Ice maker and refrigerator including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice makers in refrigerators consume excessive energy and inefficiently produce ice, with challenges in easy ice separation and maintaining energy efficiency due to the need for frequent compressor operation and heat management during ice making and separation processes.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerator system with an ice maker that includes a compressor, two evaporators, and a control method to optimize cooling cycles, where the ice making compartment fan continues to supply cool air during ice making and stops during separation, reducing energy consumption and increasing ice production by adjusting the ejector's rotation speed based on door closure status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ice making compartment fan operates continuously to supply cool air during ice making, then ice production efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases during ice separation
Solution Approach 1:
The ice making compartment fan operates periodically rather than continuously - it runs during ice making to supply cool air, and stops during ice separation to reduce energy consumption. The heater operates concurrently during separation to facilitate ice release, creating a periodic operational cycle that balances productivity and energy efficiency.
2Loss of time
If the ejector rotates at high speed to quickly discharge ices, then ice separation time is reduced, but ice making time is also reduced leading to lower ice production
Solution Approach 1:
The ejector rotation speed is dynamically adjusted based on door closure status. When the door is closed, the ejector rotates at a lower speed (e.g., 30 RPM) to prioritize ice making time. When the door is open, the ejector rotates at a higher speed (e.g., 60 RPM) to quickly discharge ices. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting rotation speed to operational context.
3Ease of operation
If the heater operates during ice separation to heat the ice tray, then ice separation is facilitated, but the ice making compartment temperature increases requiring more cool air supply
Solution Approach 1:
The heater operates periodically during ice separation rather than continuously, and the ice making compartment fan stops during this period. This periodic operation allows temporary temperature increase for ice separation while minimizing the duration and impact on overall ice making efficiency, as the fan resumes operation in the next cycle.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the compressor operates continuously to maintain freezing compartment temperature, then temperature stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor operates periodically rather than continuously - it runs when temperature conditions require cooling and stops when temperature stability is achieved. This periodic operation maintains temperature stability while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation, particularly during ice making cycles where temperature fluctuations are expected.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system reduces energy consumption and enhances ice production efficiency by optimizing cooling cycles and fan operation, ensuring efficient heat transfer and reduced energy usage during ice making and separation processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first evaporator for cooling the refrigerating compartment
Implementation Method 2
a second evaporator for cooling the freezing compartment
Implementation Method 3
a valve for forming a path that guides the refrigerant supplied from the compressor to either the first evaporator or the second evaporator
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigerator and a control method of the same are disclosed, wherein the refrigerator comprises an ice tray (100, 110) for receiving water to generate ices (S100), a motor (1504, 1510) capable of being rotated (S226) in a forward or reverse direction, an ejector (1200, 120, 140) including a rotary shaft (122, 124) rotating the ices (S100) made in the ice tray (100, 110) to discharge the ices (S100) from the ice tray (100, 110), rotated (S226) by being axially connected to the motor (1504, 1510), and a protrusion pin (1240, 124) protruded in a radius direction of the rotary shaft (122, 124) to adjoin the ices (S100), and a heater (140, 40) for selectively supplying heat to the ice tray (100, 110), and the control method of the refrigerator comprises a first step of sensing whether the ejector (1200, 120, 140) is rotated (S226) to reach a first setup position (S110, S130); a second step of driving the heater (140, 40) and stopping driving of an ice making compartment fan (2300) if the first step is satisfied (S10, S20); a third step of determining whether the ejector (1200, 120, 140) is rotated (S226) to reach a second setup position (S110, S130); and a fourth step of stopping driving of the heater (140, 40) if the third step is satisfied (S10, S20), and wherein the ejector (1200, 120, 140) continues to be rotated (S226) while the second to fourth steps are implemented.