Refrigerator and control method thereof

Abstract

A refrigerator according to the present disclosure comprises: a storage compartment; an ice-making tray disposed in the storage compartment; a water supply pipe provided to supply water to the ice-making tray; a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply pipe; a user interface that receives a user input for selecting a spherical ice generation mode or a hemispherical ice generation mode; and a control unit. The ice-making tray includes: a first ice-making tray provided with hemispherical first ice-making cells; and a second ice-making tray that is coupled to the first ice-making tray and provided with hemispherical second ice-making cells. The first ice-making cells and the second ice-making cells are brought into contact with each other to form spherical ice-making cells by coupling the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray. The control unit controls the water supply valve to supply a first amount of water to the spherical ice-making cells on the basis of the spherical ice generation mode being selected, and controls the water supply valve to supply a second amount of water to the spherical ice-making cells on the basis of the hemispherical ice generation mode being selected.

Description

Refrigerator and refrigerator control method

[0001] The disclosed invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator including an ice making device and a method for controlling the refrigerator.

[0002] A refrigerator is a device that cools and stores food using a refrigeration cycle consisting of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. In some cases, the refrigerator is equipped with an ice-making device that creates ice inside.

[0003] In the past, users had to supply water to the ice maker themselves, but recently developed refrigerators are equipped with a water supply device that automatically supplies water to the ice maker.

[0004] Additionally, the refrigerator includes an ice-making device for producing different types of ice depending on the user's requirements for ice shape and quality.

[0005] Recently, there has been an increasing demand from users for spherical ice, but spherical ice takes some time to make.

[0006] The above information is provided solely as background information to assist in understanding the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no claims are made, regarding whether the present disclosure constitutes prior art.

[0007] One aspect of the disclosed invention is to address the above-mentioned problems and / or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below.

[0008] Accordingly, one aspect of the disclosed invention provides a refrigerator and a method for controlling the refrigerator, which can improve the ice-making speed by selectively generating spherical ice and hemi-spherical ice.

[0009] Aspects of the invention are set forth in part in the description below, and in part will be apparent from the description or may be understood by practicing the embodiments provided.

[0010] According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, a refrigerator may include: a storage compartment; a first ice-making tray disposed in the storage compartment and having a first ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape; and a second ice-making tray coupled to the first ice-making tray and having a second ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape, wherein the first ice-making cell and the second ice-making cell are in contact with each other by coupling the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray to form a spherical ice-making cell; a water supply pipe provided to supply water to the ice-making tray; a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply pipe; a user interface for receiving a user input for selecting a spherical ice production mode or a hemispherical ice production mode; and a control unit for controlling the water supply valve to supply a first amount of water to the spherical ice-making cell based on selection of the spherical ice production mode, and for controlling the water supply valve to supply a second amount of water to the spherical ice-making cell based on selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

[0011] According to one aspect of the disclosed invention, a control method of a refrigerator includes an ice-making tray to which water is supplied, and the ice-making tray includes a first ice-making tray having a first ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape and a second ice-making tray coupled to the first ice-making tray and having a second ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape, and the first ice-making cell and the second ice-making cell are in contact with each other by coupling the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray to form a spherical ice-making cell, the control method may include: receiving a user input for selecting a spherical ice-making mode or a hemispherical ice-making mode through a user interface; controlling the water supply valve so that a first amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on selection of the spherical ice-making mode; and controlling the water supply valve so that a second amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on selection of the hemispherical ice-making mode.

[0012] Other aspects, advantages and salient features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of various embodiments of the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0013] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of specific embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an exploded view of an ice making device of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a drawing showing an exploded view of an ice making device of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an exploded view of a first ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an exploded view of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a second ice making unit of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a partial configuration of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail a method for controlling a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating supplying a first amount of water to an ice tray of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure so as to produce spherical ice.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating a first amount of water supplied to an ice tray of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating a second water supply amount to produce hemispherical ice in an ice tray of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 16 is a drawing illustrating a second amount of water supplied to an ice tray of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] It should be noted that the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to indicate identical or similar elements, features and structures.

[0031] The following description, with reference to the attached drawings, is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure, and the terminology used herein is not intended to be limited to specific embodiments defined by technical features. It should be understood that this encompasses various modifications, claims, and corresponding embodiments or alternatives thereto. While various specific details are included to aid understanding, they should be considered merely exemplary. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the various embodiments described in the present disclosure without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known functions and structures may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0032] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to their dictionary meanings, but are used to ensure a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure by the inventors. Accordingly, those skilled in the art should understand that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0033] It should be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" of nouns corresponding to items may include one or more items, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to a "component surface" includes a reference to one or more such surfaces.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The term "and / or" includes any combination of a plurality of related described elements or any one of a plurality of related described elements.

[0036] 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).

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] A refrigerator according to one embodiment may include a cabinet.

[0042] A "cabinet" may include an inner case, an outer case disposed outside the inner case, and insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.

[0043] The "inner case" may include at least one of a case, plate, panel, or 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 exterior of the cabinet, and may be joined to the exterior of the inner case so that insulation is placed between the inner case and the outer case.

[0044] "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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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 +7 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 -20 degrees Celsius to -1 degree Celsius. A variable temperature room may be used as either a refrigerator or a freezer, at the user's option or not.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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 cabinet in a pivotal or sliding manner.

[0051] The "door" may be configured to seal the storage compartment when the door is closed. The door may include insulation, similar to a cabinet, to insulate the storage compartment when the door is closed.

[0052] 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.

[0053] The door inner panel may be provided with a gasket that seals the storage compartment by pressing against the front of the cabinet when the door is closed. The door inner panel may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to accommodate a door basket for storing items.

[0054] 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.

[0055] Depending on the arrangement of the door and storage compartment, refrigerators can be classified into French door type, side-by-side type, BMF (bottom mounted freezer), TMF (top mounted freezer), or single-door refrigerator.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a cold air supply device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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 connected to the exterior of the cabinet to dissipate heat from components placed within the machine room.

[0061] 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.

[0062] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include an ice-making device configured to produce ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray configured to store water, an ice-separating device configured to separate ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice bucket configured to store ice produced in the ice-making tray.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the refrigerator may include a control unit for controlling the refrigerator.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] In one embodiment, a refrigerator may include a processor and memory that control all components included in the refrigerator, and may include multiple processors and multiple memories that individually control the components of 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.

[0070] 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) to which the refrigerator or user device is connected to the wide area network (WAN) to which the server is connected. The refrigerator or user device can then connect to the server via the WAN.

[0071] The input interface may include keys, a touchscreen, a microphone, etc. The input interface may receive user input and transmit it to the processor.

[0072] The output interface may include a display, a speaker, etc. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, etc. generated by the processor.

[0073] It should be understood that the blocks and combinations of flowcharts in each flowchart can be executed by one or more computer programs containing computer-executable instructions. One or more computer programs may be stored entirely in a single memory device, or one or more computer programs may be divided into multiple memory devices, each storing different portions.

[0074] Any of the functions or tasks described herein may be performed by a single processor or a combination of multiple processors. The single processor or combination of processors is a circuit that performs processing and includes an application processor (AP, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a communication processor (CP, e.g., a modem), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural network processing unit (NPU, e.g., an artificial intelligence (AI) chip), a wireless LAN (Wi-Fi) chip, a Bluetooth chip, a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a near-field communication (NFC) chip, a connection chip, a sensor controller, a touch controller, a fingerprint sensor controller, a display driver integrated circuit (IC), an audio codec chip, a universal serial bus (USB) controller, a camera controller, an image processing IC, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), an IC, or a similar circuit.

[0075] Hereinafter, refrigerators according to various embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0076] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator (1) may include a main body (10), a storage compartment (20) provided inside the main body (10), a door (30) for opening and closing the storage compartment (20), and a cooling device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment (20).

[0078] The main body (10) may be formed with an open front so that a user can put food in and take it out of the storage room (20). For example, the main body (10) may include an opening (10a) formed on the front of the main body (10). The opening (10a) of the main body (10) may be opened and closed by a door (30).

[0079] The main body (10) may include an inner case (11) forming a storage compartment (20), an outer case (12) forming the exterior of the refrigerator (1), and a main body insulation material (13) provided between the inner case (11) and the outer case (12).

[0080] The outer case (12) can be formed to have a shape of a box with an open front. The outer case (12) can form the upper and lower surfaces, left and right sides, and the rear of the refrigerator (1).

[0081] The outer shell (12) may be configured to include a metal material. For example, the outer shell (12) may be manufactured by processing a steel plate material.

[0082] The inner case (11) can be opened at the front. The inner case (11) has a storage compartment (20) provided therein, which can be provided on the inner side of the outer case (12). The inner wall of the inner case (11) can form the inner wall of the storage compartment (20).

[0083] The inner casing (11) may be configured to include a plastic material. For example, the inner casing (11) may be manufactured by a vacuum forming process. For example, the inner casing (11) may be manufactured by an injection molding process.

[0084] The main body insulation (13) can be provided so that the outer case (12) and the inner case (11) are insulated from each other. The main body insulation (13) can be foamed between the inner case (11) and the outer case (12) to bond the inner case (11) and the outer case (12) to each other. The main body insulation (13) can prevent heat exchange between the inside of the storage room (20) and the outside of the main body (10), thereby improving the cooling efficiency inside the storage room (20).

[0085] As the main body insulation material (13), 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 (13) can be composed of various materials.

[0086] A storage compartment (20) may be formed inside the main body (10). For example, the storage compartment (20) may include a freezer that is maintained at approximately -30 to 0 degrees Celsius to store food frozen.

[0087] The storage room (20) may be provided with a shelf (16) on which food can be placed, a movable shelf (17) that can be inserted and removed from the inner box (11) and on which food can be placed, a drawer (18) that can be inserted and removed from the inner box (11) and on which food can be stored, etc.

[0088] A refrigerator (1) may include a cooling device that generates cold air using a cooling cycle and supplies the generated cold air to a storage room (20).

[0089] A cooling device can generate cold air by utilizing the latent heat of vaporization of a refrigerant in a cooling cycle. The cooling device can be configured to include a compressor (73), a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator (71), a blower fan (72), etc.

[0090] The main body (10) may be provided with a cooling room (50) and a machine room (60) for arranging a cooling device. For example, the cooling room (50) may be provided with components such as an evaporator (71) that generates cold air and a blower fan (72) that allows the cold air generated by the evaporator (71) to flow. The machine room (60) may be provided with components such as a compressor (73) and a condenser.

[0091] The cooling room (50) may be placed at the rear of the storage room (20). The machine room (60) may be placed at the rear of the storage room (20).

[0092] The components of the refrigerator (1) that constitute the cooling device may have a relatively considerable weight. Accordingly, the cooling chamber (50) and the machine room (60) may be provided at the lower part of the main body (10). However, this is not limited thereto, and the cooling chamber (50) and the machine room (60) may be arranged in various ways, and the components that constitute the cooling device may be arranged in various ways to correspond to the positions of the cooling chamber (50) and the machine room (60).

[0093] In the cooling room (50), cold air is generated by the evaporator (71), so that a relatively low temperature can be maintained. In contrast, in the machine room (60), heat is generated by the compressor (73), the condenser, etc., so that a relatively high temperature can be maintained. Accordingly, the cooling room (50) and the machine room (60) can be formed in separate spaces and can be insulated from each other. For example, a body insulation material (13) can be foamed between the cooling room (50) and the machine room (60).

[0094] Referring to Fig. 2, the evaporator (71) provided in the cooling room (50) can evaporate refrigerant to generate cold air, and the cold air generated by the evaporator (71) can be circulated by the blower fan (72). The cold air circulated by the blower fan (72) can be circulated from the cooling room (50) to the storage room (20). The cooling room (50) can be provided to be in communication with the storage room (20).

[0095] For example, cold air generated by the evaporator (71) may flow upwards in the cooling chamber (50) by the blower fan (72). The cold air flowed by the blower fan (72) may flow toward the upper part of the main body (10) along the cold air supply duct (14). The cold air may be discharged forward from the cold air supply duct (14) and ultimately introduced into the storage chamber (20). Alternatively, for example, cold air generated by the evaporator (71) may flow downwards in the main body (10) by the blower fan (72) and introduced into the storage chamber (20).

[0096] In other words, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a direct-cooling refrigerator. For convenience of explanation, the following description assumes that the refrigerator (1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a direct-cooling refrigerator; however, the spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may also be applied to a direct-cooling refrigerator.

[0097] The evaporator (71), blower fan (72), etc. placed in the cooling room (50) can be referred to as a cold air supply device in that they generate cold air and supply the cold air to the storage room (20).

[0098] The main body (10) may include a cold air supply duct (14). The cold air supply duct (14) may form a cold air flow path through which cold air generated by the cold air supply device flows from the cooling chamber (50) to the storage chamber (20). The storage chamber (20) may be provided to be in communication with the cold air supply duct (14).

[0099] The cold air supply duct (14) may be formed inside the inner case (11). The cold air supply duct (14) may be formed at the rear of the inner case (11). More specifically, the cold air supply duct (14) may be provided at the rear of the storage room (20).

[0100] A door (30) may be provided to open and close the storage compartment (20). The door (30) may be rotatably coupled to the main body (10). More specifically, the 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 door (30) may be rotatably coupled to the outer case (12).

[0101] The outer surface of the door (30) may form part of the exterior of the refrigerator (1). When the door (30) is in a closed position, the outer surface of the door (30) may form the front surface of the door (30).

[0102] The inner surface of the door (30) may be formed on a side opposite to the outer surface of the door (30). When the door (30) is closed, the inner surface of the door (30) may form the rear surface of the door (30). When the door (30) is closed, the inner surface of the door (30) may be arranged to face the interior of the main body (10). When the door (30) is closed, the inner surface of the door (30) may be arranged to cover the front of the storage compartment (20).

[0103] A foam space is formed between the outer surface of the door (30) and the inner surface of the door (30), so that the door insulation (31) can be foamed. The door insulation (31) can prevent heat exchange between the outer surface and the inner surface of the door (30). The door insulation (31) can improve the insulation performance between the inside of the storage compartment (20) and the outside of the door (30).

[0104] As the door insulation (31), urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene insulation, vacuum insulation panel, etc. can be used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the door insulation (31) can be composed of various materials.

[0105] For example, the door insulation (31) may be composed of insulation of the same material as the body insulation (13). Alternatively, for example, the door insulation (31) may be composed of insulation of a different material from the body insulation (13).

[0106] A door gasket (33) may be provided on the inner surface of the door (30) to seal the gap between the door (30) and the main body (10) and prevent leakage of cold air from the storage compartment (20). The door gasket (33) may be provided along the perimeter of the inner surface of the door (30). The door gasket (33) may be arranged parallel to the opening (10a) of the main body (10) when the door (30) is closed. The door gasket (33) may be configured to include an elastic material such as rubber.

[0107] A door shelf (32) for storing food may be provided on the inner side of the door (30).

[0108] A refrigerator (1) may include an ice-making device (1000) that creates ice using cold air from a storage compartment (20). The ice-making device (1000) may include an ice-making unit (1300, 1400) that creates ice (see FIG. 3, etc.) and an ice-making case (1200) that supports the ice-making unit (1300, 1400).

[0109] An ice making device (1000) may be provided in a storage room (20). The ice making device (1000) may be mounted on an inner case (11). Specifically, the inner case (11) may include a holder (not shown) provided on an inner wall of the inner case (11), and the ice making device (1000) may be supported on the holder of the inner case (11). For example, the holder may be formed to have a shape protruding from the inner wall of the inner case (11). Alternatively, for example, the holder may be formed to have a shape recessed in the inner wall of the inner case (11).

[0110] A description of the specific features of the ice making device (1000) will be provided later.

[0111] The refrigerator (1) may include a water supply pipe (81) configured to supply water to the ice maker (1000). The water supply pipe (81) may be configured to receive water from an external water source (not shown). The water supply pipe (81) may be configured to supply water supplied from the external water source to the ice maker (1000). The ice maker (1000) may generate ice using the water supplied through the water supply pipe (81).

[0112] The water supply pipe (81) can be formed to have the shape of a pipe in which a water supply path through which water flows is formed inside.

[0113] The number of water supply pipes (81) may correspond to the number of ice making units (1300, 1400). For example, the ice making units (1300, 1400) may include a first ice making unit (1300) and a second ice making unit (1400) (see FIG. 3, etc.), and a plurality of water supply pipes (81) may be provided to supply water to each of the first ice making unit (1300) and the second ice making unit (1400).

[0114] The water supply pipe (81) may be arranged to penetrate the main body (10). More specifically, the water supply pipe (81) may penetrate the rear surface of the inner case (11) and communicate with the storage chamber (20). A portion of the water supply pipe (81) may be embedded in the main body insulation material (13). One end of the water supply pipe (81) may be arranged to be exposed in the storage chamber (20). The other end of the water supply pipe (81) may be connected to an external water source.

[0115] The refrigerator (1) may include an ice bucket (100) provided to receive ice generated by an ice maker (1000). The ice bucket (100) may be provided in a storage compartment (20).

[0116] An ice bucket (100) can be mounted on the inner case (11). The ice bucket (100) can be supported by the inner wall of the inner case (11).

[0117] An ice bucket (100) may be placed below an ice making device (1000). The ice bucket (100) may be arranged to receive ice discharged from an ice making unit (1300, 1400) and moved downward.

[0118] A bucket shelf (15) supporting an ice bucket (100) may be provided in the storage room (20). The ice bucket (100) may be placed on the bucket shelf (15). The bucket shelf (15) may be supported by the inner wall of the inner case (11).

[0119] For example, the ice bucket (100) may be provided to be inserted or removed from the storage room (20). For example, the ice bucket (100) may be mounted so as to be slidable relative to the inner case (11). The bucket shelf (15) may be slidable and inserted or removed relative to the storage room (20), and the ice bucket (100) mounted on the bucket shelf (15) may be inserted or removed relative to the storage room (20) together with the bucket shelf (15).

[0120] 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.

[0121] In the above, for the sake of convenience of explanation, a refrigerator (1) including a main body (10) having a single storage compartment (20) formed therein and a single door (30) for opening and closing the storage compartment (20) has been described as an example of the present disclosure; however, the spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the configuration of the present disclosure can be applied to various types of refrigerators. A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a SBS (Side by Side) type in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezer compartment are arranged left and right. Alternatively, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a BMF (Bottom Mounted Freezer) type in which a refrigerating compartment is formed at the top and a freezer compartment is formed at the bottom. A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a TMF (Top Mounted Freezer) type in which a freezer compartment is formed at the top and a refrigerating compartment is formed at the bottom.

[0122] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an exploded view of an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an exploded view of an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0123] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the ice making device (1000) of the refrigerator (1) may include an ice making unit (1300, 1400) that generates ice and an ice making case (1200) that supports the ice making unit (1300, 1400).

[0124] The ice making case (1200) can be mounted on the inner case (11). The ice making case (1200) can be supported by the inner case (11). The ice making case (1200) can be supported by the inner wall of the inner case (11).

[0125] Specifically, the ice making case (1200) may include an ice making case wall (1210) supported by an inner wall of the inner case (11). The ice making case wall (1210) may be both side walls of the ice making case (1200) in the Y direction. The ice making case wall (1210) may face the inner wall of the inner case (11) in the Y direction. The ice making case wall (1210) may be supported by inner walls provided on both sides of the inner case (11) in the Y direction.

[0126] The ice making case (1200) can be supported by a holder (not shown) formed on the inner wall of the inner case (11) described above. The holder formed on the inner wall of the inner case (11) can be formed to have various shapes capable of supporting the ice making case wall (1210).

[0127] The ice making case (1200) can be fixed to the rear portion of the inner case (11). The ice making case (1200) can include a rear fixing part (1260) formed to be fixed to the rear portion of the inner case (11).

[0128] For example, the rear fixing part (1260) may be formed to face the cold air supply duct (14) arranged at the rear of the storage room (20). The rear fixing part (1260) may be fixed to the cold air supply duct (14) and may be fixed to the rear portion of the inner case (11).

[0129] For example, the rear fixing part (1260) may be formed to face the rear wall in the X direction among the inner walls of the inner case (11). The rear fixing part (1260) may be fixed to the rear wall of the inner case (11) and may be fixed to the rear part of the inner case (11).

[0130] For example, the rear fixing member (1260) may include a screw hole (1261), and the screw hole (1261) may be penetrated in the front-back direction by a screw (not shown). The rear fixing member (1260) may be fixed to the rear wall of the cold air supply duct (14) or the inner case (11) by a screw connection.

[0131] By means of the rear fixing member (1260), the ice making case (1200) can be more firmly mounted on the inner case (11). The configuration of the rear fixing member (1260) described above is merely an example of a configuration that allows the ice making case (1200) to be fixed to the inner case (11), and the ice making case (1200) can be fixed to the inner case (11) by including various configurations.

[0132] The ice making case (1200) can form the exterior of the ice making device (1000). The ice making case (1200) can include a front portion (1230) forming the front of the ice making case (1200), and the front portion (1230) can form the front exterior of the ice making device (1000). The front portion (1230) can be formed between ice making case walls (1210) facing each other in the Y direction in the drawing. The front portion (1230) can connect the ice making case walls (1210) facing each other in the Y direction in the drawing.

[0133] The ice making case (1200) may be formed to have a shape roughly similar to a box. The ice making case (1200) may be formed to have a shape of a box with at least one side open. For example, the ice making case (1200) may have a shape in which the direction toward the ice bucket (100), for example, the downward side, is open. For example, the ice making case (1200) may have a shape in which the rear side is open. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the ice making case (1200) may be formed to have various shapes.

[0134] The ice making case (1200) may include a water supply pipe penetration portion (1250) through which a water supply pipe (81) passes.

[0135] The water supply penetration portion (1250) may be formed on the upper part of the ice making case (1200), but the position of the water supply penetration portion (1250) is not limited thereto.

[0136] The number of water supply pipes (1250) may correspond to the number of water supply pipes (81), but is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of water supply pipes (81) may be arranged to pass through a single water supply pipe (1250).

[0137] The ice making device (1000) may include an ice making cover (1100). The ice making cover (1100) may be provided to cover the upper portion of the ice making case (1200). The ice making cover (1100) may be coupled to the upper portion of the ice making case (1200).

[0138] For example, the ice-making cover (1100) can be detachably mounted on the ice-making case (1200). For example, the ice-making cover (1100) can be formed integrally with the ice-making case (1200).

[0139] The ice making cover (1100) can form the exterior of the ice making device (1200). The ice making cover (1100) can form the upper surface of the ice making device (1000).

[0140] The ice-making cover (1100) can cover at least a portion of the water supply pipe (81). More specifically, the ice-making cover (1100) can cover at least a portion of the water supply pipe (81) located inside the storage chamber (20). The ice-making cover (1100) can cover the water supply pipe penetration portion (1250).

[0141] The ice-making cover (1100) can be placed above the ice-making unit (1300, 1400). The ice-making cover (1100) can cover the upper portion of the ice-making unit (1300, 1400).

[0142] The ice making unit (1300, 1400) included in the ice making device (1000) can be arranged to produce ice of various shapes.

[0143] For example, the ice making device (1000) may include a first ice making unit (1300) that produces a first type of ice. The first ice making unit (1300) may be supported on a first ice making unit support (1241) of an ice making case (1200).

[0144] For example, the ice making device (1000) may include a second ice making unit (1400) that produces a second type of ice. The second ice making unit (1400) may be supported on a second ice making unit support (1242) of an ice making case (1200).

[0145] The first ice making unit support (1241) may be provided to support at least the upper portion of the first ice making unit (1300). The second ice making unit support (1242) may be provided to support at least the upper portion of the second ice making unit (1400).

[0146] The first ice-making unit support (1241) may be positioned below the ice-making cover (1100). The first ice-making unit support (1241) may be covered from above by the ice-making cover (1100). The second ice-making unit support (1242) may be positioned below the ice-making cover (1100). The second ice-making unit support (1242) may be covered from above by the ice-making cover (1100).

[0147] The first ice-making unit support (1241) and the second ice-making unit support (1242) may be arranged on the inside of the ice-making case wall (1200). The first ice-making unit support (1241) and the second ice-making unit support (1242) may be arranged between ice-making case walls (1210) facing each other in the Y direction, and the Y direction may be covered by the ice-making case walls (1210).

[0148] The first ice-making unit support (1241) and the second ice-making unit support (1242) may be positioned at the rear of the front portion (1230). The front of the first ice-making unit support (1241) and the second ice-making unit support (1242) may be covered by the front portion (1230).

[0149] The first ice-making unit (1300) and the second ice-making unit (1400) may be arranged parallel to each other. Correspondingly, the first ice-making unit support (1241) and the second ice-making unit support (1242) may be arranged parallel to each other.

[0150] For example, the first ice making unit support (1241) may include a hook structure, and the first ice making unit (1300) may be supported on the first ice making unit support (1241) by a hook connection. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first ice making unit support (1241) may include various structures for fixing the first ice making unit (1300).

[0151] For example, the second ice making unit support (1242) may include a hook structure, and the second ice making unit (1400) may be supported on the second ice making unit support (1242) by a hook connection. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the second ice making unit support (1242) may include various structures for fixing the second ice making unit (1400).

[0152] The configuration in which the ice making unit (1300, 1400) is supported on the ice making case (1200) is not limited to that described above, and the ice making unit (1300, 1400) can be supported in various ways.

[0153] The first type of ice produced by the first ice making unit (1300) and the second type of ice produced by the second ice making unit (1400) may be types of ice that are distinct from each other in terms of shape, size, etc.

[0154] For example, the first type of ice may be ice having a roughly cubic shape. For example, the second type of ice may be ice having a roughly spherical shape or ice having a roughly hemispherical shape. Alternatively, for example, the first type of ice and the second type of ice may be formed to have similar shapes but different sizes.

[0155] However, unlike what has been described above, the ice making device (1000) may be configured to produce only one type of ice.

[0156] A detailed description of the configuration and operation of the first ice making unit (1300) and the second ice making unit (1400) will be described later.

[0157] The configuration of the ice-making case (1200) described above is merely an example of a refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure that allows the ice-making device to be supported relative to the main body within the storage compartment, and the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the ice-making case of the refrigerator according to one embodiment may be supported only by an inner wall provided on one side of the inner case, or may be supported by another structure within the storage compartment, such as a horizontal partition, without being directly supported by the inner wall.

[0158] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an exploded view of a first ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 5, an example of a first ice making unit (1300) included in an ice making device (1000) of a refrigerator (1) is described.

[0160] Referring to FIG. 5, the first ice making unit (1300) may be configured to produce a first type of ice. For example, the first type of ice may be ice having a roughly cube shape.

[0161] The first ice-making unit (1300) may include a first ice-making tray (1310) in which ice is produced. The first ice-making tray (1310) may be provided to receive water from a water supply pipe (81). The first ice-making tray (1310) may be provided to be supported by a first ice-making unit support member (1241).

[0162] The first ice-making tray (1310) may include at least one first ice-making cell (1311) that stores water supplied from a water supply pipe (81). The water stored in the first ice-making cell (1311) may be changed into ice by the cold air of the storage room (20). When a plurality of first ice-making cells (1311) are provided as illustrated in FIG. 5, the plurality of first ice-making cells (1311) may be partitioned by a partition wall.

[0163] The first ice-making tray (1310) and the first ice-making cell (1311) may have an open shape on one side. When water is supplied to the first ice-making tray (1310) or when water is freezing, the open side of the first ice-making tray (1310) and the first ice-making cell (1311) may face approximately upwards of the refrigerator (1). When ice generated in the first ice-making tray (1310) is moved to the ice bucket (100), the open side of the first ice-making tray (1310) and the first ice-making cell (1311) may face approximately downwards of the refrigerator (1).

[0164] The first ice making unit (1300) may include a first driving unit (1320) configured to move ice generated in the first ice making tray (1310) to the ice bucket (100). For example, the first driving unit (1320) may be configured to move ice in the first ice making tray (1310) to the first receiving unit (110) by rotating the first ice making tray (1310) around a horizontal rotation axis of the refrigerator (1).

[0165] The first driving unit (1320) may be coupled to the first ice-making tray (1310). The first driving unit (1320) may be coupled to one side of the first ice-making tray (1310) in the direction of the rotational axis. The first ice-making tray (1310) may have a first driving unit coupling unit (1312) provided on one side facing the first driving unit (1320). The first driving unit coupling unit (1312) may be provided on the rotational axis of the first ice-making tray (1310). The first driving unit (1320) may be coupled to the first driving unit coupling unit (1312).

[0166] The first driving unit (1320) may include a motor (not shown), a power transmission member (not shown), etc. The motor of the first driving unit (1320) may generate power, and the power transmission member may receive power from the motor and transmit the power to the first ice tray (1310). The power transmission member of the first driving unit (1320) may be connected to the first driving unit coupling member (1312). The power transmission member of the first driving unit (1320) may include, for example, at least one gear (not shown).

[0167] The first ice-making tray (1310) can be connected to a rotational shaft support (1241a) provided on the first ice-making unit support (1241). The rotational shaft support (1241a) can be provided on the rotational shaft of the first ice-making tray (1310). The rotational shaft support (1241a) can be positioned opposite to the first driving unit coupling portion (1312) with respect to the first ice-making tray (1310). The rotational shaft support (1241a) can rotatably support the first ice-making tray (1310).

[0168] With the above configuration, the first ice-making tray (1310) can receive power from the first driving unit (1320) and rotate around the horizontal rotation axis of the refrigerator (1). Ice generated within the first ice-making tray (1310) can be discharged from the first ice-making cell (1311) according to the rotation of the first ice-making tray (1310) and moved to the ice bucket (100).

[0169] The first ice making unit (1300) may include a full ice detection lever (1330). The full ice detection lever (1330) may be provided to detect whether the ice bucket (100) disposed at the bottom of the ice making device (1000) is full of ice.

[0170] The full ice detection lever (1330) can be coupled to the first driving unit (1320). Specifically, the full ice detection lever (1330) can be coupled to the side of the first driving unit (1320). The full ice detection lever (1330) can be rotatably coupled to the first driving unit (1320).

[0171] When the ice bucket (100) is judged to be full of ice by the full ice detection lever (1330), the water supply valve (82) (see FIG. 10) can be controlled so that no more water is supplied to the first ice making unit (1300). This can prevent more ice than necessary from being collected in the ice bucket (100).

[0172] The first ice-making unit (1300) may further include a sensor module (1340). The sensor module (1340) may include a sensor, a case housing the sensor, an insulator, etc. The sensor module (1340) may be mounted on the lower portion of the first ice-making tray (1310). The sensor of the sensor module (1340) may be a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the first ice-making tray (1310).

[0173] When the temperature of the first ice making tray (1310) is detected to be below a certain temperature by the sensor module (1340), it can be determined that ice formation is complete in the first ice making tray (1310). Based on the completion of ice formation in the first ice making tray (1310), the operation of the first driving unit (1320) can be controlled so that the first ice making tray (1310) rotates. Through this, ice formed in the first ice making tray (1310) can be collected in the ice bucket (100) placed below the first ice making tray (1310).

[0174] The configuration of the first ice-making unit (1300) described above with reference to FIG. 5 is merely an example of an ice-making unit provided in an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure, and the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0175] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0176] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, an example of a second ice making unit (1400) included in an ice making device (1000) of a refrigerator (1) will be described.

[0177] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the second ice making unit (1400) may be configured to produce a second type of ice having a roughly spherical shape or a roughly hemispherical shape. The second ice making unit (1400) may produce ice of two shapes (spherical and hemispherical) with one ice making unit.

[0178] The second ice making unit (1400) may include a second ice making tray unit (1410, 1420) for producing ice.

[0179] The second ice-making tray unit (1410, 1420) may include a second ice-making cell (1412a, 1422a) that stores water supplied from a water supply pipe (81, see FIG. 2). The water stored in the second ice-making cell (1412a, 1422a) may be changed into ice by the cold air of the storage room (20). The second ice-making cell (1412a, 1422a) may be provided inside the second ice-making tray unit (1410, 1420). The second ice-making cell (1412a, 1422a) may be configured to include an elastic material. The second ice-making cell (1412a, 1422a) may be provided to be elastically deformable.

[0180] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the second ice-making tray unit (1410, 1420) may be provided to simultaneously produce a plurality of second types of ice. A plurality of second ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a) may be provided inside the second ice-making tray unit (1410, 1420). For example, the water collection member (1460) described below may supply collected water to only some of the plurality of second ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a), and the plurality of second ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a) may be formed so that the interiors thereof are connected to each other so that the collected water can be supplied to the interiors of the entire second ice-making cells. Optionally, the water supply unit may be provided in multiple numbers corresponding to the number of second ice-making cells, so as to supply collected water to each of the multiple second ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a).

[0181] The second ice making unit (1400) may include a support frame (1450). The support frame (1450) may be supported by the second ice making unit support member (1242) of the ice making case (1200). Each component of the second ice making unit (1400) described above and each component of the second ice making unit (1400) to be described later may be supported by the support frame (1450). Each component of the second ice making unit (1400) described above and each component of the second ice making unit (1400) to be described later may be covered by the support frame (1450).

[0182] The support frame (1450) may include a first support frame (1451) and a second support frame (1452). The first support frame (1451) may be mounted on top of the second support frame (1452) to form the upper surface of the support frame (1450).

[0183] The first support frame (1451) may include a first support body (1451a). The first support body (1451a) may form the exterior of the first support frame (1451).

[0184] A guide mounting portion (1451b) and a cut portion (1451c) may be provided on the upper surface of the first support body (1451a). A water collecting member (1460), which will be described later, may be mounted to the first support frame (1451) by the guide mounting portion (1451b). The water collecting member (1460) may extend between the fixed tray unit (1410) and the movable tray unit (1420), which will be described later, by penetrating the cut portion (1451c).

[0185] A heater receiving portion (1451d) may be provided on the upper surface of the first support body (1451a). A heater (1480) may be received in the heater receiving portion (1451d). The position of the heater (1480) may be fixed by being received in the heater receiving portion (1451d).

[0186] A connecting portion (1451e) may be formed on a side surface of the first support body (1451a). The connecting portion (1451e) may extend from the side surface of the first support body (1451a) toward the second support frame (1452). The relative positions of the first support frame (1451) and the second support frame (1452) may be fixed through the connecting portion (1451e).

[0187] The second support frame (1452) can be formed to have a box shape with both sides facing each other open and the bottom open.

[0188] The second support frame (1452) may include a second support body (1452a). The second support body (1452a) may form the exterior of the second support frame (1452).

[0189] The first support frame (1451) can be arranged so that at least a portion of the lower surface of the first support frame (1451) is spaced apart from at least a portion of the upper surface of the second support body (1452a) by a predetermined distance.

[0190] The second support body (1452a) may include a rack gear mounting portion (1452b). The rack gear mounting portion (1452b) may be formed on the inner side of both sides extending downward from the upper surface of the second support body (1452a). The rack gear mounting portion (1452b) may be formed to accommodate a rack gear (1474) to be described later. The rack gear (1474) may be supported so as to be movable in a horizontal direction with respect to the second support frame (1452).

[0191] The second support body (1452a) may include a leg support (1452c). The leg support (1452c) may be provided so that the leg portion (1433) of the first ejector (1430) is secured thereto. The leg portion (1433) of the first ejector (1430) may be supported by the leg support (1452c). The leg portion (1433) of the first ejector (1430) may be supported so as to be horizontally movable with respect to the second support frame (1452).

[0192] For example, the leg support portion (1452c) may be positioned below the rack gear mounting portion (1452b). Specifically, the leg support portion (1452c) may be formed on the inner side of both sides extending downward from the upper surface of the second support body (1452a).

[0193] The second support body (1452a) may include an ejector mounting portion (1452d). The ejector mounting portion (1452d) may be provided so that the second ejector (1440) may be mounted thereon. Specifically, the frame mounting portion (1443) of the second ejector (1440) and the ejector mounting portion (1452d) of the second support frame (1452) may be fastened by a fastening member (not shown), and thus the second ejector (1440) may be fixed to the support frame (1450).

[0194] The second support body (1452a) may include a pinion gear receiving portion (1452e). The pinion gear receiving portion (1452e) may be provided to receive a pinion gear (1472) of a second driving portion (1470) to be described later.

[0195] For example, the pinion gear receiving portion (1452e) may be formed on the upper portion of both sides extending downward from the upper surface of the second support body (1452a). For example, a plurality of pinion gears (1472) may be provided to be received on both sides of the second support body (1452a), and a plurality of rack gears (1474) meshed with the pinion gears (1472) may also be provided to be received on both sides of the second support body (1452a).

[0196] The second support body (1452a) may include a frame coupling portion (1452f). The frame coupling portion (1452f) may be provided to be mutually coupled with a coupling portion (1451e) formed on the first support body (1451a). The frame coupling portion (1452f) may be provided in the form of a protrusion protruding from one surface of the second support body (1452a). Through this, the relative positions of the first support frame (1451) and the second support frame (1452) may be fixed.

[0197] However, the joint structure of the first support frame (1451) and the second support frame (1452) by the joint portion (1451e) of the first support frame (1451) and the frame joint portion (1452f) of the second support frame (1452) is not limited thereto. For example, the joint portion (1451e) of the first support frame (1451) may be provided in a protrusion shape and the frame joint portion (1452f) of the second support frame (1452) may be provided in a hook shape so that they may be coupled to each other.

[0198] The second support body (1452a) may include an axle member penetration portion (1452g).

[0199] The shaft member penetration portion (1452g) may be formed by cutting a portion of the upper surface of the second support body (1452a). In other words, the shaft member penetration portion (1452g) may be formed to have a concave shape in the upper surface of the second support body (1452a). The shaft member (1473) of the second driving unit (1470) described below may be arranged to penetrate the shaft member penetration portion (1452g) and may be arranged on the inside of the support frame (1450).

[0200] The support frame (1450) may include a cover frame (1453).

[0201] The cover frame (1453) may be positioned in front of the first support frame (1451) and the second support frame (1452). The cover frame (1453) may be arranged to cover an open side of the second support frame (1452). The cover frame (1453) may form one side of the support frame (1450).

[0202] An ejector receiving portion (1453a) may be formed on the inner surface of the cover frame (1453). The ejector receiving portion (1453a) may be formed to have a concave shape on one side of the cover frame (1453) that covers the first ejector (1430) described below. The ejector receiving portion (1453a) may be provided to receive the first ejector (1430).

[0203] The configuration of the support frame (1450) described above is merely an example of a support frame for supporting each component of the second ice-making unit of the ice-making device in a refrigerator according to the spirit of the present disclosure, and the spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The support frame may be configured in various ways to support each component of the second ice-making unit (1400), such as the second ice-making tray unit (1410, 1420), the ejector (1430, 1440), and the second driving unit (1470). In addition, although FIG. 6 illustrates the support frame (1450) as including a first support frame (1451), a second support frame (1452), and a cover frame (1453) formed as separate components, the support frame may alternatively be formed as an integral component.

[0204] The second ice making unit (1400) may include a water collecting member (1460).

[0205] The water collecting member (1460) may be provided to guide water supplied from a water supply pipe (81, see FIG. 2) to a second ice-making cell (1412a, 1422a) to be described later. The water collecting member (1460) may be provided to be mounted on a support frame (1450) and extend between a fixed tray (1412) and a movable tray (1422) to supply water.

[0206] The water collecting member (1460) may include a water collecting body (1461) formed to be mounted on the first support frame (1451). A water collecting portion (1462) formed to be inclined downward may be formed on the inner surface of the water collecting body (1461).

[0207] The collection member (1460) may include a supply portion (1463) extending downward from the collection body (1461). The supply portion (1463) may be inserted between the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422).

[0208] By this configuration, water supplied from the water supply pipe (81) can flow to the supply section (1463) along the water collection section (1462) of the water collection member (1460) and can flow into the interior of the second ice tray unit (1410, 1420).

[0209] The second ice making unit (1400) may include a heater (1480). The heater (1480) may be provided to heat the second ice making tray unit (1410, 1420). For example, the heater (1480) may be supported at least in part by a fixed case (1411) of a fixed tray unit (1410) described later, and may be provided to heat the fixed tray (1412) described later. In addition, for example, a part of the heater (1480) may be accommodated in a heater receiving portion (1451d) of the first support frame (1451).

[0210] The second ice tray unit (1410, 1420) may include a fixed tray unit (1410) and a movable tray unit (1420). The fixed tray unit (1410) and the movable tray unit (1420) may be supported by a support frame (1450).

[0211] The fixed tray unit (1410) can maintain a fixed position with respect to the support frame (1450). The movable tray unit (1420) can be provided to be movable with respect to the support frame (1450). More specifically, the movable tray unit (1420) can be provided to be movable between the fixed tray unit (1410) and the second ejector (1440).

[0212] The fixed tray unit (1410) may include a fixed tray (1412) for generating a portion of ice. The fixed tray (1412) may maintain a fixed position with respect to the support frame (1450). The movable tray unit (1420) may include a movable tray (1422) for generating another portion of ice. The movable tray unit (1420) may be provided to be movable with respect to the support frame (1450). Specifically, the movable tray (1422) may be provided to be movable between the fixed tray (1412) and the second ejector (1440).

[0213] The fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422) may be arranged to be separated from each other or coupled to each other. Specifically, the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422) may be positioned to be separated from each other or coupled to each other depending on the movement of the movable tray (1422).

[0214] When the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422) are in a position where they are coupled to each other, the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422) can form an ice-making space for producing ice as a whole. Therefore, when the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422) are in a position where they are coupled to each other, water can be supplied from the water supply pipe (81) into the interior of the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422), and ice can be produced.

[0215] After ice production is completed in the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422), the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422) are separated, and the produced ice can be separated from the second ice making tray unit (1410, 1420).

[0216] A portion corresponding to approximately half of the second ice-making cells may be provided inside the fixed tray (1412). A portion corresponding to approximately the remaining half of the second ice-making cells may be provided inside the movable tray (1422). For example, a portion of the second ice-making cells inside the fixed tray (1412) and another portion of the second ice-making cells inside the movable tray (1422) may each be formed to have an approximately hemispherical shape.

[0217] Below, the specific configuration of the fixed tray unit (1410) and the movable tray unit (1420) is described.

[0218] The fixed tray unit (1410) may include a fixed case (1411), a fixed tray (1412), and a first fixed member (1413).

[0219] The fixed case (1411) may be provided to support the fixed tray (1412). The fixed case (1411) may be provided to accommodate at least a portion of the fixed tray (1412).

[0220] The fixed case (1411) may include a fixed tray receiving portion (1411a). The fixed tray receiving portion (1411a) may be provided to receive a portion of the fixed ice-making cells (1412a) of the fixed tray (1412). The number of fixed tray receiving portions (1411a) may correspond to the number of fixed ice-making cells (1412a).

[0221] The fixed case (1411) may include a first through hole (1411b). The first through hole (1411b) may be formed to have a penetrating shape. The first through hole (1411b) may be formed by cutting out the center of the fixed tray receiving portion (1411a). The first through hole (1411b) may be provided so that the first pressurizing portion (1432) of the first ejector (1430) may pass through it.

[0222] The fixed tray (1412) may be provided to receive water supplied from the water supply pipe (81). The fixed tray (1412) may be formed to generate ice using the water supplied from the water supply pipe (81) and to support at least a portion of the generated ice.

[0223] The fixed tray (1412) may include a fixed ice-making cell (1412a). The fixed ice-making cell (1412a) may be configured to receive water supplied from a water supply pipe (81). The fixed ice-making cell (1412a) may be configured to form a portion of ice. The fixed ice-making cell (1412a) may be formed to have a shape that is sunken inward from the inner surface of the fixed tray (1412).

[0224] The fixed tray (1412) may include a first inlet hole (1412b). The first inlet hole (1412b) may be provided to allow water supplied from a water supply pipe (81) to flow in. A portion of a water collecting member (1460) may be seated in the first inlet hole (1412b). The first inlet hole (1412b) may be connected to a fixed ice-making cell (1412a). Water supplied from the water supply pipe (81) may be supplied to the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) through the water collecting member (1460) and the first inlet hole (1412b).

[0225] The first fixing member (1413) may be provided to fix the fixing tray (1412) to the fixing case (1411).

[0226] In detail, the first fixing member (1413) may include a first ice-making cell cover part (1413a) and a first fixing part (1413b).

[0227] The first ice-making cell cover (1413a) can cover the outer periphery of the fixed tray (1412) so that the fixed tray (1412) is fixed to the fixed case (1411). The first fixed member (1413) can be combined with the fixed case (1411).

[0228] For example, a part of the fixed tray (1412) may be positioned and fixed between the first fixed member (1413) and the fixed case (1411). In addition, the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) of the fixed tray (1412) may be engaged with the facing moving tray (1422) through the open part of the first fixed member (1413).

[0229] The first fixing member (1413b) may be configured to be coupled with the fixing tray (1412) and the fixing case (1411). The fixing tray (1412), the fixing case (1411), and the first fixing member (1413) may be coupled by a fastening member (not shown) penetrating the first fixing member (1413b). With this configuration, the fixing case (1411), the fixing tray (1412), and the first fixing member (1413) may maintain a fixed position on the inside of the support frame (1450).

[0230] The fixed tray (1412) may include a communication portion (1412d). The communication portion (1412d) may be provided between a plurality of fixed ice-making cells (1412a) so that water flowing into a fixed ice-making cell (1412a) connected to the first inlet hole (1412b) flows to an adjacent fixed ice-making cell (1412a). The communication portion (1412d) may be formed by being recessed into the inside of the fixed tray (1412). In other words, the plurality of fixed ice-making cells (1412a) may be formed to be in communication with each other.

[0231] For example, the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) may include three fixed ice-making cells (1412a) as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this case, two communication portions (1412d) may be provided so that adjacent fixed ice-making cells (1412a) among the three fixed ice-making cells (1412a) are connected to each other. At this time, water may be supplied to the central fixed ice-making cell (1412a) through the first inlet hole (1412b), and the water introduced into the central fixed ice-making cell (1412a) may be supplied to the adjacent fixed ice-making cells (1412a) on both sides through the communication portions (1412d).

[0232] The fixed tray (1412) may include a fixed tray hole (1412h, see FIG. 13) formed at the upper portion of the fixed tray (1412). The fixed tray hole (1412h) may be formed to have a shape penetrating through the upper portion of the fixed tray (1412). The fixed tray hole (1412h) may be formed so that the interior of the fixed tray (1412) communicates with the exterior of the fixed tray (1412). The fixed tray holes (1412b, 1412c) may be formed so that the interior of the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) communicates with the exterior of the fixed tray (1412).

[0233] The first inlet hole (1412b) of the fixed tray (1412) described above can be considered as a component of the fixed tray hole (1412h). For example, when the fixed tray (1412) includes a plurality of fixed ice-making cells (1412a), the first inlet hole (1412b) can be formed in at least one fixed ice-making cell (1412a) among the plurality of fixed ice-making cells (1412a), and can be formed on the upper portion of the central fixed ice-making cell (1412a) as illustrated in the drawing.

[0234] The fixed tray hole (1412h) may include an exhaust hole (1412c) that is distinct from the first inlet hole (1412b). The exhaust hole (1412c) may be formed so that when water flows into the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) through the first inlet hole (1412b), air inside the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) can be exhausted to the outside. With this configuration, when water is supplied into the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) through the first inlet hole (1412b), air inside the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) can be exhausted to the outside of the fixed tray (1412) through the exhaust hole (1412c), so that ice having a neat shape without bubbles can be produced while the pressure inside the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) is maintained constant.

[0235] For example, when the fixed tray (1412) includes a plurality of fixed ice-making cells (1412a), as shown in the drawing, the first inlet hole (1412b) may be formed at the upper portion of the central fixed ice-making cell (1412a) among the plurality of fixed ice-making cells (1412a), and the exhaust holes (1412c) may be formed at the upper portions of the fixed ice-making cells (1412a) on both sides, respectively.

[0236] The fixed tray (1412) may include a sealing portion (1412e). The sealing portion (1412e) may be formed to be interlocked with the movable tray (1422) to seal the interior of the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) and prevent water from leaking between the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422).

[0237] For example, the sealing portion (1412e) of the fixed tray (1412) can be formed along the edge of the fixed ice-making cell (1412a).

[0238] The moving tray unit (1420) may include a moving case (1421), a moving tray (1422), and a second fixed member (1423).

[0239] The moving case (1421) may be provided to support the moving tray (1422). The moving case (1421) may be provided to accommodate at least a portion of the moving tray (1412).

[0240] The moving case (1421) may include a moving tray receiving portion (1421a). The moving tray receiving portion (1421a) may be provided to receive a portion of the moving ice-making cells (1422a) of the moving tray (1422). The number of moving tray receiving portions (1421a) may correspond to the number of moving ice-making cells (1422a).

[0241] The moving case (1421) may include a second through hole (1421b). The second through hole (1421b) may be formed to have a penetrating shape. The second through hole (1421b) may be formed by cutting out the center of the moving tray receiving portion (1421a). The second through hole (1421b) may be provided so that the second pressurizing portion (1442) of the second ejector (1440) may pass through it.

[0242] The moving case (1421) may include a first elastic member mounting portion (1421c).

[0243] The first elastic member mounting portion (1421c) may be provided so that the elastic member (1475) of the second driving portion (1470) is connected thereto. One end of the elastic member (1475) may be connected to the first elastic member mounting portion (1421c) of the rack gear (1474), and the other end of the elastic member (1475) may be connected to the first elastic member mounting portion (1421c) of the moving case (1421). Accordingly, the moving case (1421) may move together with the horizontal movement of the rack gear (1474).

[0244] The moving case (1421) may include a protrusion (1421d).

[0245] The protrusion (1421d) can be accommodated in the protrusion receiving space (1433a) formed in the leg portion (1433) of the first ejector (1430). The protrusion (1421d) of the moving case (1421) can be arranged to move the first ejector (1430) in conjunction with the movement of the moving case (1421). Specific details related thereto will be described later.

[0246] The moving tray (1422) may be provided to receive water supplied from the water supply pipe (81). The moving tray (1422) may be provided to generate ice using the water supplied from the water supply pipe (81) and to support at least a portion of the generated ice.

[0247] The movable tray (1422) may include a movable ice-making cell (1422a). The movable ice-making cell (1422a) may be configured to receive water supplied from a water supply pipe (81). The movable ice-making cell (1422a) may be configured to form a portion of ice. The movable ice-making cell (1422a) may be formed to have a shape that is sunken inward from the inner surface of the movable tray (1422).

[0248] The movable tray (1422) may be arranged to be combined with the fixed tray (1412) to form an integral ice-making space. More specifically, the hemispherical movable ice-making cell (1422a) of the movable tray (1422) may be arranged to be combined with the hemispherical fixed ice-making cell (1412a) of the fixed tray (1412) to form a spherical ice-making cell, which is an integral ice-making space. The integral ice-making space may be formed to have an approximately spherical shape.

[0249] The movable tray (1422) may include a second inlet hole (1422b). The second inlet hole (1422b) may be provided to allow water supplied from a water supply pipe (81) to flow in. A portion of a water collecting member (1460) may be installed in the second inlet hole (1422b). The second inlet hole (1422b) may be connected to a movable ice-making cell (1422a). Water supplied from the water supply pipe (81) may be supplied to the movable ice-making cell (1422a) through the water collecting member (1460) and the second inlet hole (1422b).

[0250] When the fixed tray (1421) and the movable tray (1422) are combined, the first inlet hole (1412b) of the fixed tray (1421) and the second inlet hole (1422b) of the movable tray (1422) can be combined with each other to form an integral inlet hole (1412b, 1422b) for introducing water supplied from the water supply pipe (81).

[0251] The second fixing member (1423) may be provided to fix the moving tray (1422) to the moving case (1421).

[0252] In detail, the second fixing member (1423) may include a second ice-making cell cover part (1423a) and a second fixing part (1423b).

[0253] The second ice-making cell cover (1423a) can cover the outer perimeter of the moving tray (1422) so that the moving tray (1422) is fixed to the moving case (1421). The second fixing member (1423) can be combined with the moving case (1421).

[0254] For example, a part of the movable tray (1422) may be positioned and fixed between the second fixed member (1423) and the movable case (1421). In addition, the movable ice-making cell (1422a) and the second auxiliary ice-making cell (222) of the movable tray (1422) may be engaged with the movable tray (1422) facing each other through the open portion of the second fixed member (1423).

[0255] The second fixed member (1423b) may be arranged to be coupled with the moving tray (1422) and the moving case (1421). The moving tray (1422), the moving case (1421), and the second fixed member (1423) may be coupled by a fastening member (not shown) penetrating the second fixed member (1423b). With this configuration, the moving case (1421), the moving tray (1422), and the second fixed member (1423) may be moved together in a horizontal direction within the support frame (1450).

[0256] The moving tray (1422) may include a connecting portion (not shown).

[0257] The connecting portion of the movable tray (1422) may be provided between a plurality of movable ice-making cells (1422a) so that water flowing into the movable ice-making cell (1422a) connected to the second inflow hole (1422b) flows to the adjacent movable ice-making cell (1422a). The connecting portion of the movable tray (1422) may be formed by being recessed into the inside of the movable tray (1422). In other words, the plurality of movable ice-making cells (1422a) may be formed to be in communication with each other.

[0258] For example, the mobile ice-making cell (1422a) may include three mobile ice-making cells (1422a) as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this case, two communication portions of the mobile tray (1422) may be provided so that adjacent mobile ice-making cells (1422a) among the three mobile ice-making cells (1422a) are connected to each other. At this time, water may be supplied to the central mobile ice-making cell (1422a) through the second inlet hole (1422b), and the water introduced into the central mobile ice-making cell (1422a) may be supplied to the adjacent mobile ice-making cells (1422a) on both sides through the communication portions of the mobile tray (1422).

[0259] The communication part of the movable tray (1422) can be arranged to face the communication part (1412d) of the fixed tray (1412).

[0260] The moving tray (1422) may include a moving tray hole formed at the upper portion of the moving tray (1422). The moving tray hole may be formed to have a shape that penetrates the upper portion of the moving tray (1422). The moving tray hole may be formed so that the interior of the moving tray (1422) is in communication with the exterior of the moving tray (1422). The moving tray hole may be formed so that the interior of the moving ice-making cell (1422a) is in communication with the exterior of the moving tray (1422).

[0261] The movable tray hole of the movable tray (1422) may have characteristics corresponding to the fixed tray holes (1412b, 1412c) of the fixed tray (1412) described above.

[0262] The second inlet hole (1422b) of the aforementioned movable tray (1422) can be viewed as a component of the movable tray hole. For example, when the movable tray (1422) includes a plurality of movable ice-making cells (1422a), the second inlet hole (1422b) can be formed in at least one movable ice-making cell (1422a) among the plurality of movable ice-making cells (1422a), and can be formed on the upper portion of the central movable ice-making cell (1422a) as illustrated in the drawing.

[0263] The movable tray hole of the movable tray (1422) may include an exhaust hole (not shown) that is distinct from the second inlet hole (1422b). The exhaust hole of the movable tray (1422) may be formed so that when water is introduced into the movable ice-making cell (1422a) through the second inlet hole (1422b), the air inside the movable ice-making cell (1422a) can be exhausted to the outside. With this configuration, when water is supplied into the movable ice-making cell (1422a) through the second inlet hole (1422b), the air inside the movable ice-making cell (1422a) can be exhausted to the outside of the movable tray (1422) through the exhaust hole of the movable tray (1422), so that the pressure inside the movable ice-making cell (1422a) is maintained constant, and ice having a neat shape without bubbles can be produced.

[0264] For example, when the movable tray (1422) includes a plurality of movable ice-making cells (1422a), as shown in the drawing, the second inlet hole (1422b) may be formed at the upper portion of the central movable ice-making cell (1422a) among the plurality of movable ice-making cells (1422a), and the exhaust holes of the movable tray (1422) may be formed at the upper portions of the movable ice-making cells (1422a) on both sides, respectively.

[0265] The movable tray hole of the movable tray (1422) may be arranged to face the fixed tray holes (1412b, 1412c) of the fixed tray (1412). The second inlet hole (1422b) of the movable tray (1422) may be arranged to face the first inlet hole (1412b) of the fixed tray (1412). The exhaust hole (not shown) of the movable tray (1422) may be arranged to face the exhaust hole (1412c) of the fixed tray (1412).

[0266] The movable tray (1422) may include a sealing portion (not shown). The sealing portion of the movable tray (1422) may be formed to interlock with the fixed tray (1412) to seal the interior of the movable ice-making cell (1422a) and prevent water from leaking between the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422).

[0267] For example, the sealing portion of the moving tray (1422) can be formed along the edge of the moving ice-making cell (1422a).

[0268] The configuration of the second ice-making tray unit (1410, 1420) described above is merely an example of the configuration of the second ice-making tray unit for producing the second type of ice in a refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure, and the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0269] The second ice making unit (1400) may include a second driving unit (1470) that provides power for the moving tray unit (1420) to move relative to the support frame (1450), and an ejector (1430, 1440) for ejecting ice generated in the second ice making tray unit (1410, 1420) from the second ice making tray unit (1410, 1420).

[0270] The second driving unit (1470) may include a motor (not shown) that generates power, a motor case (1471) that accommodates the motor, and a power transmission member (1472, 1473, 1474) that transmits power generated from the motor.

[0271] The motor case (1471) can be coupled to the support frame (1450). Specifically, the motor case (1471) can be coupled to the outer surface of one side of the support frame (1450).

[0272] The power transmission members (1472, 1473, 1474) are connected to the motor of the second driving unit (1470) and can receive power generated by the motor. The power transmission members (1472, 1473, 1474) can transmit the power received from the motor to the moving tray (1422). For example, the power transmission members (1472, 1473, 1474) can include at least one gear.

[0273] The power transmission member (1472, 1473, 1474) may be provided to convert the rotational motion of the motor of the second driving unit (1470) into linear motion and transmit it to the moving tray (1422).

[0274] For example, the power transmission members (1472, 1473, 1474) may include a pinion gear (1472) and a rack gear (1474). The pinion gear (1472) may be connected to a rotational shaft of a motor of the second driving unit (1470). The pinion gear (1472) may rotate by receiving power from the motor of the second driving unit (1470). The pinion gear (1472) may mesh with the rack gear (1474), and the rotational motion of the pinion gear (1472) may be converted into the linear motion of the rack gear (1474).

[0275] The rack gear (1474) can be coupled to the moving tray unit (1420). The moving tray unit (1420) can be provided to enable linear movement with respect to the support frame (1450) by the linear movement of the rack gear (1474).

[0276] The second driving unit (1470) may further include an elastic member (1475). The rack gear (1474) may be connected to the moving case (1421) via the elastic member (1475). For example, the elastic member (1475) may be composed of an elastic spring.

[0277] The rack gear (1474) may include a toothed portion (1474a) configured to mesh with the pinion gear (1472). The rack gear (1474) may include a support portion (1474b) supported on a support frame (1450). The toothed portion (1474a) may be formed on an upper surface of the support portion (1474b).

[0278] The teeth (1474a) of the rack gear (1474) and the pinion gear (1472) can be arranged to mesh with each other. Accordingly, when the pinion gear (1472) rotates, the rack gear (1474) can move horizontally with respect to the support frame (1450).

[0279] The rack gear (1474) may include a second elastic member mounting portion (1474c) extending from the support portion (1474b). An elastic member (1475) may be mounted on the second elastic member mounting portion (1474c).

[0280] When the rack gear (1474) receives power generated from the second driving unit (1470) from the pinion gear (1472) and moves in a horizontal direction, the movable case (1421) can also move horizontally with respect to the support frame (1450). The movable case (1421) can be combined with the movable tray (1422) and the second fixed member (1423) and move together. As the movable case (1421) moves, ice generated between the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422) can be separated from the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422).

[0281] In addition, as described above, the rack gear (1474) and the movable case (1421) can be connected by an elastic member (1475). When the movable case (1421) moves toward the fixed case (1411) and the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422) are engaged, the rack gear (1474) can be further moved toward the fixed tray (1412) by the elastic force of the elastic member (1475). Accordingly, the airtightness of the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422) can be further enhanced.

[0282] A plurality of pinion gears (1472) may be provided so as to be arranged on each side of the support frame (1450). The second driving unit (1470) may include a shaft member (1473) provided to connect a plurality of pinion gears (1472). The shaft member (1473) may be provided to transmit the rotation of the pinion gear (1472) on one side to the pinion gear (1472) on the other side. The shaft member (1473) may be provided in a shape of a bar that is extended approximately elongated.

[0283] However, the configuration of the second driving unit (1470) described above is merely an example of a second driving unit that provides power to move a movable tray unit in a refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure. The concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, the power transmission member of the second driving unit may be provided to include various configurations capable of transmitting power generated from a power source such as a motor.

[0284] The ejector (1430, 1440) of the second ice making unit (1400) may include a first ejector (1430) and a second ejector (1440). The first ejector (1430) may be provided at a position adjacent to the fixed tray unit (1410). The second ejector (1440) may be provided at a position adjacent to the movable tray unit (1420). The second ice making tray unit (1410, 1420) may be arranged between the first ejector (1430) and the second ejector (1440).

[0285] The first ejector (1430) can be accommodated in the ejector receiving portion (1453a) of the cover frame (1453).

[0286] The first ejector (1430) may be provided to be movable relative to the support frame (1450). The first ejector (1430) may be provided to be movable based on the movement of the moving tray (1422).

[0287] The first ejector (1430) may include a first body (1431), a first pressurizing portion (1432), and a leg portion (1433).

[0288] The first body (1431) may extend in a direction parallel to the fixed case (1411). For example, the first body (1431) may extend in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the first ejector (1430).

[0289] The first pressurizing portion (1432) may extend from the first body (1431). The first body (1431) may be configured to support the first pressurizing portion (1432).

[0290] The first pressurizing portion (1432) may be provided to pressurize the fixed tray (1412) by passing through the first through hole (1411b) of the fixed case (1411). Specifically, the first pressurizing portion (1432) may be provided to pressurize the fixed ice-making cells (1412a) of the fixed tray (1412). The number of the first pressurizing portions (1432) may correspond to the number of fixed ice-making cells (1412a) so as to pressurize each of the fixed ice-making cells (1412a).

[0291] The leg portion (1433) may extend from both ends of the first body (1431) and be inserted into the side of the support frame (1450). More specifically, the leg portion (1433) may be supported by the leg support portion (1452c) of the support frame (1450). The leg portion (1433) may extend in a direction parallel to the movement direction of the first ejector (1430). The leg portions (1433) may be provided as a symmetrical pair at each end of the first body (1431).

[0292] When the movable tray unit (1420) moves away from the fixed tray unit (1410), the first ejector (1430) can move along the moving direction of the movable tray unit (1420). For example, since the fixed tray unit (1410) is placed between the first ejector (1430) and the movable tray unit (1420), the first ejector (1430) can move toward the fixed tray unit (1410).

[0293] Additionally, when the movable tray unit (1420) is moved in a direction closer to the fixed tray unit (1410), the first ejector (1430) can also be moved along the movement direction of the movable tray unit (1420). For example, since the fixed tray (1412) is placed between the first ejector (1430) and the movable tray unit (1420), the first ejector (1430) can be moved in a direction away from the fixed tray unit (1410).

[0294] For example, the leg portion (1433) may be provided to accommodate the protrusion (1421d) of the moving case (1421). A protrusion accommodation space (1433a) may be formed on the inside of the leg portion (1433). The protrusion (1421d) of the moving case (1421) may be accommodated in the protrusion accommodation space (1433a) of the leg portion (1433) and may interfere with the leg portion (1433). As the moving tray unit (1420) moves, the protrusion (1421d) of the moving case (1421) and the leg portion (1433) may interfere with each other, and the first ejector (1430) may also move together.

[0295] The second ejector (1440) may include a second body (1441), a second pressurizing portion (1442), and a frame mounting portion (1443).

[0296] The second body (1441) may extend in a direction parallel to the moving case (1421). For example, the second body (1441) may extend in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving case (1421). The second body (1441) may extend to connect both sides of the second support frame (1452).

[0297] The second pressurizing portion (1442) may extend from the second body (1441). The second pressurizing portion (1442) may extend from the second body (1441) toward the moving tray (1422). The second body (1441) may be provided to support the second pressurizing portion (1442).

[0298] The second pressurizing unit (1442) may be provided to pressurize the movable tray (1422) by passing through the second through hole (1421b) of the movable case (1421). Specifically, the second pressurizing unit (1442) may be provided to pressurize the movable ice-making cell (1422a) of the movable tray (1422). The number of second pressurizing units (1442) may correspond to the number of movable ice-making cells (1422a) so as to pressurize each movable ice-making cell (1422a).

[0299] The second ejector (1440) can be fixed to one side of the support frame (1450).

[0300] The frame mounting portion (1443) may be provided at a position corresponding to the ejector mounting portion (1452d) of the second support frame (1452). The frame mounting portion (1443) may be formed at both ends of the second body (1441). The second ejector (1440) may be mounted on one side of the second support body (1452a) through the frame mounting portion (1443). For example, the second ejector (1440) may be fixedly coupled to the second support frame (1452).

[0301] The second ejector (1440) may be provided to maintain a fixed position with respect to the support frame (1450) and pressurize the movable tray (1422) when the movable tray unit (1420) moves toward the second ejector (1440). More specifically, the second ejector (1440) may be provided to pressurize the movable ice-making cell (1422a) of the movable tray (1422) when the movable tray unit (1420) moves toward the second ejector (1440).

[0302] Hereinafter, the operation of the second ice making unit (1400) will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0303] Referring to FIG. 7, when the second ice-making tray unit (1410, 1420) generates ice using water supplied from the water supply pipe (81), the fixed tray unit (1410) and the movable tray unit (1420) can be positioned to be coupled to each other. At the position where the fixed tray unit (1410) and the movable tray unit (1420) are coupled, a part of the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) of the fixed tray (1412) and another part of the movable ice-making cell (1422a) of the movable tray (1422) can be coupled to form an integrated ice-making cell. A second type of ice can be generated inside this integrated ice-making cell.

[0304] After the production of the second type of ice is completed, the operation of the second driving unit (1470) can be controlled so that the movable tray unit (1420) moves toward the second ejector (1440), as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. When power is generated from the motor of the second driving unit (1470), the generated power can be transmitted to the movable tray unit (1420) through the power transmission members (1472, 1473, 1474). The movable tray unit (1420) can be separated from the fixed tray unit (1410) and moved linearly toward the second ejector (1440).

[0305] The second pressurizing portion (1442) of the second ejector (1440) may be provided to pressurize the movable ice-making cell (1422a) by penetrating the movable case (1421) when the movable tray unit (1420) approaches. The movable ice-making cell (1422a) may be elastically deformed when pressurized by the second pressurizing portion (1442), and the second type of ice located therein may be discharged from the movable tray (1422). The second type of ice discharged from the movable tray (1422) may be moved to the ice bucket (100).

[0306] When the movable tray unit (1420) is further moved in the same direction while a portion of the movable ice-making cell (1422a) of the movable tray (1422) is pressurized by the second pressurizing portion (1442), the first ejector (1430) may move toward the fixed tray (1412) as the protrusion (1421d) of the movable case (1421) and the leg portion (1433) of the first ejector (1430) interfere with each other. Accordingly, the first pressurizing portion (1432) of the first ejector (1430) may be arranged to pressurize the fixed ice-making cell (1412a) of the fixed tray (1412) by penetrating the fixed case (1411). The fixed ice cell (1412a) can be elastically deformed when pressurized by the second pressurizing unit (1432), and the second type of ice located therein can be discharged from the fixed tray (1412). The second type of ice discharged from the fixed tray (1412) can be moved to the ice bucket (100).

[0307] By the above configuration, ice generated within the second ice tray (1410, 1420) can be discharged from the second ice tray unit (1410, 1420) and moved to the ice bucket (100).

[0308] The configuration of the second ice making unit (1400) described above with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 is merely an example of an ice making unit provided in an ice making device of a refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure, and the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0309] In addition, in the above, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, the structure of a direct-cooling type ice making device that guides cold air generated in a storage compartment (20) toward the ice making device (1000) as an embodiment of an ice making device of a refrigerator according to the spirit of the present disclosure to cool water supplied to a first ice making tray (1310) and a second ice making tray unit (1410, 1420) has been described as an example. However, the spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and as an example, the spirit of the present disclosure can also be applied to the configuration of a direct-cooling type ice making device that provides cold air directly by arranging separate refrigerant pipes (not shown) to the first ice making tray (1310) and the second ice making tray unit (1410, 1420) to cool water supplied to the first ice making tray (1310) and the second ice making tray unit (1410, 1420).

[0310] Hereinafter, for the convenience of explanation, the ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to the invention of the present disclosure will be described based on a second ice-making unit (1400) according to one embodiment, and for convenience, the second ice-making unit (1400) will be referred to as an 'ice-making device (1400)'.

[0311] In addition, for the convenience of explanation, in the following description, the second ice-making tray unit (1410, 1420) of the refrigerator according to the invention will be described based on the fixed tray unit (1410) according to one embodiment, and for convenience, the fixed tray (1412) will be referred to as the 'first ice-making tray (1412)', and the movable tray (1422) will be referred to as the 'second ice-making tray (1422)'. In addition, the combination of the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422) will be referred to as the 'ice-making tray (1412, 1422)'.

[0312] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a partial configuration of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0313] Referring to FIG. 10, the refrigerator (1) may include a control unit (200) that controls various components of the refrigerator (1).

[0314] The control unit (200) can be electrically connected to a user interface (500), a temperature sensor (1490), a flow sensor (420), a full ice detection sensor (430), a water supply valve (82), an ice making device (1400), and a cooling device (440).

[0315] The user interface (500) can be implemented as a control panel, for example.

[0316] The user interface (500) may include an input device (510) for receiving user input and a display (520) for displaying information related to the operation of the refrigerator (1).

[0317] Types of user input that can be received through the input device (510) may include turning the power on / off, starting / stopping the ice-making operation, setting the ice-making operation, etc.

[0318] The input device (510) may include various types of input devices such as a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch screen, or a button.

[0319] The operation information of the refrigerator (1) that can be displayed by the display (520) may include the status of the ice-making operation, the status of the water supply operation, the amount of water supplied, the elapsed time of the ice-making operation or the time remaining until the end of the ice-making operation, and information on the occurrence of various errors.

[0320] The display panel of the display (520) may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, etc. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any device capable of visually displaying various information regarding the refrigerator (1) and displaying an interface for receiving various control commands from a user may be employed as the display (520) without limitation.

[0321] The temperature sensor (1490) can detect the temperature of the ice tray (1412, 1422) of the ice making device (1400) and output a signal corresponding to the detected temperature. The temperature sensor (1490) can transmit the detected temperature information to the control unit (200). The control unit (200) can determine the temperature of the ice making tray (1412, 1422) based on this temperature information.

[0322] The flow sensor (420) can detect the amount of water supplied to the ice tray (1412, 1422).

[0323] The flow sensor (420) can detect the amount of water supplied to the ice making device (1400), more specifically, to the ice making tray (1412, 1422) of the ice making device (1400).

[0324] In one embodiment, the flow sensor (420) may include an impeller and may include a circuit configuration that generates pulses (= pulse signals) according to the rotation of the impeller.

[0325] When water passes through the flow sensor (420), the impeller rotates due to the pressure of the water, pulses are generated according to the rotation of the impeller, and the amount of water passing through the flow sensor (420) can be measured according to the number of pulses.

[0326] In various embodiments, the refrigerator (1) may include a flow sensor (410) that detects the amount of water supplied to the first ice tray (1310) of the first ice making unit (1300). The flow sensor (410) may have the same configuration as the flow sensor (420).

[0327] The full ice detection sensor (430) can detect whether the ice bucket (100) is full of ice.

[0328] The full ice detection sensor (430) can detect the fullness of ice stored in the ice bucket (100). Detecting the fullness of ice stored in the ice bucket (100) may mean detecting whether the ice bucket (100) is full of ice.

[0329] For example, the ice bucket detection sensor (430) may include a light emitting unit that irradiates light toward the ice bucket (100) and a light receiving unit that receives light reflected from ice contained in the ice bucket (100). The ice bucket detection sensor (430) may detect whether the ice bucket is full based on the intensity of light received by the light receiving unit.

[0330] In various embodiments, the full ice detection sensor (430) may be implemented in the form of a detection lever that detects physical contact of ice with the upper portion of the ice bucket (100). However, examples of the full ice detection sensor (430) are not limited thereto, and any sensor that can detect whether the ice bucket (100) is full of ice may be employed as the full ice detection sensor (430) without limitation.

[0331] The water supply valve (82) can open and close the water supply pipe (81).

[0332] For example, the water supply valve (82) may be configured as a solenoid valve. The water supply valve (82) may be configured to open or close the water supply pipe (81) by an electrical signal. The water supply valve (82) may be opened and closed by the control unit (200).

[0333] The water supply valve (82) may include a plurality of water supply valves (82), and each of the plurality of water supply valves (82) may be provided to open and close each of the plurality of water supply pipes (81) (e.g., a water supply pipe for supplying water to the first ice making tray (1310) and a water supply pipe for supplying water to the ice making trays (1412, 1422)). Each of the plurality of water supply valves (82) may be independently controlled by the control unit (200). Accordingly, each of the plurality of water supply pipes (81) may be independently opened and closed. The control unit (200) may adjust the amount of water supplied to the ice making trays (1412, 1422) of the ice making device (1400) through the water supply pipe (81) by opening and closing the water supply valves (82).

[0334] The ice making device (1400) may include an ice making device (1470) and a heater (1480).

[0335] The second driving unit (1470) that performs the ice-moving operation of the ice-making device (1400) may be referred to as an ice-moving device (1470). The ice-moving operation may be an operation for moving ice in the ice-making tray (1412, 1422) to the ice bucket (100).

[0336] The cooling device (440) can supply cold air to the storage room (20).

[0337] The cooling device (440) can generate cold air by utilizing the latent heat of vaporization of the refrigerant in the cooling cycle. The cooling device (440) can be configured to include a compressor (73), a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator (71), a blower fan (72), etc.

[0338] The control unit (200) may include a processor (201) that generates a control signal regarding the operation of the refrigerator (1), and a memory (202) that stores programs, applications, instructions, and / or data for the operation of the refrigerator (1). The processor (201) and the memory (202) may be implemented as separate semiconductor devices or as a single semiconductor device.

[0339] Additionally, the control unit (200) may include a plurality of processors or a plurality of memories. The control unit (200) may be provided at various locations within the refrigerator (1). For example, the control unit (200) may be included in a printed circuit board provided within the control panel of the refrigerator (1).

[0340] The processor (201) may include an arithmetic circuit, a memory circuit, and a control circuit. The processor (201) may include one chip or multiple chips. In addition, the processor (201) may include one core or multiple cores.

[0341] The memory (202) can store a program for performing a water supply operation and an ice-making cycle, and data necessary for performing the water supply operation and an ice-making cycle. In addition, the memory (202) can store the currently selected ice-making setting (e.g., the type of ice (spherical ice, hemispherical ice, etc.)) based on a user input.

[0342] The memory (202) may include volatile memory such as Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM) and Dynamic Random Access Memory (D-RAM), and non-volatile memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM) and Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM). The memory (202) may include one memory element or may include a plurality of memory elements.

[0343] The processor (201) can process data and / or signals using a program provided from the memory (202), and transmit a control signal to each component of the refrigerator (1) based on the processing result. For example, the processor (201) can process a user input received through an input device (510) of the refrigerator (1). In response to the user input, the processor (201) can output a control signal for controlling each component of the refrigerator (1), such as the display (520), the water supply valve (82), and the ice maker (1400). Each component of the refrigerator (1), such as the display (520), the water supply valve (82), and the ice maker (1400), can be operated based on the control signal of the processor (201).

[0344] For example, the processor (201) can control the user interface (500) to display various types of information.

[0345] For example, the processor (201) can control the ice making device (1400) to perform an ice making cycle.

[0346] For example, the processor (201) may control the water supply valve (82) to open the water supply pipe (81) in an operation for supplying water to the ice trays (1412, 1422) based on the satisfaction of a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as a 'water supply operation'). The processor (201) may control the water supply valve (82) to close the water supply pipe (81) in an operation for stopping the water supply operation to the ice trays (1412, 1422) based on the satisfaction of a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as a 'water supply stop operation').

[0347] For example, the processor (201) may initiate a water supply operation based on the ice making cycle being completed and the ice bucket (100) not being full.

[0348] The processor (201) can open the water supply valve (82) during the water supply operation, detect the amount of water supplied to the ice tray (1412, 1422) through the flow sensor (420), and stop the water supply operation based on the detected amount of water.

[0349] The processor (201) can control the operation of the ice removal device (1470) in an operation (hereinafter referred to as 'ice removal operation') to move ice in the ice removal tray (1412, 1422) to the ice bucket (100) based on the completion of the ice removal operation.

[0350] For example, the processor (201) may control the heater (1480) to heat the ice tray (1412, 1422) in an operation (hereinafter referred to as a 'heating operation') to heat the ice tray (1412, 1422) to a predetermined temperature before the ice-breaking operation is performed after the ice-making operation is completed so that the ice-breaking operation can be performed easily.

[0351] The configuration of the refrigerator (1) described above is only an example of a refrigerator according to the concept of the present disclosure, and the concept of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0352] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0353] Referring to FIG. 11, the control unit (200) can receive user input for selecting an ice generation mode through the user interface (500) (2000).

[0354] The control unit (200) can determine whether the ice generation mode selected by the user is a spherical ice generation mode based on user input (2002). The control unit (200) can determine whether the ice generation mode selected by the user is a spherical ice generation mode, a hemispherical ice generation mode, or a cube-shaped ice generation mode based on user input.

[0355] When the ice generation mode is a spherical ice generation mode (2002, example), the control unit (200) can supply a first amount of water to the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a) of the ice-making trays (1412, 1422) through the water supply valve (82) based on the selection of the spherical ice generation mode (2004).

[0356] The first water supply amount may be an amount of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a) of the ice-making tray (1412, 1422) so that the water level reaches the spherical ice level so that spherical ice is created in the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a).

[0357] The control unit (200) can determine whether the ice generation mode is a hemispherical ice generation mode (2006) if the ice generation mode is not a spherical ice generation mode (2002, No).

[0358] When the ice generation mode is a hemispherical ice generation mode (2002, example), the control unit (200) can supply a second amount of water to the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a) of the ice-making trays (1412, 1422) through the water supply valve (82) based on the selection of the hemispherical ice generation mode (2008).

[0359] The second water quantity may be less than the first water quantity.

[0360] The second water supply amount may be an amount of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a) of the ice-making trays (1412, 1422) so that the water level reaches the hemispherical ice level so that hemispherical ice is created in the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a). The second water supply amount may be approximately half of the first water supply amount.

[0361] The control unit (200) can determine that the ice generation mode is a cube-shaped ice generation mode if the ice generation mode is not a hemispherical ice generation mode (2006, No).

[0362] The control unit (200) can supply a third amount of water to the ice-making cell (1311) of the first ice-making tray (1310) through the water supply valve (82) based on the selection of the cube-shaped ice-making mode (2010).

[0363] The third water supply amount may be a water supply amount that reaches the level of the cube-shaped ice water supplied to the first ice-making cell (1311) so that cube-shaped ice is created in the first ice-making cell (1311) of the first ice-making tray (1310).

[0364] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating in more detail a method for controlling a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0365] Referring to Figure 12, the ice making cycle can be divided into several operations depending on its purpose.

[0366] Before the ice making cycle is performed, a water supply operation may be performed.

[0367] The water supply administration can be performed based on the ice bucket (100) not being full.

[0368] The control unit (200) can detect whether the ice bucket (100) is full of ice by operating the full ice detection sensor (430) in the full ice detection process, and can perform a water supply process based on the information detected by the full ice detection sensor (430).

[0369] The control unit (200) can determine whether the ice generation mode selected by the user is a spherical ice generation mode based on user input received through the user interface (500) (2100). The control unit (200) can determine whether the ice generation mode selected by the user is a spherical ice generation mode or a hemispherical ice generation mode based on user input.

[0370] When the ice generation mode is the spherical ice generation mode (2100, example), the control unit (200) can supply a first amount of water to the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a) of the ice-making trays (1412, 1422) through the water supply valve (82) in the water supply operation based on the selection of the spherical ice generation mode (2102). The first amount of water can be an amount of water supplied at which the water level of the water supplied to the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a) of the ice-making trays (1412, 1422) reaches the spherical ice level so that spherical ice is generated in the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a).

[0371] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the fixed tray (1412) of the refrigerator according to the invention is referred to as a 'first ice-making tray (1412)', the movable tray (1422) is referred to as a 'second ice-making tray (1422)', and the fixed tray (1412) and the movable tray (1422) combined are referred to as an 'ice-making tray (1412, 1422)'.

[0372] In addition, when explaining the configurations of the first ice-making tray (1412), the configurations of the fixed tray (1412) described above (for example, the fixed ice-making cell (1412a), fixed tray hole (1412h), inlet hole (1412b), exhaust hole (1412c), communication part (1412d), sealing part (1412e), etc. described above) are explained based on this, but the features described below can also be applied to the configurations of the movable tray (1422) described above.

[0373] In addition, for convenience, the water supply to the ice making trays (1412, 1422) is described below as water being supplied to the first ice making tray (1412) based on the first ice making tray (1412).

[0374] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a first amount of water supplied to an ice tray of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure so as to produce spherical ice. FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating a first amount of water supplied to an ice tray of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0375] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the ice making device (1400) may include an ice making tray (1412, 1422) for producing ice.

[0376] The first ice-making tray (1412) can be supplied with water from a water supply pipe (81). The water supply pipe (81) can be arranged to supply water to the ice-making cell (1412a) of the first ice-making tray (1412).

[0377] The first ice-making tray (1412) may include an inlet hole (1412b), and water supplied from the water supply pipe (81) may flow into the ice-making cell (1412a) through the inlet hole (1412b).

[0378] The first ice-making tray (1412) can be placed in the storage room (20), and ice can be created as liquid water supplied to the first ice-making tray (1412) changes into a solid state due to the cold air in the storage room (20). The ice can be created in the ice-making cell (1412a) provided in the first ice-making tray (1412).

[0379] To perform a water supply operation, a water supply pipe (81) can be opened to supply water to the first ice tray (1412). The control unit (200) can control a water supply valve (82) to open the water supply pipe (81).

[0380] Conditions for starting the ice-making operation may include the presence of a user input for the ice-making operation, the completion of the ice-making operation, the inside of the ice bucket (100) not being full of ice, and the inside of the ice-making tray (1410) not being full of water.

[0381] Based on the start of the water supply operation, a water supply amount detection operation can be performed. The control unit (200) can detect the water supply amount through the flow sensor (420) based on the start of the water supply operation.

[0382] Water supplied from the water supply pipe (81) through the inlet hole (1412b) can begin to flow into the first ice tray (1412).

[0383] The introduced water flows into the central ice-making cell (1412a) among the three ice-making cells (1412a) and is then evenly distributed to the left and right ice-making cells (1412a) through the communication part (1412d). The communication part (1412d) may be formed at approximately the center position of the ice-making cell (1412a).

[0384] The water supplied to the ice making cell (1412a) is supplied to the first water level at which spherical ice is formed. The first amount of water can be filled in the ice making tray (1412, 1422).

[0385] Referring again to Figure 12, after the water supply cycle is completed, the ice making cycle can be performed.

[0386] The ice making cycle can be divided into an ice making cycle for producing spherical ice and an ice making cycle for producing hemispherical ice.

[0387] The control unit (200) can perform an ice-making cycle for generating spherical ice based on the selection of the spherical ice generation mode.

[0388] An ice-making cycle for producing spherical ice may include a heating cycle, an ice-making cycle, an ice-removing cycle, and a full-blown detection cycle.

[0389] First, the control unit (200) can perform a heating process (2104).

[0390] The heating process is a process for controlling the transparency of ice produced in the ice tray (1412, 1422). A pure cooling process may be performed before performing the heating process. The pure cooling process is a process for purely cooling the supplied water to a preset temperature after supplying the first amount of water.

[0391] When the water stored in the ice tray (1412, 1422) is heated, the solubility of the gas decreases, causing various gases dissolved in the water to escape from the water. Accordingly, by supplying cold air while heating the water stored in the ice tray (1412, 1422), ice with improved transparency can be produced. For example, the longer the heater (1480) is operated, the more ice with improved transparency can be produced.

[0392] The control unit (200) can control the heater (1480) and the cooling device (440) in the heating process. For example, by causing the heater (1480) to operate in a preset pattern, gas dissolved in water stored in the ice trays (1412, 1422) can be removed. The preset pattern may vary depending on the ice-making mode.

[0393] The control unit (200) can perform an ice-making process after completing the heating process (2106).

[0394] The ice-making process is a process to cool the water stored in the ice-making tray (1412, 1422).

[0395] The control unit (200) can control the cooling device (440) in the ice making process.

[0396] In the ice making process, the heater (1480) does not operate and only the cold supplied by the cooling device (440) can be supplied to the ice making device (1400).

[0397] After the heating process is completed, the control unit (200) can turn off the heater (1480) and cool the ice. At this time, the control unit (200) can wait for the first ice-making standby time to secure cooling time in the ice-making process. For example, the first ice-making standby time can be 1 hour.

[0398] If the control unit (200) satisfies the ice-making completion temperature condition after the first ice-making waiting time, it can complete the ice-making operation and proceed to the next cycle, which is the ice-making cycle.

[0399] The control unit (200) can perform an ice removal process after completing the ice making process (2108).

[0400] The ice removal process is a process for separating ice stored in the ice tray (1412, 1422) from the ice tray (1412, 1422) and delivering it to the ice bucket (100).

[0401] The control unit (200) can operate the ice removal device (1470) in the ice removal process to perform the ice removal operation, thereby causing the ice formed in the ice tray (1412, 1422) to fall into the ice bucket (100).

[0402] In the ice-making process, the heater (1480) can be operated so that the surface of the ice stored in the ice-making tray (1412, 1422) can be separated from the ice-making tray (1412, 1422). When ice is generated in the ice-making tray (1412, 1422), the surface of the ice adheres to the ice-making tray (1412, 1422). Accordingly, by heating the surface of the ice, the surface of the ice can be separated from the ice-making tray (1412, 1422).

[0403] In the ice removal process, residual ice remaining in the ice removal tray (1412, 1422) can be removed by heating the ice removal tray (1412, 1422) through a heater (1480). For example, ice crumbs remaining in the ice removal tray (1412, 1422) can be removed by heating.

[0404] The control unit (200) can perform a full ice detection process after completing the ice removal process (2110).

[0405] The full ice detection process is a process that detects whether the ice bucket (100) is full of ice.

[0406] The control unit (200) can detect whether the ice bucket (100) is full of ice by the full ice detection sensor (430) in the full ice detection process.

[0407] The control unit (200) can control the water supply operation based on the detection of the full ice state of the ice bucket (100) in the full ice detection operation. For example, the water supply valve (82) can be controlled so that no more water is supplied to the ice trays (1412, 1422) based on the detection of the full ice state of the ice bucket (100). The next water supply operation can be started based on the detection of the full ice state of the ice bucket (100). Through this flow, the ice bucket (100) can always be maintained in a state full of ice.

[0408] The control unit (200) can terminate ice making based on the detection of a full ice state of the ice bucket (100) in the full ice detection process.

[0409] Meanwhile, if the control unit (200) determines that the ice generation mode is a hemispherical ice generation mode (2100, No), the control unit (200) may supply a second amount of water to the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a) of the ice-making trays (1412, 1422) through the water supply valve (82) in the water supply operation based on the selection of the hemispherical ice generation mode (2112). The second amount of water may be a smaller amount of water than the first amount of water. The second amount of water may be a water amount that reaches the hemispherical ice level of the water supplied to the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a) so that hemispherical ice is generated in the spherical ice-making cells (1412a, 1422a) of the ice-making trays (1412, 1422). The second amount of water may be approximately 1 / 2 of the first amount of water.

[0410] FIG. 15 is a drawing illustrating a second amount of water being supplied to an ice tray of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure so as to produce hemispherical ice. FIG. 16 is a drawing illustrating a second amount of water being supplied to an ice tray of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0411] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the first ice tray (1412) can receive water from a water supply pipe (81).

[0412] To perform a water supply operation, a water supply pipe (81) can be opened to supply water to the first ice tray (1412). The control unit (200) can control a water supply valve (82) to open the water supply pipe (81).

[0413] Based on the start of the water supply operation, a water supply amount detection operation can be performed. The control unit (200) can detect the water supply amount through the flow sensor (420) based on the start of the water supply operation.

[0414] Water supplied from the water supply pipe (81) through the inlet hole (1412b) can begin to flow into the first ice tray (1412).

[0415] The introduced water flows into the central ice-making cell (1412a) among the three ice-making cells (1412a) and is then evenly distributed to the left and right ice-making cells (1412a) through the communication part (1412d) (including the first communication part (1412d-1) and the second communication part (1412d-2)). The communication part (1412d) may be formed at approximately the center position of the ice-making cell (1412a).

[0416] The water supplied to the ice-making cell (1412a) is supplied up to a second water level at which hemispherical ice is formed. The second water level has an upper limit and a lower limit, and the upper limit and the lower limit may have values ​​corresponding to the height of the connecting portion (1412d). For example, the upper portion (1412d_1) of the connecting portion (1412d) may correspond to the upper limit, and the lower portion (1412d_2) may correspond to the lower limit.

[0417] The water supplied to the ice-making cell (1412a) may be balanced between the upper and lower limits of the second water level, for example, between the upper portion (1412d_1) and the lower portion (1412d_2) of the communication portion (1412d). For example, if the amount of water supplied is less than the lower limit of the second water level or greater than the upper limit, dispersion in the size of the hemispherical ice produced may occur. Accordingly, the ice-making trays (1412, 1422) may be filled with the second amount of water supplied.

[0418] Referring again to FIG. 12, after the water supply process is completed, an ice making cycle for producing hemispherical ice can be performed.

[0419] The control unit (200) can perform an ice-making cycle for hemispherical ice production based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

[0420] An ice-making cycle for producing hemispherical ice may include an ice-making process, an ice-removal process, and an ice-full detection process. Compared to an ice-making cycle for producing spherical ice, an ice-making cycle for producing hemispherical ice may not perform a heating process and may have a longer ice-removal wait time for the ice-making process.

[0421] First, the control unit (200) can perform the ice-making process directly without performing the heating process to improve the ice-making speed and increase the ice-making amount (2116).

[0422] In the ice making process, the heater (1480) does not operate and only the cold supplied by the cooling device (440) can be supplied to the ice making device (1400).

[0423] The control unit (200) may wait for a second ice-making waiting time that is set longer than the first ice-making waiting time of the ice-making process when producing spherical ice to secure additional cooling time in the ice-making process. For example, the second ice-making waiting time may be 3 hours.

[0424] In the ice-making cycle for producing hemispherical ice, the heating process to control the transparency of the ice is not performed, so the ice-making speed can be improved. However, since the heating process is omitted, the cooling time for hemispherical ice is insufficient, which may result in poor freezing and hollow ice. To prevent this and ensure reliable freezing, the ice-making waiting time (second ice-making waiting time) can be increased compared to the ice-making waiting time (first ice-making waiting time) of the spherical ice production mode. Therefore, while the ice-making waiting time is 1 hour in the spherical ice production mode, the ice-making waiting time can be 3 hours in the hemispherical ice production mode.

[0425] The control unit (200) can perform an ice-removing process after completing the ice-making process (2118).

[0426] The control unit (200) can perform a full ice detection process after completing the ice removal process (2200).

[0427] The control unit (200) can terminate ice making based on the detection of a full ice state of the ice bucket (100) in the full ice detection process.

[0428] A refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure can improve the ice-making speed and increase the ice-making amount by being implemented so as to selectively produce spherical ice and hemispherical ice.

[0429] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a refrigerator (1) may include: a storage compartment; a first ice-making tray disposed in the storage compartment and having a first ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape; and a second ice-making tray coupled to the first ice-making tray and having a second ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape, wherein the first ice-making cell and the second ice-making cell are in contact with each other by coupling the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray to form a spherical ice-making cell; a water supply pipe provided to supply water to the ice-making tray; a water supply valve for opening and closing the water supply pipe; a user interface for receiving a user input for selecting a spherical ice production mode or a hemispherical ice production mode; and a control unit for controlling the water supply valve so that a first amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on selection of the spherical ice production mode, and for controlling the water supply valve so that a second amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

[0430] The first water supply amount may be a water supply amount that allows the water level of the water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell to reach a level corresponding to the spherical ice so that spherical ice is produced in the spherical ice-making cell, and the second water supply amount may be a water supply amount that allows the water level of the water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell to reach a level corresponding to the hemispherical ice so that hemispherical ice is produced in the spherical ice-making cell.

[0431] The refrigerator may include a flow sensor that detects the amount of water supplied to the ice tray.

[0432] The control unit can control the water supply valve so that the water supply amount detected by the flow sensor reaches the first water supply amount based on the selection of the spherical ice production mode, and can control the water supply valve so that the water supply amount detected by the flow sensor reaches the second water supply amount based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

[0433] The first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray may include a plurality of ice-making cells formed to be supplied with water and communicate with each other.

[0434] At least one of the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray may have a communication portion formed to connect the plurality of ice-making cells, and the communication portion may be provided to allow water flowing into one of the plurality of ice-making cells to flow to an adjacent ice-making cell.

[0435] The above-mentioned communication part may be provided to be located at the center of the plurality of ice-making cells.

[0436] The above control unit can supply water to the communication unit so that hemispherical ice is created in the spherical ice-making cell.

[0437] The refrigerator includes an ice-making device including a heater, and the control unit may perform a heating process to control the transparency of spherical ice by the heater before the ice-making process of the spherical ice production mode, and may not perform the heating process before the ice-making process of the hemispherical ice production mode.

[0438] The above control unit can wait for a first ice-breaking waiting time in the ice-making process of the spherical ice-making mode, and can wait for a second ice-breaking waiting time in the ice-making process of the hemispherical ice-making mode.

[0439] The above second moving waiting time can be set longer than the above first moving waiting time.

[0440] A control method of a refrigerator (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, comprising an ice-making tray to which water is supplied, wherein the ice-making tray comprises a first ice-making tray having a first ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape and a second ice-making tray coupled to the first ice-making tray and having a second ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape, wherein the first ice-making cell and the second ice-making cell are in contact with each other by coupling the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray to form a spherical ice-making cell, the control method may include: receiving a user input for selecting a spherical ice-making mode or a hemispherical ice-making mode through a user interface; controlling the water supply valve so that a first amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on selection of the spherical ice-making mode; and controlling the water supply valve so that a second amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on selection of the hemispherical ice-making mode.

[0441] The first water supply amount may be a water supply amount that allows the water level of the water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell to reach a level corresponding to the spherical ice so that spherical ice is produced in the spherical ice-making cell, and the second water supply amount may be a water supply amount that allows the water level of the water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell to reach a level corresponding to the hemispherical ice so that hemispherical ice is produced in the spherical ice-making cell.

[0442] Controlling the water supply valve so that the first amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell and controlling the water supply valve so that the second amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell may each include detecting the amount of water supplied to the ice-making tray through a flow rate sensor.

[0443] Controlling the water supply valve so that the first amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell may include controlling the water supply valve so that the amount of water detected by the flow rate sensor reaches the first amount of water based on selection of the spherical ice-making mode, and controlling the water supply valve so that the second amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell may include controlling the water supply valve so that the amount of water detected by the flow rate sensor reaches the second amount of water based on selection of the hemispherical ice-making mode.

[0444] The first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray may include a plurality of ice-making cells formed to be supplied with water and communicate with each other.

[0445] At least one of the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray may have a communication portion formed to connect the plurality of ice-making cells, and the communication portion may be provided to allow water flowing into one of the plurality of ice-making cells to flow to an adjacent ice-making cell.

[0446] Controlling the water supply valve so that the second amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell may include supplying the amount of water to the communication portion so that hemispherical ice is produced in the spherical ice-making cell.

[0447] The refrigerator may further include an ice-making device including a heater, and performing a heating process to control transparency of spherical ice by the heater before the ice-making process of the spherical ice production mode, and not performing the heating process before the ice-making process of the hemispherical ice production mode.

[0448] In the ice-making process of the spherical ice production mode, the method may further include waiting for a first ice-making waiting time, and in the ice-making process of the hemispherical ice production mode, waiting for a second ice-making waiting time that is set longer than the first ice-making waiting time.

[0449] Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in the form of a storage 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.

[0450] A device-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term "non-transitory storage medium" simply means a tangible device that does not contain signals (e.g., electromagnetic waves). This term does not distinguish between cases where data is permanently stored in the storage medium and cases where data is temporarily stored. For example, a "non-transitory storage medium" may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

[0451] According to one embodiment, the method according to various embodiments disclosed in the present document may be provided as included in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or may be distributed online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) via an application store (e.g., Play Store™) or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or temporarily generated in a machine-readable storage medium, such as the memory of a manufacturer's server, an application store's server, or an intermediary server.

[0452] It will be appreciated that the various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software, as described in the claims and specification.

[0453] Such software may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores one or more computer programs (software modules), which include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of the electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the methods of the present disclosure.

[0454] Such software may be stored in a storage device such as a read-only memory (ROM), a volatile or non-volatile storage in the form of memory such as a random access memory (RAM), a memory chip, a device or an integrated circuit, or an optically or magnetically readable medium such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a magnetic disk or a magnetic tape. It will be appreciated that such storage devices and storage media are various embodiments of non-transitory machine-readable storage suitable for storing a computer program including instructions for implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, various embodiments provide a program including code for implementing an apparatus or method as claimed in any of the claims of this specification, and a non-transitory machine-readable storage storing such a program.

[0455] While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to various exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Storage room; An ice making tray, which is arranged in the storage room and includes a first ice making tray having a first ice making cell in a hemispherical shape, and a second ice making tray coupled to the first ice making tray and having a second ice making cell in a hemispherical shape, wherein the first ice making cell and the second ice making cell are in contact with each other by the coupling of the first ice making tray and the second ice making tray, thereby forming a spherical ice making cell; A water supply pipe provided to supply water to the above ice tray; A water supply valve that opens and closes the above water supply pipe; A user interface for receiving user input to select a spherical ice generation mode or a hemispherical ice generation mode; and Controlling the water supply valve so that a first amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the spherical ice-making mode; A refrigerator comprising a control unit that controls the water supply valve so that a second amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the hemispherical ice-making mode.

2. In paragraph 1, The above first water supply amount is the water supply amount that reaches the level of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell to a level corresponding to the spherical ice so that spherical ice is created in the spherical ice-making cell. A refrigerator in which the second water supply amount is an amount of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell so that the water level reaches a level corresponding to the hemispherical ice so that hemispherical ice is created in the spherical ice-making cell.

3. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator including a flow sensor that detects the amount of water supplied to the ice tray.

4. In paragraph 3, The above control unit, Controlling the water supply valve so that the water supply amount detected by the flow sensor reaches the first water supply amount based on the selection of the above spherical ice production mode, A refrigerator that controls the water supply valve so that the water supply amount detected by the flow sensor reaches the second water supply amount based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

5. In paragraph 1, A refrigerator comprising a plurality of ice-making cells, each of which is formed so that water is supplied therein and is in communication with each other, wherein the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray are each formed so as to be in communication with each other.

6. In paragraph 5, At least one of the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray has a communication portion formed to connect the plurality of ice-making cells, A refrigerator in which the above-mentioned communication unit is configured to allow water flowing into one of the plurality of ice-making cells to flow to an adjacent ice-making cell.

7. In paragraph 6, A refrigerator in which the above-mentioned communication part is positioned at the center of the plurality of ice-making cells.

8. In paragraph 6, The above control unit, A refrigerator that supplies water to the above-mentioned chimney so that hemispherical ice is created in the above-mentioned spherical ice-making cell.

9. In paragraph 1, Including an ice making device including a heater, The above control unit, Before the ice-making process of the above spherical ice production mode, a heating process is performed by the heater to control the transparency of the spherical ice, A refrigerator that does not perform the heating process before the ice-making process of the hemispherical ice-making mode.

10. In paragraph 9, The above control unit, In the ice making process of the above spherical ice generation mode, wait for the first ice removal waiting time, A refrigerator that waits for a second ice-making waiting time in the ice-making process of the above hemispherical ice-making mode.

11. In paragraph 10, The above second moving standby time is a refrigerator set longer than the above first moving standby time.

12. A method for controlling a refrigerator, comprising: a first ice-making tray to which water is supplied; a second ice-making tray coupled to the first ice-making tray and having a second ice-making cell of a hemispherical shape; and a method for controlling a refrigerator in which the first ice-making cell and the second ice-making cell are in contact with each other by the coupling of the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray to form a spherical ice-making cell. Receive user input to select spherical ice generation mode or hemispherical ice generation mode via a user interface; Based on the selection of the above spherical ice production mode, the water supply valve is controlled so that a first amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell; A control method of a refrigerator, comprising: controlling the water supply valve so that a second amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the hemispherical ice-making mode.

13. In paragraph 12, The above first water supply amount is the water supply amount that reaches the level of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell to a level corresponding to the spherical ice so that spherical ice is created in the spherical ice-making cell. A control method for a refrigerator, wherein the second water supply amount is an amount of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell so that the water level reaches a level corresponding to the hemispherical ice so that hemispherical ice is created in the spherical ice-making cell.

14. In paragraph 12, Controlling the water supply valve so that the first amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell and controlling the water supply valve so that the second amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell are A control method for a refrigerator, each comprising detecting the amount of water supplied to the ice tray through a flow sensor.

15. In paragraph 14, Controlling the water supply valve so that the first amount of water is supplied to the spherical ice-making cell is Including controlling the water supply valve so that the water supply amount detected by the flow sensor reaches the first water supply amount based on the selection of the above spherical ice production mode, Controlling the water supply valve so that a second amount of water is supplied to the above-mentioned spherical ice-making cell, A control method for a refrigerator, comprising controlling the water supply valve so that the water supply amount detected by the flow sensor reaches the second water supply amount based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

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