U.S. patent application number 13/372993 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-06 for icemaker for refrigerators and control method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Jin Jeong, Seung Ah Joo, Do Hyung Kim, Sang Hyun PARK, Khan Qasim, Yong Sung Yoon.
Application Number | 20120222433 13/372993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46752429 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120222433 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Sang Hyun ; et
al. |
September 6, 2012 |
ICEMAKER FOR REFRIGERATORS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A control method includes receiving an output value from an
optical sensor to determine whether an ice bank is full of ice,
driving the sensor heater for a first drive time to heat the
optical sensor upon determining that the ice bank is full of ice,
driving the optical sensor to receive an output value from the
optical sensor after lapse of the first drive time, comparing the
output value with the output value received to determine whether
the ice bank is full of ice to calculate variation of the output
value, and driving the sensor heater for a second drive time to
heat the optical sensor so that the optical sensor is defrosted if
the calculated variation of the output value is equal to or greater
than a reference variation.
Inventors: |
PARK; Sang Hyun;
(Seongnam-si, KR) ; Kim; Do Hyung; (Yongin-si,
KR) ; Jeong; Jin; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Yoon; Yong
Sung; (Ansan-si, KR) ; Qasim; Khan; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Joo; Seung Ah; (Suwon-si, KR) |
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
46752429 |
Appl. No.: |
13/372993 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/66 ;
62/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 5/187 20130101;
F25C 2700/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/66 ;
62/126 |
International
Class: |
F25B 49/00 20060101
F25B049/00; F25C 1/00 20060101 F25C001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 3, 2011 |
KR |
10-2011-0018957 |
Claims
1. A control method of an icemaker for refrigerators comprising an
optical sensor, comprising a light emitting part and a light
receiving part to receive light irradiated from the light emitting
part and transmitted through an internal space of an ice bank to
store ice, to output a signal according to an intensity of light
received by the light receiving part to sense whether the ice bank
is full of ice and a sensor heater to heat the optical sensor so
that the optical sensor is defrosted, the control method
comprising: receiving an output value from the optical sensor to
determine whether the ice bank is full of ice; driving the sensor
heater for a first drive time to heat the optical sensor upon
determining that the ice bank is full of ice; driving the optical
sensor to receive an output value from the optical sensor after
lapse of the first drive time; comparing the output value with the
output value received to determine whether the ice bank is full of
ice to calculate variation of the output value; and driving the
sensor heater for a second drive time to heat the optical sensor so
that the optical sensor is defrosted if the calculated variation of
the output value is equal to or greater than a reference
variation.
2. The control method according to claim 1, further comprising
determining that it has been normally sensed that the ice bank is
full of ice and stopping an operation of the icemaker if the
calculated variation of the output value is less than the reference
variation.
3. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the receiving
the output value from the optical sensor to determine whether the
ice bank is full of ice comprises: determining that the ice bank is
full of ice if the received output value is equal to or less than a
first reference value; determining that the ice bank is not full of
ice if the received output value is equal to or greater than a
second reference value; and determining that the optical sensor is
frosted if the received output value is greater than the first
reference value and is less than the second reference value.
4. The control method according to claim 3, further comprising:
driving the sensor heater for the second drive time to heat the
optical sensor upon determining that the optical sensor is frosted;
and determining whether the ice bank is full of ice after lapse of
the second drive time.
5. The control method according to claim 3, further comprising:
driving the sensor heater to heat the optical sensor upon
determining that the optical sensor is frosted; receiving an output
value from the optical sensor to determine whether the ice bank is
full of ice; and further driving the sensor heater for the first
drive time to heat the optical sensor upon determining that the ice
bank is full of ice.
6. The control method according to claim 1, further comprising
determining whether the ice bank is full of ice after lapse of the
second drive time.
7. A control method of an icemaker for refrigerators comprising an
optical sensor, comprising a light emitting part and a light
receiving part to receive light irradiated from the light emitting
part and transmitted through an internal space of an ice bank to
store ice, to output a signal according to an intensity of light
received by the light receiving part to sense whether the ice bank
is full of ice and a sensor heater to heat the optical sensor so
that the optical sensor is defrosted, the control method
comprising: receiving an output value from the optical sensor to
determine whether the ice bank is full of ice; driving the sensor
heater to heat the optical sensor upon determining that the ice
bank is full of ice; driving the optical sensor to receive an
output value from the optical sensor; comparing the output value
with the output value received to determine whether the ice bank is
full of ice to calculate variation of the output value; and further
driving the sensor heater for a second drive time to heat the
optical sensor so that the optical sensor is defrosted if the
calculated variation is equal to or greater than a reference
variation.
8. The control method according to claim 7, further comprising:
determining whether time to drive the sensor heater has exceeded a
first drive time if the calculated variation of the output value is
less than the reference variation; and stopping an operation of the
icemaker upon determining that the time to drive the sensor heater
has exceeded the first drive time.
9. The control method according to claim 7, wherein the receiving
the output value from the optical sensor to determine whether the
ice bank is full of ice comprises: determining that the ice bank is
full of ice if the received output value is equal to or less than a
first reference value; determining that the ice bank is not full of
ice if the received output value is equal to or greater than a
second reference value; and determining that the optical sensor is
frosted if the received output value is greater than the first
reference value and is less than the second reference value.
10. The control method according to claim 9, further comprising:
driving the sensor heater for the second drive time to heat the
optical sensor upon determining that the optical sensor is frosted;
and determining whether the ice bank is full of ice after lapse of
the second drive time.
11. The control method according to claim 9, further comprising:
driving the sensor heater to heat the optical sensor upon
determining that the optical sensor is frosted; receiving an output
value from the optical sensor to determine whether the ice bank is
full of ice; and further driving the sensor heater for a first
drive time to heat the optical sensor upon determining that the ice
bank is full of ice.
12. The control method according to claim 9, further comprising
determining whether the ice bank is full of ice after lapse of the
second drive time.
13. An icemaker for refrigerators, comprising: an optical sensor,
comprising a light emitting part and a light receiving part to
receive light irradiated from the light emitting part and
transmitted through an internal space of an ice bank to store ice,
to output a signal according to an intensity of light received by
the light receiving part to sense whether the ice bank is full of
ice; a sensor heater to heat the optical sensor so that the optical
sensor is defrosted; and a controller to receive an output value
from the optical sensor to determine whether the ice bank is full
of ice, to drive the sensor heater for a first drive time to heat
the optical sensor upon determining that the ice bank is full of
ice, to drive the optical sensor to receive an output value from
the optical sensor after lapse of the first drive time, to compare
the output value with the output value received to determine
whether the ice bank is full of ice to calculate variation of the
output value, and to drive the sensor heater for a second drive
time to heat the optical sensor so that the optical sensor is
defrosted if the calculated variation of the output value is equal
to or greater than a reference variation.
14. An icemaker for refrigerators, comprising: an optical sensor,
comprising a light emitting part and a light receiving part to
receive light irradiated from the light emitting part and
transmitted through an internal space of an ice bank to store ice,
to output a signal according to an intensity of light received by
the light receiving part to sense whether the ice bank is full of
ice; a sensor heater to heat the optical sensor so that the optical
sensor is defrosted; and a controller to receive an output value
from the optical sensor to determine whether the ice bank is full
of ice, to drive the sensor heater to heat the optical sensor upon
determining that the ice bank is full of ice, to drive the optical
sensor to receive an output value from the optical sensor, to
compare the output value with the output value received to
determine whether the ice bank is full of ice to calculate
variation of the output value, and to further drive the sensor
heater for a second drive time to heat the optical sensor so that
the optical sensor is defrosted if the calculated variation is
equal to or greater than a reference variation.
15. The ice maker according to claim 14, further comprising an ice
making unit to make ice from water supplied thereto, wherein the
ice bank disposed below the ice making unit and stores ice
separated from the ice making unit.
16. The ice maker according to claim 15, further comprising: an ice
feeder installed in the ice bank to feed ice separated from the ice
making unit; a crushing chamber installed at the front of the ice
bank, the crushing chamber including an ice crusher to selectively
crush the ice fed by the ice feeder.
17. The ice maker according to claim 16, wherein the ice feeder
includes a spiral auger rotated by a feeding motor to feed the ice
stored in the ice bank to the crushing chamber.
18. The ice maker according to claim 17, wherein the ice crusher
includes a stationary blade and a rotary blade installed at the end
of the auger.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 2011-0018957, filed on Mar. 3, 2011 in the Korean
Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a
refrigerator with an icemaker operated using an improved method of
sensing whether an ice bank is full of ice.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A refrigerator is an apparatus that supplies cool air into a
storage chamber to keep foods fresh at low temperature. The storage
chamber includes a freezing chamber to keep foods at a freezing
temperature or less and a refrigerating chamber to keep foods at a
temperature slightly higher than the freezing temperature.
[0006] In recent years, various large-sized refrigerators have been
placed on the market to provide convenience and satisfy needs for
large storage space. Based on how a refrigerating chamber, freezing
chamber and door(s) are disposed, such refrigerators are classified
into a general refrigerator, a side-by-side refrigerator and a
combination type refrigerator.
[0007] A refrigerator is provided at a door thereof with a
dispenser, through which ice or water is supplied to a user. In the
storage chamber is provided an icemaker to supply ice to the
dispenser.
[0008] The icemaker includes an ice making unit to make ice and an
ice bank to store the ice made by the ice making unit. The ice made
by the ice making unit is separated from the ice making unit by an
ice separator and is stored in the ice bank disposed below the ice
making unit.
SUMMARY
[0009] It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide an
icemaker for refrigerators and a control method thereof that
properly heat an ice-fullness sensor in a state in which an ice
bank is full of ice, thereby preventing malfunction of the
ice-fullness sensor due to frost and thus achieving determination
as to whether the ice bank is full of ice without error.
[0010] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in
part in the description which follows and, in part, will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
disclosure.
[0011] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a
control method of an icemaker for refrigerators including an
optical sensor, including a light emitting part and a light
receiving part to receive light irradiated from the light emitting
part and transmitted through an internal space of an ice bank to
store ice, to output a signal according to the intensity of light
received by the light receiving part to sense whether the ice bank
is full of ice and a sensor heater to heat the optical sensor so
that the optical sensor is defrosted includes receiving an output
value from the optical sensor to determine whether the ice bank is
full of ice, driving the sensor heater for a first drive time to
heat the optical sensor upon determining that the ice bank is full
of ice, driving the optical sensor to receive an output value from
the optical sensor after lapse of the first drive time, comparing
the output value with the output value received to determine
whether the ice bank is full of ice to calculate variation of the
output value, and driving the sensor heater for a second drive time
to heat the optical sensor so that the optical sensor is defrosted
if the calculated variation of the output value is equal to or
greater than a reference variation.
[0012] The control method may further include determining that it
has been normally sensed that the ice bank is full of ice and
stopping the operation of the icemaker if the calculated variation
of the output value is less than the reference variation.
[0013] The receiving the output value from the optical sensor to
determine whether the ice bank is full of ice may include
determining that the ice bank is full of ice if the received output
value is equal to or less than a first reference value, determining
that the ice bank is not full of ice if the received output value
is equal to or greater than a second reference value, and
determining that the optical sensor is frosted if the received
output value is greater than the first reference value and is less
than the second reference value.
[0014] The control method may further include driving the sensor
heater for the second drive time to heat the optical sensor upon
determining that the optical sensor is frosted and determining
whether the ice bank is full of ice after lapse of the second drive
time.
[0015] The control method may further include driving the sensor
heater to heat the optical sensor upon determining that the optical
sensor is frosted, receiving an output value from the optical
sensor to determine whether the ice bank is full of ice, and
further driving the sensor heater for the first drive time to heat
the optical sensor upon determining that the ice bank is full of
ice.
[0016] The control method may further include determining whether
the ice bank is full of ice after lapse of the second drive
time.
[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
a control method of an icemaker for refrigerators including an
optical sensor, including a light emitting part and a light
receiving part to receive light irradiated from the light emitting
part and transmitted through an internal space of an ice bank to
store ice, to output a signal according to the intensity of light
received by the light receiving part to sense whether the ice bank
is full of ice and a sensor heater to heat the optical sensor so
that the optical sensor is defrosted includes receiving an output
value from the optical sensor to determine whether the ice bank is
full of ice, driving the sensor heater to heat the optical sensor
upon determining that the ice bank is full of ice, driving the
optical sensor to receive an output value from the optical sensor,
comparing the output value with the output value received to
determine whether the ice bank is full of ice to calculate
variation of the output value, and further driving the sensor
heater for a second drive time to heat the optical sensor so that
the optical sensor is defrosted if the calculated variation is
equal to or greater than a reference variation.
[0018] The control method may further include determining whether
time to drive the sensor heater has exceeded a first drive time if
the calculated variation of the output value is less than the
reference variation and stopping the operation of the icemaker upon
determining that the time to drive the sensor heater has exceeded
the first drive time.
[0019] The receiving the output value from the optical sensor to
determine whether the ice bank is full of ice may include
determining that the ice bank is full of ice if the received output
value is equal to or less than a first reference value, determining
that the ice bank is not full of ice if the received output value
is equal to or greater than a second reference value, and
determining that the optical sensor is frosted if the received
output value is greater than the first reference value and is less
than the second reference value.
[0020] The control method may further include driving the sensor
heater for the second drive time to heat the optical sensor upon
determining that the optical sensor is frosted and determining
whether the ice bank is full of ice after lapse of the second drive
time.
[0021] The control method may further include driving the sensor
heater to heat the optical sensor upon determining that the optical
sensor is frosted, receiving an output value from the optical
sensor to determine whether the ice bank is full of ice, and
further driving the sensor heater for a first drive time to heat
the optical sensor upon determining that the ice bank is full of
ice.
[0022] The control method may further include determining whether
the ice bank is full of ice after lapse of the second drive
time.
[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure,
an icemaker for refrigerators includes an optical sensor, including
a light emitting part and a light receiving part to receive light
irradiated from the light emitting part and transmitted through an
internal space of an ice bank to store ice, to output a signal
according to the intensity of light received by the light receiving
part to sense whether the ice bank is full of ice, a sensor heater
to heat the optical sensor so that the optical sensor is defrosted,
and a controller to receive an output value from the optical sensor
to determine whether the ice bank is full of ice, to drive the
sensor heater for a first drive time to heat the optical sensor
upon determining that the ice bank is full of ice, to drive the
optical sensor to receive an output value from the optical sensor
after lapse of the first drive time, to compare the output value
with the output value received to determine whether the ice bank is
full of ice to calculate variation of the output value, and to
drive the sensor heater for a second drive time to heat the optical
sensor so that the optical sensor is defrosted if the calculated
variation of the output value is equal to or greater than a
reference variation.
[0024] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
disclosure, an icemaker for refrigerators includes an optical
sensor, including a light emitting part and a light receiving part
to receive light irradiated from the light emitting part and
transmitted through an internal space of an ice bank to store ice,
to output a signal according to the intensity of light received by
the light receiving part to sense whether the ice bank is full of
ice, a sensor heater to heat the optical sensor so that the optical
sensor is defrosted, and a controller to receive an output value
from the optical sensor to determine whether the ice bank is full
of ice, to drive the sensor heater to heat the optical sensor upon
determining that the ice bank is full of ice, to drive the optical
sensor to receive an output value from the optical sensor, to
compare the output value with the output value received to
determine whether the ice bank is full of ice to calculate
variation of the output value, and to further drive the sensor
heater for a second drive time to heat the optical sensor so that
the optical sensor is defrosted if the calculated variation is
equal to or greater than a reference variation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become
apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a view showing the interior structure of a
refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
in a state in which doors of the refrigerator are open;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator according to
the embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing an icemaker
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the icemaker according
to the embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a control method of an
icemaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
and
[0031] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control method of an
icemaker according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of
the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like elements throughout.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a view showing the interior structure of a
refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure
in a state in which doors of the refrigerator are open, and
[0034] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the refrigerator according to
the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator includes a main
body 10 forming the external appearance thereof, vertically
extending storage chambers 20 and 21 defined in the main body 10,
the storage chambers 20 and 21 being open at fronts thereof, doors
35 and 36 to open and close the open fronts of the storage chambers
20 and 21, an icemaker 70 provided in one of the storage chambers
20 and 21, e.g. a freezing chamber 21, and a dispenser 37 to
dispense ice from the icemaker 70 to the front of the door 36.
[0036] At the rear wall of the main body 10 is mounted an
evaporator 26 to generate cool air. A machine compartment 14 is
partitioned at the rear of the lower side of the main body 10.
Between an inner liner 12 and an outer liner 11 of the main body is
disposed a foam member 13 for thermal insulation.
[0037] Electric/electronic components, such as a compressor 15, are
installed in the machine compartment 14 partitioned in the main
body 10. The storage chambers 20 and 21 are located above the
machine compartment 14.
[0038] Of course, a condenser (not shown), an expansion device (not
shown), etc. constituting a refrigeration cycle are provided in the
main body 10.
[0039] The storage chambers 20 and 21 are partitioned by a vertical
partition 16. The storage chambers 20 and 21 include a
refrigerating chamber 20 formed at the right side in the drawing to
keep foods in a refrigerated state and a freezing chamber 21 formed
at the left side of the drawing to keep foods in a frozen
state.
[0040] At the rears of the storage chambers 20 and 21 is installed
an inside panel 23 to partition a cool air generation chamber 27 to
generate cool air to be supplied to the storage chambers 20 and 21.
The evaporator 26 is installed in the cool air generation chamber
27 to generate cool air through heat exchange with ambient air.
[0041] The inside panel 23 is provided with a plurality of
discharge ports 23a formed at a predetermined interval to uniformly
discharge cool air into the storage chambers 20 and 21 and a cool
air channel 23b to guide cool air to the discharge ports 23a. Also,
a circulation fan 23c is installed at the inside panel 23 to blow
heat-exchanged cool air having passed through the evaporator 26 to
the cool air channel 23b and the discharge ports 23a.
[0042] In the storage chambers 20 and 21 are installed shelves 24
and storage boxes 25 to store foods.
[0043] A pair of doors 35 and 36 is provided to open and close the
refrigerating chamber 20 and the freezing chamber 21. The doors 35
and 36 include a refrigerating chamber door 35 hingedly coupled to
the main body 10 to open and close the refrigerating chamber 20 and
a freezing chamber door 36 hingedly coupled to the main body 10 to
open and close the freezing chamber 21.
[0044] Inside the refrigerating chamber door 35 and the freezing
chamber door 36 are installed a plurality of door shelves 35a and
36a to store foods.
[0045] In the freezing chamber door 36 is provided a dispenser 37
to allow a user to dispense water or ice without opening the door.
In the upper part of the freezing chamber 21 is provided an
icemaker 70 to make and supply ice to the dispenser 37.
[0046] The icemaker 70 may include an ice making unit 100 to make
ice from water supplied thereto and an ice bank 50 disposed below
the ice making unit 100 to store ice separated from the ice making
unit 100.
[0047] In the ice bank 50 is installed an ice feeder 53 to feed ice
separated from the ice making unit 100. At the front of the ice
bank 50 may be provided a crushing chamber 60 in which an ice
crusher 56 to selectively crush the ice fed by the ice feeder 53 is
installed.
[0048] The ice feeder 53 may include a spiral auger 55 rotated by a
feeding motor 54 to feed the ice stored in the ice bank 50 to the
crushing chamber 60.
[0049] The ice crusher 56 includes a stationary blade 57 and a
rotary blade 58 installed at the end of the auger 55. The ice
crusher 56 may produce ice cubes or crushed ice according to user
selection.
[0050] The dispenser 37 is formed in a space depressed inward from
the front of the freezing chamber door 36. The dispenser 37
includes a withdrawing unit 38 to withdraw an object, the
withdrawing unit 38 having a withdrawing port 38a, through which
the object is withdrawn, an opening and closing member 38b to open
and close the withdrawing port 38a, an actuating lever 39 installed
at the withdrawing unit 38 to simultaneously drive the opening and
closing member 38b and the ice maker 70 provided in the freezing
chamber 21, and an ice discharge channel 40 connected between the
inside and outside of the freezing chamber door 36 so that the
inside and outside of the freezing chamber door 36 communicate with
each other to guide the ice from the icemaker 70 to the withdrawing
port 38a.
[0051] FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing an icemaker
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0052] At the lower side of the ice making unit 100 may be provided
an ice-fullness sensor 80 to sense whether the ice bank 50 is full
of ice. An optical sensor including a light emitting part to
irradiate infrared light and a light receiving part to receive the
infrared light irradiated from the light emitting part and to
generate an electric signal may be used as the ice-fullness sensor
80. Hereinafter, an optical sensor will be described as an example
of the ice-fullness sensor 80.
[0053] A light emitting part to irradiate infrared light may be
provided at the rear of the lower side of the ice making unit 100.
A light receiving part may be provided at the front of the lower
side of the ice making unit 100 so that the light receiving part
faces the light emitting part. Infrared light is irradiated from
the light emitting part, passes through a space of the ice bank 50,
in which ice is stored, and is received by the light receiving
part.
[0054] The above-mentioned positions of the ice-fullness sensor 80
are defined merely as an example. The ice-fullness sensor 80 may be
installed at any position as long as the light emitting part and
the light receiving part face each other to sense whether the ice
bank 50 is full of ice.
[0055] Sensor heaters 110 to remove frost from the light emitting
part and the light receiving part of the ice-fullness sensor 80 may
be provided at the lower sides of the light emitting part and the
light receiving part. The intensity of infrared light irradiated by
the light emitting part or received by the light receiving part
when frost is formed at the ice-fullness sensor 80 may be different
from that of infrared light irradiated by the light emitting part
or received by the light receiving part when no frost is formed at
the ice-fullness sensor 80, and therefore, it may not be normally
sensed whether the ice bank 50 is full of ice.
[0056] The sensor heaters 110 remove frost from the ice-fullness
sensor 80 so that the ice-fullness sensor 80 normally senses
whether the ice bank 50 is full of ice. In the drawing, the sensor
heaters 110 are provided at the lower side of the ice-fullness
sensor 80 in contact with the ice-fullness sensor 80. However, the
sensor heaters 110 may be installed at any position as long as the
sensor heaters 110 removes frost from the ice-fullness sensor
80.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a control block diagram of the icemaker according
to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0058] The icemaker 70 includes an actuating lever 39 installed at
the withdrawing part 38 to actuate the icemaker 70, an ice-fullness
sensor 80 to sense whether the ice bank 50 is full of ice, a
controller 90 to generate a control signal according to signals
input from the actuating lever 39 and the ice-fullness sensor 80 to
control a drive part 120, an ice making unit 100 to make ice
according to the control signal from the controller 90, sensor
heaters 110 to heat the ice-fullness sensor 80 to remove frost from
the ice-fullness sensor 80, a water supply device 18 to supply
water to the ice making unit 100, and a drive unit 120 to drive a
feeding motor 54 to feed ice stored in the ice bank 50 to the
crushing chamber 60.
[0059] The actuating lever 39 is installed at the withdrawing part
38 to simultaneously drive the opening and closing member 38b to
open and close the withdrawing port 38a and the ice maker 70
provided in the freezing chamber 21.
[0060] The ice-fullness sensor 80 includes a light emitting part to
irradiate infrared light and a light receiving part to receive the
infrared light irradiated from the light emitting part. Upon
receiving the infrared light irradiated from the light emitting
part, the light receiving part transmits intensity of the light or
whether the light has been received to the controller 90 as an
electric signal. The controller 90 analyzes the electric signal
transmitted from the ice-fullness sensor 80 to determine a state of
the ice bank 50.
[0061] If the ice bank 50 is full of ice, the ice is also located
on an infrared irradiation route, and therefore, the ice obstructs
or blocks advance of the infrared light irradiated from the light
emitting part. As a result, intensity of the infrared light
reaching the light receiving part is changed. If the ice-fullness
sensor 80 converts the changed intensity of the infrared light into
an electric signal and transmits the electric signal to the
controller 90, the controller 90 determines that the ice bank 50 is
full of ice and stops the operation of the ice making unit 100.
[0062] The ice making unit 100 stores the water supplied from the
water supply device 18 and makes ice using supplied cool air. The
ice made by the ice making unit 100 is moved to the ice bank 50, in
which the ice is accumulated. The above process is repeated until
the ice bank 50 is full of ice.
[0063] The sensor heaters 110 are provided adjacent to the light
emitting part and the light receiving part constituting the
ice-fullness sensor 80 to heat the light emitting part and the
light receiving part. If the light emitting part, which irradiates
infrared light, and the light receiving part, which receives the
infrared light irradiated from the light emitting part, are
frosted, ice-fullness sensing is not normally performed. For this
reason, the sensor heaters 110 heat the light emitting part and the
light receiving part to defrost the light emitting part and the
light receiving part.
[0064] After the lapse of an ice making time, the controller 90
drives the ice-fullness sensor 80 to determine whether the ice bank
50 is full of ice. The controller 90 may store first and second
reference values, based on which the controller 90 determines a
state of the ice bank 50 according to the intensity of a signal
transmitted from the ice-fullness sensor 80. The first reference
value is a reference value to determine whether the ice bank 50 is
full of ice. The second reference value is a reference value to
determine whether the ice-fullness sensor 80 is frosted upon
determining that the ice bank 50 is not full of ice. For example,
if a voltage value of the signal transmitted from the ice-fullness
sensor 80 is 1 V (first reference value) or less, the controller 90
determines that the ice bank 50 is full of ice. If the voltage
value of the signal transmitted from the ice-fullness sensor 80
exceeds 1 V, the controller 90 determines that the ice bank 50 is
not full of ice. In a case in which it is determined that the ice
bank 50 is not full of ice, if the voltage value of the signal
transmitted from the ice-fullness sensor 80 is 2.5 V or more, the
controller 90 determines that the ice bank 50 is not full of ice.
If the voltage value of the signal transmitted from the
ice-fullness sensor 80 is 1 to 2.5 V, the controller 90 determines
that the ice-fullness sensor 80 is frosted. The above reference
values are given as an example. Other optimal values obtained
through repeated experimentation may be applied.
[0065] Upon determining that the ice bank 50 is not full of ice,
the controller 90 continuously drives the ice making unit 100 to
complete the ice making process. The ice making process includes
water supply, ice production and ice separation.
[0066] The controller 90 may store information on time to
additionally drive the ice making unit 100 so that the ice making
unit 100 is continuously driven upon determining that the ice bank
50 is not full of ice. When the additional drive time elapses,
therefore, the controller 90 determines whether the ice bank 50 is
full of ice.
[0067] Upon determining that the light emitting part and the light
receiving part of the ice-fullness sensor 80 are frosted, the
controller 90 drives the sensor heaters 110 for a predetermined
time (hereinafter, referred to as a second drive time) to defrost
the ice-fullness sensor 80. After the lapse of the second drive
time, the controller 90 stops the operation of the sensor heaters
110 and determines whether the ice bank 50 is full of ice.
[0068] Upon determining that the ice bank 50 is full of ice, the
controller 90 drives the sensor heaters 110 for a predetermined
time (hereinafter, referred to as a first drive time). If the
ice-fullness sensor 80 has been excessively frosted although the
ice bank 50 is not full of ice, and therefore, a signal generated
by the ice-fullness sensor 80 has an intensity approximate to that
of a signal in a state in which the ice bank 50 is full of ice, the
controller 90 may incorrectly determine that the ice bank 50 is
full of ice. Even in a case in which it is determined that the ice
bank 50 is full of ice, therefore, the operation of the ice making
unit 100 is not stopped, and the sensor heaters 110 are driven to
defrost the ice-fullness sensor 80.
[0069] The first drive time is a time to drive the sensor heaters
110 in a case in which it is incorrectly determined that the ice
bank 50 is full of ice. The second drive time is a time to drive
the sensor heaters 110 so that the ice-fullness sensor 80 is
defrosted when it is determined that the ice-fullness sensor 80 is
frosted. Therefore, the second drive time may be longer than the
first drive time.
[0070] If the time to drive the sensor heaters 110 exceeds the
first drive time, the controller 90 stops the operation of the
sensor heaters 110 and drives the ice-fullness sensor 80 to sense a
state of the ice bank 50.
[0071] The controller 90 compares a voltage value of a signal when
a state of the ice bank 50 is sensed after the lapse of the first
drive time with that of a sensed signal when it is determined that
the ice bank 50 is full of ice to calculate variation.
[0072] If the calculated voltage variation is equal to or greater
than a reference variation, the controller 90 determines that the
ice-fullness sensor 80 has incorrectly sensed that the ice bank 50
is full of ice and determines that the ice-fullness sensor 80 is
frosted. If the calculated voltage variation is less than the
reference variation, the controller 90 determines that the
ice-fullness sensor 80 has correctly sensed that the ice bank 50 is
full of ice and stops the operation of the ice making unit 100.
[0073] For example, if a voltage value of a signal sensed by the
ice-fullness sensor 80 is 0.9 V, which is less than the first
reference value, 1 V, with the result that the ice bank 50 is full
of ice, a voltage value of a sensed signal when a state of the ice
bank 50 is sensed after the sensor heaters 110 are driven for the
first drive time, 1 minute, is 1.3 V, and variation is 0.4 V, which
is greater than the reference variation, 0.3 V, the controller
determines that the ice bank 50 is not full of ice but the
ice-fullness sensor 80 is frosted. The above first reference value,
first drive time and reference variation are given as an example.
Other optimal values obtained through repeated experimentation may
be applied.
[0074] Upon determining that the ice bank 50 is not full of ice but
the ice-fullness sensor 80 is frosted, the controller 110 drives
the sensor heaters 110 for the second drive time to defrost the
ice-fullness sensor 80.
[0075] After the lapse of the second drive time, the controller 90
determines whether the ice bank 50 is full of ice.
[0076] The above algorithm prevents the operation of the ice making
unit 100 from being stopped in a case in which it is incorrectly
determined that the ice-fullness sensor 80 is frosted and thus the
ice bank 50 is full of ice.
[0077] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a control method of an
icemaker according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 90 drives the
ice-fullness sensor 80 and receives a value output from the
ice-fullness sensor 80 to determine whether the ice bank 50 is full
of ice (200). As previously described, an optical sensor including
a light emitting part to irradiate infrared light and a light
receiving part to receive the infrared light irradiated from the
light emitting part may be used as the ice-fullness sensor 80. When
infrared light is irradiated from the light emitting part, the
light receiving part receives the infrared light irradiated from
the light emitting part, converts the intensity of the infrared
light varying based on a state of the ice bank 50, and transmits
the signal to the controller 90.
[0079] The controller 90 compares the output value transmitted from
the ice-fullness sensor 80 with the first reference value to
determine whether the ice bank 50 is full of ice (210). If a
voltage value of the signal transmitted from the ice-fullness
sensor 80 is equal to or less than the first reference value, the
controller 90 determines that the ice bank 50 is full of ice.
[0080] If the voltage value of the signal transmitted from the
ice-fullness sensor 80 exceeds the first reference value, the
controller 90 compares the voltage value with the second reference
value to determine a state of the ice bank 50 (220).
[0081] If the voltage value of the signal transmitted from the
ice-fullness sensor 80 is equal to or less than the second
reference value, the controller 90 determines that the ice bank 50
is not full of ice and controls the ice making unit 100 to
continuously perform the ice making process including water supply,
ice production and ice separation (230).
[0082] The controller 90 may store information on time to
additionally drive the ice making unit 100 so that the ice making
unit 100 is continuously driven upon determining that the ice bank
50 is not full of ice. When the additional drive time elapses, the
controller 90 drives the ice-fullness sensor 80 and receives a
value output from the ice-fullness sensor 80 to determine whether
the ice bank 50 is full of ice.
[0083] If the voltage value of the signal transmitted from the
ice-fullness sensor 80 is less than the second reference value, the
controller 90 determines that the light emitting part and the light
receiving part of the ice-fullness sensor 80 are frosted and drives
the sensor heaters 110 for the second drive time to defrost the
ice-fullness sensor 80 (240). When the second drive time elapses,
the controller 90 stops the operation of the sensor heaters 110,
drives the ice-fullness sensor 80, and receives a value output from
the ice-fullness sensor 80 to determine whether the ice bank 50 is
full of ice.
[0084] Upon determining that the ice bank 50 is full of ice, the
controller 90 drives the sensor heaters 110 for the first drive
time to heat the ice-fullness sensor 80 (250). If the ice-fullness
sensor 80 has become excessively frosted, it may be incorrectly
determined that the ice bank 50 is full of ice. Even in a case in
which it is determined that the ice bank 50 is full of ice,
therefore, the operation of the ice making unit 100 is not stopped,
and the sensor heaters 110 are driven to defrost the ice-fullness
sensor 80. The second drive time to drive the sensor heaters 110
may be longer than the first drive time.
[0085] If the time to drive the sensor heaters 110 exceeds the
first drive time, the controller 90 stops the operation of the
sensor heaters 110, drives the ice-fullness sensor 80, and receives
a value output from the ice-fullness sensor 80 to sense a state of
the ice bank 50 (260).
[0086] The controller 90 compares an output value of a signal
generated when the ice-fullness sensor 80 senses a state of the ice
bank 50 with that of a signal when it is determined that the ice
bank 50 is full of ice to calculate variation, and compares the
calculated variation of the output value with a predetermined
reference variation (270).
[0087] If the calculated variation of the output value is equal to
or greater than the reference variation, the controller 90
determines that the ice-fullness sensor 80 has incorrectly sensed
that the ice bank 50 is full of ice and determines that the
ice-fullness sensor 80 is frosted. The process returns to Operation
240 to defrost the ice-fullness sensor 80.
[0088] If the calculated variation of the output value is less than
the reference variation, the controller 90 determines that the
ice-fullness sensor 80 has correctly sensed that the ice bank 50 is
full of ice and stops the operation of the ice making unit 100
(280).
[0089] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control method of an
icemaker according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure
[0090] As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 90 drives the
ice-fullness sensor 80 and receives a value output from the
ice-fullness sensor 80 to determine whether the ice bank 50 is full
of ice (300). As previously described, an optical sensor including
a light emitting part to irradiate infrared light and a light
receiving part to receive the infrared light irradiated from the
light emitting part may be used as the ice-fullness sensor 80.
[0091] The controller 90 compares the output value transmitted from
the ice-fullness sensor 80 with the first reference value to
determine whether the ice bank 50 is full of ice (310). If a
voltage value of the signal transmitted from the ice-fullness
sensor 80 is equal to or less than the first reference value, the
controller 90 determines that the ice bank 50 is full of ice.
[0092] If the voltage value of the signal transmitted from the
ice-fullness sensor 80 exceeds the first reference value, the
controller 90 compares the voltage value with the second reference
value to determine a state of the ice bank 50 (320).
[0093] If the voltage value of the signal transmitted from the
ice-fullness sensor 80 is equal to or less than the second
reference value, the controller 90 determines that the ice bank 50
is not full of ice and controls the ice making unit 100 to
continuously perform the ice making process including water supply,
ice production and ice separation (330).
[0094] The controller 90 may store information on time to
additionally drive the ice making unit 100 so that the ice making
unit 100 is continuously driven upon determining that the ice bank
50 is not full of ice. When the additional drive time elapses, the
controller 90 drives the ice-fullness sensor 80 and receives a
value output from the ice-fullness sensor 80 to determine whether
the ice bank 50 is full of ice.
[0095] If the voltage value of the signal transmitted from the
ice-fullness sensor 80 is less than the second reference value, the
controller 90 determines that the light emitting part and the light
receiving part of the ice-fullness sensor 80 are frosted and drives
the sensor heaters 110 for the second drive time to defrost the
ice-fullness sensor 80 (340). When the second drive time elapses,
the controller 90 stops the operation of the sensor heaters 110,
drives the ice-fullness sensor 80, and receives a value output from
the ice-fullness sensor 80 to determine whether the ice bank 50 is
full of ice.
[0096] Upon determining that the ice bank 50 is full of ice, the
controller 90 drives the sensor heaters 110 to heat the
ice-fullness sensor 80 (350).
[0097] When the operation of the sensor heaters 110 is commenced,
the controller 90 drives the ice-fullness sensor 80 and receives a
value output from the ice-fullness sensor 80 to sense a state of
the ice bank 50 (360).
[0098] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the ice-fullness sensor
80 is driven to sense a state of the ice bank 50 upon completing
the operation of the sensor heaters 110 for the first drive time.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, on the other hand, the ice bank
50 is continuously sensed during the operation of the sensor
heaters 110.
[0099] The controller 90 continuously compares an output value of a
signal generated when the ice-fullness sensor 80 senses a state of
the ice bank 50 during the operation of the sensor heaters 110 with
that of a signal upon determining that the ice bank 50 is full of
ice to calculate variation of the output value, and continuously
compares the variation of the output value with a predetermined
reference variation (370).
[0100] If the calculated variation of the output value is equal to
or greater than the reference variation, the controller 90
determines that the ice-fullness sensor 80 has incorrectly sensed
that the ice bank 50 is full of ice and determines that the
ice-fullness sensor 80 is frosted. The process returns to Operation
340. That is, upon determining that the variation of the output
value is equal to or greater than the reference variation, the
sensor heaters 110 are additionally driven for the second drive
time to defrost the ice-fullness sensor 80.
[0101] Operation 340 may be changed based on the algorithm used in
Operation 360. That is, determining that the light emitting part
and the light receiving part constituting the ice-fullness sensor
80 are frosted (including both advances from Operation 310 to
Operation 340 and from Operation 370 to Operation 340), the
controller 90 drives the sensor heaters 110 to defrost the
ice-fullness sensor 80.
[0102] When the operation of the sensor heaters 110 is commenced,
the controller 90 drives the ice-fullness sensor 80 to continuously
determine whether the ice bank 50 is full of ice during the
operation of the sensor heaters 110.
[0103] Upon determining that the ice bank 50 is full of ice or that
the ice bank 50 is not full of ice, the controller 90 stops
operation of the sensor heaters 110 even in a case in which the
time to drive the sensor heaters 110 has not exceeded the second
drive time, and perform the next control operation.
[0104] For example, if a voltage value of a signal transmitted from
the ice-fullness sensor 80 is 1.5 V, which is between the first
reference value, 1 V, and the second reference value, 2.5 V, and
therefore, upon determining that the ice-fullness sensor 80 is
frosted, the controller 90 drives the sensor heaters 110 and the
ice-fullness sensor 80 and receives a value output from the
ice-fullness sensor 80 to continuously sense and determine a state
of the ice bank 50. If the output value of the signal increases to
2.5 V or more, the controller 90 stops the operation of the sensor
heaters 110, even in a case in which the time to drive the sensor
heaters 110 has not exceeded the second drive time, determines that
the ice bank 50 is not full of ice, and perform the ice making
process. If the output value of the signal decreases to 1 V or
less, the controller 90 stops the operation of the sensor heaters
110, even in a case in which the time to drive the sensor heaters
110 has not exceeded the second drive time, determines that the ice
bank 50 is full of ice, and performs the subsequent control
process.
[0105] At Operation 370, if the variation of the output value,
calculated through continuous comparison of the output value of the
signal generated when the ice-fullness sensor 80 senses a state of
the ice bank 50 during the operation of the sensor heaters 110 with
that of a signal when it is determined that the ice bank 50 is full
of ice, is less than the reference variation, the controller 90
determines whether time to drive the sensor heaters 110 has
exceeded the first drive time (380).
[0106] The variation of the output value is less than the reference
variation. As the ice-fullness sensor 80 is continuously heated,
however, the variation of the output value may exceed the reference
variation. If the variation of the output value is less than the
reference variation, therefore, the operation of the icemaker is
not immediately stopped, and it is determined whether time to drive
the sensor heaters has exceeded the first drive time.
[0107] If the variation of the output value is less than the
reference variation, and the time to drive the sensor heaters has
exceeded the first drive time, the controller 90 determines that
the ice-fullness sensor 80 has correctly sensed that the ice bank
50 is full of ice and stops the operation of the ice making unit
100 (390). Stopping the operation of the ice making unit 100
includes stopping the operations of the sensor heaters 110 and the
ice-fullness sensor 80.
[0108] As is apparent from the above description, incorrect sensing
of the ice-fullness sensor due to frost is prevented when it is
determined whether the ice bank is full of ice, thereby achieving
more correct determination as to whether the ice bank is full of
ice.
[0109] Also, the sensor heaters are properly driven according to a
state of the ice bank, thereby reducing energy loss due to
excessive operation of the sensor heaters.
[0110] Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have
been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *