U.S. patent application number 12/423118 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-15 for refrigerator and ice maker thereof.
Invention is credited to Kyung-Han JEONG, Yong-Su KIM, Dong-Hoon LEE, Kwang-Ha SUH.
Application Number | 20090255279 12/423118 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41162855 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090255279 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Yong-Su ; et
al. |
October 15, 2009 |
REFRIGERATOR AND ICE MAKER THEREOF
Abstract
An ice detecting apparatus of an ice maker disposed to make ice
in a refrigerator includes an ice maker and an ice detecting sensor
to detect an ice-full state of ice discharged from the ice maker.
The ice detecting sensor may be disposed at the ice maker. The ice
detecting sensor may also be heated by a heater.
Inventors: |
KIM; Yong-Su; (Seoul,
KR) ; LEE; Dong-Hoon; (Seoul, KR) ; JEONG;
Kyung-Han; (Seoul, KR) ; SUH; Kwang-Ha;
(Seoul, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KED & ASSOCIATES, LLP
P.O. Box 221200
Chantilly
VA
20153-1200
US
|
Family ID: |
41162855 |
Appl. No.: |
12/423118 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/126 ; 62/137;
62/344 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 5/08 20130101; F25C
5/187 20130101; F25D 21/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/126 ; 62/137;
62/344 |
International
Class: |
F25B 49/00 20060101
F25B049/00; F25C 1/00 20060101 F25C001/00; F25C 5/18 20060101
F25C005/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 15, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0034854 |
Claims
1. An ice detecting apparatus for a refrigerator, the apparatus
comprising: an ice maker; a storage bin to store ice discharged
from the ice maker; and an optical sensor attached to the ice maker
to detect an amount of ice collected in the storage bin.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor is located
at a prescribed height corresponding to a full or near full state
of the storage bin.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor comprises a
transmitter module and a receiver module attached to the ice maker
and separated from each other by a prescribed distance.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the prescribed distance is one
of less than and greater than a width of the storage bin.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the transmitter module
includes at least one infrared photo diode and the receiver module
includes at least one photo transistor.
6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the transmitter module and the
receiver module are disposed at sides of an ice discharge outlet of
the ice maker to transmit and receiver infrared rays by traversing
a distance the ice discharge outlet.
7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the transmitter module
comprises a plurality of optical transmitters.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the receiver module includes a
plurality of optical receivers.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ice detecting sensor
detects a distance from the ice maker to a top portion of ice
collected in the storage bin.
10. An ice detecting apparatus for a refrigerator, the apparatus
comprising: an ice maker having a first heater; a storage bin; an
ice detecting sensor to detect an amount of ice stored in the
storage bin; and attached to the ice maker; and a second heater to
heat the ice detecting sensor.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second heater includes a
heat bridge made of conductive material connected to the first
heater.
12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first heater is
maintained in an "ON" state until the ice detecting sensor detects
an ice-full state of the storage bin, and thereafter the first
heater is turned "ON" at prescribed intervals.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical sensor comprises
a transmitter module and a receiver module attached to the ice
maker and separated from each other by a prescribed distance.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the prescribed distance is
one of less than and greater than a width of the storage bin.
15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transmitter module
includes at least one infrared photo diode and the receiver module
includes at least one photo transistor.
16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transmitter module and
the receiver module are disposed at sides of an ice discharge
outlet of the ice maker to transmit and receiver infrared rays by
traversing a distance the ice discharge outlet.
17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the transmitter module
comprises a plurality of optical transmitters.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the receiver module includes
a plurality of optical receivers.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] The patent disclosure relates to a refrigerator.
[0003] 2. Background
[0004] A refrigerator refrigerates or freezes food items or the
like to keep them fresh in storage. The refrigerator includes an
ice maker for making ice and an ice container to receive ice made
by the ice maker.
A full ice detection lever, a mechanical device, coupled to a
controller detects whether or not the ice container is full of ice.
The full ice detection lever is positioned at a lower side and
rises as high as the ice is accumulated in the ice container. When
the full ice detection lever rises by mote than a certain height
due to ice accumulation, the controller determines that the ice
container is full.
[0005] However, in the related art, if the full ice detection lever
becomes frozen, the mechanical operation of the full ice detection
lever is not likely to be performed, and the controller cannot
determine whether the ice container is full. In such faulty state,
ice is continuously supplied, causing an overflow of ice from the
ice container.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] An ice detecting apparatus of an ice maker disposed to make
ice in a refrigerator includes an ice maker and an ice detecting
sensor to detect an ice-full state of ice storage container. The
ice detecting sensor may be disposed at the ice maker. The ice
detecting sensor may also be heated by a heater.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference
to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator
employing an ice detecting apparatus of an ice maker according to a
first embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ice maker for the
refrigerator employing the ice detecting apparatus according to the
first embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the ice maker for the
refrigerator employing the ice detecting apparatus according to the
first embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion `A` in FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing that the ice detecting
apparatus of the ice maker for the refrigerator detects a state
before full ice according to the first embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing that the ice detecting
apparatus of the ice maker for the refrigerator detects an ice-full
state according to the first embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a portion
of the configuration of an ice detecting apparatus of the ice maker
for the refrigerator according to a second embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view schematically showing a portion of the
configuration of the ice-full state detecting apparatus of the ice
maker for the refrigerator according to the second embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a
refrigerator ice maker employing an ice detecting apparatus
according to a third embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a portion `B` in FIG.
9;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a combined portion in the
configuration of the ice detecting apparatus of an ice maker for a
refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the ice detecting
apparatus in FIG. 11;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing that the ice detecting
apparatus of the ice maker for the refrigerator detects a state
before full ice according to a fifth embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the ice detecting
apparatus in FIG. 13;
[0022] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of an ice detecting
apparatus according to a sixth embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing that the ice detecting
apparatus of the ice maker for the refrigerator detects a state
before full ice according to a seventh embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the ice detecting
apparatus in FIG. 16; and
[0025] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of an ice detecting
apparatus according to an eighth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator
employing an ice-full state detecting apparatus of an ice maker
according to a first embodiment. A refrigerator 10 includes a
refrigerating chamber 11 for keeping food or storable items in
storage in a cool state at an above-zero temperature, and a
freezing chamber 12 for keeping food or storable items such as ice
at a near or below-zero temperature. An ice maker 100 is provided
in the freezing chamber 12 and an ice storage container or storage
bin 180 stores ice made by the ice maker 100.
[0027] A dispenser 190 supplies ice kept in the ice container 180
upon user demand. One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate
that the refrigerator 10 includes various components such as a
compressor, a condenser, an expander, an evaporator, and the like,
to form a refrigerating cycle. The refrigerating chamber 11 and the
freezing chamber 12 are accessed using a refrigerating chamber door
13 and a freezing chamber door 14, rotatably attached to the
housing.
[0028] After a prescribed amount of water is supplied to the ice
maker 100, ice is made by the supplied cooling air in the ice maker
100, and the ice is separated from the ice maker 100 according to a
self-operation of the ice maker 100. The ice falls into the ice
container 180 so as to be collected therein. The ice collected in
the ice container 180 is supplied to the user by a desired amount
through the dispenser 190. As can be appreciated, the ice maker 100
may be installed inside the freezing chamber 12 rather than on the
door 14.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ice maker for the
refrigerator employing the ice detecting apparatus according to the
first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the ice
maker for the refrigerator employing the ice detecting apparatus
according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view
of a portion `A` in FIG. 3.
[0030] A water supply unit 107 of an ice maker 100 receives water
provided from the exterior, and ice is made in an ice making
chamber 104 of an ice maker 100. An ejector 105 of an ice maker 100
separates ice made in the ice making chamber 104, and an ice maker
body 101 of an ice maker 100 includes a plurality of components for
rotating the ejector 105. A rotational shaft extends out of the ice
maker body 101. The ejector 105 has portions (or arms) extending
outwardly (or radially) from the shaft and rotates according to a
rotational movement of the shaft in order to pick up ice.
[0031] A mounting unit or plate 102 is formed behind the ice making
chamber 104 to mount the ice maker 100 within the refrigerator.
Holes 103, into which a combining protrusion is inserted, allow the
mounting unit 102 to be mounted on the door or within the freezing
chamber.
A separator 106 is formed at an upper portion of the ice making
chamber 104 to allow ice to be picked up by the ejector 105 to be
guided and fall into the ice container 180.
[0032] A heater 140 is installed at a lower portion of the ice
making chamber 104 in order to apply heat to allow the interfaces
of ice and an inner surface of the ice making chamber 104 to be
separated from each other. The heater 104 may be electrically
connected to an external power source, which may be provided within
the ice maker body 101.
[0033] A heater support 130 may be formed at a lower portion of the
ice making heater 140. The heater support 130 may be connected with
the ice maker body 101, or the heater support 130 may be molded
together with the ice maker body 101.
[0034] In this embodiment, a sensor housing 110 extends with a
certain length in a downward direction from the ice maker body 101.
A portion of the heater support 130 extends up to a position
corresponding to the sensor housing 110.
[0035] A transmitting unit or module 121 is installed in the sensor
housing 110, and a receiving unit or module 123 is installed at a
portion extending from the heater support 130 to correspond to the
sensor housing 110 or the transmitting unit 120. A transmitter 122
and a receiver 124 for transmitting and receiving signals are
installed in the transmitting unit 121 and the receiving unit 123,
respectively, to face each other. Based on the transmitting and
received signals, the transmitting unit 121 and the receiving unit
123 are used to detect an ice-full state of the ice container 180.
An ice detecting sensor 120 comprises at least one of the
transmitter 122 and the receiver 124, transmitting and receiving
units 121, 123, or sensor housing, and is used to determine or
detect ice full state of the ice container 180.
[0036] The ice detecting sensor 120 may be disposed in or near the
top, above or below the top of the ice container 180 at a position
corresponding to the height at which ice is fully accumulated or
collected. The transmitter and/or receiver may be optical devices
to transmit or receive IR light. For example, the transmitter or
emitter may be an IR photo diode and the receiver may be a photo
transistor. The structure of the optical emitter or receiver is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,910, whose entire disclosure is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transmitting unit 121 of the
ice detecting sensor 120 extends in a downward direction down to
the interior of the ice storage container 180. The transmitter 122
is installed or positioned at a lower portion of the transmitting
unit 121. The transmitter is disposed at a position corresponding
to the height of the ice-full state of the ice container 180.
Although, the position of the transmitter 122 has been described,
the receiving unit 123 and the receiver 124 may be formed to
correspond to or near the height of the transmitting unit 121 and
the transmitter 122, as can be appreciated by one of ordinary skill
in the art. In this embodiment, a detection height of the ice
detecting sensor 120 may have a certain height difference (h) from
an upper end or top ridgeline 181 of the ice container 180.
[0038] The transmitting unit 121 and the receiving unit 123 of the
ice detecting sensor 120 are located at both sides of an ice
discharging outlet, a passage through which ice is discharged from
the ice maker body 101. The receiver 124 receives infrared rays
transmitted from the transmitter 122, traversing the ice
discharging outlet, and provide corresponding signals for
determining whether the ice container 180 is substantially full of
ice to detect the ice-full state. As can be appreciated, the
location of the transmitting module and the receiving module may be
reversed, i.e., receiver on the left and emitter on the right.
[0039] In this embodiment, the transmitter module and the receiver
module are separated by a prescribed distance which is less than a
width of the storage bin. Such lesser distance to the width allows
the modules to be placed within the storage bin. In an alternative
embodiment, the distance may be greater than the width such that
the modules may be located outside the storage bin.
[0040] A transfer unit 150 is installed at a lower portion of the
ice container 180. The transfer unit 150 transfers ice stored in
the ice container 180 (crushes the ice into an appropriate size, if
desired) through an outlet 160 and a guide path 170 to a dispenser
190.
[0041] The transfer unit or assembly 150 includes a fixed blade 155
fixed in the ice container 180, a rotatable blade 151 relatively
rotating with respect to the fixed blade 155, a rotational shaft
153 to which the rotational blade 151 is connected, a motor 154
connected to the rotational shaft 153, and a transfer blade 152 to
allow the transfer of ice. The rotatable blade 151 is formed at one
side of the rotational shaft 153, and the transfer blade 152 is
formed at the other side of the rotational shaft. Thus, when the
rotational shaft 153 is rotated, the rotational blade 151 and the
transfer blade 152 can be rotated together. A spiral auger may be
used as the transfer blade 152.
[0042] Water is guided by a water supply pipe of a certain shape so
as to be supplied to the water supply unit 107. The supplied water
is introduced into the ice making chamber 104, and below-zero or
near zero cold air is provided in the ice making chamber to freeze
water received in the ice making chamber 104. After the water
within the ice making chamber 104 becomes frozen, heat is applied
toward the ice making chamber 104 by the heater 140 to allow the
ice and the contact surface of the ice making chamber 104 to be
separated from each other.
[0043] The ejector 105 operates by a certain driving mechanism
installed in the ice maker body 101 to pick up the ice. After the
ice is picked up by the ejector 105, it is guided by the separator
106 and then falls into the ice container 180 for storage. This
operation is repeated, and when the ice container 180 is near full
or full of ice, the ice detecting sensor 120 detects the ice-full
state, and the operation of the ice maker 100 is stopped.
[0044] When ice supply to the user via the dispenser 190 is
requested, the motor 154 is driven and the rotational shaft 153
connected to the motor 154 is rotated. Then, the rotational blade
151 and the transfer blade 152 are rotated in conjunction. As the
transfer blade 152 is rotated, ice in a lower portion of the ice
container 180 is transferred toward the rotational blade 151. When
the ice guided toward the rotational blade 151 is caught between
the rotational blade 151 and the fixed blade 155, it is crushed
according to a pushing operation of the rotational blade 151. The
crushed ice is dispensed through the outlet 160 formed at a lower
side of the fixed blade 155. The dispensed ice falls through the
guide path 170. The fallen ice is then supplied to the user via the
dispenser 190. As can be appreciated, various components described
above are controlled by at least one controller provided in the ice
maker and/or the refrigerator, including making a determination of
a full-state based on at least one signal received from the
receiver.
[0045] Various types of ice makers and operations thereof are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,210,299, 7,080,518, 7,017,354,
6,857,279, and 6,705,091, whose entire disclosures are incorporated
herein by reference. These patents are also commonly assigned to
the same assignee of this application.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing that the ice detecting
apparatus of the ice maker for the refrigerator detects a state
before full ice according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a
perspective view showing that the ice detecting apparatus of the
ice maker for the refrigerator detects an ice-full state according
to the first embodiment.
[0047] Ice made by the ice maker 100 is discharged and falls into
the ice storage container 180. The fallen ice is collected and
stored within the ice storage container 180. While the ice is
collected in the ice container 180, and/or before the ice
accommodating container 180 is full of ice, infrared rays
transmitted from the transmitter 122 reach the receiver 124, and
the controller determines whether the ice container 180 is full of
ice based on signals received from or detected by the receiver.
As ice is collected and stored, ice would reach the full or near
full height of the ice container 180. Hence, as shown in FIG. 6,
infrared rays transmitted from the transmitter 122 is interrupted
by the ice, e.g., the optical path between the optical emitter and
receiver is blocked, failing to reach the receiver 124, and the
controller determines that the ice container 180 is full or near
full of ice.
[0048] In this embodiment, the ice detecting sensor 120 is disposed
at the ice maker body 101 and detects full or near full ice
collected within the ice container 180. Because the ice detecting
sensor 120 can detect a level of ice stored in the ice container
180, the related art problem(s) of a mechanical ice detecting lever
(or the like) can be avoided. The ice filled state of the ice
container 180 can be more accurately and stably detected.
[0049] FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a portion
of the configuration of an ice detecting apparatus of the ice maker
for the refrigerator according to a second embodiment FIG. 8 is a
side view schematically showing a portion of the configuration of
the ice detecting apparatus of the ice maker for the refrigerator
according to the second embodiment. Hereinafter, any contents and
explanations that have already been made for the first embodiment
or is readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art based on
the present disclosure will be omitted for the sake of brevity.
[0050] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a heat bridge 300 is
attached to the heater 140 of the ice maker 100 for transferring
heat to the ice detecting sensor 120. The heat bridge 300 is shown
to be connected with the transmitter 122 (alternatively, the
transmitter module) of the ice-full detecting sensor 120, but of
course, another heat bridge 300 may be connected with the receiver
124 (alternatively, the receiver module) of the ice detecting
sensor 120 in the same or similar manner.
[0051] The heater 140 may include linear portions or rods 141 and
143 and a bent/curved portion or rod 142 and a connection plate 144
connecting or integrated with the linear portions 141 and 143. The
heat bridge 300 has a step like shape and includes a
connection/inclined portion or plate 301, a heater connection
portion or plate 302 and a transmitter connection portion or plate
303.
[0052] The heater connection plate 302 allows heat at the linear
portion 141 to pass therethrough, and surrounds the linear portion
141. The transmitter connection plate 303 allows transfer of heat
to the transmitter 122 and surrounds the transmitter 122. The
inclined plate 301 connects the heater connection plate 302 and the
transmitter connection plate 303. The angle of inclination .theta.
of the inclined plate may be varied depending upon h desired as
shown in FIG. 4. The heat bridge 300 is made of a heat conductive
material, e.g., a metal material. As can be appreciated, the
thermal conductivity of the materials for the heater 140 and the
heat bridge may be the same or different.
[0053] Heat generated by the heater 140 can be partially
transferred to the transmitter 122 via the heat bridge 300. The
surface of the transmitter 122 can be heated by heat delivered from
the heater 140, defrosting or preventing frost from forming on the
surface of the transmitter 122 and/or receiver 124 (alternatively,
transmitter module and/or receiver module). As can be appreciated,
the formation of frost on the transmitter 122 and/or receiver 124
hampers the transmission and/or detection of light from the
transmitter or the receiver. The heater 140 may be continuously
heated while the ice maker 100 is making and discharging ice, and
the heat of the heater 140 can be continuously transferred to the
ice detecting sensor 120 via the heat bridge 300.
[0054] When the ice detecting sensor 120 detects that the interior
of the ice container 180 is full or near full of ice, the ice maker
100 stops making and discharging ice, and the operation of the ice
making heater 140 may be also stopped. In such an instance, there
is a possibility that the receiver and transmitter of the ice
detecting sensor 120 may become frosted. In order to defrost the
surface of the receiver and transmitter, the controller may operate
the heater 140 at certain time intervals to transfer heat to the
ice detecting sensor 120 via the heat bridge 300. Accordingly, the
ice-full state detecting sensor 140 may be defrosted while
minimizing energy consumption by the heater 140, thus preventing
degradation of a detecting capability of the ice detecting sensor
120.
[0055] FIG. 9 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a
refrigerator ice maker employing an ice detecting apparatus
according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged view
showing a portion `B` in FIG. 9. An ice detecting sensor 220
includes a transmitting unit 221 (oriented vertically) extending to
allow a transmitter 222 to be positioned at or near the height of
an ice-full state within the ice storage container 180. Although
not shown, a receiving unit of the ice detecting sensor 220 may
extend into the ice storage container 180 in the same or similar
manner. The ice detecting sensor 220 can detect the distance
between the ice maker body 101, and the ice cubes collected in the
ice storage container 180, thereby recognizing whether the ice
storage container 180 is full of ice.
[0056] Further, if the ice storage container 180 is released or
removed, the distance detected by the ice detecting sensor 220
would be detected to be farther than the distance detected when the
ice storage container 180 is installed. Thus, whether or not the
ice storage container 180 is detached may be also detected
according to a change in the detected distance. If the ice storage
container 180 is detected to have been released, discharging ice
from the ice maker 100 is also stopped to prevent ice from pouring
down onto the floor of the refrigerator or kitchen.
[0057] FIG. 11 is a side view showing a configuration of the
transmitter and/or receiver according to a fourth embodiment, and
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 11. A transmitter
422 is provided on a printed circuit board (PCB) 425, and a plate
heater 450 is attached to the transmitter 422 such that the plate
heater 450 can transfer heat via a heat bridge 400. Here,
description for the transmitter 422 is provided, but the
description is readily applicable to the receiver in the same or
similar manner.
[0058] The plate heater 450 is made of a material that can generate
heat when power or current is applied thereto, and has a plate form
with a predefined prescribed) thickness. Alternatively, the plate
heater may be a resistive element/heater or resistor. One end of
the plate heater 450 may be electrically coupled to the PCB 425.
The heat bridge 400 includes a connection plate or portion 403
coupled to the PCB 425 and a bent plate or portion 401 bent
downwardly, namely, toward the transmitter 422 from the connection
plate 403. The heat bridge 400 with such configuration transfers
heat generated from the plate heater 450 to the transmitter
422.
[0059] The bent plate 401 includes a hole or an opening 402
allowing the transmitter 422 to pass therethrough. The diameter of
the hole 422 is substantially the same as an outer diameter as that
of the transmitter 422, so that when the transmitter 422 is
inserted into the hole 402, an outer circumferential surface of the
transmitter 422 and an inner circumferential surface of the hole
402 are substantially in contact or near contact with each other to
allow transmission of heat to the transmitter 422 via the heat
bridge 400 after being generated from the plate heater 450.
[0060] A thermal grease 460 may be provided between the plate
heater 450 and the connection plate 403 of the heat bridge 400 if a
gap exists therebetween to allow the plate heater 450 and the heat
bridge 400 to be thermally coupled with each other. The thermal
grease or dielectric should have relatively good thermal
conductivity. Accordingly, the efficiency of transmission of heat
to the heat bridge 400 via the thermal grease 460 after being
generated from the plate heater 450 may be improved.
[0061] Because the plate heater 450 and the heat bridge 400 are
provided, formation of frost can be prevented on the transmitter
and/or receiver. In an alternative embodiment, the surface of the
ice detecting sensor can be defrosted. The device prevents frost or
moisture formation or defrosting operation can be simplified.
[0062] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the ice detecting apparatus
of the ice maker for the refrigerator according to a fifth
embodiment, and FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the
transmitter and/or receiver shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is an
exploded perspective view of the transmitter and/or receiver in an
alternative arrangement according to a sixth embodiment of the
present invention. A transmitting unit or transmitter module 521 of
an ice-full state detecting apparatus includes a plurality of
transmitters. For sake of explanation, two transmitters are shown.
As can be appreciated, a plurality of receivers may be used or a
single receiver may be used.
[0063] The two transmitters are disposed in a vertical direction
relative to each other, e.g., in the direction of the ice storage
container 180 at the ice maker 100, and FIG. 15 shows two
transmitters disposed in a horizontal direction, namely, in a
horizontal direction of the ice maker 100. As can be appreciated,
each transmitter may be also located diagonally from each
other.
[0064] With reference to FIG. 14, the transmitters 522a and 522b
are coupled to a PCB 525, in the vertical direction, and a plate
heater 550 is connected with the transmitters 522a and 522b such
that it can transfer heat via the heat bridge 500. The plate heater
550 is made of a material that can generate heat when power is
applied thereto, and has a plate form with a predefined prescribed)
thickness. One end of the plate heater 550 is located with the PCB
525 and may be electrically connected with the PCB 525. As can be
appreciated, there are common features of this embodiment to the
FIG. 14 embodiment, and detailed description is omitted but is
applicable to this embodiment
[0065] The heat bridge 500 includes a connection plate or portion
503 coupled to the PCB 525 and a bent plate or portion 501 bent
downwardly, namely, toward the transmitters 522a and 522b from the
connection plate 503. The heat bridge 500 with such configuration
allows transfer of heat generated from the plate heater 550 to the
transmitters 522a and 522b.
[0066] The bent plate 501 includes holes or openings 502a and 502b
allowing the transmitters 522a and 522b to pass therethrough. The
diameters of the transmitters 522a and 522b are substantially the
same as the diameters of the holes 502a and 502b. When the
transmitters 522a and 522b are inserted into the holes 502a and
502b, outer circumferential surfaces of the transmitters 522a and
522b and inner circumferential surfaces of the holes 502a and 502b
are in contact or near contact with each other.
[0067] A thermal grease or dielectric 560 is provided between the
plate heater 550 and the connection plate 503 of the heat bridge
500, if to allow the plate heater 550 and the heat bridge 500 to be
thermally coupled with each other. Accordingly, the efficiency of
transmission of heat to the heat bridge 500 via the thermal grease
560 after being generated from the plate heater 550 can be
improved. Because the plate heater 550 and the heat bridge 500 are
provided, the formation of frost can be prevented. In an
alternative embodiment, the surface of the ice detecting sensor can
be defrosted and the device for performing defrosting can be
simplified.
[0068] With reference to the FIG. 15 embodiment, transmitters 622a
and 622b are coupled to a PCB 625 in a horizontal direction, and a
plate heater 650 is connected with the transmitters 622a and 622b
such that it can transfer heat via the heat bridge 600. The heat
bridge 600 includes a connection plate or portion 603 coupled to
the PCB 625 and a bent plate or portion 601 bent downwardly,
namely, toward the transmitter 622a and 622b from the connection
plate 603.
[0069] The bent plate 601 includes holes or openings 602a and 602b
to allow the transmitters 622a and 622b to pass therethrough. Other
than the horizontal arrangement, the description of FIG. 14
applies.
[0070] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, when the two transmitters are
disposed, because the transmission area is increased, the detection
performance of the ice detecting apparatus may be improved. Of
course, three or more transmitters may be disposed, and in this
case, the transmission are may be further increased. In FIGS. 13 to
15, a single receiver is shown, but multiple receivers may be
used.
[0071] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing that the ice detecting
apparatus of the ice maker for the refrigerator according to a
seventh embodiment, and FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of
the receiver in FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of
the receiver according to an eighth embodiment.
[0072] With reference to FIGS. 16 to 18, a receiving unit or a
receiver module of an ice detecting apparatus includes a plurality
of receivers. For explanation purposes the receiving unit is
illustrated with two receivers. As can be appreciated the common
description of the transmitter of above is readily applicable.
[0073] With reference to FIG. 17, the receivers 724a and 724b are
coupled to a PCB 725 in a vertical direction, and a plate heater
750 is connected with the receivers 724a and 724b such that it can
transfer heat via the heat bridge 700. The heat bridge 700 includes
a connection plate or portion 703 coupled to the PCB 725 and a bent
plate or portion 701 bent downwardly, toward the receivers 724a and
724b from the connection plate 703. The bent plate 701 includes
holes or openings 702a and 702b allowing the receivers 724a and
724b to pass therethrough. When the receivers 724a and 724b are
provided in the vertical direction, they can detect to which degree
ice is full as well as an ice-full state upon detecting a signal
transmitted from the transmitter. For example, if the receiver 724b
does not detect a signal while the receiver 724a detects a signal,
it can be determined that ice is filled up to the height of the
receiver 724b.
[0074] With reference to FIG. 18, receivers 824a and 824b are
coupled to a PCB 825, in a horizontal direction, and a plate heater
850 is connected with the receivers 824a and 824b such that it can
transfer heat via a heat bridge 800. The heat bridge 800 includes a
connection plate or portion 803 coupled to the PCB 825 and a bent
plate or portion 801 bent downwardly, toward the receivers 824a and
824b from the connection plate 803. The bent plate 801 includes
holes or openings 802a and 802b allowing the receivers 824a and
824b to pass therethrough.
[0075] When the receivers 824a and 824b are provided in the
horizontal direction, they can detect whether there is an error in
detecting whether or not ice is completely full as well as an
ice-full state upon detecting a signal transmitted from the
transmitter. For example, if the receiver 824b has received a
signal transmitted from the transmitter while the receiver 824a has
not, an error regarding an ice-full state can be detected based on
the signal received or detected by the receiver 824b. In FIG. 16, a
single transmitter is shown, but as described above, multiple
transmitters are readily applicable.
[0076] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the
art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[0077] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
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