position.

[0301] When the processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction at the second position, if an on signal is received from the position sensor (124), the processor recognizes the time from the time the motor (122) rotates in the second direction to the time the on signal is received, and controls the rotation of the motor (122) to be maintained based on the recognized time being less than or equal to the second reference time, and controls the rotation of the motor (122) to be stopped based on the recognized time exceeding the second reference time.

[0302] Here, the second reference time may be the same as or different from the first reference time.

[0303] The time from the start of rotation of the motor in the second direction to the time at which the ON signal is received is identified as being less than or equal to the second reference time, which includes the time at which the received ON signal is identified as an ON signal at the third position.

[0304] As illustrated in Fig. 8, the time from the point in time when the motor rotates in the second direction to the point in time when the ON signal is received is identified as exceeding the second reference time, which includes the point in time when the received ON signal is identified as the ON signal at the first position.

[0305] The time from the start of the motor rotation in the second direction to the time at which the on signal is received is identified as exceeding the second reference time, which includes the tray being identified as being in a horizontal state.

[0306] As illustrated in FIG. 9, when a signal from a position sensor is received while controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction at the first position, the processor (230) recognizes the rotation time for which the motor rotates in the first direction, and determines the ice level of the ice bucket as a reference level based on the recognized rotation time being less than or equal to the first reference time.

[0307] When the ice level in the ice bucket is at the reference level, the interlocking lever may move along the first movement path and then move to the third position on the second movement path before moving to the second position. In this case, the signal from the position sensor (124) is received as the interlocking lever moves to the third position. Since the interlocking lever moves to the third position before moving to the second position and the signal from the third position is received, the signal is received before the first reference time required to move to the second position.

[0308] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the processor (230) can control the motor (122) to rotate in the second direction based on the ice level being determined as the reference level.

[0309] When the processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, if a signal from the position sensor (124) is received, the processor can control the rotation of the motor (122) to stop.

[0310] The processor (230) may terminate the moving mode without completing the moving mode based on the recognition of the ice level as the reference level. In other words, the processor (230) may prevent ice from being separated from the tray (110) based on the recognition of the ice level as the reference level. In this case, the tray (110) may be holding ice.

[0311] When the processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction and identifies that the ice level of the ice bucket (101) is at the reference level, the processor rotates the motor (122) in the second direction without completing the ice removal, but can rotate the motor (122) in the second direction until a signal from the position sensor (122) is received. Through this, the tray (110) can be brought into a horizontal state.

[0312] When the ice level in the ice bucket (101) is determined to be at a reference level, the processor (230) can control the water supply device (102a) to prevent further water supply to the tray (110) of the ice maker (100). This can prevent more ice than necessary from being stored in the ice bucket (101).

[0313] When the power supply from the power supply unit (220) is interrupted during the operation control of the ice maker, the power supply to various devices provided in the refrigerator may also be interrupted. In this case, the ice maker's motor may also stop.

[0314] When power is supplied from the power supply device (220), the processor (230) can control the power supply to various devices provided in the refrigerator.

[0315] The processor (230) can control the power supply to the ice maker when the refrigerator is turned on after being turned off. When power is supplied to the ice maker (100), the processor (230) can control a tray initialization operation to initialize the tray (110) to a horizontal state. The tray initialization operation can include a motor initialization operation.

[0316] The processor (230) can control the motor (122) so that the angle of the motor (122) is approximately 0 degrees. This will be described in more detail.

[0317] When controlling the tray initialization operation, the processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) so that the motor (122) rotates in the second direction.

[0318] Here, controlling the rotation of the motor (122) so that the motor rotates in the second direction may include causing the linkage lever to move along the second movement path of the cam.

[0319] When a signal from the position sensor (124) is received while the processor (230) is controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, the processor controls the rotation of the motor (122) to stop and controls the motor (122) so that the rotation direction of the motor (122) changes to the first direction.

[0320] The processor (230) can control the rotation of the motor (122) to stop when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received after a preset time has elapsed from the time the motor (122) rotates in the second direction. Here, the preset time may be approximately 500 ms.

[0321] When the power is turned off and then turned on to perform a tray initialization operation while the linkage lever is positioned in the first, second, or third positions, an ON signal can be immediately received from the position sensor (124). The processor (230) can exclude the ON signal received at this time from the tray initialization operation. To this end, the processor (230) can control the tray initialization operation using the ON signal received from the position sensor (124) after a preset time has elapsed from the start of the tray initialization operation.

[0322] After a preset time has elapsed from the point at which the motor rotates in the second direction, the on signal received from the position sensor (124) may be an on signal received while the linkage lever is settled in the first position or the third position.

[0323] The processor (230) can control the rotation of the motor (122) so that the motor (122) rotates in the first direction by changing the rotational direction of the motor (122).

[0324] Here, controlling the rotation of the motor (122) so that the motor (122) rotates in the first direction may include causing the linkage lever to move along the first movement path of the cam.

[0325] Controlling the rotation of the motor (122) so that the motor (122) rotates in the first direction may include moving the linkage lever from a third position on the second movement path of the cam to the first movement path.

[0326] When the processor (230) receives an off signal from the position sensor (124) while controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction, the processor (230) can control the rotation of the motor (122) to stop and control the rotation of the motor (122) so that the rotation direction of the motor (122) changes to a second direction. That is, the processor (230) can control the rotation of the motor (122) so that the motor (122) rotates in the second direction.

[0327] Receiving an OFF signal may include not receiving an ON signal. In this case, the processor (230) may control the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction, and if the ON signal is not received from the position sensor (124), the rotation of the motor (122) may be stopped.

[0328] An off signal received while controlling the rotation of the motor in the first direction may be an off signal received when the linkage lever moves out of the first position or the third position.

[0329] The processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, and when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received, the processor can control the rotation of the motor (122) to stop and end the tray initialization operation.

[0330] In a state where the rotation direction of the motor is changed in the second direction, the on signal received while controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction may be an on signal received by the linkage lever being settled in the first position.

[0331] In this way, the initialization operation of the tray and motor can be performed by rotating the motor once in the second direction and twice in the first direction. That is, by making the angle of the motor approximately 0 degrees, the tray can be made horizontal.

[0332] Referring to FIGS. 10a and 10b to 16a and 16b, the path of the linkage lever moved by the angle-specific tray initialization operation of the motor when the refrigerator is turned on after being turned off and then performing the tray initialization operation is described.

[0333] Figures 10a and 10b are drawings showing the path of the linkage lever moving by the tray initialization operation when the angle of the motor is an angle at which it is mechanically locked to the moving part.

[0334] Case 1 illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B may be in a state where the refrigerator is turned off after performing ice making or completing ice separation and placing the tray in a horizontal position. At this time, the angle of the motor is an angle at which it is mechanically locked to the ice separation unit, and may be approximately between -4 degrees and 0 degrees.

[0335] The processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, and when an on signal is received from the position sensor (124), controls the motor (122) to stop, and then controls the motor (122) to rotate in the first direction. In this case, since the angle of the motor (122) is a mechanically locked angle, the on signal can be received even at a point in time when a preset time has elapsed from the start point of rotating the motor (122) in the second direction.

[0336] When an off signal is received from the position sensor (124) while the processor (230) is controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction, the processor (230) stops the motor (122) and then controls the rotation of the motor (122) again in the second direction.

[0337] By rotating the motor (122) in the first direction, the linkage lever is moved out of the first position of the cam, and at the same time as moving out of the first position, an off signal can be received from the position sensor (124) in the processor (230).

[0338] When an off signal is received from the position sensor (124), the processor (230) controls the motor (122) to stop, and then controls the motor (122) to rotate in the second direction again. When an on signal is received from the position sensor (124) while the motor (122) is being controlled to rotate in the second direction, the processor (230) controls the motor (122) to stop, thereby completing the tray initialization operation.

[0339] Figures 11a and 11b are diagrams showing the path of the linkage lever moving by the tray initialization operation when the angle of the motor corresponds to an angle between the first position (p1) and the third position (p3). Here, the angle corresponding to the first position and the third position may be an angle between approximately 0 and 40 degrees.

[0340] The case (case2) illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B may be in a powered-off state while the motor is rotating in the first direction for icing or in the second direction for horizontal tray positioning. In this case, the linkage lever may be positioned adjacent to the first position.

[0341] The processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, and when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received, the processor stops the motor (122) and then controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction. In this case, by controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, the linkage lever can be settled in the first position. The processor (230) can receive a signal from the position sensor (124) when the linkage lever is settled in the first position.

[0342] When an off signal is received from the position sensor (124) while the processor (230) is controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction, the processor (230) stops the motor (122) and then controls the rotation of the motor (122) again in the second direction.

[0343] By rotating the motor in the first direction, the linkage lever is moved out of the first position of the cam, and at the same time as moving out of the first position, an off signal can be received from the position sensor (124) in the processor (230).

[0344] The processor (230) can complete the tray initialization operation by controlling the motor (122) to stop when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received while controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction.

[0345] By controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, the linkage lever can be settled in the first position of the cam, and by the linkage lever being settled in the first position, the processor (230) can receive a signal from the position sensor.

[0346] The interlock lever being settled in the first position may include the angle of the motor (122) being approximately 0 degrees and the tray being in a horizontal state.

[0347] Figures 12a and 12b are diagrams showing the path of the linkage lever moving by the tray initialization operation when the angle of the motor corresponds to the third position and an off signal is received from the position sensor. Here, the angle corresponding to the third position may be an angle between approximately 40 degrees and approximately 60 degrees.

[0348] The case (case3) illustrated in FIGS. 12a and 12b may be in a state where the refrigerator is turned off while the angle of the motor is an angle corresponding to the third position and an off signal is received from the position sensor.

[0349] A state in which the angle of the motor is an angle corresponding to the third position and an off signal is received from the position sensor may include a state in which the motor is rotated in the second direction to make the tray horizontal after completing ice removal or a state in which the motor is rotated in the second direction to make the tray horizontal after the ice level in the ice bucket is determined to be a reference level.

[0350] Since the power was turned off while the angle of the motor was an angle corresponding to the third position and an OFF signal was received from the position sensor, the OFF signal can be received from the position sensor even when the power is turned back on.

[0351] The processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, and when a signal from the position sensor is received, controls the motor (122) to stop, and then controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction.

[0352] The processor (230) can receive an off signal from the position sensor (124) when the linkage lever moves out of the first position while controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction.

[0353] That is, when an off signal is received from the position sensor (124) while the processor (230) is controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction, the processor stops the motor (122) and then controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction again.

[0354] The processor (230) can complete the tray initialization operation by controlling the motor (122) to stop when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received while controlling the motor to rotate in the second direction.

[0355] Figures 13a and 13b are diagrams showing the path of the linkage lever moving by the tray initialization operation when the angle of the motor corresponds to the third position and a signal from the position sensor is received. Here, the angle corresponding to the third position may be an angle between approximately 40 degrees and approximately 60 degrees.

[0356] Case 4 of FIGS. 13a and 13b may be in a state where the refrigerator is turned off while the motor is rotating in the second direction to make the tray horizontal after completing the ice removal while the ice level of the ice bucket is not at the reference level and the interlocking lever is settled in the third position.

[0357] The processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, and when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received during the rotation control in the second direction, the processor stops the motor (122) and then controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction.

[0358] Since the linkage lever is positioned in the third position, the ON signal from the position sensor can be continuously received while rotating in the second direction. More specifically, the time required to move to the third position is approximately 880 ms, and since the ON signal received after the preset time (500 ms) has elapsed is utilized, the ON signal can be received when rotating the motor in the second direction.

[0359] Since the ice level of the ice bucket is not the reference level, by controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction after the on signal is received, the linkage lever can be moved out of the third position and into the first movement path.

[0360] By the linkage lever moving from the third position to the first movement path, the processor (230) can receive an off signal from the position sensor (124).

[0361] When an off signal is received from the position sensor (124), the processor (230) controls the motor (122) to stop and then controls the motor (122) to rotate again in the second direction. In this case, the linkage lever moves to the first position along the first movement path.

[0362] The processor (230) can complete the tray initialization operation by controlling the motor (122) to stop when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received while controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction.

[0363] Figures 14a and 14b are diagrams showing the path of the linkage lever moving by the tray initialization operation when the angle of the motor corresponds to an angle between the second and third positions and an off signal is received from the position sensor. Here, the angle corresponding to the second and third positions may be an angle between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 160 degrees.

[0364] The case (case 5) of FIGS. 14a and 14b may be in a state where the refrigerator is turned off while the motor is rotating in the second direction to complete the moving and make the tray horizontal.

[0365] The processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, and when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received during the rotation control in the second direction, the processor stops the motor (122) and then controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction.

[0366] By controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, the linkage lever moves along the second movement path and settles at the third position. At this time, the processor (230) can receive a signal from the position sensor.

[0367] Since the ice level of the ice bucket is not at the reference level, by controlling the motor (122) to rotate in the first direction after receiving a signal from the position sensor, the linkage lever can be moved out of the third position and into the first movement path.

[0368] By the linkage lever moving from the third position to the first movement path, the processor (230) can receive an off signal from the position sensor (124).

[0369] When an off signal is received from the position sensor (124), the processor (230) controls the motor (122) to stop and then controls the motor (122) to rotate again in the second direction. In this case, the linkage lever moves to the first position along the first movement path.

[0370] The processor (230) can complete the tray initialization operation by controlling the motor (122) to stop when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received while controlling the motor to rotate in the second direction.

[0371] Figures 15a and 15b are diagrams showing the path of the linkage lever moving by the tray initialization operation when the angle of the motor corresponds to the second position and a signal from the position sensor is received. Here, the angle corresponding to the second position may be an angle between approximately 160 degrees and approximately 164 degrees.

[0372] Case 6 of FIGS. 15a and 15b may be in a state where the refrigerator is turned off while the tray is in a state of maximum twisting and ice is being separated from the tray.

[0373] The processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, and when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received during the rotation control in the second direction, the processor stops the motor (122) and then controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction.

[0374] An on signal is received at the start point of rotating the motor in the second direction, but the on signal received at this time is an on signal received before the preset time elapses for the rotation time of the motor in the second direction, and the processor ignores the on signal received before the preset time elapses and maintains control of the rotation of the motor in the second direction.

[0375] That is, the processor (230) can control the motor to stop based on an on signal received after a preset time has elapsed since the time for rotating the motor in the second direction has elapsed, and then change the rotation direction of the motor.

[0376] Thereafter, by controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, the linkage lever can be moved out of the second position, and when the linkage lever that has moved out of the second position is settled in the third position while moving along the second movement path, an on signal can be generated by the magnet provided in the linkage lever.

[0377] Since the ice level of the ice bucket is not at the reference level, by controlling the motor (122) to rotate in the first direction after receiving a signal from the position sensor, the linkage lever can be moved out of the third position and into the first movement path.

[0378] By the linkage lever moving from the third position to the first movement path, the processor (230) can receive an off signal from the position sensor (124).

[0379] When an off signal is received from the position sensor (124), the processor (230) controls the motor (122) to stop and then controls the motor (122) to rotate again in the second direction. In this case, the linkage lever moves to the first position along the first movement path.

[0380] The processor (230) can complete the tray initialization operation by controlling the motor (122) to stop when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received while controlling the motor to rotate in the second direction.

[0381] Figures 16a and 16b are drawings showing the path of the linkage lever moving by the tray initialization operation when the angle of the motor is an angle corresponding to the third position, a signal from the position sensor is received, and the ice level of the ice bucket is at the reference level.

[0382] In the case (case7) of FIGS. 16a and 16b, the refrigerator may be turned off while the ice level in the ice bucket is determined to be the reference level during the execution of the moving mode.

[0383] The processor (230) controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, and when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received during the rotation control in the second direction, the processor stops the motor (122) and then controls the rotation of the motor (122) in the first direction.

[0384] Since the ice level in the ice bucket is the reference level, the movement of the linkage lever from the third position to the first movement path may be locked. Accordingly, when the motor is rotated in the second direction, the linkage lever moves along the second movement path of the cam.

[0385] That is, by controlling the rotation of the motor (122) in the second direction, the linkage lever can be moved out of the third position, and the linkage lever that has moved out of the third position can move to the first position along the second movement path.

[0386] By the linkage lever being settled in the first position, the processor (230) can receive a signal from the position sensor (124).

[0387] When an on signal is received from the position sensor (124), the processor (230) controls the motor (122) to stop and then controls the motor (122) to rotate in the first direction. When an off signal is received from the position sensor (124) while the motor (122) is being rotated in the first direction, the processor (230) controls the motor (122) to stop and then controls the motor (122) to rotate again in the second direction. In this case, the linkage lever moves along the first movement path.

[0388] The processor (230) can complete the tray initialization operation by controlling the motor (122) to stop when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received while controlling the motor to rotate in the second direction.

[0389] The present embodiment can prevent the motor from rotating to the mechanical locking position by immediately stopping the rotation of the motor when an on signal or an off signal is received from the position sensor. As a result, the present embodiment can reduce noise generated by the tray initialization operation and prevent gear failure.

[0390] FIG. 17 is a table showing the time required for a tray initialization operation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the present embodiment can reduce the time required for a tray initialization operation.

[0391] The processor (230) may be implemented as a memory (not shown) that stores data regarding an algorithm for controlling the operation of components within the refrigerator or a program that reproduces the algorithm, and a processor (not shown) that performs the aforementioned operations using the data stored in the memory. In this case, the memory (231) and the processor (230) may each be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory (231) and the processor (230) may be implemented as a single chip.

[0392] The processor (230) can perform the above-described operation using data stored in the memory (231).

[0393] The processor (230) may include hardware such as a CPU or memory, and software such as a control program. For example, the processor (230) may include one or more processor chips that perform the aforementioned operations using an algorithm for controlling the operation of components within the refrigerator, at least one memory that stores program-type data, and data stored in the at least one memory, or may include one or more processing cores.

[0394] The processor (230) may include a separate NPU that performs the operation of the artificial intelligence model, and may include a graphics-only processor (GPU), etc.

[0395] The memory (231) can store information about a preset time, the first and second reference times.

[0396] The memory (231) can store information on the temperature for determining the completion of ice making and the ice-breaking time for determining the completion of ice-breaking.

[0397] The memory (231) can store data for an algorithm for controlling the operation of components in the refrigerator or a program that reproduces the algorithm.

[0398] The memory (231) may be implemented as at least one of a non-volatile memory element such as a cache, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and a flash memory, a volatile memory element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a CD-ROM, but is not limited thereto.

[0399] The memory (231) may include one or more memory chips or one or more memory blocks.

[0400] At least one component may be added or deleted to correspond to the performance of the components of the refrigerator illustrated in Fig. 7. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the relative positions of the components may be altered to correspond to the performance or structure of the refrigerator.

[0401] Meanwhile, each component illustrated in FIG. 7 refers to software and / or hardware components such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

[0402] Figure 18 is a control flowchart of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0403] When the power is turned off (301) while the ice maker is being controlled, the power supply to various devices installed in the refrigerator may also be cut off. In this case, the ice maker motor may stop.

[0404] When the refrigerator is turned on (302), it can supply power to various devices installed in the refrigerator.

[0405] When power is supplied to the ice maker, the refrigerator may perform a tray initialization operation (303) to initialize the tray (110) to a horizontal state. The tray initialization operation may include a motor initialization operation.

[0406] The refrigerator can perform ice making (305) once the tray initialization operation is completed (304).

[0407] Completing the tray initialization operation includes initializing the motor angle. Initializing the motor angle may include the motor angle becoming approximately 0 degrees.

[0408] Since the refrigerator may still have ice in the tray when performing ice making after completing the tray initialization operation, it is also possible to perform ice making after performing ice removal.

[0409] Performing the ice making may include controlling a water supply device (102a) to supply water to the tray (110).

[0410] The refrigerator can control the water supply device (102a) to terminate the water supply based on the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor (not shown) during the water supply.

[0411] The refrigerator can also control the opening of the water supply valve for ice making, count the opening time of the water supply valve, and control the closing of the water supply valve based on the counted opening time reaching a preset time.

[0412] The refrigerator can identify whether the temperature of the tray (110) is below a reference temperature based on temperature information received from a temperature sensor (140) provided in the tray (110) after the water supply is completed, and determine the completion of ice making based on the fact that the temperature of the tray is identified as being below the reference temperature.

[0413] The refrigerator can perform ice removal based on the completion of ice making (306).

[0414] Performing the ice removal may include causing the tray to rotate by the rotation of the motor (122) so that ice generated on the tray is separated from the tray. At this time, the ice separated from the tray can be put into the ice bucket (101).

[0415] When the refrigerator performs ice-making, it rotates the motor (122) in the first direction (307), and when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received while rotating in the first direction (308), it determines whether the ice level in the ice bucket is at the reference level based on the time the motor rotates in the first direction (309).

[0416] Determining whether the ice level in the ice bucket is at a reference level may include identifying whether the position of the interlock lever is in the second position or the third position.

[0417] The refrigerator can identify the position of the interlocking lever as the third position based on the time that the motor rotates in the first direction being less than or equal to the first reference time, and can identify the position of the interlocking lever as the second position based on the time that the motor rotates in the first direction exceeding the first reference time.

[0418] The refrigerator can determine the ice level in the ice bucket as the reference level based on the position of the interlocking lever being identified as the third position, and can determine the ice level in the ice bucket as not being the reference level based on the position of the interlocking lever being identified as the second position.

[0419] The refrigerator can stop the motor based on determining that the ice level in the ice bucket is not at the reference level, and then rotate the motor in the second direction (310).

[0420] When the interlock lever is in the second position, the tray may be in a state of maximum twisting. Here, the state of maximum twisting of the tray may be a state of separation, which allows ice to be separated from the tray.

[0421] After the refrigerator has started the motor, it can count the time from the time a signal from the position sensor is received, determine the completion of freezing based on the counted time reaching a preset freezing time, and rotate the motor in the second direction based on the completion of freezing.

[0422] When a signal from the position sensor (124) is received while the motor is rotating in the second direction, the refrigerator can recognize the time between the start time of the motor rotating in the second direction and the time when the signal is received, and can identify whether the recognized time is less than or equal to the second reference time.

[0423] The refrigerator can recognize the on signal at the third position based on the recognized time being less than or equal to the second reference time, and maintain the rotation of the motor.

[0424] The refrigerator can determine the position of the interlock lever as the first position based on the recognized time being recognized as exceeding the second reference time.

[0425] The refrigerator can stop the motor (312) based on the position of the interlock lever being determined to be the first position (311).

[0426] The position of the linkage lever being determined as the first position may include determining that the state of the tray is horizontal.

[0427] When the refrigerator performs ice-making, if the ice level in the ice bucket is determined to be the reference level, the refrigerator may stop ice-making (313) and may not perform ice-making mode.

[0428] The refrigerator can periodically identify the ice level in the ice bucket when the ice level in the ice bucket is determined to be at a reference level, and perform ice making when the ice level in the ice bucket is determined to be not at the reference level.

[0429] The refrigerator can terminate ice separation without completing the ice separation process if the ice level in the ice bucket is determined to be at a reference level. In other words, the refrigerator can prevent ice from separating from the tray (110) if the ice level in the ice bucket is determined to be at a reference level. In this case, the tray (110) may be in a state of containing ice.

[0430] When the ice level in the ice bucket (101) is determined to be at a reference level, the refrigerator can control the water supply device (102a) to prevent further water supply to the tray (110) of the ice maker (100). This can prevent excessive ice from being stored in the ice bucket (101).

[0431] FIG. 19 is a control flowchart of a tray initialization operation of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0432] When controlling the tray initialization operation, the refrigerator can control the motor (122) so that the angle of the motor (122) is approximately 0 degrees. This will be described in more detail.

[0433] The refrigerator can rotate the motor (122) in the second direction when it is turned on after being turned off (303a).

[0434] Here, rotating the motor (122) in the second direction may include causing the linkage lever to move along the second movement path of the cam of the moving part.

[0435] The refrigerator can determine whether a preset time has elapsed since the motor rotates in the second direction (303b).

[0436] The preset time here could be approximately 500ms.

[0437] When the power is turned off and then turned on to perform a tray initialization operation while the interlock lever is positioned in the first, second, or third positions, an on signal from the position sensor (124) can be immediately received. In order to distinguish the received on signal, the refrigerator can exclude from the tray initialization operation an on signal from the position sensor received within a preset time.

[0438] That is, the refrigerator can control the tray initialization operation using the on signal received from the position sensor (124) after a preset time has elapsed from the start of the tray initialization operation.

[0439] The refrigerator can stop the motor (122) (303d) when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received (303c) after a preset time has elapsed from the time the motor starts rotating in the second direction.

[0440] After a preset time has elapsed from the point at which the motor rotates in the second direction, the on signal received from the position sensor (124) may be an on signal received when the linkage lever is settled in the first position or the third position by the rotation of the motor.

[0441] The refrigerator can change the rotation direction of the motor for the first time after the motor stops. At this time, the refrigerator can rotate the motor in the first direction (303e).

[0442] Here, rotating the motor (122) in the first direction may include causing the linkage lever to move along the first movement path of the cam.

[0443] Rotating the motor (122) in the first direction may include causing the linkage lever to move from a third position on the second movement path of the cam to the first movement path.

[0444] When an off signal is received from the position sensor (124) while the motor is rotating in the first direction (303f), the refrigerator can stop the rotation of the motor (122) (303g).

[0445] An off signal received while controlling the rotation of the motor in the first direction may be an off signal received when the linkage lever moves out of the first position or the third position.

[0446] The following refrigerator can change the rotation direction of the motor (122) in a second way. At this time, the refrigerator can rotate the motor in the second direction (303h).

[0447] When the refrigerator is controlling the rotation of the motor in the second direction, if a signal from the position sensor (124) is received (303i), the rotation of the motor (122) can be stopped (303j).

[0448] The refrigerator can determine that the tray initialization operation is complete when a signal from the position sensor (124) is received while controlling the rotation of the motor in the second direction.

[0449] In a state where the rotation direction of the motor is changed in the second direction, the on signal received while the motor (122) is rotating in the second direction may be an on signal received by the linkage lever being settled in the first position.

[0450] In this way, the tray initialization operation can be performed by rotating the motor once in the second direction and twice in the first direction. That is, by making the motor angle approximately 0 degrees, the tray can be made horizontal.

[0451] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a recording medium storing computer-executable instructions. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code, and when executed by a processor, may generate program modules to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium.

[0452] Computer-readable storage media include all types of storage media that store instructions that can be deciphered by a computer. Examples include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic tape, magnetic disks, flash memory, and optical data storage devices.

[0453] The disclosed embodiments have been described with reference to the attached drawings as described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in forms other than the disclosed embodiments without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. A motor connected to the tray and rotating in a first direction or a second direction opposite to the first direction; A detection lever that detects the amount of ice stored in the ice bucket when the motor rotates in the first direction; A cam including first, second, and third positions provided in different areas, a first movement path provided between the first position and the second position, and a second movement path provided between the first position and the second position but including the third position, and which rotates by rotation of the motor; A linkage lever that moves along the first movement path or the second movement path by rotation of the cam and moves to one of the first, second, and third positions; A position sensor that generates an on signal when the position of the linkage lever is the first position, the second position, or the third position, and generates an off signal when the position of the linkage lever is the first movement path or the second movement path; and A processor is included that controls the motor to rotate in the second direction for the first time based on the power being turned on after being turned off, and controls the motor to rotate in the first direction for the second time when an on signal is received from the position sensor while controlling the motor to rotate in the first time, and controls the motor to rotate in the second direction for the third time when an off signal is received from the position sensor while controlling the motor to rotate in the second time, and controls the motor to stop when an on signal is received from the position sensor while controlling the motor to rotate in the third time, thereby controlling the initialization operation of the tray and the motor. A refrigerator in which, when the motor is controlled to rotate in the second direction, the linkage lever moves from the third position to the first movement path, or moves from the first position to the first movement path.

2. In the first paragraph, the processor, When a signal from the position sensor is received while the above motor is first controlled to rotate, the rotation of the motor is stopped and the rotation direction of the motor is changed to the first direction. A refrigerator that controls the rotation of the motor to stop when an off signal is received from the position sensor while the motor is being rotated in the second direction, and then changes the rotation direction of the motor to the second direction.

3. In the first paragraph, the processor A refrigerator that counts the rotation time of the motor when controlling the primary rotation of the motor, and identifies whether a signal from the position sensor has been received when the counted rotation time has passed a preset time.

4. In the first paragraph, the linkage lever, A refrigerator that moves from the third position to the first movement path by the second rotation of the motor, and moves to the first position along the first movement path by the third rotation of the motor.

5. In the first paragraph, the linkage lever, A refrigerator that moves from the first position to the first movement path by the second rotation of the motor, and moves away from the first position by the third rotation of the motor.

6. In paragraph 1, The above first position is a position corresponding to the initial angle of the motor, and is a position where the linkage lever is seated when the tray is in a horizontal state. The second position is a position corresponding to the maximum angle of the motor, and is a position where the linkage lever is seated when the tray is in a moving state. The third position is a refrigerator in which the interlocking lever is positioned when the ice level corresponding to the amount of ice detected by the detection lever is the reference level.

7. In the 6th paragraph, the linkage lever, A refrigerator that moves along the first movement path of the cam when performing the moving of the tray, and if the ice level detected by the detection lever while moving along the first movement path is the reference level, deviates from the first movement path and moves to the third position of the second movement path.

8. In the 7th paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that, when performing the moving of the above tray, controls the rotation of the motor in a first direction, and determines the ice level detected by the detection lever as the reference level when a signal from the position sensor is received before the time for which the motor rotates in the first direction reaches a first reference time.

9. In the 8th paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that controls the rotation of the motor in the second direction when the ice level is determined to be the reference level, and controls the rotation of the motor to stop when a signal from the position sensor is received.

10. In the 8th paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that recognizes an on signal from the position sensor when performing the moving of the above tray and the time for which the motor rotates in the first direction reaches the first reference time as an on signal at the second position.

11. In the 10th paragraph, the linkage lever, A refrigerator in which, when performing the moving of the above tray, the motor rotates in the second direction at the second position, thereby moving to the first position along the second movement path of the cam, but moving to the first position via the third position.

12. In the 11th paragraph, the processor, A refrigerator that recognizes an on signal from the position sensor when the motor is controlled to rotate in the second direction after the moving of the tray is completed and the time for rotating the motor in the second direction reaches the second reference time as an on signal at the first position.

13. In the first paragraph, the tray, A refrigerator in which, when the tray is moved, the motor rotates in a first direction to become a moving state, and the motor rotates in a second direction to become a horizontal state.

14. In paragraph 13, The detection lever moves toward the inside of the ice bucket based on the rotation of the motor in the first direction, stops moving at a position of the reference level based on the ice level corresponding to the amount of ice in the ice bucket being a reference level while moving toward the inside of the ice bucket, and moves to an initial position based on the rotation of the motor in the second direction. The above detection lever is a refrigerator that exists in the initial position when the tray is horizontal.

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