EP4220043A1

EP4220043A1 - Refrigerator comprising an ice maker

Info

Publication number: EP4220043A1
Application number: EP23153718.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yong Hyun Kim; Soo Young Choi; Sunghee Kang
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2022-01-28
Filing date: 2023-01-27
Publication date: 2023-08-02
Also published as: KR20230116483A; US20230243561A1

Abstract

A refrigerator comprises an ice maker, the ice maker, comprising a housing forming an ice making space, a tray being disposed in the ice making space and having a plurality of ice making cells, and a temperature sensor part being disposed at the tray and measuring a temperature, wherein the plurality of ice making cells is disposed along 3 or greater of odd numbers of columns, and the temperature sensor part is disposed in a middle column among odd numbers of columns, and disposed between ice making cells that is adjacent to each other, while being disposed under the tray.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0013467, filed on 2022.1.28 .

TECHNICAL FIELD

Disclosed herein is an ice maker that comprises a tray having ice making cells, and a refrigerator with said ice maker.

BACKGROUND

Refrigerators generate cold air by circulating refrigerants and provide the cold air to a storage compartment such as a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment, to store various types of storage targets for a long period of time and keep the storage targets fresh in the storage compartment.
Refrigerators operate based on a refrigeration cycle in which refrigerants pass through a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator. While refrigerant liquids turn into refrigerant gases in the evaporator, the refrigerants cool the air circulating in the refrigerator to generate cold air to be provided to the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment is generated.
An ordinary refrigerator comprises an ice maker. The ice maker can generate ice having a predetermined shape and/or size.
A temperature sensor is needed to determine whether water turns into ice in an ice maker. The temperature sensor needs to be disposed to accurately measure the temperature of water (or ice) accommodated in ice making cells of a tray.

SUMMARY

It is an object to provide an ice maker comprising a temperature sensor that is provided to accurately measure the temperature of water or ice accommodated in ice making cells of a tray, and a refrigerator having the same.
It is an object to provide an ice maker comprising a temperature sensor that is disposed not to separate from a tray even if the tray bends to remove ice, and a refrigerator having the same.
It is an object to provide an ice maker that can help to prevent a wire from separating from a temperature sensor, even if external force is applied to the wire connecting to the temperature sensor as a tray moves, and a refrigerator having the same.
Aspects according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above ones, and other aspects and advantages that are not mentioned above can be clearly understood from the following description and can be more clearly understood from the embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, the aspects and advantages in the present disclosure can be realized via means and combinations thereof that are described in the appended claims. At least one of these objects is solved by the features of the independent claim.

Technical Solutions

A refrigerator of one embodiment may comprise a temperature sensor that is disposed among ice making cells, on the rear surface of a tray. At this time, the ice making cells are arranged in odd numbers of columns, and the temperature sensor may be disposed among ice making cells in the middle column among odd numbers of columns.
The refrigerator of one embodiment may comprise an insulation material that s disposed between the tray and the temperature sensor.
The refrigerator of one embodiment may comprise a guide that is coupled to the temperature sensor and fixes a wire.
According to one aspect, an ice maker for a refrigerator comprises: a housing forming an ice making space, a tray being disposed in the ice making space and having a plurality of ice making cells, and a temperature sensor part being disposed at the tray and measuring a temperature, the plurality of ice making cells is disposed along 3 or greater of odd numbers of columns, and the temperature sensor part is disposed in a middle column among odd numbers of columns, and disposed between ice making cells that is adjacent to each other, while being disposed under the tray.
According to a further aspect, an ice maker for a refrigerator comprises: a housing forming an ice making space, a tray being disposed in the ice making space and having a plurality of ice making cells, and a temperature sensor part being disposed at the tray and including a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature (e.g. a temperature of the tray and/or a temperature representing a temperature of the ice making cells of the tray), wherein the plurality of ice making cells is disposed in n columns, n being an odd number equal to or greater than 3, and wherein the temperature sensor part is disposed at a middle column among the columns, and the temperature sensor is disposed between two adjacent ice making cells of the middle column. The temperature sensor part may be disposed under/below the tray, i.e. the temperature sensor may be disposed at or on an outer surface of the tray.
According to a further aspect, an ice maker for a refrigerator comprises: a housing forming an ice making space, a tray being disposed in the ice making space and having a plurality of ice making cells, and a temperature sensor part being disposed at the tray and including a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature (e.g. a temperature of the tray and/or a temperature representing a temperature of the ice making cells of the tray), wherein the housing comprises an inlet for introducing cold air into the ice making space in order to supply cold air to the ice making cells and/or to the tray, and wherein a distance between the temperature sensor part (e.g. to the temperature sensor of the temperature part) and one end of the tray adjacent to or closest to the inlet is greater than a distance between the temperature sensor part (e.g. to the temperature sensor of the temperature part) and an other end of the tray opposite to the one end. The temperature sensor part may be disposed under/below the tray, i.e. the temperature sensor may be disposed at or on an outer surface of the tray. Optionally, the plurality of ice making cells may be disposed in n columns, n being an odd number equal to or greater than 3. The temperature sensor part may be disposed at a middle column among the columns, and the temperature sensor may be disposed between two adjacent ice making cells of the middle column.
According to one aspect, a refrigerator includes an ice maker according to any one of the herein described aspects and embodiments.
According to a further aspect, a refrigerator comprises an ice maker, the ice maker comprising a housing forming an ice making space, a tray being disposed in the ice making space and having a plurality of ice making cells, and a temperature sensor part being disposed at the tray and measuring a temperature, the plurality of ice making cells is disposed along 3 or greater of odd numbers of columns, and the temperature sensor part is disposed in a middle column among odd numbers of columns, and disposed between ice making cells that is adjacent to each other, while being disposed under the tray.
The ice maker and/or the refrigerator may include one or more of the following features:
The middle or center column may be the column which is arranged in the middle or center of the columns.
Indications, such as "upper", "lower", "over", "under", etc. may refer to an orientation of the tray for receiving water for ice making, i.e. with openings of the ice making cells facing upward (with respect to gravity).
The temperature sensor part may comprise a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature.
The temperature sensor may be disposed in a gap between two adjacent ice making cells of the middle column.
The temperature sensor may be disposed among ice making cells, e.g. on the rear surface (or outer surface) of the tray. The ice making cells are arranged in an odd number of columns. In this case, the temperature sensor may be disposed among ice making cells in the middle or center column among the columns.
The ice maker or the refrigerator, in particular the temperature sensor part, may comprise a (first) insulation material that is disposed (at least partially) between the tray and the temperature sensor part, in particular between the tray and the temperature sensor. The (first) insulation material may be disposed over the temperature sensor. The (first) insulation material may fill a gap between the two adjacent ice making cells and the temperature sensor.
The temperature sensor part may comprise a temperature sensor measuring a temperature, and a first insulation material being disposed between the temperature sensor and the tray.
The housing may comprise an inlet being formed to allow cold air to flow into the ice making space and/or along/to the tray. That is the housing may comprise an inlet being formed or configured to guide cold air to flow into the ice making space and/or along/to the tray. Thus, cold air having flown into the inlet may flow on the tray.
A lower end of the inlet may be disposed higher than an upper end of the tray. That is, an end of the inlet facing the ice making space is disposed higher (i.e. in vertical direction) than or above the tray, in particular than an upper end of the tray.
The temperature sensor part may further comprise a (second) insulation material being disposed under the temperature sensor, i.e. on a surface of the temperature facing away from the tray.
The ice maker or the refrigerator may comprise a guide that is coupled to the temperature sensor and fixes a wire, e.g. a wire connected to the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor part may further comprise a guide being disposed under the temperature sensor and fixing a wire that connects to the temperature sensor.
The tray may comprise a sensor accommodation part that accommodates the temperature sensor part and/or the temperature sensor. A distance among ice making cells in the sensor accommodation part may be greater than in another portion except for the sensor accommodation part.
The sensor accommodation part may comprise a hook protruding downward from a lower portion of the tray and fixing the temperature sensor part.
The housing may comprise an inlet being formed to allow cold air to flow into the ice making space. A distance between the sensor accommodation part and one end of the tray, which is closest to the inlet, may be greater than a distance between the sensor accommodation part and the other end of the tray.
A distance between the sensor accommodation part and one end of the tray, which is closest to the inlet, may account for or may be 60 % to 90 % of a distance between one end of the tray and the other end of the tray.
The tray may further comprise a rotation shaft being disposed at or coupled to an end of the tray (i.e. the one end of the tray, which is closest to the inlet, or the other end opposite thereto), and being rotatably coupled to a rotation hole that is formed at the housing.
The ice maker may further comprise an ice removal motor part. The ice removal motor part may be mounted in the housing, and/or may be coupled to the other end of the tray for rotating the tray around the rotation shaft.
The tray may further comprise a tray ice removal stopper protruding from one end of the tray. The housing may further comprise a housing ice removal stopper contacting the tray ice removal stopper, as the tray rotates.
A refrigerator of one embodiment can provide a refrigerator that can provide ice having different shapes and/or sizes.
In the refrigerator of one embodiment, a plurality of ice makers can be installed in a single space.
The refrigerator of one embodiment can ensure a uniform distribution of temperature in the space where a plurality of ice makers is installed.
The refrigerator of one embodiment can suppress the generation of frost in a single space where a plurality of ice makers is installed.
Specific effects are described along with the above-described effects in the section of detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments in the disclosure, and together with the specification, explain the disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a refrigerator of one embodiment with doors closed;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the refrigerator of one embodiment with the doors open;
FIG. 3 is a front view showing the refrigerator of one embodiment, and the front surface of the refrigerator without doors, selves, drawers and the like;
FIG. 4 is a view showing a portion of the configuration of a freezer comportment of the refrigerator of one embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration in which a first ice maker and a second ice maker of the refrigerator of one embodiment are mounted, when viewed from the front of the lower side thereof;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the second ice maker of the refrigerator of one embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing the second ice maker of the refrigerator of one embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the second ice maker of the refrigerator of one embodiment;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the second ice maker of the refrigerator of one embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a tray of the second ice maker of the refrigerator of one embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing the tray of the second ice maker of the refrigerator of one embodiment; and
FIG. 12 is a view for describing the second ice maker's operation of removing ice, in the refrigerator of one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above-described aspects, features and advantages are specifically described hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings such that one having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can embody the technical idea of the disclosure easily. In the disclosure, detailed description of known technologies in relation to the disclosure is omitted if it is deemed to make the gist of the disclosure unnecessarily vague. Hereafter, preferred embodiments according to the disclosure are specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals can denote identical or similar components.
The terms "first", "second" and the like are used herein only to distinguish one component from another component. Thus, the components should not be limited by the terms. Certainly, a first component can be a second component, unless stated to the contrary.
When any one component is described as being "in the upper portion (or lower potion)" or "on (or under)" another component, any one component can be directly on (or under) another component, but an additional component can be interposed between any one component and another component on (or under) any one component.
When any one component is described as being "connected", "coupled", or "connected" to another component, any one component can be directly connected or coupled to another component, but an additional component can be "interposed" between the two components or the two components can be "connected", "coupled", or "connected" by an additional component.
Throughout the disclosure, each component can be provided as a single one or a plurality of ones, unless explicitly stated to the contrary.
The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. It is to be understood that the terms "comprise" or "include" and the like, set forth herein, are not interpreted as necessarily including all the stated components or steps but can be interpreted as excluding some of the stated components or steps or can be interpreted as including additional components or steps.
Throughout the disclosure, the phrase "A and/or B" as used herein can denote A, B or A and B, and the phrase "C to D" can denote C or greater and D or less, unless stated to the contrary.
Hereafter, a refrigerator of several embodiments is described.
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a refrigerator 1 of one embodiment with doors closed, and FIG. 2 is a front perspective view showing the refrigerator 1 of one embodiment with the doors open.
The exterior of the refrigerator 1 of one embodiment may be formed by a cabinet 2 forming a storage space, and doors opening and closing the front surface of the cabinet 2, which is open.
The cabinet 2 may comprise an outer case 10 forming the outer surface of the refrigerator 1, and an inner case forming the inner surface of the refrigerator 1. The inner case may comprise a refrigerating case 41 and a freezing case 42.
A separation space may be formed between the outer case 10 and the inner case 41, 42 that are spaced from each other. An insulation material may foam in the separation space and fill the vacant space.
The storage space in the cabinet 2 may be portioned into a plurality of spaces, and divided into a refrigerating compartment 51 and a freezing compartment 52.
According to the present disclosure, the freezing compartment 52 is disposed in the lower space of the cabinet 2, and the refrigerating compartment 51 is disposed in the upper space of the cabinet 2, in an example.
A door may connect to the front surface of the cabinet 2, and open and close the refrigerator 1.
An upper door 20 may be disposed on the front surface of the cabinet 2, which corresponds to the refrigerating compartment 51, and a lower door 30 may be disposed on the front surface of the cabinet 2, which corresponds to the freezing compartment 52.
For example, the upper door 20 may be a rotary one comprised of a first upper door 20a and a second upper door 20b that respectively have a rotation shaft disposed at both sides of the cabinet 2 and rotate.
The lower door 30 may be a drawer-type one that moves to be withdrawn or inserted along a rail, in a sliding manner.
A dispenser part 21 may be disposed at the first upper door 20a such that water or ice may be taken out in the state where the door is not open. Additionally, a door ice maker 22 generating ice may be disposed at the first upper door 20a at which the dispenser part 21 is disposed.
The refrigerating compartment 51 may be divided into a first storage compartment 51a and a second storage compartment 51b.
The second storage compartment 5 1b may be a pantry compartment the temperature of which is adjusted to accommodate a specific storage target such as vegetables, meat and the like.
The first storage compartment 51a may be a remaining space of the refrigerating compartment 51, except for the second storage compartment 51b, and may be a main storage compartment.
For example, the second storage compartment 51b may be disposed under the first storage compartment 51a and be separated from the first storage compartment 51a by an additional partition member.
A storage drawer may be disposed in the second storage compartment 51b in a way that the storage compartment is drawn or inserted along a rail, in a sliding manner.
Additionally, a storage drawer and/or a shelf is provided in the first storage compartment 51a to accommodate and store a storage target readily.
The first storage compartment 51a and the second storage compartment 51b may respectively be provided with an additional temperature sensor, such that the temperatures of the first storage compartment 51a and the second storage compartment 51b are adjusted independently, enabling the first storage compartment 51a and the second storage compartment 51b to have a different temperature.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing the refrigerator of one embodiment, and the front surface of the refrigerator without doors, selves, drawers and the like.
The inner case 40 may comprise a refrigerating case 41 being disposed in the upper portion of the refrigerator and constituting the refrigerating compartment 51, and a freeze case 42 being disposed in the lower portion of the refrigerator and constituting the freezing compartment 52. The refrigerating case 41 may form the refrigerating compartment 51, and the freezing case 42 may form the freezing case 52. A refrigerating compartment cold air supply duct 300 for supplying cold air to the refrigerating compartment 51 may be disposed in the upper portion of the rear surface of the refrigerating case 41. A controller that sets a set value and the like required for the operation of the refrigerator 1 may be disposed on one lateral surface P of the refrigerating case 41. A grille fan assembly 1000 may be disposed on the rear surface of the freezing case 42. The grille fan assembly 1000 may comprise a grille fan upper outlet 111 and a grille fan lower outlet 112 that discharge cold air to the freezing compartment 52, and an inlet 119 into which cold air in the freezing compartment 52 is suctioned.
Cold air generated by an evaporator (not illustrated) may be supplied to both the refrigerating compartment 51 and the freezing compartment 52.
In the case where a door ice maker 22 is additionally provided at the upper door 20 of the refrigerator 1, cold air generated by a single evaporator (not illustrated) may be supplied to all of the refrigerating compartment 51, the freezing compartment 52 and the door ice maker 22.
The evaporator (not illustrated) generating cold air may be disposed in the freezing compartment 52. Specifically, the evaporator (not illustrated) may be disposed on the rear surface of the freezing case 42.
A machine room, in which a compressor and a condenser are installed, may be disposed at the rear side of the lower portion of the freezing case 42, and the evaporator may be disposed in the upper portion of the machine room.
Accordingly, the area of the upper side of the freezing compartment 52 may protrude further rearward than the area of the lower side of the freezing compartment 52, and the evaporator (not illustrated) may be disposed in the rear space of the upper side of the freezing compartment 52.
A grille fan assembly 100 may be disposed on the front surface of the evaporator (not illustrated). The grille fan assembly 100 blows cold air generated from the evaporator (not illustrated) to the refrigerating compartment 51 and the freezing compartment 52.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a portion of the configuration of a freezer comportment of the refrigerator of one embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the freezing compartment in which a first ice maker 1100 and a second ice maker 1200 of the refrigerator of one embodiment are mounted, when viewed from the front of the lower side thereof.
A grille fan assembly 100, an air guide 1000, a first ice maker 1100, and a second ice maker 1200 may be provided in the freezing compartment of the refrigerator of one embodiment.
The grille fan assembly 100 may comprise a grille fan upper outlet 111, a grille fan lower outlet 112 and a cold air inlet 119, while the grille fan lower outlet 112 may comprise a first grille fan lower outlet 112a, a second grille fan lower outlet 112b and a third grille fan lower outlet 112c. The first ice maker 1100 may comprise a first ice maker fixation part 1110, and a first ice maker housing 1120, and the second ice maker 1200 may comprise a second ice maker fixation part 1210 and a second ice maker housing 1220.
As described above, the grille fan assembly 100 may be fixed to the rear surface of the freezing case 42. The grille fan upper outlet 111 may be disposed over the grille fan assembly 100 and discharge cold air.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the first ice maker 1100 may be biased toward one side of the freezing compartment 52. When viewed from the front, the first ice maker 1100 may be disposed at the left side of the freezing compartment 52, for example. The first ice maker 1100 may generate ice having a first shape. The first ice maker fixation part 1110 may fix the first ice maker 1100 to one surface of the freezing case 42. For example, the first ice maker fixation part 1110 may be coupled to the upper surface of the freezing case 42, to fix the first ice maker 1100 to the upper surface of the freezing case 42. The first ice maker housing 1120 may be disposed at one side of the first ice maker 1100 and form a space in which a first tray (not illustrated) and a first water supply device (not illustrated) are disposed. Ice is generated in the first tray (not illustrated), and the first water supply device (not illustrated) supplies water to the first tray (not illustrated). The first ice maker housing 1120 may be disposed at the lower side of the first ice maker fixation part 1110, and may be formed into an approximate cuboid as a whole.
The second ice maker 1200 may be spaced from the first ice maker 1100, and disposed closer the center of the freezing compartment 52 than the first ice maker 1100. For example, when viewed from the front, the second ice maker 1200 may be disposed at the right side of the first ice maker 1100. The second ice maker 1200 may generate ice having a second shape. The second ice maker fixation part 1210 may fix the second ice maker 1200 to one surface of the freezing case 42. For example, the second ice maker fixation part 1210 may be coupled to the upper surface of the freezing case 42 to fix the second ice maker 1200 to the upper surface of the freezing case 42. The second ice maker housing 1220 may be disposed at one side of the second ice maker 1200 and form a space in which a second tray (not illustrated) and a second water supply device (not illustrated) are disposed. Ice is generated in the second tray (not illustrated), and the second water supply device (not illustrated) supplies water to the second tray (not illustrated). For example, the second ice maker housing 1220 may be at the lower side of the second ice maker fixation part 1210 and formed into an approximate cuboid as a whole. A second ice maker outlet 1230 may be formed on the front surface of the second ice maker housing 1220 such that cold air drawn into the second ice maker housing 1220 is discharged to the front surface of the second ice maker housing 1220.
The first shape and the second shape may differ. For example, the first shape may be a relatively large and circular shape, and the second shape may be a relatively small and cuboid shape, but not limited in the present disclosure. For example, the first shape and the second shape may be the same shape.
The first air guide outlet 1001 may guide a portion of the cold air discharged from the grille fan upper outlet 111 to the first ice maker 1100. The second air guide outlet 1002 may guide a portion of the cold air discharged from the grille fan upper outlet 111 to the second ice maker 1200. The second air guide upper outlet 1002a may guide cold air to the upper side of the space formed by the second ice maker housing 1220 of the second ice maker 1200. Most of the cold air discharged from the second air guide upper outlet 1002a may be discharged to the front surface of the second ice maker 1200 through the second ice maker outlet 1230. The second air guide lower outlet 1002b may discharge cold air to the space formed by the second ice maker housing 1220 of the second ice maker 1200. Most of the cold air discharged from the second air guide lower outlet 1002b may be used to generate ice in the second ice maker 1200. That is, most of the cold air discharged from the second air guide lower outlet 1002b may flow toward the second tray (not illustrated) in the second ice maker housing 1220. The third air guide outlet 1003 may discharge cold air between the first ice maker 1100 and the second ice maker 1200.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show a refrigerator 1 is provided with a first ice maker 1100 and a second ice maker 1200, but may not be provided with the first ice maker 1100. At this time, the second ice maker 1200 may be disposed at one side of the freezing compartment 52.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the second ice maker 1200 of the refrigerator of one embodiment, FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing the second ice maker 1200 of the refrigerator of one embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the second ice maker 1200 of the refrigerator of one embodiment and a cross section along 8-8' in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the second ice maker 1200 of the refrigerator of one embodiment.
The second ice maker 1200 of the refrigerator of one embodiment may comprise a second housing part 1210, 1220, a second tray 1240, an ice removal motor part 1250, a temperature sensor part 1260, and an ice fullness sensing part 1270. The second housing part 1210, 1220 may comprise a second ice maker fixation part 1210, and a second ice maker housing 1220.
The second ice maker housing 1200 may form an ice making space in which the second tray 1240, the ice removal motor part 1250 and the like are disposed. The second ice maker housing 1200 may have a second ice maker outlet 1230, at the front surface thereof. Additionally, the second ice maker housing 1200 may have a second ice maker inlet 1232, at the rear surface thereof. Cold air may flow into the ice making space through the second ice maker inlet 1232, and the cold air having flown into the ice making space may be discharged out of the ice making space through the second ice maker outlet 1230. When viewed from the front, the lower end of the second ice maker inlet 1232 may be disposed higher than the upper surface of the second tray 1240. Thus, air having flown through the second ice maker inlet 1232 may flow in the upper portion of the second tray 1240.
A water supply part 1231 may be disposed on the inner surface of the second ice maker housing 1200. Through the water supply part 1231, water may be supplied to the second tray 1240.
The second tray 1240 may comprise a plurality of ice making cells 1241 that accommodates water. A rotation shaft 1242 may be disposed at one end of the second tray 1240. The rotation shaft 1242 may be inserted into a rotation hole 1233 formed on the rear surface of the second ice maker housing 1200. The other end of the second tray 1240 may be coupled to the rotation shaft of the ice removal motor part 1250. The rotation shaft 1242 may be disposed at the other end of the second tray 1240. The rotation shaft 1242 may be inserted into the rotation hole 1233 formed on the rear surface of the second ice maker housing 1200.
The ice removal motor part 1250 may rotate the second tray 1240 with respect to the rotation shaft 1242. The ice removal motor part 1250 may be mounted in the second ice maker housing 1220.
The ice fullness sensing part 1270 may be disposed on the inner surface of the second ice maker housing 1200, and sense the amount of ice in the second ice maker housing 1200.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the temperature sensor part 1260 may be disposed on the rear surface of the second tray 1240, among the ice making cells 1241. In the present disclosure, the lines in the shaft direction of the second tray 1240 are defined as columns, and the lines in a direction orthogonal to the shaft direction of the second tray 1240 are defined as rows. The second tray 1240 may have 3 or greater of odd numbers of lines of ice making cells 1241.
The temperature sensor part 1260 may be disposed among ice making cells 1241 that constitute a middle line among odd numbers of columns. Since the temperature sensor part 1260 is disposed in the middle portion of the columns, a temperature measured by the temperature sensor part 1260 may be treated as a representative temperature of the entire ice making cells 1241 formed in the second tray 1240.
Additionally, a distance among the ice making cells 1241 in a sensor accommodation part 1244 in which the temperature sensor part 1260 is disposed may be greater than in another portion. As described above, the second ice maker 1200 may generate ice that is relatively small. To this end, the sizes of the ice making cells 1241 may decrease. As a result, a distance among the ice making cells 1241 may decrease. In one embodiment, since a distance among the ice making cells 1241 in the sensor accommodation part 1244 is greater than in another portion, the temperature sensor part 1260 may be accommodated in the sensor accommodation part 1244.
Further, the sensor accommodation part 1244 may be disposed closer to the other end of the second tray 1240, which is far from the second ice maker inlet 1232 into which cold air flows and, than to one end of the second tray 1240, which is close to the second ice maker inlet 1232. For example, a distance between the sensor accommodation part 1244 and one end of the second tray 1240 may account for 60 to 90 % of a distance between one end of the second tray 1240 and the other end of the second tray 1240. Preferably, a distance between the sensor accommodation part 1244 and one end of the second tray 1240 may account for 70 % of a distance between one end of the second tray 1240 and the other end of the second tray 1240. In the portion of the sensor accommodation part 1244, the phase of water may change last. To find the completion of the change in the phase of water in the entire second tray 1240, a temperature in the portion of the sensor accommodation part 1244 is measured.
Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the temperature sensor part 1260 may comprise a temperature sensor 1261, a first insulation material 1262, a second insulation material 1263 and a guide 1264.
The temperature sensor 1261 may measure a temperature, and output the measured temperature.
The first insulation material 1262 may be disposed between the temperature sensor 1261 and the second tray 1240. In one embodiment, cold air may flow to the upper portion of the second tray 1240. If the temperature sensor part 1260 is disposed among the ice making cells 1241, in the lower portion of the second tray 1240, an error in the measurement of a temperature may be made due to the cold air. In one embodiment, the first insulation material 1262 is disposed between the temperature sensor 1261 and the second tray 1240, an error in the measurement of a temperature, caused due to cold air, may decrease.
The second insulation material 1263 may be disposed under the temperature sensor 1261. Since the second insulation material 1263 is additionally provided, the temperature sensor 1261 may accurately measure a temperature of water or ice that is accommodated in the second tray 1240, in the state where the effect of external air is minimized.
The guide 1264 may be disposed under the second insulation material 1263. The guide 1264 may fix a wire 1246 connecting to the temperature sensor 1261. At this time, the guide 1264 may fix the wire 1246 in a way that the direction in which the wire 1246 is withdrawn is the direction of the rotation shaft of the second tray 1240. Thus, even if the second tray 1240 makes a movement such as a rotation and the like, the wire may be prevented from separating from the temperature sensor 1261.
Referring to FIG. 7, the wire 1246 connecting to the temperature sensor 1261 may be fixed in a way that the direction in which the wire 1246 is withdrawn by the guide 1264 of the temperature sensor part 1260 is the direction of the rotation shaft of the second tray 1240. Additionally, the wire 1246 may be held by a wire hook 1245 that is formed in the lower portion of the other end of the second tray 1240, and fixed secondarily.
FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a second tray 1240 of the second ice maker 1200 of the refrigerator 1 of one embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a bottom view showing the second tray 1240 of the second ice maker 1200 of the refrigerator 1 of one embodiment.
The second tray 1240 comprises a plurality of ice making cells 1241. The ice making cells 1241 may be arranged in the form of a matrix. As described above, under the assumption that the lines in the shaft direction of the rotation shaft 1242 are columns, the second tray 1240 may comprise ice making cells 1241 that are arranged in odd numbers of columns.
The sensor accommodation part 1244 in which the temperature sensor part 1260 is mounted may be disposed among ice making cells 1241 in the middle column, among odd numbers of columns.
As described above, the sensor accommodation part 1244 may be disposed closer to the other end of the second tray 1240, which is farthest from the position into which cold air flows, than to one end of the second tray 1240, which is closest to the position into which cold air flows. A distance between the sensor accommodation part 1244 and one end of the second tray 1240, which is closest to the position into which cold air flows, may account for 60 to 90 % of a distance between one end of the second tray 1240, which is closest to the position into which cold air flows, and the other end of the second tray 1240, which is farthest from the position into which cold air flows. Preferably, a distance between the sensor accommodation part 1244 and one end of the second tray 1240, which is closest to the position into which cold air flows, may account for 70 % of a distance between one end of the second tray 1240, which is closest to the position into which cold air flows, and the other end of the second tray 1240, which is farthest from the position into which cold air flows, since the phase of water may change last in the position of the sensor accommodation part 1244, as described above.
The sensor accommodation part 1244 may comprise a hook for fixing the temperature sensor part 1260. The hook may be formed to protrude downward from the lower surface of the second tray 1240. The temperature sensor part 1260 may be press-fitted into and coupled to the sensor accommodation part 1244.
The second tray 1240 may have a tray ice removal stopper 1243, at one end thereof. The tray ice removal stopper 1243 may be formed to protrude outward from one end of the second tray 1240. As the second tray 1240 is rotated by the ice removal motor part 1250, the tray ice removal stopper 1243 may contact a housing ice removal stopper 1234.
FIG. 12 is a view for describing the second ice maker 1200's operation of removing ice, in the refrigerator 1 of one embodiment.
The rotation shaft 1242 of the second tray 1240 may be rotatably coupled to the rotation hole 1233 of the second ice maker housing 1220. In this state, as the ice removal motor part 1250 rotates the second tray 1240 with respect to the rotation shaft 1242, at a predetermine angle, the tray ice removal stopper 1234 of the second tray 1240 contacts the housing ice removal stopper 1234 of the second ice maker housing 1220. As the ice removal motor part 1250 rotates the second tray 1240 further in the state where the tray ice removal stopper 1234 of the second tray 1240 contacts the housing ice removal stopper 1234 of the second ice maker housing 1220, the second tray 1240 bends. As a result, ice accommodated in the ice making cells 1241 of the second tray 1240 falls into the second ice maker housing 1220.
As described above, the temperature sensor part 1260 is disposed between two ice making cells that are adjacent to each other, in the middle column of ice making cells 1241, among odd numbers of columns. The middle column, among odd numbers of columns, bends relatively slightly. Thus, despite the operation of removing ice, the temperature sensor part 1260 may be stably fixed to the second tray 1240.
The embodiments are described above with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof. However, embodiments are not limited to the embodiments and drawings set forth herein, and numerous other modifications and embodiments can be drawn by one skilled in the art within the technical scope of the disclosure. Further, the effects and predictable effects based on the configurations in the disclosure are to be included within the scope of the disclosure though not explicitly described in the description of the embodiments.

Claims

A refrigerator comprising an ice maker, the ice maker, comprising:
a housing (1220) forming an ice making space;

a tray (1240) being disposed in the ice making space and having a plurality of ice making cells (1241); and

a temperature sensor part (1260) being disposed at the tray (1240) and having a temperature sensor (1261) for measuring a temperature,

wherein the plurality of ice making cells (1241) is disposed in n columns, n being an odd number equal to 3 or greater, and

wherein the temperature sensor part (1260) is disposed at a middle column among the columns, and the temperature sensor (1261) is disposed between two adjacent ice making cells (1241) of the middle column.
The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor part (1260) comprises an insulation material (1262) disposed between the temperature sensor (1261) and the tray (1240).
The refrigerator of claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing (1220) comprises an inlet (1232) being formed to allow cold air to flow into the ice making space and along the tray (1240).
The refrigerator of claim 3, wherein an end of the inlet (1232) facing the ice making space is disposed higher than the tray (1240).
The refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature sensor part (1260) further comprises an insulation material (1263) disposed on a surface of the temperature sensor (1261) facing away from the tray (1240).
The refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature sensor part (1260) further comprises a guide (1264) disposed at a surface of the temperature sensor (1261) facing away from the tray (1240), the guide (1264) fixing a wire (1246) connected to the temperature sensor (1261).
The refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray (1240) comprises a sensor accommodation part (1244) between said two adjacent ice making cells (1241) and having the temperature sensor part (1260) accommodated therein, wherein a distance between said two adjacent ice making cells (1241) is greater than a distance between other adjacent ice making cells (1241).
The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the sensor accommodation part (1244) comprises a hook protruding from the tray (1240) and fixing the temperature sensor part (1260).
The refrigerator of claim 7 or 8 in combination with claim 3, wherein a distance between the sensor accommodation part (1244) and one end of the tray (1240), which is closest to the inlet (1232), is greater than a distance between the sensor accommodation part (1244) and another end of the tray (1240) opposite to the one end.
The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein a distance between the sensor accommodation part (1244) and one end of the tray (1240), which is closest to the inlet (1232), is in a range of 60 % to 90 % of a distance between the one end of the tray (1240) and the other end of the tray (1240).
The refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray (1240) further comprises a rotation shaft (1242) coupled to an end of the tray (1240), and rotatably mounted in a rotation hole (1233) formed in the housing (1220).
The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the ice maker further comprises an ice removal motor part (1250) being mounted in the housing (1220) and coupled to an end of the tray (1240) that is opposite to the end coupled to the rotation shaft (1242), for rotating the tray (1240) about the rotation shaft (1242).
The refrigerator of claim 11 or 12, wherein the tray (1240) further comprises a tray stopper (1243) protruding from the tray (1240), and the housing (1220) further comprises a housing stopper (1234), for limiting a rotation of the tray about the rotation shaft (1242).
The refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ice making cells (1241) have a trapezoid or quadrangular shape.
The refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a number of ice making cells (1241) in one column is larger than the number of columns, and/or wherein a number of ice making cells (1241) in column direction is larger than a number of ice making cells (1241) in a direction perpendicular thereto.