EP4339537A1

EP4339537A1 - Ice making device control method and control apparatus, and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: EP4339537A1
Application number: EP22806688.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bintang ZHAO; Bin Fei
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Refrigerator Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-05-10
Filing date: 2022-05-09
Publication date: 2024-03-20
Also published as: US20240210087A1; CN115325765B; WO2022237725A1; EP4339537A4; CN115325765A

Abstract

A control method and system of an ice making device (130) as well as a refrigerator (100) having the same; the control method of an ice making device (130) includes: receiving first detection data of a detection sensor (134) on an ice-making water injection pipe (132) at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process; judging whether water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe (132) according to the first detection data; and turning on a heating assembly (135) when water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe (132). In the control method of an ice making device according to the present invention, the detection sensor (134) is provided, and whether the ice-making water injection pipe (132) is frozen is judged by the detection sensor (134) detecting whether water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe at the interval of the first preset time in the ice making process, such that a freezing state of the ice-making water injection pipe (132) can be found in time, the detection method is more accurate, the freezing state of the water injection pipe (132) can be known more accurately, and a heating wire can be turned on more efficiently to unfreeze the water injection pipe (132).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of ice making apparatuses, and in particular, to a control method and device of an ice making device as well as a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND

Currently, in order to facilitate use of users, a plurality of refrigerator products are provided therein with automatic ice makers. In the automatic ice maker, water is generally required to be injected through a water injection pipe for ice making.
When the ice maker is provided on a freezing chamber or a freezing door of a refrigerator, part of the water injection pipe is located in a freezing environment, such that the water injection pipe is prone to freezing. In a prior art, a temperature sensor and a heating wire are generally provided, and the heating wire is turned on to unfreeze the frozen water injection pipe when a temperature near the water injection pipe is detected to be lowered to a preset temperature. However, the temperature detection method has a large error, a freezing state of the water injection pipe cannot be accurately obtained, and a problem that power cannot be timely increased to unfreeze a frozen position or energy waste is caused may be caused.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide a control method and device of an ice making device as well as a refrigerator.
In order to realize the above inventive purposes, an embodiment of the present invention provides a control method of an ice making device, wherein the method comprising the flowing steps: receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process; judging whether water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe according to the first detection data; and turning on a heating assembly when water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe.
As a further improvement of the present invention, wherein after the step of turning on a heating assembly when water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe, the method further comprises: judging whether a first heating time is exceeded; when the first heating time is not exceeded, receiving second detection data of the detection sensor at an interval of a second heating time, the second heating time being shorter than the first heating time; judging whether the water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe according to the second detection data; and turning off the heating assembly when no water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe.
As a further improvement of the present invention, wherein after the step of judging whether a first heating time is exceeded, the method further comprises: turning off the heating assembly when the first heating time is exceeded; and displaying ice-making water injection pipe freezing information on a display panel.
As a further improvement of the present invention, wherein after the step of displaying ice-making water injection pipe freezing information on a display panel, the method further comprises: checking whether the ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is displayed on the display panel after a second preset time, the second preset time being longer than the first preset time; and when the ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is not displayed on the display panel, executing the step of receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process.
As a further improvement of the present invention, wherein after the step of turning off the heating assembly when no water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe, the method further comprises: removing an ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark.
As a further improvement of the present invention, wherein after the step of turning on a heating assembly when water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe, the method further comprises: setting the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark and stopping the ice making procedure.
As a further improvement of the present invention, wherein before the step of receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process, the method further comprises: judging whether the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark is set; and when the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark is not set, executing the step of receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process.
As a further improvement of the present invention, wherein after the step of judging whether water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe according to the first detection data, the method further comprises: removing the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark when no water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a control system of an ice making device, comprising: a detection sensor configured to detect whether water or ice exists in an ice-making water injection pipe; and a control module comprising a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program operable on the processor, and the processor implementing steps of the control method of an ice making device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when executing the program.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, wherein the freezing chamber is provided therein with an ice making device, and the ice making device comprises an ice making tray, an ice-making water injection pipe for supplying water to the ice making tray and the control system of an ice making device according to claim 9; a water outlet of the ice-making water injection pipe is provided above the ice making tray in the freezing chamber; a water or ice detection sensor and a heating assembly are provided on the ice-making water injection pipe, and the heating assembly is provided around an outer wall of the ice-making water injection pipe; the detection sensor is configured as a capacitive sensor.
Compared with a prior art, in the control method of an ice making device according to the present invention, a detection sensor is provided, and whether an ice-making water injection pipe is frozen is judged by the detection sensor detecting whether water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process, such that a freezing state of the ice-making water injection pipe can be found in time, the detection method is more accurate, the freezing state of the water injection pipe can be known more accurately, and a heating wire can be turned on more efficiently to unfreeze the water injection pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic flow diagram of a control method of an ice making device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic flow diagram of the control method of an ice making device according to the embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a control system of an ice making device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail in conjunction with specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments have no limitations on the present invention, and any transformations of structure, method, or function made by persons skilled in the art according to these embodiments fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
It should be understood that the terms expressive of spatial relative positions, such as "upper", "above", "lower", "below", or the like herein are used to describe the relationship of a unit or feature relative to another unit or feature in the drawings, for the purpose of illustration and description. Terms expressive of the spatial relative positions are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientations shown in the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention discloses a refrigerator 100 including a refrigerating chamber 110 and a freezing chamber 120. An ice making device 130 is provided in the freezing chamber, and includes an ice making tray 131 and an ice-making water injection pipe 132 for supplying water to the ice making tray. The refrigerator further includes a control system 140 of the ice making device. A water outlet 133 of the ice-making water injection pipe 132 is provided above the ice making tray 131 in the freezing chamber 120. The ice-making water injection pipe 132 is provided with a detection sensor 134 and a heating assembly 135, and the heating assembly 135 is provided around an outer wall of the ice-making water injection pipe 132. The detection sensor 134 is configured as a capacitive sensor.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a water storage container 111 is provided in the refrigerating chamber 110, and the water storage container 111 is connected with the ice-making water injection pipe 132 to supply water to the ice-making water injection pipe 132. In other embodiments, an external water source may be provided to be connected with the ice-making water injection pipe, so as to supply water to the ice-making water injection pipe.
The ice-making water injection pipe 132 is required to supply water to the ice making tray 131, and water droplets may remain in the ice-making water injection pipe 132 after water injection. Since part of the ice-making water injection pipe 132 is located in the freezing chamber 120, the water remaining in ice-making water injection pipe 132 may be frozen. The ice-making water injection pipe 132 cannot supply water to the ice making tray 131 any more after freezing, such that an ice making procedure cannot continue.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the heating assembly 135 is configured as a heating wire. The heating wire is wound around the outer wall of the ice-making water injection pipe 132, so as to unfreeze the ice-making water injection pipe 132 when turned on.
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a control method of an ice making device. As shown in FIG. 1, the method includes:

receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process;
judging whether water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe according to the first detection data; and
turning on a heating assembly when water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first preset time may be 5 minutes or 10 minutes. That is, in the ice making process, a controller receives the first detection data of the detection sensor at an interval of 5 minutes or 10 minutes, and then judges whether water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe. Therefore, a state of the ice-making water injection pipe can be known in time, and the heating assembly is turned on for unfreezing immediately after the ice-making water injection pipe is frozen.
The detection sensor 134 may be mounted on the outer wall of the ice-making water injection pipe 132. The detection sensor 134 is configured as a capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor is configured as a variable dielectric type capacitor in which a change in a dielectric constant is caused by a change in a detected medium. Specifically, after ice is turned over and before water is injected, when the ice-making water injection pipe 132 is not frozen, the pipe is in an empty state, and at this point, the capacitive sensor generates a dielectric constant and sends detection data to the controller to indicate that no water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe; when residual water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe 132 or the residual water is frozen and a space in the pipe is filled with ice formed by freezing the residual water, the detected medium is changed, which causes the dielectric constant of the capacitive sensor to change, such that the sensor sends another detection data to the controller to indicate that water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe. Therefore, whether the ice-making water injection pipe is frozen may be judged according to different detection data. The heating assembly is turned on when the residual water is detected to exist in the ice-making water injection pipe, such that the ice-making water injection pipe can be prevented from being frozen in advance, so as to reduce a subsequent freezing possibility. The capacitive sensor has a large detection dynamic range, a high response speed, a simple structure and a low cost.
In other embodiments, other types of sensors, such as a photoelectric sensor, or the like, may be used.
When the water or ice is determined to be present in the ice-making water injection pipe 132, the ice-making water injection pipe 132 may be frozen, and the heating assembly 135 is required to be turned on to unfreeze the ice-making water injection pipe 132.
Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, after the step of turning on a heating assembly when water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe, the method further includes:

judging whether a first heating time is exceeded;
when the first heating time is not exceeded, receiving second detection data of the detection sensor at an interval of a second heating time, the second heating time being shorter than the first heating time;
judging whether the water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe according to the second detection data; and
turning off the heating assembly when no water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first heating time is a long period; for example, the first heating time may be 0.5 hours or 1 hour. Specifically, the first heating time may be preset in advance, or a plurality of tests of unfreezing the ice-making water injection pipe may be performed to determine a time required for unfreezing the ice-making water injection pipe in most cases, and the first heating time is set accordingly. For example, after the plurality of tests, a maximum time for unfreezing the ice-making water injection pipe in most cases is measured to 1 hour, and then, the first heating time may be set to 1 hour.
When the first heating time is not exceeded, the second detection data of the detection sensor 134 is received at the interval of the second heating time. The second heating time may be short, for example, 5 seconds, 10 seconds, or the like. That is, the controller receives the second detection data of the detection sensor 134 at the interval of 5 seconds or 10 seconds within the first heating time not exceeding 0.5 hours or 1 hour, so as to know in time whether the ice-making water injection pipe 132 is unfrozen in a state where the heating assembly 135 is turned on.
Similarly, when the received second detection data indicates that the water or ice is present in the ice-making water injection pipe 132, the ice-making water injection pipe 132 may be determined to be still frozen; when the second detection data received at this point indicates that no water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe 132, the ice-making water injection pipe 132 may be determined to be unfrozen under operation of the heating assembly 135.
When no water is determined to be present in the ice-making water injection pipe, the ice-making water injection pipe 132 is unfrozen, and at this point, the heating assembly 135 is not required to be continuously turned on, and the controller may turn off the heating assembly 135.
Thus, by judging whether the water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe 132 at the interval of the short second heating time, a freezing state of the ice-making water injection pipe 132 can be known in time, and the heating assembly 135 is turned off after the ice-making water injection pipe 132 is unfrozen, thus improving an unfreezing efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, after the step of judging whether a first heating time is exceeded, the method further includes:

turning off the heating assembly when the first heating time is exceeded; and
displaying ice-making water injection pipe freezing information on a display panel.

In the embodiment of the present invention, whether the water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe 132 is judged at the interval of the second heating time, and when the heating assembly 135 is not turned off after plural times of detection are performed and the first heating time is exceeded, a frozen volume of the ice-making water injection pipe 132 may be excessively large, the heating assembly 135 is insufficient to unfreeze the frozen volume, a user may be required to perform unfreezing by using another method, or intervention of a maintenance person is required. At this point, the heating assembly 135 is useless and thus turned off.
The ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is displayed on the display panel to remind the user that the ice-making water injection pipe is frozen and the heating assembly cannot unfreeze the ice-making water injection pipe, and at this point, the ice making procedure cannot be normally executed, and the user is required to perform unfreezing by adopting other methods. The ice-making water injection pipe 132 freezing information may be characters, a picture or an icon, or in another form which can draw attention.
Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, after the step of displaying ice-making water injection pipe freezing information on a display panel, the method further includes:

checking whether the ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is displayed on the display panel after a second preset time, the second preset time being longer than the first preset time; and
when the ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is not displayed on the display panel, executing the step of receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process.

The second preset time is long, for example, 0.5 hours or 1 hour. After the ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is displayed, the ice making procedure cannot be normally executed. Therefore, the controller checks whether the ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is still displayed on the display panel after the second preset time. When the user unfreezes the ice-making water injection pipe using other methods or the maintenance person performs maintenance, the ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is not displayed on the display panel any more, and then, after the second preset time, the controller determines that the ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is not displayed on the display panel, and can control the ice making device to normally execute the ice making procedure.
Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, after the step of turning off the heating assembly when no water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe, the method further includes:
removing an ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark.
When the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark is set in the previous step, after no water is determined to exist in the ice-making water injection pipe, the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark can be removed, such that the ice making procedure can be executed normally.
It should be noted that the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark and the ice-making water injection pipe freezing information are different from each other. The ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark indicates that the ice-making water injection pipe is in a frozen state at this point, and when the ice-making water injection pipe is unfrozen (for example, after the heating assembly runs for a period of time), the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark is removed. The ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark is a mark in the procedure and invisible to the user. The ice-making water injection pipe freezing information indicates that the ice-making water injection pipe cannot be unfrozen after the heating assembly operates, and the user is required to perform unfreezing using other methods. The ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is displayed on the display panel of the refrigerator and is visible to the user.
Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, after the step of turning on a heating assembly when water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe, the method further includes:
setting the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark and stopping the ice making procedure.
When the heating assembly 135 is required to be turned on, the ice-making water injection pipe 132 is frozen at this point, the ice making procedure cannot be normally executed, and therefore, the ice-making water injection pipe 132 freezing mark is set inside the procedure, and the controller is required to stop the ice making procedure.
Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, before the step of receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process, the method further includes:

judging whether the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark is set; and
when the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark is not set, executing the step of receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process.

When the ice-making water injection pipe 132 freezing mark is set, the ice-making water injection pipe 132 is frozen at this point, the ice-making water injection pipe 132 cannot normally supply water to the ice making tray, and the ice making procedure cannot be normally executed.
When the ice-making water injection pipe 132 freezing mark is not set, the ice-making water injection pipe 132 is not frozen, the water can be normally supplied to the ice making tray, and at this point, the step of receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process is continuously performed.
Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, after the step of judging whether water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe according to the first detection data, the method further includes:
removing the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark when no water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe.
When the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark is set in the previous step, after no water is determined to exist in the ice-making water injection pipe, the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark can be removed, such that the ice making procedure can be executed normally.
Reference is made to FIG. 4 which shows a control system 200 of an ice making device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the control system may include:

a detection sensor 134 configured to detect whether water or ice exists in an ice-making water injection pipe 132; and
a control module 220 including a memory 221 and a processor 222, the memory 221 storing a computer program operable on the processor 222, and the processor 222 implementing steps of the above-mentioned control method of an ice making device when executing the program.

It should be understood that although the present specification is described based on embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. Such a narration way of the present specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should take the present specification as an entirety. The technical solutions in the respective embodiments may be combined properly to form other embodiments which may be understood by those skilled in the art.
A series of the detailed descriptions set forth above is merely specific description of feasible embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Equivalent embodiments or modifications made within the spirit of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

A control method of an ice making device, comprising:
receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process;

judging whether water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe according to the first detection data; and

turning on a heating assembly when water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe.
The control method of an ice making device according to claim 1,
wherein after the step of turning on a heating assembly when water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe, the method further comprises:
judging whether a first heating time is exceeded;

when the first heating time is not exceeded, receiving second detection data of the detection sensor at an interval of a second heating time, the second heating time being shorter than the first heating time;

judging whether the water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe according to the second detection data; and

turning off the heating assembly when no water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe.
The control method of an ice making device according to claim 2, wherein after the step of judging whether a first heating time is exceeded, the method further comprises:
turning off the heating assembly when the first heating time is exceeded; and

displaying ice-making water injection pipe freezing information on a display panel.
The control method of an ice making device according to claim 3,
wherein after the step of displaying ice-making water injection pipe freezing information on a display panel, the method further comprises:
checking whether the ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is displayed on the display panel after a second preset time, the second preset time being longer than the first preset time; and

when the ice-making water injection pipe freezing information is not displayed on the display panel, executing the step of receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process.
The control method of an ice making device according to claim 2,
wherein after the step of turning off the heating assembly when no water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe, the method further comprises:
removing an ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark.
The control method of an ice making device according to claim 1,
wherein after the step of turning on a heating assembly when water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe, the method further comprises:
setting the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark and stopping the ice making procedure.
The control method of an ice making device according to claim 1, wherein before the step of receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process, the method further comprises:
judging whether the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark is set; and

when the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark is not set, executing the step of receiving first detection data of a detection sensor on an ice-making water injection pipe at an interval of a first preset time in an ice making process.
The control method of an ice making device according to claim 1,
wherein after the step of judging whether water or ice exists in the ice-making water injection pipe according to the first detection data, the method further comprises:
removing the ice-making water injection pipe freezing mark when no water exists in the ice-making water injection pipe.
A control system of an ice making device, comprising:
a detection sensor configured to detect whether water or ice exists in an ice-making water injection pipe; and

a control module comprising a memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program operable on the processor, and the processor implementing steps of the control method of an ice making device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when executing the program.
A refrigerator, comprising a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, wherein the freezing chamber is provided therein with an ice making device, and the ice making device comprises an ice making tray, an ice-making water injection pipe for supplying water to the ice making tray and the control system of an ice making device according to claim 9; a water outlet of the ice-making water injection pipe is provided above the ice making tray in the freezing chamber; a water or ice detection sensor and a heating assembly are provided on the ice-making water injection pipe, and the heating assembly is provided around an outer wall of the ice-making water injection pipe; the detection sensor is configured as a capacitive sensor.