CN217817595U - Ice making machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ice maker, it includes: a body capable of generating ice and having an ice generating unit disposed therein; an ice bucket inserted into the body in a manner capable of containing ice; an internal water tub capable of supplying water to the ice making part and storing water; an internal water bucket connecting port which is combined with the internal water bucket in a communicating way when the internal water bucket is inserted into the body; a raw water direct connection port connectable with a water supply pipe; an external water bucket connection port which can be connected with a separate external water bucket; a pipe line connected to the internal water bucket connection port, the raw water direct connection port, and the external water bucket connection port in such a manner that water of the internal water bucket, the water supply pipe, and the external water bucket can be supplied to the ice making part; and a flow path adjusting mechanism that adjusts a flow path of water in the pipe line in such a manner that water is supplied from any one of the internal water tub, the water supply pipe, and the external water tub to the ice making part.

Description

Ice maker

Technical Field

The utility model relates to an ice maker. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ice maker capable of variously selecting a water supply source according to a use environment or a user's demand in supplying water to generate ice, thereby improving convenience in use, and capable of providing different kinds of water supply sources to be used even in an environment without a specific water supply source, thereby further expanding a use range.

Background

Recently, as the use of water purifiers is increased due to environmental problems and the like, the use of ice water purifiers and ice makers as related products is also rapidly increasing.

In general, an ice maker is in the form of a freezer storage that simply stores ice made outside inside, and as an enterprise use, an ice maker that employs a manual method of scooping ice with an ice scoop by a user without a separate discharging function or a method of simply discharging ice stored inside by an operation of a separate button is used.

An ice maker having a function of automatically generating, storing, and discharging ice is generally provided with an ice generating part capable of generating ice, an ice bucket storing ice generated by the ice generating part, an ice discharging mechanism capable of discharging ice from the ice bucket when operated by a user, and the like, inside a body.

In order to produce ice, water needs to be supplied to the ice producing part, and the related art ice maker is generally connected to use tap water as a water supply source to the ice producing part.

However, since there is no water facility inside a place such as an office of a high building or a business office, there is a problem that the ice maker cannot be used because a water supply source for the ice maker cannot be installed. In particular, when the water supply source is designed to be connected to only one of them as in tap water, there is a problem in that the range of use of the ice maker is greatly limited because the ice maker cannot be utilized in an environment without a corresponding water supply source.

Documents of the prior art

Patent literature

Korean laid-open patent No. 10-2007-0104093

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an ice maker which can variously select water supply sources according to the use environment or the user's needs in the process of supplying water to make ice, thereby improving the convenience of use, and can use different kinds of water supply sources even in an environment without a specific water supply source, thereby further expanding the use range.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker that simplifies a structure of a pipeline for supplying water from various water supply sources to an ice making unit, thereby facilitating manufacturing and simplifying a control structure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an ice maker in which an ice making mode for making ice and a washing mode for removing ice inside an ice making unit are alternately and repeatedly performed, water is simultaneously supplied to the upper and lower portions of the ice making unit in the washing mode to reinforce the ice removing function, and water circulation is caused to flow during washing, so that water is not wasted, and additional water supply is not required, thereby further improving convenience in use.

The above-mentioned utility model's purpose can be realized through following technical scheme.

The utility model provides an ice maker, include: a body in which an ice generating unit is disposed so as to be capable of generating ice; an ice bucket inserted into the body so as to be capable of containing the ice generated by the ice generating unit; an internal water tub formed to store water so as to be capable of supplying water to the ice making part and detachably inserted into the inside of the body; an internal water tank connection port which is configured in the body in a mode of being connected with the internal water tank in a communication way along with the internal water tank is inserted in the body; a raw water direct connection port disposed inside the body so as to be connectable to a water supply pipe supplied from the outside; an external water bucket connecting port which is configured in the body in a mode of being connected with a separate external water bucket; a pipe line connected to the internal water bucket connection port, the raw water direct connection port, and the external water bucket connection port in such a manner that water of the internal water bucket, the water supply pipe, and the external water bucket can be supplied to the ice making part; and a flow path adjusting mechanism adjusting a flow path of water in the pipe line in such a manner that water is supplied from any one of the inner water tub, the water supply pipe, and the outer water tub to the ice making part.

Wherein the flow path adjustment mechanism is operatively controlled by a separate control section.

Wherein the flow path adjusting mechanism includes: a pump disposed on the pipeline and operated in a manner to generate a flow of water; and a plurality of on-off valves and flow path switching valves disposed on the line so as to be capable of switching the flow paths of water, wherein the controller controls the pump, the on-off valves, and the flow path switching valves.

Wherein the control part is operatively controlled to alternately repeat an ice making mode in which water is supplied to the ice generating part so that ice is generated by the ice generating part, and a flushing mode in which water is supplied to the ice generating part so that the ice is removed in order to remove the ice inside the ice generating part, and in the ice making mode state, the control part operatively controls the pump, the on-off valve, and the flow path switching valve to supply water to the ice generating part from any one of the internal water tub, the water supply pipe, and the external water tub.

Wherein, in the flushing mode state, the control part controls the pump, the opening and closing valve and the flow path switching valve to operate so that the water in the internal water barrel is supplied to the ice generating part and flows into the internal water barrel again to circulate the water.

Wherein the body is provided with a connection state selection operation part capable of selecting a connection state with a water supply source to be any one of a first connection state, a second connection state and a third connection state, and the control part controls the operation to supply water from the internal water tub to the ice generating part in the ice making mode when the first connection state is selected; when the second connection state is selected, the control portion action-controls to supply water from the water supply duct to the ice making portion in the ice making mode; and the control part action controls to supply water from the external water tub to the ice making part in the ice making mode when the third connection state is selected.

Wherein a sub-tank connected to the ice generating part through a water flow line is installed inside the body, and the pipeline line includes: connect raw water directly connect the mouth with the raw water connecting line of the intermediate point of water flow line, connect inside cask connector with the internal connection pipeline of the intermediate point of raw water connecting line, and connect outside cask connector with the external connection pipeline of the intermediate point of internal connection pipeline.

Wherein, install the filter on the raw water connecting line, the one end of internal connection pipeline is connected in the raw water connecting line raw water directly links the mouth with the interval between the filter.

Wherein the pump is installed on the internal connection line, one end of the external connection line is connected to a section between the internal water tub connection port and the pump in the internal connection line, and the external connection line and the internal connection line are connected to each other by the flow path switching valve.

Wherein an upper end portion of the ice making part and the internal water tub are connected through a separate water discharge flow path in such a manner that the water supplied to the ice making part in the flushing mode state flows into the internal water tub through the ice making part.

The utility model has the following effects.

According to the present invention, there are effects that in supplying water to generate ice, water supply sources can be variously selected according to use environments or needs of users, so that convenience in use can be improved, and different kinds of water supply sources can be provided for use even in an environment without a specific water supply source, so that a use range can be further expanded.

Further, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the structure of the pipeline line for supplying water from the diversified water supply sources to the ice making part is simplified, and thus not only the manufacturing is easy, but also the control structure can be simplified.

Further, according to the present invention, there is an effect that an ice making mode for generating ice and a washing mode for removing ice inside the ice generating part are alternately and repeatedly performed, water is simultaneously supplied to the upper and lower parts of the ice generating part in the washing mode to reinforce the ice removing function, and a flow for circulating water is provided in the washing process, so that not only water is not wasted but also additional water supply is not required, and thus, convenience in use can be further improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating separation of an ice bucket and a water bucket from an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an ice generator of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a region a of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view showing a cross section of an ice generating portion of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing a structure of an internal piping line of an ice maker of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration related to control of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a view showing a water supply flow directly connected through tap water in an ice making mode state of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a view illustrating a water supply flow through an inner water tub in an ice making mode state of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a view illustrating a water supply flow through a separate external water tub in an ice making mode state of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a water supply flow in a flushing mode state of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a drain flow in a drain mode state of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numerals

100: ice maker, 110: a body, 112: open groove, 114: side cover, 116: upper cover, 118: power supply connection portion, 120: ice-producing portion, 121: ice rise, 123: ice cutting portion, 125: inclined surface, 127: ice delivery port, 129: ice generating part cover, 129a: cover tube, 130: ice bucket, 140: internal water tub, 146: discharge groove, 148: water collector, 150: discharge unit, 190: sub-tank, 192: inflow port, 194: water flow pipe, 200: pipeline, 201: raw water connection line, 202: internal connecting line, 203: external connecting line, 204: a filter, 205: pump, 206: opening and closing valve, 207: flow path switching valve, 208: water outlet line, 211: first drain port, 212: second drain port, 213: first drain line, 214: second drain line, 300: control unit, 310: connection state selection operation unit, CI: refrigerant supply line, CO: refrigerant discharge line, CP: compressor, DH: drainage channel, WS1: internal water bucket connection port, WS2: raw water direct connection port, WS3: external water tub connection port, WP: a water flow line.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, when reference numerals are given to components in each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible even when they are shown in different drawings. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 1 is a view illustrating an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 2 is a view illustrating separation of an ice bucket and a water bucket from the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An appearance of an ice maker 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2. In the present embodiment, the ice maker 100 includes a body 110, an ice bucket 130, an inner water bucket 140, and a water tray 148.

The body 110 may be inserted into the ice bucket 130 and the inner water bucket 140, and may generate ice inside in such a manner that the ice is preserved in the ice bucket 130. Regarding the generation of ice inside the body 110, it will be described later. In addition, the body 110 may be formed at one side with an ice bucket accommodating part IBH and an inner water bucket accommodating part WBH in such a manner as to be inserted into the ice bucket 130 and the inner water bucket 140.

In the present embodiment, the ice bucket accommodating portion IBH formed at the body 110 is disposed at an upper portion than the inner water bucket accommodating portion WBH. The ice bucket storage IBH is open on one side so as to be able to store the ice bucket 130. Further, a motor and a drain portion connectable to the ice bucket 130 may be disposed on an inner surface of the ice bucket receiving portion IBH, and an ice discharge port 134 (see fig. 6) may be formed at one side lower end portion of the ice bucket receiving portion IBH so as to discharge ice.

In addition, the inner water bucket accommodating part WBH formed at the body 110 is disposed at a lower portion than the ice bucket accommodating part IBH, and is formed in a state of one side being opened so as to accommodate the inner water bucket 140. At this time, in the present embodiment, the ice bucket accommodating part IBH and the inner water bucket accommodating part WBH may be respectively disposed at one side of the body 110, and the opened side of the body 110 may be formed to be opened in a horizontal direction.

An inner water bucket connection port WS1 for supplying water may be configured at an inner face of the inner water bucket receiving portion WBH, and such an inner water bucket connection port WS1 may communicatively combine the inner water bucket 140 with a water supply portion formed at the inner water bucket 140 in a state of being inserted in the inner water bucket receiving portion WBH to supply water received in the inner water bucket 140 to the inside of the body 110.

In addition, a discharge groove 146 may be formed outside the inner water tub 140. The discharge groove 146 is a groove formed to be able to discharge ice downward from the ice bucket 130 disposed at the upper portion. For this, the discharge groove 146 may be formed on the front face of the inner water bucket accommodation portion WBH, and the drain pan 148 may be disposed at a lower portion. The water tray 148 is provided to prevent water produced from ice discharged from the ice bucket 130 from falling to the outside. A plate formed with a plurality of holes may be disposed on the upper portion of the water receiving tray 148, and a receiving portion for receiving water may be formed on the lower portion of the water receiving tray 148. At this time, the drain pan 148 may be coupled to the inner tub 140 to be detachable from the inner tub 140.

A discharge part 150 is disposed between the ice bucket accommodating part IBH and the inner water bucket accommodating part WBH. A button that a user can operate in order to discharge ice from the ice bucket 130 may be disposed at the discharging part 150, and a power button that can turn on and off (on-off) a power of the ice maker 100 in order to generate ice may be disposed.

In addition, in the discharge part 150, ice through holes penetrating the upper and lower portions may be formed inside. Accordingly, the ice discharged from the ice bucket 130 to the outside may be discharged along the discharge groove 146 formed in the inner water bucket 140 through the ice through hole. Accordingly, the user may contain the ice discharged along the ice penetration hole and the discharge groove 146 in the container in a state where the container capable of receiving the ice is placed on the water tray 148.

On the other hand, although not shown, a water intake cock 151 (see fig. 6) capable of taking water may be disposed in the discharge unit 150, and accordingly, a water intake button operable to take water may be disposed in the discharge unit 150.

In addition, an open groove 112 may be formed at a side surface of the body 110. The open groove 112 is formed for a user to easily disengage the ice bucket 130 and the inner water bucket 140 from the body 110. Therefore, the open groove 112 may be disposed at a side of the body 110 and formed in a vertical direction.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an ice generating unit of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a region a of fig. 3.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the upper cover 116 and the side cover 114 of the body 110 are separated for explaining the ice making unit 120.

Referring to fig. 4, the ice making unit 120 is disposed at an upper portion of the body 110 of the ice maker. The ice making unit 120 is disposed at a lower portion of the upper cover 116 of the body 110, and includes an ice rising portion 121, an ice cutting portion 123, an inclined surface 125, an ice delivery port 127, and an ice making unit cover 129.

The ice rising part 121 rises ice generated by cooling water supplied from the inner water tub 140 by the compressor CP disposed inside the body 110. As shown in the drawing, a plurality of ice lifters 121 may be disposed to surround the ice cutter 123 with reference to a position where the ice cutter 123 is disposed. Each of the ice rises 121 may have a hole shape of a circular shape and may rise ice cooled at a lower portion.

The ice cutting part 123 may be configured to be surrounded by the ice rising part 121 and formed in a shape protruding upward compared to the ice rising part 121. The upper end of the ice cutting part 123 may have a truncated cone shape having an inversely inclined surface at the upper portion of the convex shape. That is, the ice cutting portion 123 may have a shape in which ice is raised by the ice lifting portion 121 and then is locked to the reverse inclined surface of the upper end of the ice cutting portion 123 to be broken in the outward direction. Accordingly, the ice raised by the ice raising portion 121 is caught by the ice cutting portion 123 and broken, and thus one ice piece can be generated.

The inclined surface 125 may be disposed at one side of the ice rising part 121, and is formed to allow ice cubes generated by being broken by the ice cutting part 123 to move in a lower direction. In addition, an ice transfer port 127 may be formed at a lower portion of the inclined surface 125. The ice transfer opening 127 communicates with the ice bucket 130 disposed at the lower portion, and the ice transferred through the ice transfer opening 127 may be accommodated in an ice accommodating portion of the ice bucket 130.

Further, a drain passage DH may be formed between the ice rising portion 121 and the upper portion of the inclined surface 125. The drain flow path DH is provided to prevent water on the ice lifting portion 121 side from moving along the inclined surface 125 toward the ice bank 130 through the ice delivery port 127. That is, if water flows into the ice bank 130 through the ice transfer port 127 along the inclined surface 125 when water is present on the ice making part 120 side, the ice contained in the ice bank 130 may be melted by the inflow water. To prevent this, a drain flow path DH is formed to prevent water on the ice making part 120 side from flowing into the ice bucket 130. The water on the ice lifting portion 121 side can be discharged to the outside through the water discharge passage DH.

As shown in fig. 4, the water discharge path DH may be formed in a lateral direction of the inclined surface 125, and the region where the ice ascending portion 121 is disposed and the inclined surface 125 may be disposed in a state of being spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval through the water discharge path DH. At this time, the drain flow path DH may be formed to have a width such that ice cubes generated by the ice rising part 121 and the ice cutting part 123 are not caught in the drain flow path DH or dropped out of the drain flow path DH.

The ice making part cover 129 is configured to cover an upper portion of the ice making part 120 and prevent moisture generated from ice made by the ice making part 120 from escaping to other portions within the body 110.

Further, a power supply connection part 118 for supplying power to the ice maker 100 may be disposed on the rear surface of the body 110.

In the present embodiment, the ice maker 100 may further include a sub-tank 190. The sub-tank 190 is disposed on one side of the ice generating unit 120, and an inlet 192 may be formed at a lower portion of the sub-tank 190, and a water flow pipe 194 may be formed at an upper portion of the sub-tank 190. The inflow port 192 is provided for allowing water contained in the inner water tub 140 to flow into the inside of the sub-tank 190, and the water flow pipe 194 is provided for supplying water contained in the sub-tank 190 to the ice making part 120 side.

For this reason, the float valve FV may be disposed inside the sub-tank 190, whereby the water level of the water inside the sub-tank 190 may be adjusted.

At this time, when the ice making part cover 129 is configured to cover the ice making part 120, water supplied from the sub-tank 190 to the ice lifting part 121 side may be supplied through the cover pipe 129a formed in the ice making part cover 129. Accordingly, it is possible to supply water from the sub-tank 190 to the ice-rising part 121 and melt ice that may be located in the ice-rising part 121.

That is, the sub-tank 190 supplies water to the ice rising portion 121 when the ice maker 100 is not operating, for example, when a later-described flushing mode is performed, to prevent ice in the ice rising portion 121 from being supercooled and frozen on an inner wall of the ice rising portion 121. Here, as shown in fig. 4, the ice ascender 121 may be located at a position lower than the circumference so that water supplied from the sub-tank 190 can flow into the ice ascender 121.

In addition, after the water thus supplied from the sub-tank 190 to the ice-rising portion 121 side fills the ice-rising portion 121, the overflowed water may be discharged to the outside through the water discharge flow path DH.

Fig. 5 is a view showing a cross section of an ice generating portion of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A structure of generating ice by the ice generating part 120 and a structure of supplying water from the sub-tank 190 will be described with reference to fig. 5.

The ice rising part 121 and the ice cutting part 123 are exposed to the outside from the ice making part 120. At this time, a water lifting module WM is formed below the ice lifting part 121. The water-lifting module WM may be disposed at a lower portion of the ice-cutting part 123 and have a cylindrical shape. A spiral protrusion protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical water lifting module WM. Further, as the water ascending housing WUH is disposed so as to surround the water ascending module WM, a water ascending portion WH can be formed between the water ascending module WM and the water ascending housing WUH. Therefore, when water is supplied from below, the water rises along the water rising portion WH, and can rise along the spiral shape formed on the outer peripheral surface of the water rising module WM. Here, the water lifting module WM may be rotated so that water rises along a spiral shape formed on the outer circumferential surface as necessary.

At this time, a water supply port WI may be formed at a lower portion of the water ascending portion WH in order to supply water to the water ascending portion WH. The water supply port WI allows water contained in the internal water tub 140 to be supplied through the water flow line WP disposed inside the body 110 and to flow into the water rising portion WH through the water supply port WI.

Further, a refrigerant housing portion RF may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the water ascending case WUH. The refrigerant container RF may be filled with the refrigerant supplied from the compressor CP, and may be supplied through a refrigerant supply pipe CI disposed at an upper portion of the refrigerant container RF and discharged through a refrigerant discharge pipe CO disposed at a lower portion of the refrigerant container RF.

Therefore, the water moving to the upper portion through the water elevating portion WH can be elevated when cooled by the refrigerant filled in the refrigerant housing portion RF. The water cooled by the water elevating portion WH may be raised in an ice state by the ice elevating portion 121.

As water is supplied to the water rising portion WH through the water supply port WI, ice is generated in the ice rising portion 121, and when the generation of ice is interrupted, the supply of the refrigerant flowing into the refrigerant housing portion RF through the refrigerant supply pipe CI is interrupted, and the supply of water flowing into the water rising portion WH through the water supply port WI is interrupted. At this time, even if the supply of water flowing into the water-lifting portion WH is interrupted, ice formed in the water-lifting portion WH, in which water has been cooled, may remain in the water-lifting portion WH instead of descending from the water-lifting portion WH to the lower portion. The ice remaining in the water elevating portion WH and the ice elevating portion 121 as described above can maintain a low temperature of the water elevating housing WUH through the refrigerant even if the refrigerant is discharged from the refrigerant housing portion RF through the refrigerant discharge duct CO. Due to the low temperature of the water rising housing WUH, the ice remaining on the water rising portion WH and the ice rising portion 121 is further cooled without moving, and the ice may freeze to solidify outside the water rising module WM and the water rising housing WUH.

When the ice thus remains and is solidified on the water rises WH and the ice rises 121, if the ice maker 100 is operated again before the solidified ice is melted, the solidified ice may not move due to the solidified ice even though water is supplied to the water rises WH again and rises. If the ice maker 100 is re-operated, the ice is harder and cannot rise due to the refrigerant being re-supplied to the refrigerant receiving part RF.

To cope with this, in the present embodiment, while the operation of the ice generating unit 120 is stopped, the water contained in the sub-tank 190 may be supplied toward the upper portion of the ice lifting unit 121 through the water flow pipe 194. The water flowing out of the water flow pipe 194 of the sub-tank 190 may flow along the upper surface of the ice making unit 120 and flow to the ice lifting unit 121 located at a lower position of the ice making unit 120, and the flowing water may flow into the water lifting unit WH through the ice lifting unit 121. Since the water flowing into the ice lifting portion 121 and the water lifting portion WH can flow between the ice and the water lifting module WM and the water lifting housing WUH, the ice remaining in the ice lifting portion 121 and the water lifting portion WH can be melted.

In addition, when water supplied from the sub-tank 190 overflows from the ice ascender 121 and the water ascender WH, the water overflowing from the ice ascender 121 may be discharged to the outside through the water discharge flow path DH formed between the ice ascender 121 and the inclined surface 125.

Further, the inflow port 192 formed at the lower portion of the sub-tank 190 and the water supply port WI formed at the lower portion of the water rising portion WH are connected to each other by the water flow line WP, so that the height of water flowing into the water rising portion WH can be adjusted according to the height of water contained in the sub-tank 190.

When the water ascending module WM is operated to generate ice, the water ascending case WUH is cooled by a refrigerant, and at this time, the ice can be stably generated by filling water to the upper portion in the inner space of the water ascending case WUH as a whole. The water is continuously supplied during the ice making process and the water needs to be maintained at an appropriate level all the time in the inner space of the water ascending housing WUH. Therefore, since the sub-tank 190 and the water lifting housing WUH are connected to each other through the water flow line WP, water is always supplied at the same level as that of the sub-tank 190 in the inner space of the water lifting housing WUH. Of course, during the ice making process, water is continuously supplied from an external supply source such as the internal water tub 140 to the water flow line WP and flows into the sub-tank 190 and the water lift housing WUH, and the internal water level of the water lift housing WUH is maintained to be the same as the water level of the sub-tank 190. A float valve FV is installed inside the sub-tank 190 so that a water level can be adjusted. That is, the water level adjustment of the inside of the water ascending case WUH is indirectly performed by the water level adjustment of the sub-tank 190, and thus ice can be stably generated at all times.

The structure of the piping line and the water supply of the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below centering on fig. 6 to 12.

Fig. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing a structure of an internal piping line of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration related to control of the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to be selectively used as any one of 3 kinds of water supply sources for supplying water to the ice making unit 120, for example, configured to be selectively used according to a use environment and a need, in any one of a manner of storing mineral water in the aforementioned internal water tub 140 and using it as a supply source, a manner of connecting tap water, groundwater, and the like and using it as a supply source, and a manner of connecting with a separate mineral water tub or a cold/hot water machine and using it as a supply source.

Therefore, the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes an internal water tank connection port WS1, a raw water direct connection port WS2, and an external water tank connection port WS3, and a pipeline line 200, an opening/closing valve 206, a flow path switching valve 207, and a control unit 300 are provided to supply water supplied from any one of the ports to the ice generating unit 120.

The internal water tub connection port WS1 is provided inside the body 110, and is configured to be communicatively coupled with the internal water tub 140 as the internal water tub 140 is inserted inside the body 110. The raw water direct connection port WS2 is disposed in the body 110 so as to be connectable to a water supply pipe (not shown) supplied from the outside like a water supply pipe. The external water tub connection port WS3 is disposed inside the body 110 so as to be connectable to a separate external water tub (not shown), for example, a separate mineral water tub or a cold/hot water machine.

The pipe line 200 is connected to the internal water tub connection port WS1, the raw water direct connection port WS2, and the external water tub connection port WS3 in such a manner that water of the internal water tub 140, the water supply pipe, and the external water tub can be supplied to the ice making part 120.

The pump 205 is disposed on the pipeline 200 and operates to generate water flow, and a plurality of on-off valves 206 and a flow path switching valve 207 are disposed on the pipeline 200 so as to be able to switch the flow path of water.

The controller 300 controls the pump 205, the opening and closing valve 206, and the flow path switching valve 207 to operate so as to supply water from any one of the internal water tub 140, the water supply pipe, and the external water tub to the ice making unit 120.

At this time, the control unit 300 performs operation control so as to alternately repeat an ice making mode in which water is supplied to the ice generating unit 120 so that ice is generated by the ice generating unit 120, and a flushing mode in which water is supplied to the ice generating unit 120 so as to flush away the ice in order to remove the ice inside the ice generating unit 120.

The ice making mode for continuously supplying water required for ice production is performed in such a manner that water is supplied to the water flow line WP connecting the ice producing part 120 and the sub-tank 190, and as described above, water is simultaneously supplied to the ice producing part 120 and the sub-tank 190 through the water flow line WP, and the water level of the inside of the ice producing part 120 is adjusted to be the same as the water level of the sub-tank 190.

As described above, the flushing mode for removing ice remaining in the water ascender WH and the ice ascender 121 during the stop of the ice making unit 120 is performed in such a manner that water contained in the sub-tank 190 is supplied toward the upper portion of the ice ascender 121 through the water flow pipe 194.

The control part 300 controls the pump 205, the opening and closing valve 206, and the flow path switching valve 207 to operate in the ice making mode state such that water is supplied from any one of the inner water tub 140, the water supply pipe, and the outer water tub to the ice making part 120, more specifically, to the water flow line WP, and controls the pump 205, the opening and closing valve 206, and the flow path switching valve 207 to operate in the flushing mode state such that water of the inner water tub 140 is supplied to the ice making part 120 and re-flows into the inner water tub 140 to circulate the water.

More specifically, the body 110 is provided with a connection state selection operation unit 310 that can select a connection state with the water supply source to any one of a first connection state, a second connection state, and a third connection state. The controller 300 controls the operation of the pump 205, the on-off valve 206, and the flow path switching valve 207 based on the operation signal of the connection state selection operation unit 310 so as to supply water according to the connection state.

That is, when the first connection state is selected, the control part 300 is action-controlled in the ice making mode state to supply water from the inner water tub 140 to the ice making part 120; when the second connection state is selected, the control part 300 operates and controls to supply water from the water supply pipe to the ice making part 120 in the ice making mode state; and when the third connection state is selected, the control part 300 is action-controlled in the ice making mode state to supply water from the external water tub to the ice making part 120.

As for the arrangement structure of the piping line 200 enabling such water supply, first, the piping line 200 includes a raw water connecting line 201 connecting the middle points of the raw water straight port WS2 and the water flow line WP, an internal connecting line 202 connecting the middle points of the internal water bucket connecting port WS1 and the raw water connecting line 201, and an external connecting line 203 connecting the middle points of the external water bucket connecting port WS3 and the internal connecting line 202.

A filter 204 capable of regularly filtering water such as tap water is installed on the raw water connection line 201, and one end of the internal connection line 202 is connected to a section between the raw water direct connection port WS2 in the raw water connection line 201 and the filter 204.

A pump 205 is installed on the internal connection line 202, one end of the external connection line 203 is connected to a section between the internal water bucket connecting port WS1 in the internal connection line 202 and the pump 205, and the external connection line 203 and the internal connection line 202 are connected to each other by a flow path switching valve 207. That is, a flow path switching valve 207 is installed at the connection site of the external connection line 203 and the internal connection line 202. Therefore, when the pump 205 is operated, water may flow from the external-tub connection port WS3 to the pump 205 or water may flow from the internal-tub connection port WS1 to the pump 205, depending on the operation state of the flow path switching valve 207.

A separate first drain line 213 for discharging water inside the ice making unit 120 and the sub-tank 190 is connected to one of the sections between the filter 204 and the connection point with the water flow line WP in the raw water connection line 201, and the raw water connection line 201 and the first drain line 213 are connected to each other by a separate flow path switching valve 207. A first drain port 211 capable of being connected to a separate drain groove or the like may be formed at an end of the first drain line 213 to drain water.

A separate second drain line 214 for discharging water of the internal water tub 140 is connected at one point in a section between the connection with the raw water connection line 201 and the pump 205 in the internal connection line 202, and the internal connection line 202 and the second drain line 214 are connected to each other by a separate flow path switching valve 207. A second drain port 212 capable of being connected to a separate drain tank or the like may be formed at the end of the second drain line 214 to drain water.

As described in fig. 5, the upper end of the ice making part 120 and the internal water tub 140 are connected by the drainage path DH such that water passing through the ice making part 120 in the flushing mode state flows into the internal water tub 140.

On the other hand, in the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, a water intake cock 151 may be installed in the discharging unit 150 capable of discharging ice, and a function of discharging purified water through the water intake cock 151 may be added, and for this purpose, a separate water outlet line 208 connected to the water intake cock 151 is connected to one place in a section after the filter 204 of the raw water connection line 201, and an on-off valve 206 capable of opening and closing a flow of water toward the water intake cock 151 is installed on the water outlet line 208.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a water supply flow directly connected through tap water in an ice making mode state of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 9 is a diagram showing a water supply flow through an internal water bucket in an ice making mode state of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 10 is a diagram showing a water supply flow through an independent external water bucket in an ice making mode state of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 11 is a diagram showing a water supply flow in a flushing mode state of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 12 is a diagram showing a drainage flow in a drainage mode state of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, fig. 8 illustrates a state of a water supply flow directly through tap water in an ice making mode state, in which the pump 205 is not operated for the water supply flow and is configured to supply water to the water flow line WP by a supply pressure of raw water.

When water is supplied from a water supply pipe supplying tap water or the like through the raw water direct connection port WS2, the water flows along the raw water connection line 201, passes through the filter 204, and then flows into the water flow line WP. The ice making part 120 and the sub-tank 190 are simultaneously supplied with water through the water flow line WP.

Fig. 9 illustrates a state of water supply flow through the inner water tub 140 in the ice making mode state, at which the motion control is such that the pump 205 is operated for the water supply flow. Further, the flow path switching valve 207 installed at the connection of the internal connection line 202 and the external connection line 203 blocks the flow of water flowing in from the external connection line 203, and is controlled by an action to switch the flow path to a direction in which water flows in and out from the internal water bucket connecting port WS 1.

Thus, when the pump 205 is operated, the water of the inner water tub 140 is supplied to the inner connection line 202 through the inner water tub connection port WS1, flows into the water flow line WP after flowing into the raw water connection line 201 and passing through the filter 204. The ice making part 120 and the sub-tank 190 are simultaneously supplied with water through the water flow line WP.

Fig. 10 shows a state of water supply flow through the external water tub in the ice making mode state, at which time, for the water supply flow, the motion control is such that the pump 205 is operated. Further, the flow path switching valve 207 installed at the connection of the internal connection line 202 and the external connection line 203 blocks the flow of water flowing in from the internal water bucket connecting port WS1, and is action-controlled to switch the flow path to the direction in which water flows from the external connection line 203 to the internal connection line 202.

Thus, when the pump 205 is operated, the water of the external water tub is supplied to the external connection line 203 through the external water tub connection port WS3, and flows into the internal connection line 202 from the external connection line 203 to pass through the pump 205, and then flows into the water flow line WP after flowing into the raw water connection line 201 and passing through the filter 204. The ice making part 120 and the sub-tank 190 are simultaneously supplied with water through the water flow line WP.

As such, in the ice making mode state, the control part 300 operates to control the pump 205, the opening and closing valve 206, and the flow path switching valve 207 installed on the piping line 200 to form the aforementioned water supply flow. At this time, when the user operates the water discharge button, the controller 300 operates and controls the on-off valve 206 attached to the water discharge line 208 to open so that the water can be discharged in a clean state through the water intake cock 151. Such a water discharging function can be performed at any time during the supply of water to the ice making part 120 through the tap water, the inner water tub 140, and the outer water tub.

Fig. 11 illustrates a state of the water circulation flow in the flushing mode state in which the water circulation flow always exhibits the same water circulation flow regardless of the signal of the connection state selection operating part 310.

In the flushing mode state, for the water circulation flow, the operation control is such that the pump 205 is operated, the flow path switching valve 207 installed at the connection of the internal connection line 202 and the external connection line 203 blocks the flow of water flowing in from the external connection line 203, and the operation control is such that the flow path is switched to the direction in which water flows in and flows away from the internal water tub connection port WS 1.

When the pump 205 is operated, water flows from the internal water tub 140 into the internal connection line 202 through the internal water tub connection port WS1, and after flowing into the water flow line WP through a partial section of the raw water connection line 201, the water is supplied to the ice making part 120 and the sub-tank 190. The water supplied to the sub-tank 190 is supplied to the ice making unit 120 through the water flow pipe 194 of the sub-tank 190. That is, in the ice making unit 120, water flows into the lower space through the water supply port WI formed at the lower portion, and water flows into the upper space through the water flow pipe 194 of the sub-tank 190. As such, water is simultaneously supplied to the upper and lower portions of the ice generating part 120 during the rinsing process, so that the ice formed inside the inner space of the ice generating part 120 can be more rapidly and completely melted and removed.

The water supplied to both the upper and lower portions of the ice making part 120 overflows to the upper space of the ice making part 120, and thus the overflowing water flows into the inner water tub 140 through the drain flow path DH formed at the upper portion of the ice making part 120.

As such, in the washing mode state, since the water of the inner water tub 140 exhibits a circulating flow that flows back to the inner water tub 140 after passing through the ice generating part 120, the water is not reduced, and thus a continuous washing action can be performed regardless of the amount of water stored in the inner water tub 140.

On the other hand, in order to perform such a rinsing action, it is necessary to store a predetermined amount or more of water in the internal water tub 140, and therefore, it is preferable that separate water for rinsing is supplied and stored in the internal water tub 140 even though water is supplied to the ice generating part 120 through tap water connection or connection with an external water tub in the ice making mode.

Fig. 12 illustrates water flow in a drainage mode for draining the internal water tub 140 or the ice making part 120 and the sub-tank 190 as needed.

For the drainage of the internal water tub 140, the pump 205 is operated, and the flow path switching valve 207 at the connection of the internal connection line 202 and the second drain line 214 is operated and controlled to switch the flow path to the direction in which water flows from the internal connection line 202 to the second drain line 214. For the drainage of the ice making section 120 and the sub-tank 190, the pump 205 is not required to be operated, and the flow path switching valve 207 at the connection of the raw water connection line 201 and the first drain line 213 is operated and controlled to switch the flow path to the direction in which water flows from the raw water connection line 201 to the first drain line 213.

Therefore, when operating in the drain mode, water of the ice making part 120 and the sub-tank 190 flows into the first drain line 213 through the water flow line WP and the raw water connection line 201 and is discharged to the outside through the first drain port 211, and water of the inner water tub 140 flows into the second drain line 214 through the inner connection line 202 and is discharged to the outside through the second drain port 212.

The above description is only illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical ideas of the present invention, but to explain the technical ideas of the present invention, and the scope of the technical ideas of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is to be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents thereof are to be interpreted as falling within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. An ice maker, comprising:

a body in which an ice generating unit is disposed so as to be capable of generating ice;

an ice bucket inserted into the body so as to accommodate the ice generated by the ice generating unit;

an inner water tub formed to store water so as to supply water to the ice making part and detachably inserted into the inside of the body;

an internal water tank connection port disposed in the body so as to be communicatively coupled to the internal water tank as the internal water tank is inserted into the body;

a raw water direct connection port disposed inside the body so as to be connectable to a water supply pipe supplied from outside;

an external water bucket connecting port which is configured in the body in a mode of being connected with a separate external water bucket;

a pipe line connected to the internal water bucket connection port, the raw water direct connection port, and the external water bucket connection port in such a manner that water of the internal water bucket, the water supply pipe, and the external water bucket can be supplied to the ice making part; and

a flow path adjusting mechanism that adjusts a flow path of water in the pipe line in such a manner that water is supplied from any one of the inner water tub, the water supply pipe, and the outer water tub to the ice making part.

2. The ice-making machine of claim 1,

the flow path adjustment mechanism is operatively controlled by a separate control section.

3. The ice-making machine of claim 2,

the flow path adjustment mechanism includes:

a pump disposed on the pipeline and operated in a manner to generate a flow of water; and

a plurality of on-off valves and flow path switching valves arranged on the pipeline in a manner that the flow paths of water can be switched,

the control unit operates to control the pump, the on-off valve, and the flow path switching valve.

4. The ice-making machine of claim 3,

the control unit is configured to alternately repeat an ice making mode in which water is supplied to the ice generating unit so that the ice generating unit generates ice, and a flushing mode in which water is supplied to the ice generating unit so as to remove the ice formed inside the ice generating unit,

and in the ice making mode state, the control part controls the pump, the opening and closing valve, and the flow path switching valve to operate so as to supply water from any one of the internal water tub, the water supply pipe, and the external water tub to the ice generating part.

5. The ice-making machine of claim 4,

in the flushing mode state, the control part controls the pump, the opening and closing valve and the flow path switching valve to operate so that the water in the internal water tank is supplied to the ice generating part and flows into the internal water tank again to circulate the water.

6. The ice-making machine of claim 4,

the body is provided with a connection state selection operation part which can select and operate the connection state with the water supply source to be any one of a first connection state, a second connection state and a third connection state,

when the first connection state is selected, the control part action controls to supply water from the internal water tub to the ice generating part in the ice making mode; when the second connection state is selected, the control portion action controls to supply water from the water supply duct to the ice generating portion in the ice making mode; and the control part action controls to supply water from the external water tub to the ice making part in the ice making mode when the third connection state is selected.

7. The ice-making machine of claim 6,

an auxiliary tank connected with the ice generating part through a water flowing line is arranged in the body,

the pipeline comprises: connect raw water directly connect the mouth with the raw water connecting line of the intermediate point of water flow line, connect inside cask connector with the internal connection pipeline of the intermediate point of raw water connecting line, and connect outside cask connector with the external connection pipeline of the intermediate point of internal connection pipeline.

8. The ice-making machine of claim 7,

a filter is installed on the raw water connecting pipeline,

one end of the internal connecting pipeline is connected with a region between the raw water direct connection port and the filter in the raw water connecting pipeline.

9. The ice-making machine of claim 8,

the pump is installed on the inner connection line,

one end of the external connection line is connected to a section between the internal water tub connection port and the pump among the internal connection lines, and the external connection line and the internal connection line are connected to each other by the flow path switching valve.

10. The ice-making machine of claim 5,

an upper end portion of the ice making part and the internal water tub are connected by a separate water discharge flow path in such a manner that water supplied to the ice making part in the flushing mode state flows into the internal water tub through the ice making part.

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