Ice-making device for refrigerator and control method thereof

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An ice-making device of a refrigerator includes: an ice-making unit installed within a refrigerator and making ice cubes; a dispenser provided on a refrigerator door to allow the ice cubes to be taken out of the refrigerator; an ice duct guiding the ice cubes made in the ice-making unit to the dispenser; and an introduction preventing unit preventing an object from being introduced into the ice-making unit through the ice duct. A method for controlling an ice-making device of a refrigerator includes: inputting an ice cube extract signal; making ice cubes by driving an ice-making unit provided within the refrigerator and breaking the ice cubes according to the inputted signal; sensing an internal temperature of an ice duct that guides the ice cubes made in the ice-making unit to a dispenser provided on a refrigerator door; and stopping an operation of the ice-making unit when the sensed temperature is higher. Because an introduction of an external object into the ice duct is prevented and the operation of the ice-making unit is stopped, the external object can be prevented from being damaged, so the user can stably use the ice-making device of the refrigerator.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Patent Application No. 2006-38930, filed in korea on Apr. 28, 2006, Korean Patent Application No. 2006-48746, filed in korea on May 30, 2006, Korean Patent Application No. 2006-48747, filed in Korea on May 30, 2006, and Korean Patent Application No. 2006-62188, filed in korea on Jul. 3, 2006, the entirety of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ice-making device of a refrigerator and, more particularly, to an ice-making device of a refrigerator adapted for being stably used by users and a control method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

Refrigerators recently on the markets include an ice-making unit for making ice cubes within a freezing chamber. Ice cubes made in the ice-making unit are transferred to a dispenser that selectively opens and closes the freezing chamber, and taken out according to a user selection.

In general, the refrigerator body includes the freezing chamber for keeping food items in storage within the main body. The freezing chamber is selectively opened and closed by its door. A rear protrusion is provided on a rear surface of the door. A dispenser for taking out water or ice cubes is provided one side of a front surface of the door.

A water supply pipe is led in to an upper portion of the refrigerating chamber. An ice-making unit is provided at an upper portion of the freezing chamber in order to receive water from the water supply pipe and make ice cubes. An ice bank for storing ice cubes made in the ice-making unit is provided at a lower side of the ice-making unit.

A screw for transferring stored ice cubes to a front end portion of the ice bank is provided within the ice bank.

An ice separating unit is provided at a front side of the ice bank. The ice separating unit is connected with a front end of the screw and separates or crushes ice cubes transferred by the screw to the front end of the ice bank to a certain size.

The ice cubes separated by the ice separating unit is guided to the dispenser by an ice duct to allow a user to taken out the ice cubes or water.

However, the related art ice-making device of the refrigerator has the following problems. That is, one end portion of the ice duct is connected with the dispenser in order to guide the separated ice cubes to the dispenser. Thus, an object can be introduced into the ice-making unit through the dispenser, so the introduced object can be damaged or the ice-making unit can be damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, in order to address the above matters, the various features described herein have been conceived. One aspect of the exemplary embodiments is to provide an ice-making device of a refrigerator adapted for being stably used by users and a control method thereof.

This specification provides an ice-making device of a refrigerator that may include: an ice-making unit that is installed within a refrigerator and making ice cubes; a dispenser that is provided on a refrigerator door to allow the ice cubes to be taken out of the refrigerator; an ice duct that guides the ice cubes made in the ice-making unit to the dispenser; and an introduction preventing unit that prevents an object from being introduced into the ice-making unit through the ice duct.

This specification also provides an ice-making device of a refrigerator that may include: an ice-making unit that is installed within a refrigerator and making ice cubes; a dispenser that is provided on a refrigerator door to allow the ice cubes to be taken out of the refrigerator; and a bent ice duct that guides ice cubes made in the ice-making unit to the dispenser and prevents an introduction of an object through the dispenser.

This specification also provides an ice-making device of a refrigerator that may include: an ice-making unit that is installed within a refrigerator and makes ice cubes; a dispenser that is provided on a refrigerator door to allow the ice cubes to be taken out of the refrigerator; an ice duct that guides the ice cubes made in the ice-making unit to the dispenser; a sensor that senses an introduction of an object into the ice duct through the dispenser; and a control unit that stops an operation of the ice-making unit when an introduction of an object is sensed by the sensor.

This specification also provides a method for controlling an ice-making device of a refrigerator that may include: inputting an ice cube extract signal; making ice cubes by driving an ice-making unit provided within the refrigerator according to the inputted signal and breaking the ice cubes; and controlling an opening degree of an ice duct that connects the ice-making unit and a dispenser provided on a refrigerator door according to a state of the ice cubes.

The opening degree of the ice duct can be controlled by controlling a rotation angle of an opening and closing member that combined with a hinge shaft combined at one side of the ice duct and opens and closes an internal passage of the ice duct.

The method for controlling an ice-making device of a refrigerator may further include: sensing a rotation angle of the opening and closing member; and stopping an operation of the ice-making unit when the sensed rotation angle is greater than a pre-set angle.

This specification also provides a method for controlling an ice-making device of a refrigerator that may include: inputting an ice cube extract signal; making ice cubes by driving an ice-making unit provided within the refrigerator and breaking the ice cubes according to the inputted signal; sensing an internal temperature of an ice duct that guides the ice cubes made in the ice-making unit to a dispenser provided on a refrigerator door; and stopping an operation of the ice-making unit when the sensed temperature is higher than a pre-set temperature level.

With such constructions, the ice-making device of a refrigerator and its control method can prevent an object from being introduced into the ice duct and prevent the object from being damaged by stopping the operation of the ice-making unit.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description served to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a rotary discharge member in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a door basket;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an opening and closing member in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a method for controlling an ice-making device of a refrigerator in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a method for controlling an ice-making device of a refrigerator in FIG. 12.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ice-making device of a refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a rotary discharge member in FIG. 1.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a freezing chamber 153 is provided within a refrigerator body 151. Food items are kept in storage in the freezing chamber 153. The freezing chamber 153 is selectively opened and closed by a door 155. The door 155 is installed at one side of the main body 151 such that the other end portion there of is rotatable in a forward and backward direction centering around one end thereof.

A rear protrusion 156 is provided on a rear surface of the door 155. The rear protrusion 156 is formed as a portion of a door liner forming the rear surface is horizontally protruded toward the rear side of the door 155.

A dispenser 157 is provided at one side of a front surface of the door 155. The dispenser 157 allows a user to take water or ice cubes out of it without opening the door 155.

A water supply pipe 159 is led in to an upper portion of the refrigerating chamber 153. The water supply pipe 159 supplies water for making ice cubes in an ice-making unit 161 (to be described). A heater 159h is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the water supply pipe 159. The heater 159h heats at a certain temperature to prevent the water supply pipe 159 from being frozen.

The ice-making unit 161 is installed at an upper portion of the freezing chamber 153. The ice-making unit 161 makes ice cubes, separates or crushes them into certain size, and transfers the separated ice cubes to the dispenser 157. The ice-making unit 161 is controlled by a controller (not shown).

The ice-making unit 161 includes an ice maker 163. The ice maker 163 receives water from the water supply pipe 159 and substantially makes ice cubes. An ice bank 164 is installed at a lower side of the ice maker 163. The ice bank 164 stores ice cubes made in the ice maker 163.

A screw 165 is provided within the ice bank 164. The screw 165 transfers the ice cubes stored in the ice bank 164 toward a front side of the ice bank 161, namely, toward an ice separating unit 168 (to be described).

A motor 166 is installed at a rear side of the ice bank 164. The motor 166 provides a driving force for rotating the screw 165 and the ice separating unit 168. A gear box 167 is provided between the rear surface of the ice bank 164 and the motor 166. The gear box 167 includes a plurality of gears for increasing a driving torque by reducing the driving force of the motor 166.

The ice separating unit 168 is provided at a front side of the ice bank 164. The ice separating unit 168 separates or crushes ice cubes transferred by the screw 165 into a certain size. The ice separating unit 168 is connected with a front end of the screw 165 and rotated by a driving force of the motor 166.

An ice duct 169 is provided to guide the ice cubes broken by the ice separating unit 168 to the dispenser 157. The ice duct 169 has a tubular shape with a certain sectional area and is penetratingly installed at the door 155. The section of the ice duct 169 may have a square or rectangular shape. The ice duct 169 extends slantingly in a downward direction at a certain angle toward the dispenser 157 from the ice-making unit 161. Namely, the ice duct 169 is installed to penetrate the door 155 so as to be positioned near the ice-making unit 161, substantially, such that both end portions thereof are adjacent to the lower side of the ice separating unit 168 and the dispenser 157.

A rotatable discharge member 171 is rotatably installed within the ice duct 169. The rotatable discharge member 171 selectively opens and closes the interior of the ice duct 169 only when ice cubes are transferred to the dispenser 157 by the ice duct 169. For this purpose, the rotatable discharge member 171 includes a hub portion 173 and multiple blades 175, 177 and 179.

The hub portion 173 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a certain length. A through hole 173a is formed long in a lengthwise direction within the hub portion 173. A rotational shaft 174 is inserted in the through hole 173a formed within the ice duct 169. Accordingly, the hub portion 173 is rotatable centering around the rotational shaft 174.

The blades 175, 177 and 179 extend radially from an outer circumferential surface of the hub portion 173. The blades 175, 177 and 179 refer to first, second and third blades 175, 177 and 179 which are separated by an angle of 120°, respectively on the outer circumferential surface of the hub portion 173. When the hub portion 173 is rotated centering around the rotational shaft 174, the interior of the ice duct 169 is substantially opened and closed by the mutually adjacent first, second and third blades, namely, by the first and second blades 175 and 177, by the second and third blades 177 and 179, and the third and first blades 179 and 175.

The operation of the ice-making device of a refrigerator according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail.

First, when the user manipulates the dispenser 157, ice cubes stored in the ice bank 164 after being made in the ice maker 163 are transferred to the front end of the ice bank 164 by the screw 165. The ice cubes transferred to the front end of the ice bank 164 are separated by the ice separating unit 168. The ice cubes separated by the ice separating unit 168 are transferred to the dispenser 157 through the ice duct 169 and then taken out.

At this time, the interior of the ice duct 169 is closed by the rotatable discharge member 171. And as the rotatable discharge member 171 is rotated by the ice cubes transferred through the ice duct 169 to the dispenser 157, the interior of the ice duct 169 is opened.

In detail, in a state that, for example, the ice duct 169 is closed by the first and second blades 175 and 177, ice cubes transferred to the dispenser 157 through the ice duct 169 push the first blade 175 that closes the interior of the ice duct 169. Then, the hub portion 173 is rotated centering around the rotational shaft 174, and the interior of the ice duct 169 closed by the first and second blades 175 and 177 starts to be opened. And when the hub portion 173 is continuously rotated centering around the rotational shaft 174, the interior of the ice duct 169 starts to be closed by the second and third blades 177 and 179. In this manner, the interior of the ice duct is continuously opened and closed by the rotatable discharge member 171.

Meanwhile, an object may be introduced to one end portion of the ice duct 169 communicating with one side of an upper portion of the dispenser 157. In this case, because the interior of the ice duct 169 is closed by the rotatable discharge member 171, the object cannot pass through the ice duct 169. Thus, a phenomenon that the object contacts with the ice separating unit 168 through the ice duct 169 and is damaged or the ice separating unit 168 is damaged can be prevented.

In a state that ice cubes are not supplied to outside through the dispenser 169, the ice duct 169 is closed by the rotatable discharge member 171. Thus, a phenomenon that cooling air at the inner side of the freezing chamber 153 is leaked through the ice duct 169 can be minimized.

An ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The construction of an ice-making unit 261 for making and separating or crushing ice cubes and the construction for supplying the ice cubes to a dispenser 257 are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, so a detailed description therefor will be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 3, an ice duct 271 extends in a rounded form with a certain radius of curvature toward the dispenser 257 from the ice-making unit 261. In this case, the ice duct 271 can extend to be rounded with an increased slope as it goes farther toward the dispenser 257.

In more detail, the ice duct 271 is formed to extend in a rounded manner such that one end portion thereof penetrates one side of a rear surface of a door 255 corresponding to a right lower portion of the ice separating unit 268 and as it goes toward the dispenser 257, its slope increases and the other end portion thereof penetrates one side of a front surface of the door 255 corresponding to one side of an upper portion of the dispenser 257. The reason for the ice duct 271 to extend with the increased slope toward the dispenser 257 at the right lower side of the ice separating unit 268 is to allow separated ice cubes to be smoothly transferred to the dispenser 257 according to their self-weight.

The operation of the ice-making device of a refrigerator according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

First, when a user manipulates the dispenser 257, the ice cubes stored in the ice bank 264 after being made in an ice maker 263 are transferred to the front end of the ice bank 264 by a screw 265. The ice cubes transferred to the front end of the ice bank 264 are separated by the ice separating unit. The separated ice cubes by the ice separating unit are transferred to the dispenser 257 through the ice duct 271 and then taken out.

Meanwhile, an object may be introduced to one end portion of the ice duct 269 communicating with one side of an upper portion of the dispenser 257. In this case, because the ice duct 271 extends in the rounded shape with a certain radius of curvature, the object cannot pass through the ice duct 271. Thus, a phenomenon that the object contacts with the ice separating unit 268 through the ice duct 271 and is damaged or the ice separating unit 268 is damaged can be prevented.

An ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The construction of an ice-making unit 361 for making and separating or crushing ice cubes and the construction for supplying the ice cubes to a dispenser 357 are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, so a detailed description therefor will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 4, the ice duct 373 extends at different angles toward the dispenser 357 from the ice-making unit 361 and penetrates the door 355. In this case, the slope of the ice duct 373 increases as it goes toward the dispenser 357 from the ice-making unit 361. Thus, a phenomenon that an object is introduced from outside through one end portion of the ice duct 373 communicating with the dispenser 357 and contacts with the ice separating unit 368 can be prevented. In addition, ice cubes separated by the ice separating unit 368 can be smoothly transferred through the ice duct 373 to the dispenser 357.

In the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4, the ice duct 373 extends to slope at two different angles. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the ice duct 373 can extend to slop at three or more different angles to have a zigzag shape overall.

An ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The construction of an ice-making unit 461 for making and separating or crushing ice cubes and the construction for supplying the ice cubes to a dispenser 457 are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, so a detailed description therefor will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 5, an ice duct 475 extends in a spiral form toward a dispenser 457 from an ice-making unit 461. Namely, one end portion of the ice duct 475 penetrates one side of a rear surface of a door 455 corresponding to a right lower side of an ice separating unit 468 of the ice-making unit 461 and the other end portion of the ice duct 475 penetrates one side of a front surface of the door 455 corresponding to one side of the upper portion of the dispenser 457. Accordingly, because the ice duct 475 is formed in the spiral form, the phenomenon that an object is introduced from outside through one end portion of the ice duct 475 and contacts with the ice separating unit 468 can be prevented.

An ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The construction of an ice-making unit 561 for making and separating or crushing ice cubes and the construction for supplying the ice cubes to a dispenser 557 are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, so a detailed description therefor will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 6, the ice duct 577 can be controlled in its length, so only when ice cubes are taken out through the dispenser 557, the ice-making unit 561 and the dispenser 557 are selectively connected by the ice duct 577.

In more detail, the ice duct 577 includes first and second ducts 578 and 579. With one end portion penetrating one side of a rear surface of a door 555 corresponding to a right lower side of an ice separating unit 568 of the ice-making unit 561, the first duct 578 extends to slope downwardly toward the dispenser 557. The second duct 579 is installed to be movable in a lengthwise direction of the first duct 578 toward the dispenser 557 in a state of being inserted in the first duct 578. Accordingly, because one end portion of the second duct 579 selectively penetrates one side of the front surface of the door 555 corresponding to one side of the upper portion of the dispenser 557, substantially the ice-making unit 561 and the dispenser 557 are selectively connected by the ice duct 577.

In the exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, when ice cubes are desired to be taken out through the dispenser 557, the ice separating unit 568 is operated only when the ice-making unit 561 and the dispenser 557 are connected by the ice duct 577. For example, a sensor (not shown) can be provided at one side of an upper portion of the dispenser 557 and only when one end portion of the second duct 579 is sensed to have penetrated the one side of the front surface of the door 555 corresponding to one side of the upper portion of the dispenser 557 by the sensor, the ice separating unit 568 can be operated.

In this manner, only when ice cubes are taken out through the dispenser 557, the ice-making unit 561 and the dispenser 557 are connected by the ice duct 577. In addition, the ice separating unit 568 can be operated only when the ice-making unit 561 and the dispenser 557 are connected by the ice duct 557. Thus, the phenomenon that an object is introduced through the ice duct 577 from outside by a user and damaged by the ice separating unit 568 or the ice separating unit 568 is damaged by the object can be prevented.

An ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The construction of an ice-making unit 661 for making and separating or crushing ice cubes and the construction for supplying the ice cubes to a dispenser 657 are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, so a detailed description therefor will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 7, first and second ice ducts 669 and 673 are provided to guide ice cubes or ice pieces separated by an ice separating unit 668. The first and second ice ducts 669 and 673 are formed as tubes with a certain sectional area.

The first ice duct 669 is installed such that it penetrates the door 655 slopingly at a certain angle downwardly. One end portion of the first ice duct 669 is positioned at a rear surface of the door 655, namely, substantially at one side of a mounting end 656. The other end portion of the first ice duct 669 is positioned at the dispenser 657.

The second ice duct 673 is detachably installed on a rear surface of the door 655. The second ice duct 673 can be integratedly formed with a door basket 671 detachably installed on the rear surface of the door 655. Thus, as the door basket 671 is detachably attached on the rear surface of the door 655, the second ice duct 673 is also detachably attached on the rear surface of the door 655.

A receptacle space 671s for receiving food items is provided within the door basket 671. The second ice duct 673 is formed to be caved in the receptacle space 671s so that one surface of the door basket 671 tightly attached to the rear surface of the door 655 may have a substantially rectangular cross section. Accordingly, the other remaining portions, excluding the second ice duct 673, of the interior of the door basket 671 substantially become the receptacle space 671s.

In a state that the door basket 671 is mounted on the rear surface of the door 655, its bottom surface is mounted on the upper surface of the mounting end 656. In a state that the door basket 671 is mounted on the rear surface of the door 655, one end portion of the second ice duct 673 is positioned at the right lower side of the ice-making unit 651, and the other end portion of the second ice duct 673 is connected with one end portion of the first ice duct 669 positioned at one side of the mounting end 656.

With reference to FIG. 8, a partition rib 674 is provided within the second ice duct 673. The partition rib 674 divides the interior of the second ice duct 673 so that an object can be prevented from contacting with the ice separating unit 668 through the first and second ice ducts 669 and 673. The partition rib 674 is formed to be long in a direction parallel to a direction in which ice cubes are moved within the second ice duct 673 and divides the interior of the second ice duct 673 into two parts.

In FIG. 8, the interior of the second ice duct 673 is divided into two parts by the partition rib 674, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the partition rib 674 can be formed long crosswise in a direction parallel to the direction in which the ice cubes are moved within the second ice duct 673, and in this case, the cross section of each part divided by the partition rib 674 of the second ice duct 673 should be larger than the size of ice cubes separated by the ice separating unit 668.

The operation will be described in detail as follows.

First, when a user manipulates the dispenser 657, ice cubes stored in the ice bank 664 after being made in an ice maker 663 are transferred to a front end of the ice bank 664 by a screw 665. The ice cubes transferred to the front end of the ice bank 664 are separated by the ice separating unit 668. The separated ice cubes by the ice separating unit 668 are transferred to the dispenser 657 through the first and second ice ducts 669 and 673 and then taken out.

When the user introduces an object from outside to one end portion of the first ice duct 669 positioned at one side of the dispenser 657, because the first ice duct 669 is connected in a bent form with the second ice duct 673, the introduction of the object from outside can be prevented. In addition, because the interior of the second ice duct 673 is divided by the partition rib 674, the phenomenon that the introduced object contacts with the ice separating unit 668 through the first and second ice ducts 669 and 673 and is damaged can be prevented.

The user can put food items in the receptacle space 671s of the door basket 671 except for the second ice duct 673. Thus, the other remaining space excluding the parts for transferring ice cubes made in the ice-making unit 651 to the dispenser can be effectively used.

An ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The construction of an ice-making unit 761 for making and separating or crushing ice cubes and the construction for supplying the ice cubes to a dispenser 757 are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, so a detailed description therefor will be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of an opening and closing member in FIG. 9.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, an ice duct 769 includes an opening and closing member 771. The opening and closing member 771 selectively opens the ice duct 769 only when ice cubes are transferred to the dispenser 757 through the ice duct 769 under the control of a controller. For this purpose, a cross section of the ice duct 769 and the opening and closing member 771 are formed in a rectangular shape and the opening and closing member 771 can be installed such that the other end is rotatable centering on one end.

The opening and closing member 771 has a shape corresponding to the cross section of the ice duct 769, and can be installed such that the other end thereof is rotatable in the opposite direction of a direction in which ice cubes are moved within the ice duct 769 centering around one end thereof.

An opening and closing sensor 773 is provided at one side of the ice duct 769. The opening and closing sensor 773 senses whether the ice duct 769 is opened or close by the opening and closing member 771 and transfers corresponding information to the controller. In the present exemplary embodiment, the opening and closing sensor 773 is provided at one side within the ice duct 769 adjacent to the opening and closing member 771, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The controller controls the operation of the ice-making unit 761 and opening and closing of the ice duct 769 by the opening and closing member 771. In more detail, when the controller receives a manipulation signal for extracting ice cubes, it operates the ice-making unit 761. When the ice-making unit 761 is operated, the controller rotates the opening and closing member 771 to open the ice duct 769. In this case, the controller substantially controls the opening and closing degree of the ice duct 769 by controlling a rotation angle of the opening and closing member 771 according to a size and an amount of ice cubes separated to certain size after being made in the ice-making unit 761. Namely, if the size or the amount of separated ice cubes is large, the controller controls the rotation angle of the opening and closing member 771 to be large to relatively increase the opening area of the ice duct 769. If the size or the amount of the separated ice cubes is small, the controller controls the rotation angle of the opening and closing member 771 to be small to relatively reduce the opening area of the ice duct 769.

When the opening and closing member 771 is arbitrarily rotated so the ice duct 769 is opened, the controller stops the operation of the ice-making unit 761. For example, while ice cubes are made or separated by operating the ice-making unit 761, when the user put an arbitrary material into the ice duct 769, the opening and closing member 771 is rotated to open the duct 769, which is sensed by the opening and closing sensor 773. Then, upon receiving the corresponding information sensed by the opening and closing sensor 773, the controller stops operating of the ice-making unit 761.

The method of controlling the ice-making device of a refrigerator according to the seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a method for controlling an ice-making device of a refrigerator in FIG. 9.

With reference to FIG. 11, the controller (C) receives a manipulation signal for extracting ice cubes (S11). Accordingly, the controller (C) operates the ice-making unit 761 to make ice cubes and separate them into a certain size (S12). The controller (C) rotates the opening and closing member 771 to open the ice duct 769 to allow the ice cubes to be taken out through the dispenser 757 (S13 and S14). In this case, the controller (C) controls the rotation angle of the opening and closing member 771 according to the size of the separated ice cubes and the amount of ice cubes taken out through the dispenser 757 to control an opening degree of the ice duct 769. Accordingly, because the ice duct 769 is opened as large as to be required for supplying ice cubes, a space allowing an object to be introduced from outside can become smaller, so the introduction of the object can be prevented. In addition, a leakage of cooling air of the interior of a freezing chamber 753 can be minimized.

The opening and closing degree of the ice duct 769 by the opening and closing member 771, namely, the rotation angle of the opening and closing member 771, is sensed by the opening and closing sensor 773 (S15). And the opening and closing sensor 773 transfers information regarding the opening and closing degree of the ice duct 769 to the controller (C) (S16).

The controller (C) determines whether the ice duct 769 has been normally opened or not by the opening and closing member 771, namely, whether the opening and closing member 771 has been rotated by a pre-set rotation angle, according to the information received from the opening and closing sensor 773 (S17). When the ice duct 769 has been normally opened by the opening and closing unit 771, the controller (C) continuously operates the ice-making unit 761 to make and separate ice cubes and supply them to the dispenser 757 through the ice duct 769.

If, however, the ice duct 769 has not been normally opened by the opening and closing member 769, for example, when the user puts an arbitrary object into the ice duct 769 so the opening and closing member 771 has been arbitrarily rotated to open the ice duct 769, the controller (C) stops the operation of the ice-making unit 761 (S18). Accordingly, a phenomenon that the user's hand coming into the ice duct 769 and contacts with the ice-making unit 761, especially, with the ice separating unit 768 so as to hurt can be prevented.

An ice-making device of a refrigerator according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The construction of an ice-making unit 861 for making and separating or crushing ice cubes and the construction for supplying the ice cubes to a dispenser 857 are the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, so a detailed description therefor will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an ice-making device of a refrigerator according to an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to FIG. 12, an internal temperature of an ice duct 869 is sensed, and if the sensed temperature is lower than a certain temperature level, it is determined that a foreign material has been introduced into the ice duct 869 and the operation of the ice-making unit 861 is stopped. For this purpose, a pair of temperature sensors 875 and 877 are provided within the ice duct 869.

The temperature sensors 875 and 877 sense the internal temperature of the ice duct 869 and transfer corresponding information to the controller. The temperature sensors 875 and 877 are installed to be spaced apart by a certain interval in a direction parallel to a direction in which ice cubes are moved within the ice duct 869. In this case, a plurality of temperature sensors can be provided.

In the following description, it is assumed that two temperature sensors are provided. The first temperature sensor 875 is provided within the ice duct 869 adjacent to a dispenser 857 and the second temperature sensor 877 is provided within the ice duct 869 adjacent to the ice-making unit 861.

The controller (C) receives temperature sensed by the first and second temperature sensors 875 and 877. Only when the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor 877 is higher than a pre-set temperature level in a state that the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor 875 is higher than a certain temperature, the controller (C) stops the operation of the ice-making unit 861. This is because a foreign material coming into the ice duct 869 sequentially bypasses the first and second temperature sensors 875 and 877, only when the internal temperature of the ice duct 869 is sensed to be higher than the pre-set temperature level, the operation of the ice-making unit 861 is stopped.

In this case, however, in order to increase the operational stability of the ice-making device of the refrigerator, it can be constructed such that when even one of temperatures sensed by a plurality of temperature sensors is higher than the pre-set temperature level, the operation of the ice-making unit 861 is stopped.

Or, it is possible that only when temperature sensed by a temperature sensor installed near the ice-making unit 861 is higher than the pre-set temperature level, the operation of the ice-making unit 861 is stopped.

The method for controlling the ice-making device of the refrigerator according to the eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail. FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating the processes of a method for controlling an ice-making device of a refrigerator in FIG. 12.

With reference to FIG. 13, when the controller (C) receives a manipulation signal for extracting ice cubes, it operates the ice-making unit 861 to make and separate ice cubes. The ice cubes made and separated in the ice-making unit 861 are supplied to the dispenser 857 through the ice duct 869 (S21, S22 and S23).

The first and second temperature sensors 875 and 877 sense an internal temperature of the ice duct 869 and transfer corresponding information to the controller (C) (S25).

The controller (C) determines whether a foreign material has been introduced into the ice duct 869 according to the information received from the first and second temperature sensors 875 and 877. First, the controller (C) determines whether the internal temperature of the ice duct 869 sensed by the first temperature sensor 875 is higher than a certain temperature (S26). If the internal temperature of the ice duct 869 sensed by the first temperature sensor 875 is normal, namely, is lower than a certain temperature, the controller (C) continuously operates the ice-making unit 861. If, however, the internal temperature of the ice duct 869 sensed by the first temperature sensor 875 is not normal, namely, is higher than the certain temperature, the controller (C) determines the internal temperature of the ice duct 869 sensed by the second temperature sensor 877. If the internal temperature of the ice duct 869 sensed by the second temperature sensor 877 is higher than the certain temperature, the controller (C) stops the operation of the ice-making unit 861 (S28).

For example, when the user puts an arbitrary object into the ice duct 869 so the internal temperature of the ice duct 869 increases, the internal temperature of the ice duct 869 increases abnormally. Thus, in this case, the controller (C) stops the operation of the ice-making unit 861, so the phenomenon that an object introduced into the ice duct 869 contacts with the ice separating unit of the ice-making unit 861 and hurts can be prevented.

As so far described, the ice-making device of a refrigerator and its control method according to the present invention have the following advantages.

That is, because the introduction of an external object into the ice duct through the dispenser of the refrigerator is prevented and the operation of the ice-making unit is stopped, the external object can be prevented from being damaged, so the user can stably use the ice-making device of the refrigerator.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ice-making device of a refrigerator comprising:

an ice-making unit that is installed within a refrigerator and makes ice cubes;
a dispenser that is provided on a refrigerator door to allow the ice cubes to be taken out of the refrigerator;
an ice duct that guides the ice cubes made in the ice-making unit to the dispenser; and
an introduction preventing unit that prevents an object from being introduced into the ice-making unit through the ice duct.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the introduction preventing unit comprises:

a support shaft that penetrates an internal passage of the ice duct; and
a rotatable discharge member that is rotatably combined with the support shaft and discharges ice cubes by being rotated.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the rotatable discharge member comprises:

a hub portion that is rotated centering around the support shaft; and
multiple blades that extend radially from an outer circumferential surface of the hub portion so as to be adjacent to an inner circumferential surface of the ice duct.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the blades are installed separately at the same angles on the outer circumferential surface of the hub portion.

5. An ice-making device of a refrigerator comprising:

an ice-making unit that is installed within a refrigerator and makes ice cubes;
a dispenser that is provided on a refrigerator door to allow the ice cubes to be taken out of the refrigerator; and
a bent ice duct that guides ice cubes made in the ice-making unit to the dispenser and prevents an introduction of an object through the dispenser.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the bent ice duct is a rounded tube with a certain radius of curvature.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the bent ice duct is a tube with a slope which increases as it goes toward the dispenser from the ice-making unit.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the bent ice duct is a tube with at least one or more bent portions.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the bent ice duct is a tube with a slope which increases as it goes toward the dispenser from the ice-making unit.

10. The device of claim 5, wherein the bent ice duct is a spiral tube.

11. The device of claim 5, wherein the bent ice tube is formed such that two tubes are slidably inserted.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the ice-making unit is operated only when the ice-making unit and the dispenser are connected by the bent ice duct.

13. The device of claim 5, wherein the bent ice duct comprises:

a first ice duct that penetrates the door and allows the dispenser and one side of a rear surface of the door to be connected; and
a second ice duct that connects one end portion of the first ice duct and one side of the ice-making unit,
wherein the first and second ice ducts have each different slope.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein a partition rib is provided with a certain width to divide the interior of the second ice duct and installed to be parallel to a direction in which the ice cubes are moved within the second ice duct.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the second ice duct is detachably installed on a rear surface of the door.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein a partition rib is provided with a certain width to divide the interior of the second ice duct and installed to be parallel to a direction in which the ice cubes are moved within the second ice duct.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the second ice duct is integratedly formed with one of door baskets detachably installed on the rear surface of the door.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein a partition rib is provided with a certain width to divide the interior of the second ice duct and installed to be parallel to a direction in which the ice cubes are moved within the second ice duct.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the second ice duct is formed as one surface of the door basket is caved in.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein a partition rib is provided with a certain width to divide the interior of the second ice duct and installed to be parallel to a direction in which the ice cubes are moved within the second ice duct.

21. An ice-making device of a refrigerator comprising:

an ice-making unit that is installed within a refrigerator and making ice cubes;
a dispenser that is provided on a refrigerator door to allow the ice cubes to be taken out of the refrigerator;
an ice duct that guides the ice cubes made in the ice-making unit to the dispenser;
a sensor that senses an introduction of an object into the ice duct through the dispenser; and
a control unit that stops an operation of the ice-making unit when an introduction of an object is sensed by the sensor.

22. The device of claim 21, further comprising:

a hinge shaft that is combined with one side of the ice duct; and
an opening and closing member that is combined with the hinge shaft and opens and closes internal passage of the ice duct.

23. The device of claim 22, further comprising:

a controller that controls a rotation angle of the opening and closing member according to a state of ice cubes introduced into the ice duct.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the controller controls the opening and closing member to be rotated in the opposite direction of a direction in which the ice cubes are moved.

25. The device of claim 22, wherein the opening and closing member has a shape corresponding to a cross section of the ice duct.

26. The device of claim 23, wherein the sensor senses a rotation angle of the opening and closing member, and when the rotation angle sensed by the sensor is greater than a pre-set angle, the control unit stops the operation of the ice-making unit.

27. A method for controlling an ice-making device of a refrigerator comprising:

inputting an ice cube extract signal;
making ice cubes by driving an ice-making unit provided within the refrigerator according to the inputted signal and breaking the ice cubes; and
controlling an opening degree of an ice duct that connects the ice-making unit and a dispenser provided on a refrigerator door according to a state of the ice cubes.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the opening degree of the ice duct is controlled by controlling a rotation angle of an opening and closing member that is combined with a hinge shaft combined at one side of the ice duct and opens and closes an internal passage of the ice duct.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

sensing a rotation angle of the opening and closing member; and
stopping the operation of the ice-making unit when the sensed rotation angle is greater than a pre-set angle.

30. The device of claim 21, wherein the sensor senses an internal temperature of the ice duct, and if the temperature sensed by the sensor is greater than a pre-set temperature level, the controller stops the operation of the ice-making unit.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the sensors are positioned at at least two or more different positions within the ice duct.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein when one of temperatures sensed by the sensors is greater than the pre-set temperature level, the controller stops the operation of the ice-making unit.

33. The device of claim 31, wherein when all of the temperatures sensed by the sensors are greater than the pre-set temperature level, the control unit stops the operation of the ice-making unit.

34. A method for controlling an ice-making device of a refrigerator comprising:

inputting an ice cube extract signal;
making ice cubes by driving an ice-making unit provided within the refrigerator and breaking the ice cubes according to the inputted signal;
sensing an internal temperature of an ice duct that guides the ice cubes made in the ice-making unit to a dispenser provided on a refrigerator door; and
stopping an operation of the ice-making unit when the sensed temperature is higher than a pre-set temperature level.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the internal temperatures of the ice duct are sensed from at least two or more different positions.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein when one of the temperatures sensed by the two or more different positions is greater than a pre-set temperature level, the operation of the ice-making unit is stopped.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein when all the temperatures sensed by the two or more different positions are greater than the pre-set temperature level, the operation of the ice-making unit is stopped.

Patent History
Publication number: 20070251259
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 26, 2007
Publication Date: Nov 1, 2007
Applicant:
Inventors: Dong-Kyu Kim (Gyeongsangnam-Do), Jin-Hyun Kim (Incheon)
Application Number: 11/790,639
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Means Producing Shaped Or Modified Congealed Product (62/340); By Congealed Removable Product Condition (62/135)
International Classification: F25C 1/22 (20060101); F25C 1/00 (20060101);