KR20200144917A - Controlling method of ice maker - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a control method of an ice maker. According to the present invention, the control method of an ice maker having an upper tray and a lower tray forming a spherical ice chamber. The method comprises: a step of moving the lower tray to a water supply position; a step of starting a water supply to the ice chamber by a control unit when temperature sensed by a temperature sensor sensing the temperature of the upper tray reaches first temperature; a step of moving the lower tray to an ice making position after the water supply to the ice chamber is completed; a step of determining whether a water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches the reference water supply amount; and a step of performing an ice making process when the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches the reference water supply amount.

Description

Controlling method of ice maker

The present specification relates to a control method of the ice maker.

In general, refrigerators are home appliances that allow low-temperature storage of food in an internal storage space that is shielded by a door.

The refrigerator uses cold air to cool the inside of the storage space, so that stored foods can be stored in a refrigerated or frozen state.

Usually, an ice maker for making ice is provided inside a refrigerator.

The ice maker is configured to make ice by receiving water supplied from a water supply source or a water tank in a tray.

In addition, the ice maker is configured to ice-ice the ice-made ice in the ice tray by a heating method or a twisting method.

On the other hand, when the shape of the ice is formed in a spherical shape, it may be more convenient to use ice, and a different feeling of use may be provided to the user. In addition, it is possible to minimize the sticking of ice by minimizing the area in contact with each other even when the ice is stored.

An ice maker is provided in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1850918, which is a prior document.

In the ice maker of the prior literature, a plurality of hemispherical upper cells are arranged, an upper tray including a pair of link guides extending upward from both sides, and a plurality of hemispherical lower cells are arranged, and the upper tray A lower tray rotatably connected to the lower tray, a rotating shaft connected to the rear end of the lower tray and the upper tray to rotate the lower tray relative to the upper tray, one end connected to the lower tray, and the other end connected to the link A pair of links connected to the guide unit; And an upper ejecting pin assembly connected to the pair of links, respectively, with both ends being fitted in the link guide part, and moving up and down together with the link.

In the case of the prior literature, the content of supplying water to the lower cell is disclosed, but the content for controlling the amount of water supply is not disclosed, so that when the amount of water supply is less than or larger than the appropriate amount, ice making is not smooth.

In addition, in the case of the prior literature, it is difficult to provide an adequate amount of water or an appropriate amount of water because it does not include a means for determining whether the water supply is complete or whether the eave condition is satisfied.

The present invention provides a control method of an ice maker including a means for determining whether or not an ice ice condition is satisfied upon completion of water supply for generation of ice and completion of ice making.

In addition, the present invention provides a control method of an ice maker capable of supplying an appropriate amount of water to generate spherical ice.

In addition, the present invention provides a control method of an ice maker capable of preventing ice from being icing in a state that is not completely frozen.

In addition, the present invention provides a control method of an ice maker capable of performing a countermeasure when the water supply amount is less than the appropriate water supply amount.

In the control method of an ice maker of the present invention, in the control method of an ice maker including a first tray and a second tray forming an ice chamber, the second tray is moved to a water supply position; When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the first tray reaches the first temperature, a step of starting water supply to the ice chamber by the control unit.

In addition, after the water supply to the ice chamber is completed, moving the second tray to the ice making position; Determining whether the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches a reference water supply amount; When the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches the reference water supply amount, ice making is performed.

For example, when the water supply amount inside the ice chamber does not reach the reference water supply amount, re-moving the second tray to a water supply position; And it may include the step of supplying additional water to the ice chamber.

After additionally supplying water to the ice chamber, the step of determining whether the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches a reference water supply amount may be further included.

In addition, in the step of supplying additional water to the ice chamber, water in an amount less than the reference water supply amount may be supplied.

As another example, when the water supply amount inside the ice chamber does not reach the reference water supply amount, performing ice making for a set time of ice making may be included.

In addition, determining whether a temperature sensed by a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the first tray reaches a reference temperature for completing ice making; And when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches the reference temperature for de-icing completion, turning on a second heater for providing heat to the ice chamber for icing by a controller. When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor by the second heater reaches a reference temperature for ice breaking, performing icebreaking may be further included.

As another example, when the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches the reference water supply amount, ice-making is performed while the first heater for providing heat to the second tray is turned on, and when it is determined that the ice-making is completed, the first When the heater is turned off and the water supply amount in the ice chamber does not reach the reference water supply amount, the ice making process is performed while the first heater is turned off.

In addition, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the first tray reaches a reference temperature for completion of ice making and a set time for ice making has elapsed, it may be determined that the ice making has been completed.

The method of controlling an ice maker of the present invention includes: when it is determined that the ice making is completed, turning on a second heater for providing heat to the ice chamber for ice ice by a controller; When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor by the second heater reaches a reference temperature for ice breaking, performing icebreaking may be further included.

In addition, when the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches the reference water supply amount, the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor may reach the water supply reference temperature.

In addition, the first temperature may be lower than the water supply reference temperature.

In addition, the controller may determine whether the ice making is completed as whether the temperature of the temperature sensor has reached the ice making completion reference temperature.

In addition, the de-icing completion reference temperature may be a temperature below zero.

In addition, the ice breaking reference temperature may be higher than the first temperature.

According to the proposed invention, there is an advantage in that the reliability of a temperature sensor, which is a means for determining whether an ice ice condition is satisfied upon completion of water supply for generating ice and completion of ice making, is improved.

In addition, in the case of the present invention, there is an advantage of providing an appropriate water supply amount for generating spherical ice.

In addition, in the case of the present invention, it is possible to prevent ice from being iced while the ice is not completely frozen, and thus there is an advantage of preventing water from leaking into the ice bin.

In addition, in the case of the present invention, there is an advantage of preventing unfrozen water from leaking out of the ice chamber by providing a countermeasure when the water supply amount is less than the appropriate water supply amount.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 being opened.
3A and 3B are perspective views of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a bottom perspective view of an upper case according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a top perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is an enlarged view of a heater coupling part in the upper case of FIG. 5.
8 is a view showing a state in which a heater is coupled to the upper case of FIG. 5.
9 is a view showing the arrangement of the electric wire connected to the heater in the upper case.
10 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of the upper assembly.
11 is a perspective view of a lower assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a top perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a bottom perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a plan view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
15 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a lower heater is coupled to the lower supporter of FIG. 14.
16 is a cross-sectional view taken along AA of FIG. 3A.
17 is a view showing a state in which ice generation is completed in the diagram of FIG. 16.
18 is a block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
19 to 21 are flowcharts illustrating a process of generating ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
22 is a view showing a change in temperature detected by a temperature sensor during a process of generating ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
23 is a cross-sectional view taken along BB of FIG. 3A in a water supply state.
24 is a cross-sectional view taken along BB of FIG. 3A in an ice making state.
25 is a cross-sectional view taken along BB of FIG. 3A in a state in which ice making is completed.
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along BB of FIG. 3A in an initial state of ice breaking.
FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken along BB of FIG. 3A in a state in which eaves are completed.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to elements of each drawing, it should be noted that the same elements are assigned the same numerals as possible even if they are indicated on different drawings. In addition, in describing an embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in describing the constituent elements of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the component is not limited by the term. When a component is described as being "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, that component may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but another component between each component It should be understood that may be “connected”, “coupled” or “connected”.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a door of the refrigerator of FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a cabinet 2 forming a storage space and a door for opening and closing the storage space.

In detail, the cabinet 2 may form a storage space divided up and down by a barrier, a refrigerating compartment 3 may be formed at the top, and a freezing compartment 4 may be formed at the bottom.

A storage member such as a drawer, a shelf, and a basket may be provided inside the refrigerating chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4.

The door may include a refrigerating compartment door 5 that shields the refrigerating compartment 3 and a freezing compartment door 6 that shields the freezing compartment 4.

The refrigerating compartment door 5 is composed of a pair of left and right doors, and can be opened and closed by rotation. And, the freezing compartment door 6 may be configured to be able to withdraw in a drawer type.

Of course, the arrangement of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4 and the shape of the door may vary depending on the type of refrigerator, and the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various types of refrigerators. For example, the freezing compartment 4 and the refrigerating compartment 3 are arranged left and right, but the freezing compartment 4 may be located above the refrigerating compartment 3.

An ice maker 100 may be provided in the freezing chamber 4. The ice maker 100 may generate ice in a spherical shape by deicing water to be supplied. Of course, the ice maker 100 may be provided in the freezing compartment door 6, the refrigerating compartment 3 or the refrigerating compartment door 5.

In addition, an ice bin 102 may be further provided below the ice maker 100 to store ice after being iced from the ice maker 100.

The ice maker 100 and the ice bank 102 may be mounted in the freezing chamber 4 while being accommodated in a separate housing 101.

The user can obtain ice by opening the freezing compartment door 6 to access the ice bin 102.

As another example, the refrigerating compartment door 5 may be provided with a dispenser 7 for discharging purified water or ice made from the outside.

In addition, ice generated by the ice maker 100 or ice generated by the ice maker 100 and stored in the ice bin 102 is transferred to the dispenser 7 by a transfer means, and the ice is removed from the dispenser 7. User can acquire.

Hereinafter, the ice maker will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

3A and 3B are perspective views of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A to 4, the ice maker 100 may include an upper assembly 110 and a lower assembly 200.

The lower assembly 200 may be rotated with respect to the upper assembly 110. For example, the lower assembly 200 may be rotatably connected to the upper assembly 110.

When the lower assembly 200 is in contact with the upper assembly 110, spherical ice may be generated together with the upper assembly 110.

That is, the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 form an ice chamber 111 in which spherical ice is generated. The ice chamber 111 is a substantially spherical chamber.

The upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 may form a plurality of partitioned ice chambers 111.

Hereinafter, it will be described for example that three ice chambers 111 are formed by the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200, and there is no limit to the number of ice chambers 111.

When the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 form the ice chamber 111, water may be supplied to the ice chamber 111 through the water supply unit 190.

The water supply unit 190 is coupled to the upper assembly 110 and guides water supplied from the outside to the ice chamber 111.

After the ice is generated, the lower assembly 200 may be rotated in a forward direction. Then, spherical ice formed between the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 may be separated from the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200.

The ice maker 100 may further include a driving unit 180 so that the lower assembly 200 is rotatable with respect to the upper assembly 110.

The driving unit 180 may include a driving motor and a power transmission unit for transmitting power of the driving motor to the lower assembly 200. The power transmission unit may include one or more gears.

The driving motor may be a motor capable of rotating in both directions. Accordingly, it is possible to rotate the lower assembly 200 in both directions.

The ice maker 100 may further include an upper ejector 300 so that ice can be separated from the upper assembly 110.

The upper ejector 300 may allow ice in close contact with the upper assembly 110 to be separated from the upper assembly 110.

The upper ejector 300 may include an ejector body 310 and a plurality of upper ejecting pins 320 extending in a direction intersecting from the ejector body 310.

The upper ejecting pins 320 may be provided in the same number as the ice chamber 111.

Separation prevention protrusions 312 may be provided at both ends of the ejector body 310 to prevent separation from the connection unit 350 in a state coupled to the connection unit 350 to be described later.

For example, a pair of separation prevention protrusions 312 may protrude from the ejector body 310 in opposite directions.

Ice in the ice chamber 111 may be pressurized while the upper ejecting pin 320 passes through the upper assembly 110 and is introduced into the ice chamber 111.

Ice pressed by the upper ejecting pin 320 may be separated from the upper assembly 110.

In addition, the ice maker 100 may further include a lower ejector 400 so that ice in close contact with the lower assembly 200 can be separated.

The lower ejector 400 may press the lower assembly 200 so that ice in close contact with the lower assembly 200 is separated from the lower assembly 200. The lower ejector 400 may be fixed to the upper assembly 110, for example.

The lower ejector 400 may include an ejector body 410 and a plurality of lower ejecting pins 420 protruding from the ejector body 410. The lower ejecting pins 420 may be provided in the same number as the ice chamber 111.

The rotational force of the lower assembly 200 may be transmitted to the upper ejector 300 during the rotation of the lower assembly 200 for eaves.

To this end, the ice maker 100 may further include a connection unit 350 connecting the lower assembly 200 and the upper ejector 300. The connection unit 350 may include one or more links.

For example, when the lower assembly 200 rotates in one direction, the upper ejector 300 may descend by the connection unit 350 and the upper ejecting pin 320 may pressurize the ice.

On the other hand, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the other direction, the upper ejector 300 may be raised by the connection unit 350 to return to its original position.

Hereinafter, the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 120 will be described in more detail.

The upper assembly 110 may include an upper tray 150 forming a part of the ice chamber 111 for forming ice. For example, the upper tray 150 defines an upper portion of the ice chamber 111.

The upper assembly 110 may further include an upper case 120 and an upper supporter 170 for fixing the position of the upper tray 150.

The upper tray 150 may be located under the upper case 120. A part of the upper supporter 170 may be located under the upper tray 150.

The upper case 120, the upper tray 150, and the upper supporter 170 aligned in the vertical direction may be fastened by a fastening member.

That is, the upper tray 150 may be fixed to the upper case 120 through fastening of the fastening member.

In addition, the upper supporter 170 may support the lower side of the upper tray 150 to limit downward movement.

The water supply unit 190 may be fixed to the upper case 120, for example.

The ice maker 100 may further include a temperature sensor 500 for sensing the temperature of the upper tray 150.

The temperature sensor 500 may be mounted on the upper case 120, for example. In addition, when the upper tray 150 is fixed to the upper case 120, the temperature sensor 500 may contact the upper tray 150.

Meanwhile, the lower assembly 200 may include a lower tray 250 forming another part of the ice chamber 111 for forming ice. For example, the lower tray 250 defines a lower portion of the ice chamber 111.

The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower supporter 270 supporting the lower side of the lower tray 250 and a lower case 210 at least partially covering the upper side of the lower tray 250. have.

The lower case 210, the lower tray 250, and the lower supporter 270 may be fastened by a fastening member.

Meanwhile, the ice maker 100 may further include a switch 600 for on/off of the ice maker 100. When the user operates the switch 600 in the on state, ice can be generated through the ice maker 100.

That is, when the switch 600 is turned on, the ice making process in which water is supplied to the ice maker 100 and ice is generated by cold air, and the ice making process in which the lower assembly 200 is rotated to ice ice It can be performed repeatedly.

On the other hand, when the switch 600 is operated in an off state, ice generation is impossible through the ice maker 100. The switch 600 may be provided in the upper case 120 as an example.

<Upper case>

5 is a bottom perspective view of an upper case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the upper case 120 may be fixed to the housing 101 in the freezing chamber 4 while the upper tray 150 is fixed.

The upper case 120 may include an upper plate 121 for fixing the upper tray 150.

The upper tray 150 may be fixed to the upper plate 121 while a part of the upper tray 150 is in contact with the lower surface of the upper plate 121.

The upper case 120 may be provided with a heater coupling portion 124 for coupling an upper heater (refer to 148 of FIG. 8) for heating the upper tray 150 for ice-breaking.

The heater coupling part 124 may be provided on the upper plate 121, for example. The heater coupling part 124 may be located under the recessed part 122.

The upper case 120 may further include a pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 for installing the temperature sensor 500.

The pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 are arranged to be spaced apart in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 5. The pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 are disposed to face each other, and the temperature sensor 500 may be positioned between the pair of installation ribs 128 and 129.

The pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 may be provided on the upper plate 121.

The upper plate 121 may be provided with a plurality of slots 131 and 132 for coupling with the upper tray 150.

A part of the upper tray 150 may be inserted into the plurality of slots 131 and 132.

The plurality of slots 131 and 132 includes a first upper slot 131 and a second upper slot 132 positioned opposite to the first upper slot 131 with respect to the opening 123 can do.

The opening 123 may be positioned between the first upper slot 131 and the second upper slot 132.

The first upper slot 131 and the second upper slot 132 may be spaced apart in a direction of arrow B in FIG. 5.

Although not limited, the plurality of first upper slots 131 may be arranged to be spaced apart in a direction of arrow A (referred to as a first direction), which is a direction crossing the direction of arrow B (referred to as a second direction).

Further, the plurality of second upper slots 132 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the direction of the arrow A.

In this specification, the arrow A direction is the same direction as the arrangement direction of the plurality of ice chambers 111.

The first upper slot 131 may be formed in a curved shape, for example. Accordingly, the length of the first upper slot 131 may be increased.

The second upper slot 132 may be formed in a curved shape, for example. Accordingly, the length of the second upper slot 133 may be increased.

When the length of each of the upper slots 131 and 132 is increased, the length of the protrusion (formed on the upper tray) inserted into each of the upper slots 131 and 132 can be increased, so that the upper tray 150 and the upper The coupling force of the case 120 may be increased.

The upper case 120 may further include a plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 to enable rotation of the lower assembly 200.

The plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 may be disposed to be spaced apart in a direction of an arrow A with reference to FIG. 5. In addition, a first hinge hole 137 may be formed in each of the hinge supporters 135 and 136.

The plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 may extend downwardly from the upper plate 121, for example.

The upper case 120 may further include a horizontal extension part 142 extending horizontally outward.

The horizontal extension part 142 may be provided with a screw fastening part 142a protruding outward to screw the upper case 120 to the housing 101.

The upper case 120 may further include a side circumferential portion 143. The side circumferential portion 143 may extend downward from the horizontal extension portion 142.

The side circumferential portion 143 may be disposed to surround the lower assembly 200. That is, the side circumferential portion 143 serves to prevent the lower assembly 200 from being exposed to the outside.

In the above, it has been described that the upper case 120 is fastened to a separate housing 101 in the freezing compartment 4, but unlike this, the upper case 120 is directly fastened to the wall forming the freezing compartment 4 It is also possible.

<Upper tray>

6 is a top perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the upper tray 150 may be formed of a soft material that can be deformed by an external force and then returned to its original shape.

Meanwhile, the upper tray 150 may be formed of a silicon material. When the upper tray 150 is formed of a silicon material as in the present embodiment, the upper tray 150 returns to its original shape even if the shape of the upper tray 150 is deformed due to external force during the ice breaking process, In spite of repeated ice formation, it is possible to generate spherical ice.

If the upper tray 150 is formed of a metal material, when an external force is applied to the upper tray 150 and the upper tray 150 itself is deformed, the upper tray 150 is no longer in its original shape. Cannot be restored.

In this case, after the shape of the upper tray 150 is deformed, spherical ice cannot be generated. That is, it is impossible to repeatedly generate spherical ice.

On the other hand, when the upper tray 150 has a soft material capable of returning to its original shape as in the present embodiment, this problem can be solved.

In addition, when the upper tray 150 is formed of a silicon material, the upper tray 150 may be prevented from being melted or thermally deformed by heat provided from an upper heater to be described later.

The upper tray 150 may include an upper tray body 151 forming an upper chamber 152 that is a part of the ice chamber 111.

The upper tray body 151 may define a plurality of upper chambers 152.

For example, the plurality of upper chambers 152 may define a first upper chamber, a second upper chamber, and a third upper chamber arranged in a direction of an arrow A with reference to FIG. 6.

The upper chamber 152 may be formed in a hemispherical shape. That is, the upper part of the spherical ice may be formed by the upper chamber 152.

An inlet opening 154 through which water flows into the upper chamber 152 may be formed at an upper side of the upper tray body 151. For example, three inlet openings 154 may be formed in the upper tray body 151. Cold air may be guided to the ice chamber 111 through the inlet opening 154.

During the eaves process, the upper ejector 300 may be introduced into the upper chamber 152 through the inlet opening 154.

The upper tray 150 includes an inlet wall 155 so that deformation of the upper tray 150 toward the inlet opening 154 is minimized while the upper ejector 300 is introduced through the inlet opening 154. Can be provided.

The inlet wall 155 is disposed along the circumference of the inlet opening 154 and may extend upward from the upper tray body 151.

The inlet wall 155 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. Thus, the upper ejector 300 may pass through the inner space of the inlet wall 155 and pass through the inlet opening 154.

One or more first connection ribs (155a) along the circumference of the inlet wall 155 to prevent deformation of the inlet wall 155 while the upper ejector 300 is introduced into the inlet opening 154 May be provided.

The first connection rib 155a may connect the inlet wall 155 and the upper tray body 151. For example, the first connection rib 155a may be integrally formed with the circumference of the inlet wall 155 and the outer surface of the upper tray body 151.

Although not limited, a plurality of first connection ribs 155a may be disposed along the circumference of the inlet wall 155.

A water supply guide 156 may be provided at the inlet wall 155 corresponding to any one of the plurality of upper chambers 152.

The upper tray 150 may further include a first accommodating part 160. The recessed part 122 of the upper case 120 may be accommodated in the first receiving part 160.

Since a heater coupling portion 124 is provided in the recessed portion 122 and an upper heater (see 148 in FIG. 8) is provided in the heater coupling portion 124, the upper heater ( 148 of FIG. 8) may be understood as being accepted.

The first accommodating part 160 may be arranged to surround the upper chamber 152. The first accommodating part 160 may be formed as the upper surface of the upper tray body 151 is recessed downward.

A heater coupling part 124 to which the upper heater (refer to 148 of FIG. 8) is coupled may be accommodated in the first receiving part 160.

The upper tray 150 may further include a second accommodating portion 161 (or may be referred to as a sensor accommodating portion) in which the temperature sensor 500 is accommodated.

For example, the second accommodating part 161 may be provided on the upper tray body 151. Although not limited, the second accommodating portion 161 may be formed by being recessed downward from the bottom of the first accommodating portion 160.

In addition, the second accommodating part 161 may be located between two adjacent upper chambers.

Accordingly, interference between the upper heater (refer to 148 of FIG. 8) and the temperature sensor 500 accommodated in the first accommodating part 160 can be prevented.

In a state in which the temperature sensor 500 is accommodated in the second accommodating part 161, the temperature sensor 500 may contact the outer surface of the upper tray body 151.

The upper tray 150 may further include a horizontal extension part 164 extending in a horizontal direction around the upper tray body 151. The horizontal extension part 164 may extend along the circumference of the upper edge of the upper tray body 151, for example.

The horizontal extension part 164 may contact the upper case 120 and the upper supporter 170.

As an example, the lower surface 164b (or "first surface") of the horizontal extension part 164 may be in contact with the upper supporter 170, and the upper surface 164a of the horizontal extension part 164 ) (Or may be referred to as “second surface”) may be in contact with the upper case 120.

At least a portion of the horizontal extension part 164 may be located between the upper case 120 and the upper supporter 170.

The horizontal extension part 164 may include a plurality of upper protrusions 165 and 166 to be inserted into each of the plurality of upper slots 131 and 132.

The plurality of upper protrusions 165 and 166 may include a first upper protrusion 165 and a second upper protrusion 166 positioned opposite the first upper protrusion 165 based on the inlet opening 154. ) Can be included.

The first upper protrusion 165 may be inserted into the first upper slot 131, and the second upper protrusion 166 may be inserted into the second upper slot 132.

The first upper protrusion 165 and the second upper protrusion 166 may protrude upward from the upper surface of the horizontal extension part 164.

The first upper protrusion 165 and the second upper protrusion 166 may be spaced apart in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6. The arrow B direction of FIG. 6 is the same direction as the arrow B direction of FIG. 5.

Although not limited, the plurality of first upper protrusions 165 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the direction of the arrow A.

In addition, the plurality of second upper protrusions 166 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the direction of arrow A.

The first upper protrusion 165 may be formed in a curved shape, for example. In addition, the second upper protrusion 166 may be formed in a curved shape, for example.

In this embodiment, each of the upper protrusions 165 and 166 not only allows the upper tray 150 and the upper case 120 to be coupled, but also the horizontal extension part 264 is deformed during an ice making process or ice ice process. Prevent it.

At this time, when the upper protrusions 165 and 165 are formed in a curved shape, the horizontal extension part 264 is the same as or substantially similar to the distance with the upper chamber 152 in the longitudinal direction of the upper protrusions 165 and 165 ) Can be effectively prevented.

For example, deformation of the horizontal extension part 264 in the horizontal direction may be minimized so that the horizontal extension part 264 may be prevented from being plastically deformed by stretching. If the horizontal extension part 264 is plastically deformed, since the upper tray body cannot be positioned in the correct position during ice making, ice is not close to the spherical shape.

The horizontal extension part 164 may further include a plurality of lower protrusions to be inserted into a lower slot of the upper supporter 170 to be described later.

In addition, the horizontal extension part 164 may be provided with a through hole 169 through which the fastening boss of the upper supporter 170 to be described later passes.

For example, a plurality of through holes 169 may be provided in the horizontal extension part 164.

<Upper heater combination structure>

7 is a view showing an enlarged view of a heater coupling part in the upper case of FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the heater is coupled to the upper case of FIG. It is a drawing showing.

7 to 9, the heater coupling part 124 may include a heater receiving groove 124a for accommodating the upper heater 148.

For example, the heater receiving groove 124a may be formed as a portion of the lower surface of the recessed portion 122 of the upper case 120 is recessed upward.

The heater receiving groove 124a may extend along the circumference of the opening 123 of the upper case 120.

The upper heater 148 may be, for example, a wire type heater. Accordingly, the upper heater 148 may be bent, and the upper heater 148 may be accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a by bending it according to the shape of the heater receiving groove 124a.

The upper heater 148 may be a DC heater receiving DC power. The upper heater 148 may be turned on for eaves.

When the heat of the upper heater 148 is transferred to the upper tray 150, ice may be separated from the surface (which is the inner surface) of the upper tray 150.

If the upper tray 150 is formed of a metal material and the heat of the upper heater 148 is stronger, the upper heater 148 is heated by the upper heater 148 in ice after the upper heater 148 is turned off. A phenomenon of becoming opaque occurs because the portion that has been formed adheres to the surface of the upper tray 150 again.

That is, an opaque band in a shape corresponding to the upper heater is formed around the ice.

However, in the case of this embodiment, a DC heater having a low output itself is used, and as the upper tray 150 is formed of a silicon material, the amount of heat transferred to the upper tray 150 is reduced, and the upper tray 150 Its own thermal conductivity is also lowered.

Accordingly, since heat is not concentrated on a local portion of the ice and a small amount of heat is gradually applied to the ice, the formation of an opaque band around the ice can be prevented while the ice is effectively separated from the upper tray.

The upper heater 148 surrounds the plurality of upper chambers 152 so that heat from the upper heater 148 can be evenly transferred to each of the plurality of upper chambers 152 of the upper tray 150. Can be placed.

In addition, the upper heater 148 may contact the circumferences of each of the plurality of chamber walls 153 respectively forming the plurality of upper chambers 152. In this case, the upper heater 148 may be positioned lower than the inlet opening 154.

Since the heater receiving groove 124a is depressed in the recessed portion 122, the heater receiving groove 124a may be defined by an outer wall 124b and an inner wall 124c.

In a state in which the upper heater 148 is received in the heater receiving groove 124a, the upper heater 148 may protrude to the outside of the heater coupling part 124, so that the diameter of the upper heater 148 is It may be formed larger than the depth of the heater receiving groove (124a).

In a state in which the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a, a part of the upper heater 148 protrudes outward of the heater receiving groove 124a, so that the upper heater 148 is 150 can be contacted.

At least one of the outer wall 124b and the inner wall 124c is provided with a separation preventing protrusion 124d so that the upper heater 148 accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a is prevented from falling out of the heater receiving groove 124a. Can be.

In FIG. 7, for example, it is shown that a plurality of separation preventing protrusions 124d are provided on the inner wall 124c.

The separation preventing protrusion 124d may protrude toward the outer wall 124b from the end of the inner wall 124c.

At this time, so that the upper heater 148 is prevented from being easily removed from the heater receiving groove 124a while the upper heater 148 is not prevented from being inserted by the separation prevention protrusion 124d, the separation prevention protrusion ( The protruding length of 124d) may be formed to be less than 1/2 of the interval between the outer wall 124b and the inner wall 124c.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the upper heater 148 is received in the heater receiving groove 124a, the upper heater 148 may be divided into a round portion 148c and a straight portion 148d.

That is, the heater receiving groove 124a includes a round portion and a straight portion, and the upper heater 148 corresponds to the round portion and the straight portion of the heater receiving groove 124a. 148d).

The round portion 148c is a portion disposed along the circumference of the upper chamber 152 and is bent to be rounded in a horizontal direction.

The straight portion 148d is a portion connecting the round portions 148c corresponding to each of the upper chambers 152.

Since the upper heater 148 is positioned lower than the inlet opening 154, a line connecting two spaced apart points of the round portion may pass through the upper chamber 152.

Among the upper heaters 148, there is a high possibility that the round portion 148c may fall out of the heater receiving groove 124a, and thus the departure preventing protrusion 124d may be disposed to contact the round portion 148c.

A through opening 124e may be provided on the bottom surface of the heater receiving groove 124a. When the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a, a part of the upper heater 148 may be located in the through opening 124e. For example, the through opening 124e may be positioned at a portion facing the departure preventing protrusion 124d.

When the upper heater 148 is bent so as to be horizontally rounded, the tension of the upper heater 148 is increased and there is a fear of disconnection, and there is a high possibility that the upper heater 148 may fall out of the heater receiving groove 124a.

However, when the through opening 124e is formed in the heater receiving groove 124a as in the present embodiment, a part of the upper heater 148 may be located in the through opening 124e, so that the upper heater ( It is possible to reduce the tension of the 148 and prevent the upper heater from being removed from the heater receiving groove 124a.

As shown in FIG. 9, the power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148b of the upper heater 148 may pass through a heater passage hole 125 formed in the upper case 120 in a state in which they are arranged side by side. .

Since the upper heater 148 is received from the lower side of the upper case 120, the power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148b of the upper heater 148 extend upward to form the heater passage hole 125. Can pass.

The power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148b passing through the heater passage hole 125 may be connected to one first connector 129a.

Further, a second connector 129c to which two wires 129d connected to correspond to the power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148b may be connected to the first connector 129a.

On the upper plate 121 of the upper case 120, a first guide part 126 for guiding the upper heater 148, the first connector 129a, the second connector 129c, and the wire 129d is provided. It can be provided.

In FIG. 9, for example, the first guide part 126 guides the first connector 129a.

The first guide part 126 extends upward from the upper surface of the upper plate 121, and the upper end may be bent in a horizontal direction.

Accordingly, the upper bent portion of the first guide portion 126 restricts the movement of the first connector 126 in the upward direction.

After the electric wire 129d is bent in an approximately “U” shape to prevent interference with surrounding structures, it may be drawn out of the upper case 120.

Since the wire 129d extends in a state that is bent one or more times, the upper case 120 may further include wire guides 127 and 128 for fixing the position of the wire 129d.

The wire guides 127 and 128 may include a first guide 127 and a second guide 128 disposed to be spaced apart in a horizontal direction. The first guide 127 and the second guide 128 may be bent in a direction corresponding to the bending direction of the electric wire 129d to minimize damage to the electric wire 129d to be bent.

That is, each of the first guide 127 and the second guide 128 may include a curved portion.

To limit the movement of the electric wire 129d positioned between the first guide 127 and the second guide 128 in the upward direction, one of the first guide 127 and the second guide 128 The above may include an upper guide 127a extending toward the other guide.

10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an assembled state of the upper assembly.

Referring to FIG. 10, in a state in which the upper heater 148 is coupled to the heater coupling portion 124 of the upper case 120, the upper case 120, the upper tray 150, and the upper supporter 170 are Can be combined with each other.

In addition, the first upper protrusion 165 of the upper tray 150 is inserted into the first upper slot 131 of the upper case 120. In addition, the second upper protrusion 166 of the upper tray 150 is inserted into the second upper slot 132 of the upper case 120.

Then, the first lower protrusion 167 of the upper tray 150 is inserted into the first lower slot 176 of the upper supporter 170, and the second lower protrusion 168 of the upper tray is It is inserted into the second lower slot 177 of the upper supporter 170.

Then, the fastening boss 175 of the upper supporter 170 passes through the through hole 169 of the upper tray 150 and is accommodated in the sleeve 133 of the upper case 120. In this state, the bolt B1 may be fastened to the fastening boss 175 above the fastening boss 175.

In a state in which the bolt B1 is fastened to the fastening boss 175, the head of the bolt B1 is positioned higher than the upper plate 121.

On the other hand, since the hinge supporters 135 and 136 are positioned lower than the upper plate 121, the upper assembly 110 or the connection unit 350 is connected to the bolt B1 while the lower assembly 200 is rotated. It can be prevented from interfering with the head portion of the.

In the process of assembling the upper assembly 110, the plurality of unit guides 181 and 182 of the upper supporter 170 are through through openings located on both sides of the upper plate 121 in the upper case 120. It protrudes upward from the upper plate 121.

In this way, the upper ejector 300 passes through the guide slots 183 of the unit guides 181 and 182 protruding upward of the upper plate 121.

Accordingly, the upper ejector 300 is drawn into the upper chamber 152 while descending from the upper side of the upper plate 121 so that the ice in the upper chamber 152 is transferred to the upper tray 150 Separate from.

When the upper assembly 110 is assembled, the heater coupling portion 124 to which the upper heater 148 is coupled is accommodated in the first receiving portion 160 of the upper tray 150.

In a state in which the heater coupling part 124 is accommodated in the first accommodation part 160, the upper heater 148 contacts the bottom surface 160a of the first accommodation part 160.

As in the present embodiment, when the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the recessed heater coupling portion 124 and contacts the upper tray body 151, the heat of the upper heater 148 is transferred to the upper tray body. Transmission to other parts than (151) can be minimized.

At least a portion of the upper heater 148 may be disposed to overlap the upper chamber 152 in a vertical direction so that heat from the upper heater 148 is smoothly transferred to the upper chamber 152.

In this embodiment, the round portion 148c of the upper heater 148 may overlap the upper chamber 152 in the vertical direction.

That is, the maximum distance between the two points of the round portion 148c located on the opposite side of the upper chamber 152 is formed smaller than the diameter of the upper chamber 152.

<lower case>

11 is a perspective view of a lower assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The lower assembly 200 may include a lower tray 250, a lower supporter 270, and a lower case 210.

The lower case 210 may wrap around the lower tray 250, and the lower supporter 270 may support the lower tray 250.

In addition, the connection unit 350 may be coupled to the lower supporter 270.

The connection unit 350 is connected to the first link 352 for rotating the lower supporter 270 by receiving power from the driving unit 180 and the lower supporter 270 to be connected to the lower supporter 270. ) May include a second link 356 for transmitting the rotational force of the lower supporter 270 to the upper ejector 300.

The first link 352 and the lower supporter 270 may be connected by an elastic member 360. The elastic member 360 may be, for example, a coil spring.

One end of the elastic member 360 is connected to the first link 352, and the other end of the elastic member 360 is connected to the lower supporter 270.

The elastic member 360 provides elastic force to the lower supporter 270 so that the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 are in contact with each other.

In this embodiment, a first link 352 and a second link 356 may be positioned on both sides of the lower supporter 270, respectively.

In addition, one of the two first links 352 is connected to the driving unit 180 to receive rotational force from the driving unit 180.

The two first links 352 may be connected by a connection shaft (370 in FIG. 4 ).

A hole 358 through which the ejector body 310 of the upper ejector 300 may pass may be formed at an upper end of the second link 356.

The lower case 210 may include a lower plate 211 for fixing the lower tray 250.

A portion of the lower tray 250 may be fixed to a lower surface of the lower plate 211 in a contacted state.

<Lower tray>

The lower tray 250 may be formed of a soft material that can be deformed by an external force and then returned to its original shape.

For example, the lower tray 250 may be formed of a silicon material. When the lower tray 250 is formed of a silicon material as in the present embodiment, even if an external force is applied to the lower tray 250 during the ice breaking process and the shape of the lower tray 250 is deformed, the lower tray 250 is again It can return to its original form. Therefore, it is possible to generate ice in a spherical shape despite repeated ice generation.

If the lower tray 250 is formed of a metal material, when an external force is applied to the lower tray 250 and the lower tray 250 itself is deformed, the lower tray 250 is no longer in its original shape. Cannot be restored.

In this case, after the shape of the lower tray 250 is deformed, the spherical ice cannot be generated. That is, it is impossible to repeatedly generate spherical ice.

On the other hand, when the lower tray 250 has a soft material capable of returning to its original shape as in the present embodiment, this problem can be solved.

In addition, when the lower tray 250 is formed of a silicon material, the lower tray 250 may be prevented from being melted or thermally deformed by heat provided from a lower heater to be described later.

<Lower supporter>

12 is an upper perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a lower perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

12 to 13, the lower supporter 270 may include a supporter body 271 supporting the lower tray 250.

The supporter body 271 may include three chamber receiving portions 272 for accommodating the three chamber walls 252d of the lower tray 250. The chamber receiving portion 272 may be formed in a hemispherical shape.

The supporter body 271 may include a lower opening 274 through which the lower ejector 400 passes during an eaves process. For example, three lower openings 274 may be provided in the supporter body 271 so as to correspond to the three chamber receiving portions 272.

A reinforcing rib 275 for reinforcing steel beams may be provided along the periphery of the lower opening 274.

In addition, two chamber walls 252d adjacent to the three chamber walls 252d may be connected by a connecting rib 273. The connection rib 273 may reinforce the strength of the chamber wall 252d.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a first extension wall 285 extending in a horizontal direction from an upper end of the supporter body 271.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a second extension wall 286 formed to be stepped from the first extension wall 285 at an edge of the first extension wall 285.

An upper surface of the second extension wall 286 may be positioned higher than the first extension wall 285.

The first extension part 253 of the lower tray 250 may be seated on the upper surface 271a of the supporter body 271, and the second extension wall 286 is the first extension wall 286 of the lower tray 250. It may surround the side surface of the extension part 253. In this case, the second extension wall 286 may contact a side surface of the first extension part 253 of the lower tray 250.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a protrusion groove 287 for receiving the first lower protrusion 257 of the lower tray 250.

The protruding groove 287 may extend in a curved shape. The protrusion groove 287 may be formed in the second extension wall 286, for example.

The lower supporter 270 may further include an outer wall 280 disposed to surround the lower tray body 251 in a state spaced apart from the outer side of the lower tray.

The outer wall 280 may extend downward along the edge of the second extension wall 286, for example.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 to be connected to the hinge supporters 135 and 136 of the upper case 210.

The plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 may be disposed to be spaced apart in the direction of arrow A of FIG. 12. Each of the hinge bodies 281 and 282 may further include a second hinge hole 281a.

The shaft connection part 353 of the first link 352 may pass through the second hinge hole 281. The connection shaft 370 may be connected to the shaft connection part 353.

The distance between the plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 is smaller than the distance between the plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136. Accordingly, the plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 may be positioned between the plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a coupling shaft 283 to which the second link 356 is rotatably connected. The coupling shaft 383 may be provided on both surfaces of the outer wall 280, respectively.

In addition, the lower supporter 270 may further include an elastic member coupling portion 284 to which the elastic member 360 is coupled. The elastic member coupling part 284 may form a space in which a part of the elastic member 360 can be accommodated. As the elastic member 360 is accommodated in the elastic member coupling portion 284, the elastic member 360 may be prevented from interfering with surrounding structures.

In addition, the elastic member coupling portion 284 may include a locking portion 284a for engaging the lower end of the elastic member 370.

<Combination structure of lower heater>

14 is a plan view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a lower heater is coupled to the lower supporter of FIG. 14.

14 to 15, the ice maker 100 according to the present embodiment may further include a lower heater 296 for applying heat to the lower tray 250 during the ice making process.

The lower heater 296 provides heat to the lower chamber 252 during the ice making process, so that the ice starts to freeze from the upper side in the ice chamber 111.

In addition, as the lower heater 296 heats up during the ice making process, the bubbles in the ice chamber 111 move downward during the ice making process, so that when ice making is completed, the rest of the spherical ice except for the lowermost part may become transparent. have. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to generate a substantially transparent spherical ice.

The lower heater 296 may be, for example, a wire type heater.

The lower heater 296 may be installed on the lower supporter 270. In addition, the lower heater 296 may contact the lower tray 250 to provide heat to the lower chamber 252.

For example, the lower heater 296 may contact the lower tray body 251. In addition, the lower heater 296 may be disposed to surround the three chamber walls 252d of the lower tray body 251.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a heater coupling part 290 to which the lower heater 296 is coupled.

The heater coupling part 290 may include a heater receiving groove 291 that is recessed downward from the chamber receiving part 272 of the lower tray body 251.

The heater coupling part 290 may include an inner wall 291a and an outer wall 291b due to the depression of the heater receiving groove 291.

The inner wall 291a may be formed in a ring shape, for example, and the outer wall 291b may be disposed to surround the inner wall 291a.

When the lower heater 296 is received in the heater receiving groove 291, the lower heater 296 may surround at least a portion of the inner wall 291a.

The lower opening 274 may be located in a region formed by the inner wall 291a. Accordingly, when the chamber wall 252d of the lower tray 250 is accommodated in the chamber receiving portion 272, the chamber wall 252d may contact the upper surface of the inner wall 291a. The upper surface of the inner wall 291a is a rounded surface corresponding to the hemispherical chamber wall 252d.

In a state in which the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291, a part of the lower heater 296 protrudes to the outside of the heater receiving groove 291, so that the diameter of the lower heater 296 is It may be formed larger than the depression depth of the heater receiving groove (291).

To prevent the lower heater 296 accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291 from falling out of the heater receiving groove 291, at least one of the outer wall 291b and the inner wall 291a has a separation preventing protrusion 291c. It can be provided.

In FIG. 14, it is shown that the separation preventing protrusion 291c is provided on the inner wall 291a.

Since the diameter of the inner wall 291a is smaller than the diameter of the chamber receiving part 272, the lower heater 196 moves along the surface of the chamber receiving part 272 during the assembly process of the lower heater 196. While being accommodated in the heater receiving groove (291).

That is, the lower heater 196 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291 from above the outer wall 291a toward the inner wall 291a. Therefore, the separation prevention protrusion 291c is formed on the inner wall 291a so that the lower heater 196 does not interfere with the separation prevention protrusion 291c in the process of being accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291. desirable.

The separation preventing protrusion 291c may protrude toward the outer wall 291b from the upper end of the inner wall 291a.

The protruding length of the departure preventing protrusion 291c may be formed to be less than 1/2 of the interval between the outer wall 291b and the inner wall 291a.

As shown in FIG. 15, in a state in which the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291, the lower heater 296 may be divided into a round portion 296a and a straight portion 296b.

That is, the heater receiving groove 291 includes a round portion and a straight portion, and the lower heater 296 corresponds to the round portion and the straight portion of the heater receiving groove 296, and the lower heater 296 is connected to the round portion 296a and the straight portion. It can be classified as (296b).

The round portion 296a is a portion disposed along the circumference of the lower chamber 252 and is a portion bent so as to be rounded in a horizontal direction.

The straight portion 296b is a portion connecting the round portion 296a corresponding to each lower chamber 252.

Among the lower heaters 296, there is a high possibility that the round portion 296a may fall out of the heater receiving groove 291, and thus the departure preventing protrusion 291c may be disposed to contact the round portion 296a.

A through opening 291d may be provided on a bottom surface of the heater receiving groove 291. When the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291, a part of the lower heater 296 may be located in the through opening 291d. For example, the through opening 291d may be positioned at a portion facing the departure preventing protrusion 291c.

When the lower heater 296 is bent so as to be rounded in the horizontal direction, there is a fear of disconnection due to an increase in the tension of the upper heater 296, and there is a high possibility that the lower heater 296 may fall out of the heater receiving groove 291 .

However, when the through opening 291d is formed in the heater receiving groove 291 as in the present embodiment, a part of the lower heater 296 may be located in the through opening 291d, so that the lower heater ( It is possible to reduce the tension of the 296 and prevent the lower heater 296 from falling out of the heater receiving groove 291.

The lower supporter 270 includes a first guide groove 293 and the first guide for guiding a power input terminal 296c and a power output terminal 296d of the lower heater 296 accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291. A second guide groove 294 extending in a direction crossing the groove 293 may be included.

The first guide groove 293 may extend in the direction of an arrow B from the heater receiving groove 291, for example.

In addition, the second guide groove 294 may extend in a direction of an arrow A from an end of the first guide groove 293. In this embodiment, the arrow A direction is a direction parallel to the extension direction of the rotation center axis C1 of the lower assembly 200.

Referring to FIG. 15, the first guide groove 293 may extend from one of the left and right chamber receiving portions excluding the central portion of the three chamber receiving portions.

As an example, in FIG. 15, it is shown that the first guide groove 293 extends from the chamber receiving portion located on the left of the three chamber receiving portions.

As shown in FIG. 15, the power input terminal 296c and the power output terminal 296d of the lower heater 296 may be accommodated in the first guide groove 293 in a state in which they are arranged side by side.

The power input terminal 296c and the power output terminal 296c of the lower heater 296 may be connected to one first connector 297a.

In addition, a second connector 297b to which two electric wires 298 connected to correspond to the power input terminal 296a and the power output terminal 296b may be connected to the first connector 297a.

In the present embodiment, the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are accommodated in the second guide groove 294 while the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are connected. .

Further, the wire 298 connected to the second connector 297b is external to the lower supporter 270 through a lead-out slot 295 formed in the lower supporter 270 at the end of the second guide groove 294. Is withdrawn.

According to the present embodiment, since the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are accommodated in the second guide groove 294, when the lower assembly 200 is assembled, the first connector 297a ) And the second connector 297b are not exposed to the outside.

As described above, if the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are not exposed to the outside, the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are rotated during the rotation of the lower assembly 200. Interference with surrounding structures may be prevented, and separation of the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b may be prevented.

In addition, since the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are accommodated in the second guide groove 294, a part of the wire 298 is located in the second guide groove 294, Another part is located outside the lower supporter 270 by the withdrawal slot 295.

At this time, since the second guide groove 294 extends in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the lower assembly 200, a part of the wire 298 is also in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1. Is extended.

In addition, another part of the electric wire 298 extends from the outside of the lower supporter 270 in a direction crossing the rotation center axis C1.

According to the arrangement of the electric wire 298, a tensile force hardly acts on the electric wire 298 during the rotation of the lower assembly 200 and a torsion force acts.

It is very unlikely that the wire 298 is disconnected when the torsion force is applied compared to the case where the tension force is applied to the wire 298.

In this embodiment, the lower heater 296 maintains a fixed position during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, and a torsional force acts on the wire 298, so that the lower heater 296 Damage may be prevented, and disconnection of the electric wire 298 may be prevented.

At least one of the first guide groove 293 and the second guide groove 294 may be provided with a separation preventing protrusion 293a for preventing the lower heater 291 or the electric wire 298 accommodated therein from being removed. have.

A power input terminal 296c and a power output terminal 296d of the lower heater 296 are positioned in the first guide groove 293. At this time, since heat is also generated from the power input terminal 296c and the power output terminal 296d, the heat provided to the chamber receiving part on the left side of the first guide groove 293 is greater than the heat provided to the other chamber receiving part.

In this case, if the size of the heat provided to each chamber receiving part is different, the transparency of the spherical ice completed after the ice making and ice breaking may be different for each ice.

Therefore, in order to minimize the increase in transparency for each ice, a bypass receiving groove (for example, a chamber receiving portion located farthest from the first guide groove 293 of the three chamber receiving portions) (for example, a right chamber receiving portion) 292) may be further provided.

For example, the bypass accommodating groove 292 may be disposed in a form connected to the heater accommodating groove 291 again after extending outward from the heater accommodating groove 291 and bent.

When the lower heater 291 is additionally accommodated in the bypass receiving groove 292, a contact area between the chamber wall accommodated in the right chamber receiving portion 272 and the lower heater 296 may be increased.

Accordingly, a protrusion 292a for fixing the position of the lower heater accommodated in the bypass receiving groove 292 may be additionally provided in the chamber receiving portion 272 on the right.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 17 is a view showing a state in which ice generation is completed in the view of FIG. 16.

16 shows a state in which the upper tray and the lower tray are in contact.

First, referring to FIG. 16, as the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 contact in the vertical direction, the ice chamber 111 is completed.

The lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151 is in contact with the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251.

At this time, in a state in which the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 is in contact with the lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151, the elastic force of the elastic member 360 is applied to the lower supporter 270. All.

The elastic force of the elastic member 360 is applied to the lower tray 250 by the lower supporter 270, so that the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 becomes the lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151. ) Is pressed.

Accordingly, in a state in which the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 is in contact with the lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151, each surface is mutually pressed to improve adhesion.

In this way, when the adhesion between the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 and the lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151 is increased, there is no gap between the two surfaces, so that the circumference of the spherical ice is Accordingly, the formation of thin strip-shaped ice can be prevented.

The first extension part 253 of the lower tray 250 is seated on the upper surface 271a of the supporter body 271 of the lower supporter 270. In addition, the second extension wall 286 of the lower supporter 270 comes into contact with the side surface of the first extension part 253 of the lower tray 250.

A second extension part 254 of the lower tray 250 may be mounted on the second extension wall 286 of the lower supporter 270.

In a state in which the lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151 is seated on the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251, the upper tray body 151 is a peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250 Can be accommodated in the interior space of

At this time, the vertical wall 153a of the upper tray body 151 is disposed to face the vertical wall 260a of the lower tray 250, and the curved wall 153b of the upper tray body 151 is the lower It is disposed to face the curved wall 260b of the tray 250.

The outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the circumferential wall 260 of the lower tray 250. That is, a space is formed between the outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250.

Water supplied through the water supply unit 180 is accommodated in the ice chamber 111, and when a larger amount of water is supplied than the volume of the ice chamber 111, the water cannot be accommodated in the ice chamber 111. Water is located in a space between the outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250.

Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, even if a larger amount of water is supplied than the volume of the ice chamber 111, water overflowing from the ice maker 100 may be prevented.

In a state in which the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 is in contact with the lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151, the upper surface of the circumferential wall 260 is the inlet opening 154 of the upper tray 150. ) Or may be positioned higher than the upper chamber 152.

Meanwhile, the lower tray body 251 may further include a heater contact portion 251a for increasing a contact area with the lower heater 296.

The heater contact part 251a may protrude from a lower surface of the lower tray body 251. For example, the heater contact part 251a may be formed in a ring shape on the lower surface of the lower tray body 251. In addition, the lower surface of the heater contact portion 251a may be a flat surface.

Although not limited, when the lower heater 296 is in contact with the heater contact part 251a, the lower heater 296 may be positioned lower than a midpoint of the height of the lower chamber 252.

The lower tray body 251 may further include a convex portion 251b in which a portion of the lower side is convex upward. That is, the convex portion 251b may be disposed to be convex toward the inside of the ice chamber 111.

A depression 251c is formed under the convex portion 251b so that the thickness of the convex portion 251b is substantially the same as the thickness of the other portion of the lower tray body 251.

In the present specification, "substantially identical" is a concept including completely identical and non-identical but similar to the extent that there is little difference.

The convex portion 251b may be disposed to face the lower opening 274 of the lower supporter 270 in a vertical direction.

In addition, the lower opening 274 may be positioned vertically below the lower chamber 252. That is, the lower opening 274 may be positioned vertically below the convex portion 251b.

The diameter D1 of the convex portion 251b may be smaller than the diameter D2 of the lower opening 274.

When cold air is supplied to the ice chamber 111 while water is supplied to the ice chamber 111, the liquid water is converted into solid ice. In this case, water is expanded in the process of phase change of water into ice, and the expansion force of water is transmitted to the upper tray body 151 and the lower tray body 251, respectively.

In this embodiment, the other portion of the lower tray body 251 is surrounded by the supporter body 271, but a portion corresponding to the lower opening 274 of the support body 271 (hereinafter referred to as "corresponding part" Ham) is not surrounded.

If the lower tray body 251 is formed in a complete hemispherical shape, when the expansion force of the water is applied to a corresponding portion of the lower tray body 251 corresponding to the lower opening 274, the lower tray body The corresponding portion of 251 is deformed toward the lower opening 274.

In this case, before ice is generated, the water supplied to the ice chamber 111 exists in a spherical shape, but after the ice is generated, spherical ice is formed by deformation of the corresponding portion of the lower tray body 251. In, as much as the space created by the deformation of the corresponding portion, additional ice in the shape of a projection is generated.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, a convex portion 251b is formed in the lower tray body 251 in consideration of the deformation of the lower tray body 251 so as to be as close as possible to the complete sphere of ice that has been de-icing.

In this embodiment, the water supplied to the ice chamber 111 does not become a sphere before ice is generated, but after the ice is generated, the convex portion 251b of the lower tray body 251 is Since it is deformed toward the lower opening 274, spherical ice may be generated.

In this embodiment, since the diameter (D1) of the convex portion 251b is formed smaller than the diameter (D2) of the lower opening 274, the convex portion 251b is deformed to be inside the lower opening 274. Can be located.

Hereinafter, a process of making ice by an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<Control method>

18 is a block diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 19 to 21 are flowcharts illustrating a process of generating ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a view A diagram showing a change in temperature detected by a temperature sensor during a process of generating ice in an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 3A in a water supply state, and FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 3A in an ice making state.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along BB of FIG. 3A in an ice-making complete state, FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along BB in FIG. 3A in an initial state of ice breaking, and FIG. 27 is a cut along BB in FIG. It is a cross section.

18 to 27, the refrigerator of the present embodiment may further include a control unit 700 that controls the upper heater 148 and the lower heater 296.

In addition, the refrigerator may further include an input unit 720 capable of setting and changing a target temperature of a storage room in which the ice maker 100 is provided.

For example, target temperatures of each of the refrigerating chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4 may be set and changed through the input unit 720.

The controller 700 may control on/off of the upper heater 148 and/or the lower heater 296 according to the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500.

In addition, when the lower tray reaches the water supply position, the control unit 700 may control a water supply unit that supplies water into the ice chamber 111 to adjust the water supply amount. The water supply unit may include a water supply valve.

In addition, the control unit 700 may adjust the output of the lower heater 296 during the ice making process.

In addition, when defrosting starts, door opening/closing, or target temperature change is sensed during the ice making process, the current output of the lower heater may be maintained or changed in response thereto.

In addition, the control unit 700 may control the driving unit 180 to rotate the lower assembly 200. The upper ejector 300 connected to the lower assembly 200 may descend by the rotation of the lower assembly 200 to separate the ice from the upper assembly 110.

In order to generate ice in the ice maker 100, first, the lower assembly 200 is moved to a water supply position (S1).

For example, in a state in which the lower assembly 200 is moved to a position to be described later, the control unit 700 may control the driving unit 180 to rotate the lower assembly 200 in the reverse direction.

In the water supply standby position of the lower assembly 200, the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150.

Although not limited, the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 may be positioned at the same height as or similar to the rotation center C2 of the lower assembly 200.

In the present embodiment, the direction in which the lower assembly 200 is rotated (counterclockwise with respect to the drawing) for moving is referred to as a forward direction, and the opposite direction (clockwise) is referred to as a reverse direction.

Although not limited, an angle between the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 at the water supply position of the lower assembly 200 may be about 8 degrees.

In the water supply position, the lower tray 250 may wait until the water supply start condition is satisfied (S2).

For example, the control unit 700 may make the lower tray 250 wait at the water supply position until a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches a first preset temperature.

The first temperature may be a reference temperature when the water supply amount is checked using the temperature sensor 500.

In addition, the first temperature may be lower than that of water supplied during water supply to be described later. For example, the first temperature may be a sub-zero temperature.

At the water supply position, since cold air is supplied to the ice chamber 111, if cold air is continuously supplied to the empty ice chamber 111, the temperature of the ice chamber 111 decreases.

The temperature sensor 500 senses the temperature of the upper tray 150 at the top of the ice chamber 111, and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 is cold air in the ice chamber 111 before water supply. As a result, the temperature is lowered to reach the first temperature.

When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the first temperature, water supply is started (S3). For example, water flows to the water supply unit 190 through a water supply pipe connected to an external water supply source of the refrigerator 1 or a water tank provided therein. Then, water is guided by the water supply unit 190 and supplied to the ice chamber 111.

In this case, water is supplied to the ice chamber 111 through one of the plurality of inlet openings 154 of the upper tray 150.

When the water supply is completed, a part of the water supplied may be filled in the lower chamber 252, and another part of the water supplied may be filled in the space between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250.

For example, the volume of the upper chamber 151 and the volume of the space between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 may be the same. Then, water between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 may be completely filled in the upper tray 150.

In this embodiment, there is no channel for mutual communication between the three lower chambers 252 in the lower tray 250.

In this way, even if there is no channel for water movement in the lower tray 250, the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150. When the lower chamber is filled with water, water may flow to another lower chamber along the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250.

Accordingly, each of the plurality of lower chambers 252 of the lower tray 250 may be filled with water.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since there is no channel for communication between the lower chambers 252 in the lower tray 250, it can be prevented that additional ice in the form of a protrusion around the ice after completion of ice generation. .

When the water supply is completed, the lower assembly 200 is moved to the ice making position (S4).

For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the control unit 700 may control the driving unit 180 so that the lower assembly 200 rotates in a reverse direction.

When the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the reverse direction, the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 becomes close to the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150.

Then, water between the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 is divided and distributed into the interior of each of the plurality of upper chambers 152.

In addition, when the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 are completely in close contact, water is filled in the upper chamber 152.

The position of the lower assembly 200 in a state in which the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 are in close contact may be referred to as an ice making position.

When the lower assembly 200 reaches the ice making position, the controller 700 may determine whether the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches a reference water supply amount (S5).

In detail, the reference water supply amount refers to a water supply amount at which spherical ice is completed in the ice chamber 111 when ice making is completed. In addition, whether or not the reference water supply amount has been reached may be determined based on a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500.

For example, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches a reference temperature, it can be seen that an appropriate amount of water is supplied into the ice chamber 111.

In detail, since the temperature of water supplied to the ice chamber 111 is the temperature of the image, the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 may vary depending on the amount of water supplied to the ice chamber 111.

In addition, since the temperature sensor 500 contacts the upper tray 150 to measure the temperature, the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 may vary according to the amount of water in the ice chamber 111.

The temperature of the ice chamber 111, which has reached the first temperature before water supply, is increased by supplying water having a temperature higher than the first temperature, and the temperature when the appropriate water supply amount is reached can be viewed as the reference temperature.

When the water supply amount is appropriate, the temperature of the temperature sensor 500 will reach a reference temperature, and when the water supply amount is insufficient, the temperature of the temperature sensor 500 will be lower than the reference temperature. For example, the reference temperature may be a temperature higher than the first temperature. For example, the reference temperature may be 0°C or higher.

When the water supply amount inside the ice chamber 111 reaches the reference water supply amount, ice-making starts while the lower assembly 200 is moved to the ice-making position (S6).

During ice making, since the pressing force of water (or the expansion force of water) is less than the force for deforming the convex portion 251b of the lower tray 250, the convex portion 251b is not deformed and maintains its original shape.

After the ice making starts, the control unit 700 turns on the lower heater 296 (S7).

For example, when ice making starts and the lower heater 296 is not immediately turned on, and the on condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied, the lower heater 296 may be turned on.

Specifically, the on reference temperature satisfying the on condition of the lower heater 296 may be a temperature for determining that water has started to freeze in the uppermost side (inflow opening side) of the ice chamber 111.

In general, the water supplied to the ice chamber 11 may be water having a temperature higher than the freezing point of water, and after the water supply, when the temperature of the water decreases due to cold air and then reaches the freezing point of water, the water may change into ice.

If the lower heater 296 is turned on before reaching the freezing point of water, the rate of ice generation may be slowed. As a result, the lower heater 296 may be turned on after a certain period of time when the water temperature decreases.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the on condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied, the lower heater 296 is turned on, and thus power consumption due to unnecessary operation of the lower heater 296 can be prevented. .

In this embodiment, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the on reference temperature, the controller 700 determines that the on condition of the lower heater 296 is satisfied.

In this embodiment, the ice chamber 111 is blocked by the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 except for the inlet opening 154, and thus the ice chamber ( Since the water in 111) directly contacts the cold air, ice starts to be generated from the top of the ice chamber 111 where the inlet opening is located.

When water is frozen in the ice chamber 111, the temperature of the ice in the ice chamber 111 is sub-zero.

In addition, the temperature of the upper tray 150 is higher than the temperature of ice in the ice chamber 111.

In the present embodiment, the temperature sensor 500 does not directly detect the temperature of ice, and the temperature sensor 500 contacts the upper tray 150 to sense the temperature of the upper tray 150.

By this structural arrangement, in order to determine that ice has started to be generated in the ice chamber 111 based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500, the ON reference temperature will be set to a sub-zero temperature. I can.

That is, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the on reference temperature, since the on reference temperature is a sub-zero temperature, the temperature of the ice in the ice chamber 111 is below zero and is lower than the on reference temperature. Therefore, it can be indirectly determined that ice is generated in the ice chamber 111.

When the lower heater 296 is turned on, heat from the lower heater 296 is transferred to the lower tray 250.

Therefore, when ice making is performed while the lower heater 296 is turned on, heat is supplied to the water accommodated in the lower chamber 252 within the ice chamber 111, so that the ice in the ice chamber 111 Is created.

In this embodiment, since ice is generated in the ice chamber 111 from the top, the bubbles in the ice chamber 111 move downward. Since the density of water is greater than that of ice, bubbles in the water can easily move downwards and collect downwards.

Since the ice chamber 111 is formed in a spherical shape, the horizontal cross-sectional area differs according to the height of the ice chamber 111.

Assuming that the same amount of cool air is supplied to the ice chamber 111, if the output of the lower heater 296 is the same, the horizontal cross-sectional area is different for each height of the ice chamber 111, so the rate at which ice is generated for each height May be different. In other words, the height at which ice is generated per unit time is not uniform.

In this case, bubbles in the water are included in the ice without moving downward, and the ice becomes opaque.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the controller 700 may vary and control the output of the lower heater 296 according to the height at which ice is generated in the ice chamber 111.

The control unit 700 may determine whether ice making is completed based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 (S8).

When it is determined that the ice making is completed, the controller 700 may turn off the lower heater 296 (S9).

In this embodiment, since the distance between the temperature sensor 500 and each ice chamber 111 is different, in order to determine that the generation of ice in all ice chambers 111 is completed, the controller 500 Eaves can start after a certain period of time has elapsed from the point when it is judged to be completed.

When the ice making is completed, the control unit 700 operates the upper heater 148 to remove ice.

When the upper heater 148 is turned on, heat of the upper heater 148 is transferred to the upper tray 150 so that ice may be separated from the surface (inner surface) of the upper tray 150.

In addition, the heat of the upper heater 148 is transferred to the contact surface between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250, so that the lower surface 151a of the upper tray 150 and the upper surface of the lower tray 250 ( 251e) can be separated.

The controller 700 may turn off the upper heater 148 and rotate the lower assembly 200 for eaves when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 is equal to or higher than the eaves reference temperature for eaves. (S10).

Meanwhile, when the amount of water supplied into the ice chamber 111 does not reach a reference water supply amount, the control unit 700 may perform a corresponding step to solve the problem.

The control unit 700 may control the water supply unit to adjust the amount of water supplied to the ice chamber 111, but if a large amount of air is contained in the water supply pipe due to filter replacement, the water supply amount may be insufficient. .

When the amount of water supplied into the ice chamber 111 is insufficient, the accuracy of the temperature sensor 500 for determining the completion of ice making may be degraded. In addition, the rate of decrease of the temperature of the temperature sensor 500 may be faster than that in the case where the water supply is quantitatively supplied, so that the time point at which ice making is completed may be shortened.

In this case, since ice is started in a state in which ice is not completely frozen, there is a problem that unfrozen water inside the ice chamber 111 is poured into the ice bin 102 during the ice ice process.

In addition, when the water supply amount is insufficient, there may be a problem in that ice is formed in an incomplete sphere.

Referring to FIG. 19, as an embodiment of a corresponding step when the amount of water supply is insufficient, the controller 700 may additionally perform water supply.

In detail, after the lower tray 250 is moved to the ice making position, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 does not reach the reference temperature, the control unit 700 controls the lower tray 250 It can be moved back to the water supply position (S111).

Thereafter, after additional water supply is performed into the ice chamber 111 (S112), the lower tray 250 is moved to the ice-making position again, and it may be determined whether the reference water supply amount is reached.

The control unit 700 may repeatedly perform additional water supply when the reference water supply amount is not reached.

As another example of performing additional water supply, when it is determined that the reference water supply amount has not been reached, the control unit 700 additionally supplies a certain amount of water less than the previously set water supply amount, and then the water supply reference temperature Ice making can start regardless of whether it is reached or not.

As another embodiment, referring to FIG. 20, when the water supply amount does not reach the reference water supply amount, in the ice making process, the control unit 700 completes the ice making based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 and the ice making setting time. Whether or not it can be determined (S8).

In detail, when the water supply amount reaches the reference water supply amount, when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the ice-making completion reference temperature, the control unit 700 determines that ice making has been completed and the lower heater 296 Is turned off, and eaves may be performed (S9, S10).

However, when the water supply amount does not reach the reference water supply amount, when it is determined whether or not ice-making is completed only by the temperature of the temperature sensor 500, the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches the ice-making completion reference temperature, but the ice-making is actually completed There may be a problem that does not work.

Accordingly, it is possible to determine whether the ice-making is complete by simultaneously considering whether the ice-making completion reference temperature is reached and an ice-making setting time until the ice-making is completed.

For example, when the water supply amount has not reached the reference water supply amount, it is determined whether the ice-making completion reference temperature has been reached (S121), and if the ice-making completion reference temperature is reached, it is determined whether the ice-making setting time has elapsed (122). If the ice making setting time has elapsed, the lower tray 250 may rotate for ice making.

The deicing completion reference temperature may be a temperature below zero. Also, the ice making The set time may be set as a time at which ice making can be completed regardless of the amount of water supply.

As another embodiment, referring to FIG. 21, when the water supply amount does not reach the reference water supply amount, ice making may be performed while the lower heater 296 is turned off (S131).

When the water supply amount is appropriate, the control unit 700 may turn on the lower heater 296 to form transparent ice. For example, a spherical ice can be made transparent.

However, when the water supply quantity does not reach the standard water supply quantity, Since the ice does not become spherical, the need to make non-spherical ice transparent is reduced.

Accordingly, when the water supply amount does not reach the reference water supply amount, the lower heater 296 is turned off during the ice making process. When ice making is performed while the lower heater 296 is turned off, ice inside the ice chamber 111 is frozen at a faster rate than when the lower heater 296 is turned on, and the temperature sensor 500 Accuracy at the time of completion of ice making using the sensed temperature may be improved.

In addition, in order to prevent ice from being iced in a state in which ice is not completely ice-making, even if the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches a reference temperature for de-icing, ice-making may be performed for a previously set time.

In detail, when the water supply amount does not reach the reference water supply amount, after turning off the lower heater 296 during the ice making process, ice may be performed when the ice-making completion reference temperature and the ice-making set time are reached (S132).

In addition, countermeasures when the reference water supply amount is not reached may be performed separately or simultaneously.

When the water supply amount reaches the reference water supply amount, a change in temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 over time will be described with reference to FIG. 22.

While the lower assembly 200 reaches the water supply position and waits, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 decreases to the first temperature, and when water supply starts, the temperature sensor 500 reaches the reference temperature by the water supplied. The temperature detected at rises.

When the reference temperature is reached, ice-making starts and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 500 decreases due to cold air inside the ice chamber 111, and when the ice-making completion reference temperature is reached, the upper heater 148 is turned on for ice-making. As the temperature increases, the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 increases.

When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 reaches the ice-breaking reference temperature, the upper heater 148 is turned off and the lower assembly 200 is rotated in a forward direction for eaves.

As shown in Figure 26 When the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction, the lower tray 250 is separated from and spaced apart from the upper tray 150.

In addition, the rotational force of the lower assembly 200 is transmitted to the upper ejector 300 by the connection unit 350. Then, the upper ejector 300 is lowered by the unit guides 181 and 182, and the upper ejecting pin 320 is introduced into the upper chamber 152 through the inlet opening 154.

During the ice breaking process, ice may be separated from the upper tray 250 before the upper ejecting pin 320 presses the ice. That is, ice may be separated from the surface of the upper tray 150 by the heat of the upper heater 148.

In this case, ice may be rotated together with the lower assembly 200 while being supported by the lower tray 250.

Alternatively, even if heat from the upper heater 148 is applied to the upper tray 150, there may be a case where ice is not separated from the surface of the upper tray 150.

Accordingly, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction, ice may be separated from the lower tray 250 in a state in which ice is in close contact with the upper tray 150.

In this state, during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, the upper ejecting pin 320 passing through the inlet opening 154 presses the ice in close contact with the upper tray 150, so that the ice It may be separated from the upper tray 150. Ice separated from the upper tray 150 may be supported by the lower tray 250 again.

When ice is rotated together with the lower assembly 200 while being supported by the lower tray 250, the ice may be caused by its own weight even if an external force is not applied to the lower tray 250. Can be separated from

If the lower tray 250 is pressed by the lower ejector 400 as shown in FIG. 23, even if ice is not separated by its own weight in the lower tray 250 during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, ice It may be separated from the lower tray 250.

Specifically, while the lower assembly 200 is rotated, the lower tray 250 comes into contact with the lower ejecting pin 420.

And, when the lower assembly 200 is continuously rotated in the forward direction, the lower ejecting pin 420 presses the lower tray 250 to deform the lower tray 250, and the lower ejecting pin 420 The pressing force of the pin 420 is transmitted to the ice so that the ice may be separated from the surface of the lower tray 250.

Ice separated from the surface of the lower tray 250 may fall downward and be stored in the ice bin 102.

After the ice is separated from the lower tray 250, the controller 700 controls the driving unit 180 so that the lower assembly 200 rotates in the reverse direction.

When the lower ejecting pin 420 is spaced apart from the lower tray 250 while the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the reverse direction, the deformed lower tray 250 may be restored to its original shape.

In the reverse rotation process of the lower assembly 200, a rotational force is transmitted to the upper ejector 300 by the connection unit 350, so that the upper ejector 300 rises, and the upper ejecting pin 320 ) Is removed from the upper chamber 152.

Then, when the lower assembly 200 reaches the water supply standby position, the drive unit 180 is stopped, and water supply starts again.

100: ice maker 110: upper assembly
120: upper case 148: upper heater
150: upper tray 170: upper supporter
200: lower assembly 210: lower case
250: lower tray 270: lower supporter
296: lower heater 500: temperature sensor
700: control unit

Claims (17)

In the control method of an ice maker comprising a first tray and a second tray forming an ice chamber,
Moving the second tray to a water supply position;
Starting water supply to the ice chamber by a controller when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the first tray reaches the first temperature;
After the water supply to the ice chamber is completed, moving the second tray to an ice making position;
Determining whether the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches a reference water supply amount;
Performing ice making when the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches the reference water supply amount; Ice maker control method comprising a. The method of claim 1,
When it is determined that the ice-making is completed, turning on a second heater for providing heat to the ice chamber for ice-making by a controller;
When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor by the second heater reaches a reference temperature for ice breaking, the ice maker control method further comprising performing icebreaking. The method of claim 1,
When the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches the reference water supply amount, the ice maker control method in which the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches the water supply reference temperature. The method of claim 3,
The first temperature is lower than the water supply reference temperature, ice maker control method. The method of claim 1,
When the water supply amount inside the ice chamber is less than the reference water supply amount, the ice maker control method further comprising the step of performing additional water supply. The method of claim 2,
The control unit determines whether the ice-making is completed or not based on whether the temperature of the temperature sensor has reached the ice-making completion reference temperature. The method of claim 6,
The ice maker control method of the ice making completion reference temperature is a temperature below zero. The method of claim 1,
The ice maker control method of the ice maker reference temperature is higher than the first temperature. The method of claim 6,
When the water supply amount inside the ice chamber is less than the reference water supply amount, the ice maker control method further comprising performing ice making for a set time. The method of claim 1,
Turning on a first heater for providing heat to the second tray during the ice making; And
The ice maker control method further comprising turning off the first heater when it is determined that the ice making is completed. In the control method of an ice maker comprising a first tray and a second tray forming an ice chamber,
Moving the second tray to a water supply position;
Starting water supply to the ice chamber by a control unit;
After the water supply to the ice chamber is completed, moving the second tray to an ice making position;
Determining whether the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches a reference water supply amount;
When the water supply amount inside the ice chamber does not reach the reference water supply amount, re-moving the second tray to a water supply position; And
Ice maker control method comprising the step of supplying additional water to the ice chamber. The method of claim 11,
After supplying additional water supply to the ice chamber, the method of controlling an ice maker further comprises determining whether the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches a reference water supply amount. The method of claim 11,
An ice maker control method of supplying water in an amount less than the reference water supply amount in the step of supplying additional water to the ice chamber. In the control method of an ice maker comprising a first tray and a second tray forming an ice chamber,
Moving the second tray to a water supply position;
Starting water supply to the ice chamber by a control unit;
After the water supply to the ice chamber is completed, moving the second tray to an ice making position;
Determining whether the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches a reference water supply amount; And
And performing ice making for a set time when the water supply amount inside the ice chamber does not reach the reference water supply amount. The method of claim 14,
Determining whether a temperature sensed by a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the first tray reaches a reference temperature for completing ice making; And
Turning on a second heater for providing heat to the ice chamber for ice-making when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor reaches the reference temperature for ice making;
When the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor by the second heater reaches a reference temperature for ice breaking, the ice maker control method further comprising performing icebreaking. In the control method of an ice maker comprising a first tray and a second tray forming an ice chamber,
Moving the second tray to a water supply position;
Starting water supply to the ice chamber by a control unit;
After the water supply to the ice chamber is completed, moving the second tray to an ice making position;
Determining whether the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches a reference water supply amount; And
When the water supply amount inside the ice chamber reaches the reference water supply amount, ice making is performed while the first heater for providing heat to the second tray is turned on, and when it is determined that the ice making is completed, the first heater is turned off. And
And performing the ice making while the first heater is turned off when the water supply amount in the ice chamber does not reach the reference water supply amount. The method of claim 16,
An ice maker control method of determining that the ice making has been completed when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the first tray reaches a reference temperature for completion of ice making and a set time for ice making has passed.

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