U.S. patent application number 13/904227 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-12 for refrigerator.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Dongjeong KIM, Donghoon LEE, Wookyong LEE, Juhyun SON.
Application Number | 20130327074 13/904227 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48626314 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130327074 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEE; Donghoon ; et
al. |
December 12, 2013 |
REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
A refrigerator includes an ice making device. The ice making
device includes an upper plate tray having first recess parts that
have a hemispherical shape and a lower plate tray having second
recess parts which correspond to the first recess parts and have a
hemispherical shape. The refrigerator also includes a water supply
module configured to sense and store water to be supplied into the
ice making device, an inflow-side valve configured to selectively
block water supply into the water supply module, and a
discharge-side valve configured to selectively supply the water
stored in the water supply module into the ice making device. The
water supply module includes a water tank configured to store water
supplied from a water supply source and a sensor configured to
sense whether a preset amount of water has been supplied to the
water tank.
Inventors: |
LEE; Donghoon; (Seoul,
KR) ; LEE; Wookyong; (Seoul, KR) ; SON;
Juhyun; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; Donghoon; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Dongjeong; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Electronics Inc. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
48626314 |
Appl. No.: |
13/904227 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/177 ;
62/340 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25C 2400/10 20130101;
F25C 2600/04 20130101; F25C 1/25 20180101; F25C 1/04 20130101; F25C
2700/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/177 ;
62/340 |
International
Class: |
F25C 1/04 20060101
F25C001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 12, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0062427 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator comprising: an ice making device, the ice making
device including: an upper plate tray having first recess parts
that have a hemispherical shape; and a lower plate tray having
second recess parts which correspond to the first recess parts and
have a hemispherical shape, the lower plate tray being rotatably
coupled to the upper plate tray and the first recess parts and the
second recess parts being configured to attach to each other to
define spherical cells based on the upper plate tray contacting the
lower plate tray; a water supply module configured to sense and
store water to be supplied into the ice making device; an
inflow-side valve configured to selectively block water supply into
the water supply module; and a discharge-side valve mounted at a
passage connecting the water supply module to the ice making device
and configured to selectively supply water stored in the water
supply module into the ice making device, wherein the water supply
module comprises: a water tank configured to store water supplied
from a water supply source; and a sensor configured to sense
whether a preset amount of water has been supplied to the water
tank.
2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the water tank
comprises: a case configured to store the water supplied from the
water supply source; a sensing part that extends from a first side
of a top surface of the case, the sensing part having a cylindrical
shape; a water inflow part disposed on a second side of the top
surface of the case, the second side of the top surface of the case
being opposite of the first side of the top surface of the case;
and a water discharge part disposed on a bottom surface of the
case.
3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is a
capacitance sensor mounted at the sensing part and configured to
sense presence of water in the sensing part based on a change in
capacitance resulting from the sensing part being filled with
water.
4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the capacitance
sensor is mounted on an upper end of the sensing part, and an
electrode of the capacitance sensor extends downward to an inside
of the sensing part.
5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the capacitance
sensor is configured to sense presence of water in the sensing part
based on water contacting the electrode.
6. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the bottom
surface of the case is inclined such that a transversal
cross-sectional area of the bottom surface of the case gradually
reduces toward the water discharge part.
7. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the water inflow
part extends upward from the top surface of the case by a
predetermined length.
8. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the sensor is a
floating sensor mounted inside the sensing part and configured to
sense presence of water in the sensing part based on movement of a
portion of the floating sensor that moves with water flowing into
the sensing part.
9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the floating
sensor comprises: a buoy configured to float on water, the buoy
being the portion of the floating sensor that moves with water
flowing into the sensing part; a magnet attached to the buoy; and a
level sensor mounted to a side of the sensing part and configured
to sense the magnet attached to the buoy based on the magnet
attached to the buoy reaching a level of the level sensor.
10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein the level sensor
comprises a Hall Effect sensor.
11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a
control part connected to the sensor, the inflow-side valve, and
the discharge-side valve, wherein the control part is configured to
control an opening and closing of each of the inflow-side valve and
the discharge-side valve according to a signal transmitted from the
sensor.
12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein the control
part is configured to, based on the signal transmitted from the
sensor indicating that the preset amount of water has been supplied
to the water tank, close the inflow-side valve and open the
discharge-side valve.
13. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a
capacitance sensor configured to sense that the preset amount of
water has been supplied to the water tank based on a change in
capacitance resulting from a location of the capacitance sensor
being filled with water.
14. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a
floating sensor mounted inside the water tank and configured to
sense that the preset amount of water has been supplied to the
water tank based on movement of a portion of the floating sensor
that moves with water flowing into the water tank.
15. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a
load cell configured to sense that the preset amount of water has
been supplied to the water tank based on sensing a weight of water
supplied to the water tank.
16. A refrigerator comprising: an ice making device, the ice making
device including: an upper plate tray having first recess parts
that have a hemispherical shape; and a lower plate tray having
second recess parts which correspond to the first recess parts and
have a hemispherical shape, the lower plate tray being rotatably
coupled to the upper plate tray and the first recess parts and the
second recess parts being configured to attach to each other to
define spherical cells based on the upper plate tray contacting the
lower plate tray; an inflow-side valve configured to selectively
block water supply to the ice making device; a sensor mounted to at
least one of the upper plate tray and the lower plate tray and
configured to sense whether a preset amount of water has been
supplied to the spherical cells defined by the first recess parts
and the second recess parts; and a control part connected to the
inflow-side valve and the sensor and configured to control the
inflow-side valve to block water supply to the ice making device
based on the sensor sensing that the preset amount of water has
been supplied to the spherical cells defined by the first recess
parts and the second recess parts.
17. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the sensor is a
capacitance sensor configured to sense that the preset amount of
water has been supplied to the spherical cells defined by the first
recess parts and the second recess parts based on a change in
capacitance resulting from a location of the capacitance sensor
being filled with water.
18. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the sensor is a
floating sensor configured to sense that the preset amount of water
has been supplied to the spherical cells defined by the first
recess parts and the second recess parts based on movement of a
portion of the floating sensor that moves with water supplied to
the spherical cells defined by the first recess parts and the
second recess parts.
19. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the floating
sensor comprises: a sensing part mounted to the upper plate tray,
the sensing part being configured to receive water through a
communication hole defined in the upper plate tray; a buoy located
in the sensing part and configured to float on water, the buoy
being the portion of the floating sensor that moves with water
supplied to the spherical cells defined by the first recess parts
and the second recess parts; a magnet attached to the buoy; and a
level sensor mounted to a side of the sensing part and configured
to sense the magnet attached to the buoy based on the magnet
attached to the buoy reaching a level of the level sensor.
20. The refrigerator according to claim 16, wherein the sensor is
mounted to the upper plate tray.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefits of priority to
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0062427 filed on Jun. 12,
2012, which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Refrigerators are home appliances that store foods in a
refrigerated or frozen state. Recently, an ice making device for
making ice is commonly mounted to such a refrigerator. In
refrigerators with an ice making device, water supply mechanisms
for making ice are provided. Here, accurately controlling an amount
of water supplied for making ice may be important. In particular,
in an ice making device for making globular or spherical ice
pieces, it may be important to accurately control an amount of
supplied water. For example, if the amount of supplied water is
insufficient, it is impossible to make perfect globular or
spherical ice pieces. On the other hand, if an amount of supplied
water is excessive, an ice making tray may be broken due to the
volume expansion of an ice piece during the ice making process.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates an example water supply system for making
ice in a refrigerator.
[0005] Referring to FIG. 1, a water supply passage is connected to
a water supply source 1, and a switching valve 2 is mounted on the
water supply passage. In addition, a flow sensor 3 is mounted on an
outlet side of the switching valve 2, and the water supply passage
has an end connected to a water supply hole of an ice maker 5.
Further, the flow sensor 3 and the valve 2 are electrically
connected to a controller 4 (e.g., a Micom).
[0006] In general, a flowmeter may be used as the flow sensor 3,
and an amount of water to be supplied may be calculated according
to the number of pulse of the flowmeter corresponding to the
rotation number of the flowmeter. When the water is completely
supplied, a valve locking signal may be output from the controller
4 to close the valve 2.
[0007] A method of supplying water for a time preset in the
controller 4 may be used as another method of supplying water into
the ice maker. For example, if a water supply time is set to about
5 seconds, water may be unconditionally supplied for about 5
seconds regardless of a water pressure of a water supply
source.
[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates an excessive water supply phenomenon
occurring when water supply is controlled using the flow sensor in
a low water-pressure area. As shown in FIG. 2, more water than the
target amount A of water is supplied in the low water-pressure
area.
SUMMARY
[0009] In one aspect, a refrigerator includes an ice making device.
The ice making device includes an upper plate tray having first
recess parts that have a hemispherical shape and a lower plate tray
having second recess parts which correspond to the first recess
parts and have a hemispherical shape. The lower plate tray is
rotatably coupled to the upper plate tray and the first recess
parts and the second recess parts are configured to attach to each
other to define spherical cells based on the upper plate tray
contacting the lower plate tray. The refrigerator also includes a
water supply module configured to sense and store water to be
supplied into the ice making device and an inflow-side valve
configured to selectively block water supply into the water supply
module. The refrigerator further includes a discharge-side valve
mounted at a passage connecting the water supply module to the ice
making device and configured to selectively supply water stored in
the water supply module into the ice making device. The water
supply module includes a water tank configured to store water
supplied from a water supply source and a sensor configured to
sense whether a preset amount of water has been supplied to the
water tank.
[0010] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the water tank may include a case configured
to store the water supplied from the water supply source and a
sensing part that extends from a first side of a top surface of the
case. In this example, the sensing part may have a cylindrical
shape and the water tank may include a water inflow part disposed
on a second side of the top surface of the case. The second side of
the top surface of the case may be opposite of the first side of
the top surface of the case. The water tank further may include a
water discharge part disposed on a bottom surface of the case.
[0011] In some implementations, the sensor may be a capacitance
sensor mounted at the sensing part and configured to sense presence
of water in the sensing part based on a change in capacitance
resulting from the sensing part being filled with water. In these
implementations, the capacitance sensor may be mounted on an upper
end of the sensing part and an electrode of the capacitance sensor
may extend downward to an inside of the sensing part. Further, in
these implementations, the capacitance sensor may be configured to
sense presence of water in the sensing part based on water
contacting the electrode.
[0012] In addition, the bottom surface of the case may be inclined
such that a transversal cross-sectional area of the bottom surface
of the case gradually reduces toward the water discharge part. The
water inflow part may extend upward from the top surface of the
case by a predetermined length.
[0013] In some examples, the sensor may be a floating sensor
mounted inside the sensing part and configured to sense presence of
water in the sensing part based on movement of a portion of the
floating sensor that moves with water flowing into the sensing
part. In these examples, the floating sensor may include a buoy
configured to float on water, the buoy being the portion of the
floating sensor that moves with water flowing into the sensing
part. Further, in these examples, the floating sensor may include a
magnet attached to the buoy and a level sensor mounted to a side of
the sensing part and configured to sense the magnet attached to the
buoy based on the magnet attached to the buoy reaching a level of
the level sensor. The level sensor may include a Hall Effect
sensor.
[0014] In some implementations, the refrigerator may include a
control part connected to the sensor, the inflow-side valve, and
the discharge-side valve. In these implementations, the control
part may be configured to control an opening and closing of each of
the inflow-side valve and the discharge-side valve according to a
signal transmitted from the sensor. Also, in these implementations,
the control part may be configured to, based on the signal
transmitted from the sensor indicating that the preset amount of
water has been supplied to the water tank, close the inflow-side
valve and open the discharge-side valve.
[0015] The sensor may be a capacitance sensor configured to sense
that the preset amount of water has been supplied to the water tank
based on a change in capacitance resulting from a location of the
capacitance sensor being filled with water. The sensor may be a
floating sensor mounted inside the water tank and configured to
sense that the preset amount of water has been supplied to the
water tank based on movement of a portion of the floating sensor
that moves with water flowing into the water tank. The sensor may
be a load cell configured to sense that the preset amount of water
has been supplied to the water tank based on sensing a weight of
water supplied to the water tank.
[0016] In another aspect, a refrigerator includes an ice making
device. The ice making device includes an upper plate tray having
first recess parts that have a hemispherical shape and a lower
plate tray having second recess parts which correspond to the first
recess parts and have a hemispherical shape. The lower plate tray
is rotatably coupled to the upper plate tray and the first recess
parts and the second recess parts are configured to attach to each
other to define spherical cells based on the upper plate tray
contacting the lower plate tray. The refrigerator also includes an
inflow-side valve configured to selectively block water supply to
the ice making device and a sensor mounted to at least one of the
upper plate tray and the lower plate tray and configured to sense
whether a preset amount of water has been supplied to the spherical
cells defined by the first recess parts and the second recess
parts. The refrigerator further includes a control part connected
to the inflow-side valve and the sensor and configured to control
the inflow-side valve to block water supply to the ice making
device based on the sensor sensing that the preset amount of water
has been supplied to the spherical cells defined by the first
recess parts and the second recess parts.
[0017] Implementations may include one or more of the following
features. For example, the sensor may be mounted to the upper plate
tray. In addition, the sensor may be a capacitance sensor
configured to sense that the preset amount of water has been
supplied to the spherical cells defined by the first recess parts
and the second recess parts based on a change in capacitance
resulting from a location of the capacitance sensor being filled
with water.
[0018] In some implementations, the sensor may be a floating sensor
configured to sense that the preset amount of water has been
supplied to the spherical cells defined by the first recess parts
and the second recess parts based on movement of a portion of the
floating sensor that moves with water supplied to the spherical
cells defined by the first recess parts and the second recess
parts. In these implementations, the floating sensor may include a
sensing part mounted to the upper plate tray. The sensing part may
be configured to receive water through a communication hole defined
in the upper plate tray. The floating sensor also may include a
buoy located in the sensing part and configured to float on water.
The buoy may be the portion of the floating sensor that moves with
water supplied to the spherical cells defined by the first recess
parts and the second recess parts. The floating sensor further may
include a magnet attached to the buoy and a level sensor mounted to
a side of the sensing part and configured to sense the magnet
attached to the buoy based on the magnet attached to the buoy
reaching a level of the level sensor.
[0019] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in
the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features
will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example water supply system
for making ice in a refrigerator according to a related art.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating an excessive water supply
phenomenon occurring when water supply is controlled using a flow
sensor in a low water-pressure area.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating
an example ice making device to which an example water supply
system is applied.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a water
supply state of the example ice making device.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic system view of an example water supply
mechanism.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along
line I-I of FIG. 5.
[0026] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example
quantitative water supply module.
[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another
example water supply system.
[0028] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of yet another example
water supply system.
[0029] FIGS. 10 and 11 are side views illustrating an example ice
making device having an example water supply structure.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating another example
water supply mechanism.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates an example ice making device to which an
example water supply system is applied, and FIG. 4 illustrates a
water supply state of the example ice making device.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, an ice making device 100 includes an
upper plate tray 110 defining an upper appearance, a lower plate
tray 120 defining a lower appearance, a driving unit 140 for
operating one of the upper plate tray 110 and the lower plate tray
120, and an ejecting unit 160 (see FIG. 4) for separating ice
pieces made in the upper plate tray 110 or the lower plate tray
120. The ejecting unit 160 includes an ejecting pin having a rod
shape.
[0033] In some implementations, recess parts 125 each having a
hemispherical shape may be arranged inside of the lower plate tray
120. Here, each of the recess parts 125 defines a lower half of a
globular or spherical ice piece. The lower plate tray 120 may be
formed of a metal material. As necessary, at least a portion of the
lower plate tray 120 may be formed of an elastically deformable
material. The lower plate tray 120 in which a portion is formed of
an elastic material will be described as an example.
[0034] The lower plate tray 120 includes a tray case 121 defining
an outer appearance, a tray body 123 mounted on the tray case 121
and having the recess parts 125, and a tray cover 126 fixing the
tray body 123 to the tray case 121.
[0035] The tray case 121 may have a square frame shape. Also, the
tray case 121 may further extend upward and downward along a
circumference thereof. Also, a seat part 121a through which the
recess parts 125 pass may be disposed inside the tray case 121.
Also, a lower plate tray connection part 122 may be disposed on a
rear side of the tray case 121. The lower plate tray connection
part 122 may be coupled to the upper plate tray 110 and the driving
unit 140. The lower plate tray connection part 122 may function as
a center of rotation of the tray case 121. Further, an elastic
member mounting part 121b may be disposed on a side surface of the
tray case 121, and an elastic member 131 providing elastic force so
that the lower plate tray 120 is maintained in a closed state may
be connected to the elastic member mounting part 121b.
[0036] The tray body 123 may be formed of an elastically deformable
flexible material. The tray body 123 may be seated from an upper
side of the tray case 121. The tray body 123 includes a plane part
124 and the recess part 125 recessed from the plane part 124. The
recess part 125 may pass through the seat part 121a of the tray
case 121 to protrude downward. Thus, as shown as a dotted line in
FIG. 4, the recess part 125 may be pushed by the ejecting unit 160
when the lower plate tray 120 is rotated to separate the ice within
the recess part 125 to the outside.
[0037] The tray cover 126 may be disposed above the tray body 123
to fix the tray body 123 to the tray case 121. A punched part 126a
having a shape corresponding to that of an opened top surface of
the recess part 125 defined in the tray body 123 may be defined in
the tray cover 126. The punched part 126a may have a shape in which
a plurality of circular shapes successively overlap one another.
Thus, when the lower plate tray 120 is assembled, the recess part
125 is exposed through the punched part 126a.
[0038] Also, the upper plate tray 110 defines an upper appearance
of the ice making device 100. The upper plate tray 110 may include
a mounting part 111 for mounting the ice making device 100 and a
tray part 112 for making ice.
[0039] In some examples, the mounting part 111 fixes the ice making
device 100 to the inside of a freezing compartment or an ice making
chamber. The mounting part 111 may extend in a direction
perpendicular to that of the tray part 112. Thus, the mounting part
111 may be stably fixed to a side surface of the freezing
compartment or the ice making chamber through surface contact.
Also, the tray part 112 may have a shape corresponding to that of
the lower plate tray 120. The tray part 112 may include a plurality
of recess parts 113 each being recessed upward in a hemispherical
shape. The plurality of recess parts 113 are successively arranged
in a line. When the upper plate tray 110 and the lower plate tray
120 are closed, the recess part 125 of the lower plate tray 120 and
the recess part 113 of the upper plate tray 110 are coupled to
match each other in shape, thereby defining a cell 150 (see FIG. 4)
that defines an ice making space having a globular or spherical
shape. The recess part 113 of the upper plate tray 110 may have a
hemispherical shape corresponding to that of the lower plate tray
120.
[0040] The upper plate tray 110 may be formed of a metal material
entirely. Also, the upper plate tray 110 may be configured to
quickly freeze water within the cell 150. A heater 161 heating the
upper plate tray 110 to separate ice pieces may be further disposed
on the upper plate tray 110. In addition, a water supply unit 170
for supplying water into water supply part 114 of the upper plate
tray 110 may be further disposed above the upper plate tray
110.
[0041] The recess part 113 of the upper plate tray 110 may be
formed of an elastic material, like the recess part 113 of the
lower plate tray 120, so that ice pieces are easily separated.
[0042] A rotating arm 130 and the elastic member 131 are disposed
on a side of the lower plate tray 120. The rotating arm 130 may be
rotatably mounted on the lower plate tray 120 to provide the
tension of the elastic member 131.
[0043] In some implementations, the rotating arm 130 may have an
end axially coupled to the lower plate tray connection part 122.
Also, the rotating arm may further rotate even though the lower
plate tray 120 is closed to allow the elastic member 131 to extend.
The elastic member 131 is mounted between the rotating arm 130 and
the elastic member mounting part 121b. The elastic member 131 may
include a tension spring. In some examples, the rotating arm 130
may further rotate in a direction in which the lower plate tray 120
is closely attached to the upper plate tray 110 in the state where
the lower plate tray 120 is in the closed state, to allow the
elastic member 131 to extend. Also, in a state where the rotating
arm 130 is stopped, restoring force is applied to the elastic
member 130 in a direction in which the elastic member 130 decreases
to an original length thereof. Since the lower plate tray 120 is
more closely attached to the upper plate tray 110 due to the
restoring force, the leakage of water may be reduced (e.g.,
prevented) during ice making.
[0044] In addition, a plurality of air holes 115 are defined in the
recess parts 113 of the upper plate tray 110. Each of the air holes
115 may be configured to exhaust air when water is supplied into
the cell 150. The air hole 115 may have a cylinder sleeve shape
extending upward to guide access of an ejecting pin 160 for
separating an ice piece. Here, the ejecting unit 160 may be
provided as a structure that does not press the recess part 125 of
the lower plate tray 120 in a horizontal state, but that is
vertically disposed above the upper plate tray 110 to pass through
the air hole 115 and the water supply part 114. The ejecting unit
160 may be connected to the rotating arm 130 to ascend or descend
when the rotating arm 130 rotates. Therefore, if the lower plate
tray 120 rotates, the rotating arm 130 may rotate downward. Thus,
the ejecting unit 160 passes through the air hole 115 and the water
supply part 114 while descending to push a globular or spherical
ice piece attached to the recess part 113 of the upper plate tray
110 out.
[0045] The water supply part 114 or the air hole 115 is disposed in
an approximately central portion of each of the plurality of cells
150. The water supply part 114 may have a diameter greater than
that of the air hole 115 to supply water smoothly. The water supply
part 114 may be disposed in one end of both left and right ends of
the plurality of cells 150 to conveniently supply water. The water
supply part 114 may be configured to guide the access of the
ejecting unit 160 for exhausting air and separating ice pieces when
water is supplied in addition to the water supply function.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper plate tray 110 and the lower
plate tray 120 are closely attached to each other to prevent the
stored water from leaking. Also, inner surfaces of the upper plate
tray 110 and the lower plate tray 120 may define a globular or
spherical surface to make a globular or spherical ice piece. Here,
whether a perfect globular or spherical ice piece is made may be
determined according to an amount of water supplied to the cell
150. For example, if the amount of water supplied to the cell 150
is less than a preset supply amount, a top surface of the made ice
may be flat. On the other hand, if an amount of water supplied to
the cell 150 is greater than the present supply amount, the upper
plate tray 110 and the lower plate tray 120 may have a gap there
between or be broken by the volume expansion of ice during the ice
making process. Therefore, the accurate control of a water supply
amount in the ice making device for making globular or spherical
ice pieces may be an important factor.
[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates an example water supply mechanism, and
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line I-I
of FIG. 5.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a water supply system for making
ice includes a water supply source 6, a quantitative water supply
module 30 connected to the water supply source 6, and an ice making
device 100 connected to an outlet side of the quantitative water
supply module 30.
[0049] In some implementations, an inlet-side valve 8 is mounted
between the water supply source 6 and the quantitative water supply
module 30, and an outlet-side valve 9 is mounted between the ice
making device 100 and the quantitative water supply module 30 so
that water supply into the quantitative water supply module 30 and
the ice making device is controlled. Each of the inlet-side valve 8
and the outlet-side valve 9 is connected to a control part 7 to
control the opening or closing of the valves.
[0050] The quantitative water supply module 30 includes a water
tank 31 that stores water supplied from the water supply source 6
and a flow sensor sensing an amount of water supplied into the
water tank 31. In this example, the flow sensor includes a
capacitive sensor 32. The capacitive sensor 32 is connected to the
control part 7 to transmit, to the control part 7, a signal
indicating that a preset water level has been reached.
[0051] The water tank 31 constituting the capacitive water supply
module 30 includes a case 311 providing a space for storing water,
an water inflow part 312 disposed in one side of a top surface of
the case 311, a water discharge part 313 disposed in a bottom
surface of the water tank 31, a sensing part 315 protruding from
the other side of the top surface of the case 311, and a capacitive
sensor 32 mounted to the sensing part 315.
[0052] In some examples, the bottom surface of the case 311 may
have an inclined surface 314 to collect water toward the water
discharge part 313. That is, the bottom surface of the case 311 may
be gradually inclined toward the water discharge part 313. This
design may prevent water from remaining in the case 311 in the
water discharge process for supplying water into the ice making
device 100.
[0053] Also, an electrode 321 of the capacitive sensor 32 extends
into the sensing part 315. When a preset supply amount of water is
supplied to the water tank 31, water may reach a height at which an
end of the electrode 321 is disposed. When water contacts the
electrode 321, a resistance value sensed by the capacitance sensor
32 may be changed due to a difference between capacitances of air
and water. As a result, an electrical signal according to the
change of the resistance value may be transmitted to the control
part 7 to sense that an amount of supplied water reaches the preset
supply amount of water. A transversal cross-sectional area of the
sensing part 315 is less than that of the case 311. This design may
reduce (e.g., minimize) a supply amount error due to a water level
error.
[0054] In addition, the water inflow part 312 has a tube shape
extending upward from a top surface of the case 311 so that a water
supply direction, e.g., a water flow direction, is oriented in a
direction of gravity. This design may reduce (e.g., minimize) a
flow of water into the tank when water is supplied to reduce (e.g.,
minimize) a water level sensing error of the electrode 312.
[0055] An air hole 316 is disposed on the upper end of the sensing
part 315 to maintain the inside of the case 311 in an atmospheric
condition during the supply and discharge of water.
[0056] When it is determined that the supply of the preset supply
amount of water is completed by the capacitance sensor 32, the
control part 7 may close the inflow-side valve 8 and open the
discharge-side valve 9. Thus, the water supplied and stored in the
case 311 is supplied to the ice making device 100.
[0057] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an example
quantitative water supply module.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 7, a quantitative water supply module 40
has the same structure as that of the quantitative water supply
module 30, except for a water level sensor mounted on a sensing
part 415.
[0059] A case 411, a water inflow part 412, a water discharge part
413, an inclined surface 414, a sensing part 415, and an air hole
416 establishing a water tank 41 have the same structure as those
described above and, thus, their duplicated descriptions will be
referenced, rather than repeated.
[0060] In the example shown in FIG. 7, a floating sensor 42 is
applied as a sensor mounted inside the sensing part 415.
[0061] For instance, the floating sensor 42 includes a buoy 421
vertically moving according to a water level within the sensing
part 415, a magnet 424 mounted inside the buoy 421, and a sensor
423 mounted on a side of an inner circumferential surface of the
sensing part 415 to sense magnetic force generated from the magnet
424. The sensor 423 may be a Hall Effect sensor.
[0062] The buoy 421 may ascend due to an increase of the water
level from a time point at which water is supplied into a case 411
to a time point at which water reaches a lower end of the sensing
part 415. When the magnet 424 within the buoy 421 is disposed at a
height corresponding to that of the sensor 423, the sensor 423 may
sense the magnet 424 to transmit a signal into a control part 7.
And the control part 7 may close an inflow-side valve 8 and open a
discharge-side valve 9 to supply the water supplied into the case
411 to an ice making device 100.
[0063] FIG. 8 illustrates another example water supply system.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 8, a capacitance sensor 32a is mounted on
an upper plate tray 110 of an ice making device 100 for making
globular or spherical ice.
[0065] For example, the capacitance sensor 32a may be mounted
nearby an upper edge of the upper plate tray 110. Here, since water
existing within a water tube may be supplied into the ice making
device 100 after water supply is stopped, the capacitance sensor
32a may be disposed at a position that enables the water existing
within the water tube to be received after the capacitance sensor
32a detects water and transmits a signal to stop water supply. If
the capacitance sensor 32a is mounted on the uppermost end of the
upper plate tray 110, supplied water may exceed a preset supply
amount and flow down to the outside of the ice making device 100,
or a tray may be broken during an ice making process. Thus,
considering an amount of water supplied after the supply of the
water is stopped, the capacitance sensor 32a may be mounted on a
position corresponding to a slightly lower side from the uppermost
end of the upper plate tray 110.
[0066] Also, the capacitance sensor 32a may be mounted on the upper
plate tray 110 corresponding to the outermost side from the water
supply unit 170 so that the supply of the water is stopped after
water is fully supplied into the water supply tray.
[0067] FIG. 9 illustrates yet another example water supply
system.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 9, the floating sensor shown in FIG. 7 is
directly mounted on a side surface of an upper plate tray 110 of an
ice making device 100 for making globular or spherical ice.
[0069] For instance, a sensing part 415 and a flow sensing (or a
water level sensing) module 40a including the floating sensor 42
disposed within the sensing part 415 may communicate with each
other through a communication hole 110a defined in one position of
the upper plate tray 110. If water is supplied into a cell defined
between the upper plate tray 110 and a lower plate tray 120, and a
water lever reaches the communication hole 110a, the water supplied
into of the cell may be introduced into the sensing part 415. Then,
the water level increases while the water level within the cell and
the sensing part 415 are maintained equally. As the water level
increases, the buoy 421 floats upward and moves the magnet 422
closer to the sensor 423. When the magnet 422 floats up to the
position of the sensor 423, the supply of the water may be stopped.
An air hole 41b is defined in the sensing part 415.
[0070] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate an example ice making device
having an example water supply structure.
[0071] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a sensor 50 may be mounted on
an outer surface of a lower plate tray 120 of an ice making device,
and a magnet may be mounted on a side surface of a case in which
the ice making device is accommodated. Also, water quantitatively
supplied may be sensed by sensing a degree of downward rotation of
the lower plate tray 120.
[0072] An upper plate tray 110 and a lower plate tray 120 may be
maintained in a closely attached state before water supply starts.
When water is supplied into the lower plate tray 120 through a
water supply unit 170, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lower plate
tray 120 may be gradually rotated downward with respect to an axis
of a driving unit 140 by a weight of supplied water. Also, when a
preset supply amount is supplied, the rotation of the lower plate
tray 120 may be stopped just before the water supply amount reaches
the preset supply amount. At this moment, the sensor 50 may sense
the magnet to generate a water supply stop signal. The magnet may
be mounted on any position of a part separated from the ice making
device. Here, the separate part may be a sidewall of an ice making
chamber accommodating the ice making device.
[0073] In some examples, a time point at which the sensor 50 senses
the magnet is set to a time point just before the water supply
amount reaches the preset supply amount to accommodate an amount of
remaining water in the water supply tube because the water
remaining in the water supply tube or member connected to the water
supply unit 170 may be supplied into the lower plate tray 120 after
the water supply is stopped as described above.
[0074] The sensor 50 may be mounted on a side opposite to the
magnet. That is, the magnet may be mounted on the lower plate tray
120, and the sensor 50 may be mounted on the sidewall of the ice
making chamber at a position facing the magnet.
[0075] FIG. 12 illustrates an example water supply mechanism for
making ice.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 12, the example water supply mechanism is
similar to those described above in that the mechanism for
quantitatively supplying water includes a water tank 61, an
inflow-side valve 8, a quantitative water supply module, and a
discharge-side valve 9.
[0077] However, the example water supply mechanism is different
from those described above in that the quantitative water supply
module includes the water tank 61 and a load cell 60 for sensing an
amount of water supplied into the water tank 61. The load cell 60
for sensing a weight of water supplied into the water tank 61 may
be mounted on an upper end or a bottom surface of the water tank
61. When supply of water into the water supply tank 61 starts, the
load cell 60 may sense the weight of supplied water to sense the
accurate amount of supplied water.
[0078] For instance, a control part may initialize the load cell 60
before the water supply starts. Then, when the water supply starts,
the load cell 60 may measure the weight of supplied water. When it
is determined that the weight of supplied water reaches a preset
weight value, the control part may determine that the quantitative
water supply is completed. Thus, the load cell 60 transmits a water
supply stop signal to the control part. Thereafter, an ice making
process and an ice separation process may be performed.
[0079] The load cell 60 may be directly mounted on the lower plate
tray 120 as well as the water tank 61.
[0080] The quantitative water supply unit as described above may be
mounted on the ice making device for making the globular or
spherical ice, in which an amount of supplied water may be
accurately controlled, to easily make substantially globular or
spherical ice.
[0081] The refrigerator may be advantageous for an ice making
system in which an accurate control is required in an amount of
water to be supplied, such as the ice making device for making
globular or spherical ice.
[0082] Although implementations have been described with reference
to a number of illustrative examples thereof, it should be
understood that numerous other modifications and implementations
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 and fall 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.
* * * * *