REFRIGERATOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation application, claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. § 365(c), of an International application No. PCT/KR2025/003430, filed on Mar. 17, 2025, which is based on and claims the benefit of a Korean patent application number 10-2024-0040713, filed on Mar. 25, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a control method thereof. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a refrigerator including an ice maker and a control method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

A refrigerator is a device that cools and stores food using a refrigeration cycle including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator. In some cases, the refrigerator is equipped with an ice maker formed therein and configured to produce ice.

In a manner of the related art, users have to supply water to the ice maker by themselves, but recently developed refrigerators are equipped with a water supply device that automatically supplies water to the ice maker.

Additionally, the refrigerator includes an ice maker for producing different types of ice according to the user's requirements for ice shape and quality.

Recently, there has been an increasing demand from users for spherical ice, but it will take some time to produce spherical ice.

The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the disclosure.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide a refrigerator and a control method thereof capable of improving an ice-making speed by selectively generating spherical ice and hemispherical ice.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments.

Technical Solution

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a storage compartment, an ice-making tray disposed in the storage compartment and including a first ice-making tray including a first ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape, and a second ice-making tray coupled to the first ice-making tray and including a second ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape, wherein the ice-making tray is provided to form a spherical ice-making cell by allowing the first ice-making cell and the second ice-making cell to come into contact with each other by coupling the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray, a water supply pipe provided to supply water to the ice-making tray, a water supply valve configured to open and close the water supply pipe, a user interface configured to receive a user input to select a spherical ice production mode or a hemispherical ice production mode, memory storing one or more computer programs, and one or more processors communicatively coupled to the user interface, and the memory, wherein the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors individually or collectively, cause the refrigerator to control the water supply valve to allow a first amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the spherical ice production mode, and control the water supply valve to allow a second amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of a refrigerator including an ice-making tray to which water is supplied is provided, wherein the ice-making tray includes a first ice-making tray including a first ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape, and a second ice-making tray coupled to the first ice-making tray and including a second ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape. The ice-making tray is provided to form a spherical ice-making cell by allowing the first ice-making cell and the second ice-making cell to come into contact with each other by coupling the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray, the method includes receiving a user input via a user interface to select either a spherical ice production mode or a hemispherical ice production mode, controlling a water supply valve to allow a first amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the spherical ice production mode, and controlling the water supply valve to allow a second amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media storing one or more computer programs including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a refrigerator including an ice-making tray to which water is supplied, individually or collectively, cause the refrigerator to perform operations are provided. The ice-making tray includes a first ice-making tray comprising a first ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape, and a second ice-making tray coupled to the first ice-making tray and comprising a second ice-making cell in a hemispherical shape, wherein the ice-making tray is provided to form a spherical ice-making cell by allowing the first ice-making cell and the second ice-making cell to come into contact with each other by coupling the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray, wherein the operations include receiving a user input via a user interface to select either a spherical ice production mode or a hemispherical ice production mode, controlling a water supply valve to allow a first amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the spherical ice production mode, and controlling the water supply valve to allow a second amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an ice maker of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an ice maker of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a first ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating more particularly a method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating that a first amount of water is supplied to allow spherical ice to be produced in an ice-making tray of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating that a first amount of water is supplied to an ice-making tray of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating that a second amount of water is supplied to allow hemispherical ice to be produced in an ice-making tray of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 16 is a view illustrating that a second amount of water is supplied to an ice-making tray of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

MODES OF THE INVENTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

In the disclosure, phrases, such as “A or B”, “at least one of A and B”, “at least one of A or B”, “A, B or C”, “at least one of A, B and C”, and “at least one of A, B, or C” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items listed together in the corresponding phrase among the phrases.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Terms, such as “1^st”, “2^nd”, “primary”, or “secondary” may be used simply to distinguish an element from other elements, without limiting the element in other aspects (e.g., importance or order).

Further, as used in the disclosure, the terms “front”, “rear”, “top”, “bottom”, “side”, “left”, “right”, “upper”, “lower”, and the like are defined with reference to the drawings, and are not intended to limit the shape and position of any element.

It will be understood that when the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including”, and/or “comprising” are used in the disclosure, they specify the presence of the specified features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinations thereof.

When a given element is referred to as being “connected to”, “coupled to”, “supported by” or “in contact with” another element, it is to be understood that it may be directly or indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element. When a given element is indirectly connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with another element, it is to be understood that it may be connected to, coupled to, supported by, or in contact with the other element through a third element.

It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cabinet.

The “cabinet” may include an inner case, an outer case positioned outside the inner case, and an insulation provided between the inner case and the outer case.

The “inner case” may include a case, a plate, a panel, or a liner forming a storage compartment (also referred to as a storage room). The inner case may be formed as one body, or may be formed by assembling a plurality of plates together. The “outer case” may form an appearance of the cabinet, and be coupled to an outer side of the inner case such that the insulation is positioned between the inner case and the outer case.

The “insulation” may insulate an inside of the storage compartment from an outside of the storage compartment to maintain inside temperature of the storage compartment at appropriate temperature without being influenced by an external environment of the storage compartment. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a foaming insulation. The foaming insulation may be molded by fixing the inner case and the outer case with jigs, or the like, and then injecting and foaming urethane foam as a mixture of polyurethane and a foaming agent between the inner case and the outer case.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the insulation may include a vacuum insulation in addition to a foaming insulation, or may be configured only with a vacuum insulation instead of a forming insulation. The vacuum insulation may include a core material and a cladding material accommodating the core material and sealing the inside with vacuum or pressure close to vacuum. However, the insulation is not limited to the above-mentioned foaming insulation or vacuum insulation, and may include various materials capable of being used for insulation.

The “storage compartment” may include a space defined by the inner case. The storage compartment may further include the inner case defining the space corresponding to the storage compartment. The storage compartment may store a variety of items, such as food, medicines, cosmetics, and the like, and the storage compartment may be configured to be open on at least one side for insertion and removal of the items.

The refrigerator may include one or more storage compartments. In a case in which two or more storage compartments are formed in the refrigerator, the respective storage compartments may have different purposes of use, and may be maintained at different temperatures. To this end, the respective storage compartments may be partitioned by a partition wall including an insulation.

The storage compartment may be maintained within an appropriate temperature range according to a purpose of use, and may include a “refrigerating compartment”, a “freezing compartment”, and a “temperature conversion compartment” according to purposes of use and/or temperature ranges. The refrigerating compartment may be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep food refrigerating, and the freezing compartment may be maintained at an appropriate temperature to keep food frozen. The “refrigerating” may be keeping food cold without freezing the food, and for example, the refrigerating compartment may be maintained within a range of 0 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius. The “freezing” may be freezing food or keeping food frozen, and for example, the freezing compartment may be maintained within a range of −20 degrees Celsius to −1 degrees Celsius. The temperature conversion compartment may be used as either a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment according to or regardless of a user's selection.

The storage compartment may also be referred to by various terms, such as “vegetable compartment”, “freshness compartment”, “cooling compartment”, and “ice-making compartment”, in addition to “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, and “temperature conversion compartment”, and the terms, such as “refrigerating compartment”, “freezing compartment”, “temperature conversion compartment”, or the like, as used below are to be understood as representing storage compartments having the corresponding purposes of use and the corresponding temperature ranges.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include at least one door configured to open or close the open side of the storage compartment. The respective doors may be provided to open and close one or more storage compartments, or a single door may be provided to open and close a plurality of storage compartments. The door may be rotatably or slidably mounted to the front of the cabinet.

The “door” may seal the storage compartment in a closed state. The door, like the cabinet, may include an insulation to insulate the storage compartment in a closed state.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulation provided therein.

A gasket may be provided on the edge of the inner door plate to seal the storage compartment by coming into close contact with the front surface of the cabinet when the door is closed. The inner door plate may include a dyke that protrudes rearward to allow a door basket for storing items to be fitted.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the door may include a door body and a front panel that is detachably coupled to the front of the door body and forming the front surface of the door. The door body may include an outer door plate forming the front surface of the door body, an inner door plate forming the rear surface of the door body and facing the storage compartment, an upper cap, a lower cap, and a door insulator provided therein.

The refrigerator may be classified as French door type, side-by-side type, bottom mounted freezer (BMF), top mounted freezer (TMF), or single door refrigerator according to the arrangement of the doors and the storage compartments.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage compartment.

The “cold air supply device” may include a machine, an apparatus, an electronic device, and/or a combination system thereof, capable of generating cold air and guiding the cold air to cool the storage compartment.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may generate cold air through a cooling cycle including compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation processes of refrigerants. To this end, the cold air supply device may include a refrigeration cycle device having a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator to drive the refrigeration cycle. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the cold air supply device may include a semiconductor, such as a thermoelectric element. The thermoelectric element may cool the storage compartment by heating and cooling actions through the Peltier effect.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a machine compartment in which at least some components belonging to the cold air supply device are installed.

The “machine compartment” may be partitioned and insulated from the storage compartment to prevent heat generated by the components installed in the machine compartment from being transferred to the storage compartment. To dissipate heat from the components installed in the machine compartment, the machine compartment may communicate with outside of the cabinet.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a dispenser provided on the door to provide water and/or ice. The dispenser may be provided on the door to allow access by the user without opening the door.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include an ice-making device that produces ice. The ice-making device may include an ice-making tray that stores water, an ice-moving device that separates ice from the ice-making tray, and an ice-bucket that stores ice produced in the ice-making tray.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a controller for controlling the refrigerator.

The “controller” may include memory for storing and/or recording data and/or programs for controlling the refrigerator, and a processor for outputting control signals for controlling the cold air supply device, or the like, in accordance with the programs and/or data stored in the memory.

The memory may store or record various information, data, instructions, programs, and the like necessary for operation of the refrigerator. The memory may store temporary data generated while generating control signals for controlling components included in the refrigerator. The memory may include at least one of volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof.

The processor may control the overall operation of the refrigerator. The processor may control the components of the refrigerator by executing programs stored in memory. The processor may include a separate neural processing unit (NPU) that performs an artificial intelligence (AI) model operation. In addition, the processor may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processor (GPU), and the like. The processor may generate a control signal to control the operation of the cold air supply device. For example, the processor may receive temperature information of the storage compartment from a temperature sensor and generate a cooling control signal to control an operation of the cold air supply device based on the temperature information of the storage compartment.

Furthermore, the processor may process a user input of a user interface and control an operation of the user interface in accordance with the programs and/or data memorized/stored in the memory. The user interface may be provided with an input interface and an output interface. The processor may receive the user input from the user interface. In addition, the processor may transmit a display control signal and image data for displaying an image on the user interface to the user interface in response to the user input.

The processor and memory may be provided integrally or may be provided separately. The processor may include one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a main processor and at least one sub-processor. The memory may include one or more memories.

The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a processor and memory for controlling all of the components included in the refrigerator, and may include a plurality of processors and a plurality of memories for individually controlling the components of the refrigerator. For example, the refrigerator may include a processor and memory for controlling the operation of the cold air supply device in accordance with to an output of the temperature sensor. In addition, the refrigerator may be separately provided with a processor and memory for controlling the operation of the user interface in accordance with the user input.

A communication module may communicate with external devices, such as servers, mobile devices, and other home appliances via a nearby access point (AP). The AP may connect a local area network (LAN) to which a refrigerator or a user device is connected to a wide area network (WAN) to which a server is connected. The refrigerator or the user device may be connected to the server via the WAN.

The input interface may include keys, a touch screen, a microphone, and the like. The input interface may receive the user input and pass the received user input to the processor.

The output interface may include a display, a speaker, and the like. The output interface may output various notifications, messages, information, and the like generated by the processor.

It should be appreciated that the blocks in each flowchart and combinations of the flowcharts may be performed by one or more computer programs which include computer-executable instructions. The entirety of the one or more computer programs may be stored in a single memory device or the one or more computer programs may be divided with different portions stored in different multiple memory devices.

Any of the functions or operations described herein can be processed by one processor or a combination of processors. The one processor or the combination of processors is circuitry performing processing and includes circuitry like an application processor (AP, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), a communication processor (CP, e.g., a modem), a graphical processing unit (GPU), a neural processing unit (NPU) (e.g., an artificial intelligence (AI) chip), a wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) chip, a Bluetooth™ chip, a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a near field communication (NFC) chip, connectivity chips, a sensor controller, a touch controller, a finger-print sensor controller, a display drive integrated circuit (IC), an audio CODEC chip, a universal serial bus (USB) controller, a camera controller, an image processing IC, a microprocessor unit (MPU), a system on chip (SoC), an IC, or the like.

Hereinafter embodiments of the disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 may include a main body 10, a storage compartment 20 formed inside the main body 10, a door 30 configured to open and close the storage compartment 20, and a cooling device configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment 20.

The main body 10 may be formed with an open front surface to allow a user to input food to and withdraw food from the storage compartment 20. For example, the main body 10 may include an opening 10a formed on the front surface of the main body 10. The opening 10a of the main body 10 may be opened and closed by the door 30

The main body 10 may include an inner case 11 forming the storage compartment 20, an outer case 12 forming an exterior of the refrigerator 1, and a main body insulator 13 disposed between the inner case 11 and the outer case 12.

The outer case 12 may be formed to have a substantially box shape with an open front surface. The outer case 12 may form upper and lower surfaces, left and right surfaces, and a rear surface of the refrigerator 1.

The outer case 12 may be provided to include a metal material. For example, the outer case 12 may be manufactured by processing a steel plate material.

A front surface of the inner case 11 may be opened. The storage compartment 20 may be disposed inside the inner case 11, and the inner case 11 may be disposed inside the outer case 12. An inner wall of the inner case 11 may form an inner wall of the storage compartment 20.

The inner case 11 may be provided to include a plastic material. For example, the inner case 11 may be manufactured by a vacuum forming process. For example, the inner case 11 may be manufactured by an injection molding process.

The main body insulator 13 may be provided to insulate the outer case 12 and the inner case 11 from each other. As the main body insulator 13 is foamed between the inner case 11 and the outer case 12, the inner case 11 and the outer case 12 may be coupled to each other. The main body insulator 13 may prevent heat exchange between the inside of the storage compartment 20 and the outside of the main body 10, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the storage compartment 20.

Urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation, or vacuum insulation panel may be used as the main body insulator 13. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the main body insulator 13 may include various materials

The storage compartment 20 may be formed inside the main body 10. For example, the storage compartment 20 may include a freezing compartment maintained at approximately 0 to −30 degrees Celsius to freeze and store food.

A shelf 16 on which food is placed, a movable shelf 17 provided to allow food to be placed thereon and provided to be inserted into or withdrawn from the inner case 11, and a drawer 18 provided to store food and provided to be inserted into or withdrawn from the inner case 11 may be arranged in the storage compartment 20.

The refrigerator 1 may include the cooling device configured to generate cold air using a cooling cycle and configured to supply the generated cold air to the storage compartment 20.

The cooling device may generate cold air by using evaporation latent heat of the refrigerant in the cooling cycle. The cooling device may include a compressor 73, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator 71, and a blower fan 72.

The main body 10 may be provided with a cooling chamber 50 and a machine room 60 for placing the cooling device. For example, components, such as the evaporator 71 configured to generate cold air and the blower fan 72 configured to move the cold air generated by the evaporator 71 may be arranged in the cooling chamber 50. Components, such as the compressor 73 and the condenser may be arranged in the machine room 60.

The cooling chamber 50 may be disposed behind the storage compartment 20. The machine room 60 may be disposed behind the storage compartment 20.

Components of the refrigerator 1 forming the cooling device may have a relatively heavy weight. Therefore, the cooling chamber 50 and the machine room 60 may be disposed in a lower portion of the main body 10. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the cooling chamber 50 and the machine room 60 may be arranged in various ways, and components forming the cooling device may be arranged in various ways to correspond to the positions of the cooling chamber 50 and the machine room 60.

Because cold air is generated in the cooling chamber 50 by the evaporator 71, it is possible to maintain the cooling chamber 50 at a relatively low temperature state. However, because heat is generated in the machine room 60 by the compressor 73 and the condenser, it is possible to maintain the machine room 60 at a relatively high temperature state. Therefore, the cooling chamber 50 and the machine room 60 may be formed in a space separated from each other and may be insulated from each other. For example, the main body insulator 13 may be foamed between the cooling chamber 50 and the machine room 60.

Referring to FIG. 2, the evaporator 71 arranged in the cooling chamber 50 may generate cold air by evaporating the refrigerant, and the cold air generated by the evaporator 71 may be moved by the blower fan 72. The cold air moved by the blower fan 72 may flow from the cooling chamber 50 to the storage compartment 20. The cooling chamber 50 may be provided to communicate with the storage compartment 20.

For example, the cold air generated by the evaporator 71 may flow to the upper side of the cooling chamber 50 through the blower fan 72. The cold air moved by the blower fan 72 may flow toward the upper portion of the main body 10 along a cold air supply duct 14. The cold air may be discharged from the cold air supply duct 14 toward the front side and may eventually be introduced into the storage compartment 20. Alternatively, the cold air generated by the evaporator 71 may flow to the lower portion of the main body 10 by the blower fan 72 and may be introduced into the storage compartment 20.

In other words, as shown in FIG. 2, the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure may be an indirect cooling refrigerator. Hereinafter for convenience of description, the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure will be described on the premise that the refrigerator 1 is an indirect cooling type, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. The disclosure may be applied to a direct cooling refrigerator.

The evaporator 71 and the blower fan 72 disposed in the cooling chamber 50 may be referred to as a cold air supply device in that the evaporator 71 and the blower fan 72 generate cold air and supply the cold air to the storage compartment 20.

The main body 10 may include the cold air supply duct 14. The cold air supply duct 14 may form a cold air flow path through which cold air generated by the cold air supply device flows from the cooling chamber 50 to the storage compartment 20. The storage compartment 20 may be provided to communicate with the cold air supply duct 14.

The cold air supply duct 14 may be formed inside the inner case 11. The cold air supply duct 14 may be formed in a rear portion of the inner case 11. Particularly, the cold air supply duct 14 may be provided in a rear portion of the storage compartment 20.

The door 30 may be configured to open and close the storage compartment 20. The door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 10. Particularly, the door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 10 by a hinge 40 respectively connected to the door 30 and the main body 10. The door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the outer case 12.

An outer surface of the door 30 may form a portion of the exterior of the refrigerator 1. When the door 30 is closed, the outer surface of the door 30 may form a front surface of the door 30.

An inner surface of the door 30 may be formed on a side opposite to the outer surface of the door 30. When the door 30 is closed, the inner surface of the door 30 may form a rear surface of the door 30. When the door 30 is closed, the inner surface of the door 30 may be provided to face the inside of the main body 10. When the door 30 is closed, the inner surface of the door 30 may be provided to cover the front side of the storage compartment 20.

A foaming space may be formed between the outer surface of the door 30 and the inner surface of the door 30, and a door insulator 31 may foam in the foaming space. The door insulator 31 may prevent heat exchange between the outer surface and the inner surface of the door 30. The door insulator 31 may improve insulation performance between the inside of the storage compartment 20 and the outside of the door 30.

Urethane foam insulation, expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation, or vacuum insulation panel may be used as the door insulator 31. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the door insulator 31 may include various materials.

For example, the door insulator 31 may be formed of the same material as the main body insulator 13. Unlike this, the door insulator 31 may be formed of a material different from the main body insulator 13.

A door gasket 33 may be arranged on the inner surface of the door 30 to seal a gap between the door 30 and the main body 10 so as to prevent leakage of cold air from the storage compartment 20. The door gasket 33 may be provided along a circumference of the inner surface of the door 30. The door gasket 33 may be disposed parallel to the opening 10a of the main body 10 when the door 30 is closed. The door gasket 33 may be provided to include an elastic material, such as rubber.

A door shelf 32 provided to store food may be arranged on the inner surface of the door 30.

The refrigerator 1 may include an ice maker 1000 configured to produce ice using cold air of the storage compartment 20. The ice maker 1000 may include ice-making units 1300 and 1400 (refer to FIG. 3 and the like) configured to produce ice and an ice maker case 1200 configured to support the ice-making units 1300 and 1400.

The ice maker 1000 may be arranged in the storage compartment 20. The ice maker 1000 may be mounted on the inner case 11. Particularly, the inner case 11 may include a holder (not shown) provided on the inner wall of the inner case 11, and the ice maker 1000 may be supported by the holder of the inner case 11. For example, the holder may be formed to protrude from the inner wall of the inner case 11. For example, the holder may be formed to have a shape concavely recessed on the inner wall of the inner case 11.

Specific features of the ice maker 1000 will be described later.

The refrigerator 1 may further include a water supply pipe 81 provided to supply water to the ice maker 1000. The water supply pipe 81 may be provided to receive water from an external water supply source (not shown). The water supply pipe 81 may be provided to supply water, which is supplied from an external water supply source, to the ice maker 1000. The ice maker 1000 may produce ice using water supplied from the water supply pipe 81.

The water supply pipe 81 may be formed to have a pipe shape in which a water supply flow path, through which water flows, is formed.

The number of water supply pipes 81 may be provided in accordance with the number of ice-making units 1300 and 1400. For example, the ice-making units 1300 and 1400 may include a first ice-making unit 1300 and a second ice-making unit 1400 (refer to FIG. 3 and the like). The water supply pipe 81 may be provided in plurality so as to supply water to each of the first ice-making unit 1300 and the second ice-making unit 1400.

The water supply pipe 81 may be disposed to penetrate the main body 10. Particularly, the water supply pipe 81 may penetrate a rear surface of the inner case 11 to communicate with the storage compartment 20. A portion of the water supply pipe 81 may be embedded in the main body insulator 13. One end of the water supply pipe 81 may be exposed in the storage compartment 20. The other end of the water supply pipe 81 may be connected to the external water supply source.

The refrigerator 1 may include an ice bucket 100 provided to accommodate ice produced by the ice maker 1000. The ice bucket 100 may be arranged in the storage compartment 20.

The ice bucket 100 may be mounted on the inner case 11. The ice bucket 100 may be supported by the inner wall of the inner case 11.

The ice bucket 100 may be disposed below the ice maker 1000. The ice bucket 100 may be provided to accommodate ice that is discharged from the ice-making units 1300 and 1400 and moved downward.

A bucket shelf 15 provided to support the ice bucket 100 may be arranged in the storage compartment 20. The ice bucket 100 may be seated on the bucket shelf 15. The bucket shelf 15 may be supported by the inner wall of the inner case 11.

For example, the ice bucket 100 may be provided to be insertable into or withdrawable from the storage compartment 20. For example, the ice bucket 100 may be mounted on the inner case 11 to be slidable. While the bucket shelf 15 slides, the bucket shelf 15 may be inserted into or withdrawn from the storage compartment 20, and the ice bucket 100 seated on the bucket shelf 15 may be inserted into or withdrawn from the storage compartment 20 together with the bucket shelf 15.

The configuration of the refrigerator 1 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is merely an example for describing the refrigerator according to the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. The refrigerator according to the disclosure may be provided to include various configurations for performing a function of supplying cold air to the storage compartment for storing food.

In the above-mentioned description, for convenience of description, the refrigerator 1 including the main body 10 including a single storage compartment 20 formed therein and a single door 30 configured to open and close the storage compartment 20 has been described as an example of the disclosure. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto and the configuration of the disclosure may be applied to various types of refrigerators. The refrigerator according to one embodiment of the disclosure may be a Side by Side (SBS) type in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment are disposed on the left and right sides. Alternatively, the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the disclosure may be a bottom mounted freezer (BMF) type in which a refrigerating compartment is formed on the upper side and a freezing compartment is formed on the lower side. The refrigerator according to one embodiment of the disclosure may be a top mounted freezer (TMF) type in which a freezing compartment is formed on the upper side and a refrigerating compartment is formed on the lower side.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an ice maker of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an ice maker of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the ice maker 1000 of the refrigerator 1 may include the ice-making units 1300 and 1400 configured to produce ice and the ice maker case 1200 provided to support the ice-making units 1300 and 1400.

The ice maker case 1200 may be mounted on the inner case 11. The ice maker case 1200 may be supported by the inner case 11. The ice maker case 1200 may be supported by the inner wall of the inner case 11.

Particularly, the ice maker case 1200 may include an ice maker case wall 1210 supported by the inner wall of the inner case 11. The ice maker case wall 1210 may be both side walls of the ice maker case 1200 with respect to the Y-direction. The ice maker case wall 1210 may face the inner wall of the inner case 11 with respect to the Y-direction. The ice maker case wall 1210 may be supported on both side walls of the inner case 11 with respect to the Y-direction.

The ice maker case 1200 may be supported on the holder (not shown) formed on the inner wall of the inner case 11. The holder formed on the inner wall of the inner case 11 may have various shapes provided to support the ice maker case wall 1210.

The ice maker case 1200 may be fixed to the rear portion of the inner case 11. The ice maker case 1200 may include a rear fixed portion 1260 fixed to the rear portion of the inner case 11.

For example, the rear fixed portion 1260 may be formed to face the cold air supply duct 14 disposed at the rear side of the storage compartment 20. The rear fixed portion 1260 may be fixed to the cold air supply duct 14 and may be fixed to the rear portion of the inner case 11.

For example, the rear fixed portion 1260 may be formed to face a rear wall respect to the X-direction among the inner wall of the inner case 11. The rear fixed portion 1260 may be fixed to the rear wall of the inner case 11 and may be fixed to the rear portion of the inner case 11.

For example, the rear fixed portion 1260 may include a screw hole 1261, and the screw hole 1261 may be penetrated in the front and rear direction by a screw (not shown). The rear fixed portion 1260 may be fixed to the cold air supply duct 14 or the rear wall of the inner case 11 by the screw coupling.

By the rear fixed portion 1260, the ice maker case 1200 may be more firmly mounted on the inner case 11. The configuration of the rear fixed portion 1260 described above is merely one example of the configuration for fixing the ice maker case 1200 to the inner case 11. The ice maker case 1200 may be fixed to the inner case 11 by including various configurations.

The ice maker case 1200 may form an exterior of the ice maker 1000. The ice maker case 1200 may include a front portion 1230 forming a front surface of the ice maker case 1200, and the front portion 1230 may form a front exterior of the ice maker 1000. The front portion 1230 may be formed between the ice maker case walls 1210 which face each other with respect to the Y-direction based on the drawings. The front portion 1230 may connect the ice maker case walls 1210 which face each other with respect to the Y-direction based on the drawings.

The ice maker case 1200 may be formed to have a substantially box shape. The ice maker case 1200 may be formed to have a box shape in which at least one surface is open. For example, the ice maker case 1200 may have a shape in which a lower side, that is toward the ice bucket 100, is open. For example, the ice maker case 1200 may have a shape in which a rear side is open. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the ice maker case 1200 may be formed to have various shapes.

The ice maker case 1200 may include a water supplier penetration portion 1250 through which the water supply pipe 81 passes.

The water supplier penetration portion 1250 may be formed in an upper portion of the ice maker case 1200, but the position of the water supplier penetration portion 1250 is not limited thereto.

The number of water supplier penetration portions 1250 may be provided in accordance with the number of water supply pipes 81, but is not limited thereto. For example, the plurality of water supply pipes 81 may pass through a single water supplier penetration portion 1250.

The ice maker 1000 may include an ice maker cover 1100. The ice maker cover 1100 may be provided to cover the upper side of the ice maker case 1200. The ice maker cover 1100 may be coupled to an upper portion of the ice maker case 1200.

For example, the ice maker cover 1100 may be detachably mounted on the ice maker case 1200. Alternatively, the ice maker cover 1100 may be integrally formed with the ice maker case 1200.

The ice maker cover 1100 may form the exterior of the ice maker 1000. The ice maker cover 1100 may form an upper surface of the ice maker 1000.

The ice maker cover 1100 may cover at least a portion of the water supply pipe 81. Particularly, the ice maker cover 1100 may cover at least a portion of the water supply pipe 81 disposed inside the storage compartment 20. The ice maker cover 1100 may cover the water supplier penetration portion 1250.

The ice maker cover 1100 may be disposed above the ice-making units 1300 and 1400. The ice maker cover 1100 may cover the upper side of the ice-making units 1300 and 1400.

The ice-making units 1300 and 1400 included in the ice maker 1000 may be provided to produce various types of ice.

For example, the ice maker 1000 may include the first ice-making unit 1300 configured to produce a first type of ice. The first ice-making unit 1300 may be supported by a first ice-making unit support 1241 of the ice maker case 1200.

For example, the ice maker 1000 may include the second ice-making unit 1400 configured to produce a second type of ice. The second ice-making unit 1400 may be supported by a second ice-making unit support 1242 of the ice maker case 1200.

The first ice-making unit support 1241 may be provided to support at least an upper portion of the first ice-making unit 1300. The second ice-making unit support 1242 may be provided to support at least an upper portion of the second ice-making unit 1400.

The first ice-making unit support 1241 may be disposed under the ice maker cover 1100. An upper side of the first ice-making unit support 1241 may be covered by the ice maker cover 1100. The second ice-making unit support 1242 may be disposed under the ice maker cover 1100. An upper side of the second ice-making unit support 1242 may be covered by the ice maker cover 1100.

The first ice-making unit support 1241 and the second ice-making unit support 1242 may be disposed on the inner side of the ice maker case wall 1210. The first ice-making unit support 1241 and the second ice-making unit support 1242 may be disposed between ice maker case walls 1210 which face each other with respect to the Y-direction, and covered by the ice maker case walls 1210.

The first ice-making unit support 1241 and the second ice-making unit support 1242 may be disposed behind the front portion 1230. Front portions of the first ice-making unit support 1241 and the second ice-making unit support 1242 may be covered by the front portion 1230.

The first ice-making unit 1300 and the second ice-making unit 1400 may be disposed side by side with each other. Similarly, the first ice-making unit support 1241 and the second ice-making unit support 1242 may be disposed side by side with each other.

For example, the first ice-making unit support 1241 may include a hook structure, and the first ice-making unit 1300 may be supported by the first ice-making unit support 1241 by the hook coupling. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first ice-making unit support 1241 may include various structures for fixing the first ice-making unit 1300.

For example, the second ice-making unit support 1242 may include a hook structure, and the second ice-making unit 1400 may be supported by the second ice-making unit support 1242 by the hook coupling. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second ice-making unit support 1242 may include various structures for fixing the second ice-making unit 1400.

The configuration that allows the ice-making units 1300 and 1400 to be supported by the ice maker case 1200 is not limited to the above description. The ice-making units 1300 and 1400 may be supported in various ways.

The first type of ice produced by the first ice-making unit 1300 and the second type of ice produced by the second ice-making unit 1400 may be different types of ice in terms of shape, size, and the like.

For example, the first type of ice may be ice having a substantially cube shape. For example, the second type of ice may be ice having a substantially spherical shape or hemispherical shape. Alternatively, the first type of ice and the second type of ice may have similar shapes but different sizes.

However, unlike the above description, the ice maker 1000 may be provided to produce only one type of ice.

The configuration and the operation of the first ice-making unit 1300 and the second ice-making unit 1400 will be described below.

The configuration of the ice maker case 1200 described above is merely an example of the structure in which the ice maker is supported on the main body in the storage compartment in the refrigerator according to the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the ice maker case of the refrigerator according to one embodiment may be supported only by the inner wall provided on one side of the inner case, or may be supported by another structure within the storage compartment, such as a horizontal partition, without being directly supported by the inner wall.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a first ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 5, an example of the first ice-making unit 1300 included in the ice maker 1000 of the refrigerator I will be described.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first ice-making unit 1300 may be configured to produce the first type of ice. For example, the first type of ice may be ice having a substantially cube shape.

The first ice-making unit 1300 may include a first ice-making tray 1310 in which ice is produced. The first ice-making tray 1310 may be provided to receive water from the water supply pipe 81. The first ice-making tray 1310 may be provided to be supported by the first ice-making unit support 1241.

The first ice-making tray 1310 may include at least one first ice-making cell 1311 provided to store water supplied from the water supply pipe 81. Water stored in the first ice-making cell 1311 may be changed into ice by cold air of the storage compartment 20. When a plurality of first ice-making cells 1311 is provided as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of first ice-making cells 1311 may be partitioned by a partition wall.

The first ice-making tray 1310 and the first ice-making cell 1311 may have a shape in which one side is open. When water is supplied to the first ice-making tray 1310 or when water is being frozen, the one open side of the first ice-making tray 1310 and the first ice-making cell 1311 may be directed to approximately the upper side of the refrigerator 1. When the ice produced in the first ice-making tray 1310 is moved to the ice bucket 100, the open side of the first ice-making tray 1310 and the first ice-making cell 1311 may be directed to approximately the lower side of the refrigerator 1.

The first ice-making unit 1300 may include a first driver 1320 configured to move the ice produced in the first ice-making tray 1310 to the ice bucket 100. For example, the first driver 1320 may allow the first ice-making tray 1310 to be rotated based on a rotation axis in the horizontal direction of the refrigerator 1 so as to allow the ice in the first ice-making tray 1310 to be moved to a first receiving portion 110.

The first driver 1320 may be coupled to the first ice-making tray 1310. The first driver 1320 may be coupled to one side of the first ice-making tray 1310 with respect to a rotational axis direction. A first driver coupler 1312 may be provided on one side of the first ice-making tray 1310 facing the first driver 1320. The first driver coupler 1312 may be provided on the rotation axis of the first ice-making tray 1310. The first driver 1320 may be coupled to the first driver coupler 1312.

The first driver 1320 may include a motor (not shown), a power transmission member (not shown), and the like. The motor of the first driver 1320 may generate power, and the power transmission member may receive power from the motor and transmit the power to the first ice-making tray 1310. The power transmission member of the first driver 1320 may be connected to the first driver coupler 1312. The power transmission member of the first driver 1320 may include at least one gear (not shown).

The first ice-making tray 1310 may be connected to a rotation axis support 1241a provided in the first ice-making unit support 1241. The rotation axis support 1241a may be provided on the rotation axis of the first ice-making tray 1310. The rotation axis support 1241a may be disposed at a position opposite to the first driver coupler 1312 with respect to the first ice-making tray 1310. The rotation axis support 1241a may rotatably support the first ice-making tray 1310.

With the above configuration, the first ice-making tray 1310 may receive power from the first driver 1320 and then be rotated based on the rotation axis in the horizontal direction of the refrigerator 1. Ice produced in the first ice-making tray 1310 may be discharged from the first ice-making cell 1311 according to the rotation of the first ice-making tray 1310, and then moved to the first receiving portion 110 of the ice bucket 100.

The first ice-making unit 1300 may include a full ice detection lever 1330. The full ice detection lever 1330 may be configured to detect whether the first receiving portion 110 of the ice bucket 100 disposed under the ice maker 1000 is full of ice.

The full ice detection lever 1330 may be coupled to the first driver 1320. Particularly, the full ice detection lever 1330 may be coupled to a lateral side of the first driver 1320. The full ice detection lever 1330 may be rotatably coupled to the first driver 1320.

When it is determined that the first receiving portion 110 is full of ice by the full ice detection lever 1330, a water supply valve 82 (refer to FIG. 10) may be controlled to prevent water from being supplied to the first ice-making unit 1300. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent more than necessary ice from being collected in the ice bucket 100.

The first ice-making unit 1300 may further include a sensor module 1340. The sensor module 1340 may include a sensor, a case provided to receive the sensor, and an insulator. The sensor module 1340 may be mounted to a lower portion of the first ice-making tray 1310. The sensor of the sensor module 1340 may be a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the first ice-making tray 1310.

When the sensor module 1340 detects that the temperature of the first ice-making tray 1310 is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature, a controller (not shown) may determine that the ice production on the first ice-making tray 1310 is completed. Based on the determination that the ice production on the first ice-making tray 1310 is completed, the driving of the first driver 1320 may be controlled to allow the first ice-making tray 1310 to be rotated. Accordingly, ice produced in the first ice-making tray 1310 may be collected in the first receiving portion 110 of the ice bucket 100 disposed under the first ice-making tray 1310.

The configuration of the first ice-making unit 1300 described above with reference to FIG. 5 is merely an example of the ice-making unit provided in the ice maker of the refrigerator according to the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

An example of the second ice-making unit 1400 included in the ice maker 1000 of the refrigerator I will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the second ice-making unit 1400 may be configured to produce the second type of ice having a substantially spherical shape or hemispherical shape. The second ice-making unit 1400 may produce ice of two shapes (spherical and hemispherical shape) with one ice-making unit

The second ice-making unit 1400 may include second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420 in which ice is produced.

The second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420 may include second ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a provided to store water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 (refer to FIG. 2). Water stored in the second ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a may be changed into ice by cold air of the storage compartment 20. The second ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a may be disposed inside the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420. The second ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a may include an elastic material. The second ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a may be provided to be elastically deformable.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420 may be configured to simultaneously produce a plurality of second types of ice. A plurality of second ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a may be provided inside the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420. For example, a water collecting member 1460 described later may supply the collected water to only a part of the plurality of second ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a, and an inside of the plurality of second ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a may communicate with each other so as to allow the collected water to be supplied to all of the second ice-making cells. Alternatively, the water supply member may be provided in plurality to correspond to the number of the plurality of second ice-making cells, and may supply collected water to each of the plurality of second ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a.

The second ice-making unit 1400 may include a support frame 1450. The support frame 1450 may be supported by the second ice-making unit support 1242 of the ice maker case 1200. Each component of the second ice-making unit 1400 described above and each component of the second ice-making unit 1400 described below may be supported by the support frame 1450. Each component of the second ice-making unit 1400 described above and each component of the second ice-making unit 1400 described below may be covered by the support frame 1450.

The support frame 1450 may include a first support frame 1451 and a second support frame 1452. The first support frame 1451 may be mounted on an upper side the second support frame 1452 to form an upper surface of the support frame 1450.

The first support frame 1451 may include a first support body 1451a. The first support body 1451a may form an exterior of the first support frame 1451.

A guide mounting portion 1451b and a cut portion 1451c may be provided on an upper surface of the first support body 1451a. The water collecting member 1460 to be described later may be mounted to the first support frame 1451 by the guide mounting portion 1451b. The water collecting member 1460 may extend between a fixed tray unit 1410 and a movable tray unit 1420 to be described later by penetrating the cut portion 1451c.

A heater receiving portion 1451d may be provided on the upper surface of the first support body 1451a. A heater 1480 may be received in the heater receiving portion 1451d. The position of the heater 1480 may be fixed as the heater 1480 is received in the heater receiving portion 1451d.

A coupling portion 1451e may be formed on a side surface of the first support body 1451a. The coupling portion 1451e may extend from the side surface of the first support body 1451a toward the second support frame 1452. The relative positions of the first support frame 1451 and the second support frame 1452 may be fixed through the coupling portion 1451e.

The second support frame 1452 may be formed to have a box shape in which both sides facing to each other are open and a lower side is open.

The second support frame 1452 may include a second support body 1452a. The second support body 1452a may form an exterior of the second support frame 1452.

As for the first support frame 1451, at least a portion of a lower surface of the first support frame 1451 may be spaced apart from at least a portion of the upper surface of the second support body 1452a by a predetermined distance.

The second support body 1452a may include a rack gear mounting portion 1452b. The rack gear mounting portion 1452b may be formed on the inner side of both side surfaces extending downward from the upper surface of the second support body 1452a. The rack gear mounting portion 1452b may be formed to accommodate a rack gear 1474 to be described later. The rack gear 1474 may be supported so as to be movable in a horizontal direction with respect to the second support frame 1452.

The second support body 1452a may include a leg support portion 1452c. The leg support portion 1452c may be provided to allow a leg portion 1433 of a first ejector 1430 to be seated thereon. The leg portion 1433 of the first ejector 1430 may be supported by the leg support portion 1452c. The leg portion 1433 of the first ejector 1430 may be supported so as to be movable in the horizontal direction with respect to the second support frame 1452.

For example, the leg support portion 1452c may be positioned on a lower side of the rack gear mounting portion 1452b. Particularly, the leg support portion 1452c may be formed on the inner side of both side surfaces extending downward from the upper surface of the second support body 1452a.

The second support body 1452a may include an ejector mounting portion 1452d. The ejector mounting portion 1452d may be provided to allow a second ejector 1440 may be mounted thereon. Particularly, a frame mounting portion 1443 of the second ejector 1440 and the ejector mounting portion 1452d of the second support frame 1452 may be fastened by a fastening member (not shown), and thus the second ejector 1440 may be fixed to the support frame 1450.

The second support body 1452a may include a pinion gear receiving portion 1452e. The pinion gear receiving portion 1452e may be provided to receive a pinion gear 1472 of a second driver 1470 to be described later.

For example, the pinion gear receiving portion 1452e may be formed on an upper portion of both side surfaces extending downward from the upper surface of the second support body 1452a. For example, the pinion gear 1472 may be provided in plurality to be received on both side surfaces of the second support body 1452a, and the rack gear 1474 engaged with the pinion gear 1472 may also be provided in plurality to be received on both side surfaces of the second support body 1452a.

The second support body 1452a may include a frame coupling portion 1452f. The frame coupling portion 1452f may be provided to be mutually coupled to a coupling portion 1451e formed on the first support body 1451a. The frame coupling portion 1452f may be provided in a protrusion shape protruding from one surface of the second support body 1452a. Accordingly, the relative positions of the first support frame 1451 and the second support frame 1452 may be fixed.

However, the coupling structure between the first support frame 1451 and the second support frame 1452 by the coupling portion 1451e of the first support frame 1451 and the frame coupling portion 1452f of the second support frame 1452 is not limited thereto. For example, the coupling portion 1451e of the first support frame 1451 may be provided in a protrusion shape and the frame coupling portion 1452f of the second support frame 1452 may be provided in a hook shape. Accordingly, the first support frame 1451 and the second support frame 1452 may be coupled to each other.

The second support body 1452a may include a shaft member penetration portion 1452g.

The shaft member penetration portion 1452g may be formed by cutting off a portion of the upper surface of the second support body 1452a. In other words, the shaft member penetration portion 1452g may be formed to have a concave shape on the upper surface of the second support body 1452a. A shaft member 1473 of the second driver 1470 described below may be provided to penetrate the shaft member penetration portion 1452g and may be disposed on the inner side of the support frame 1450.

The support frame 1450 may include a cover frame 1453.

The cover frame 1453 may be positioned in front of the first support frame 1451 and the second support frame 1452. The cover frame 1453 may be disposed to cover one open surface of the second support frame 1452. The cover frame 1453 may form one side surface of the support frame 1450.

An ejector receiving portion 1453a may be formed on an inner surface of the cover frame 1453. The ejector receiving portion 1453a may be formed to have a concave shape on one side of the cover frame 1453 that covers the first ejector 1430 described below. The ejector receiving portion 1453a may be provided to receive the first ejector 1430.

The configuration of the support frame 1450 described above is merely an example of the support frame for supporting each component of the second ice-making unit of the ice maker in the refrigerator according to the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited thereto. The support frame may be configured in various ways to support each component of the second ice-making unit 1400, such as the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420, the ejectors 1430 and 1440, and the second driver 1470. In addition, FIG. 6 illustrates that the support frame 1450 includes the first support frame 1451, the second support frame 1452, and the cover frame 1453 which are formed as separate components, but the support frame may be formed as an integral component.

The second ice-making unit 1400 may include the water collecting member 1460.

The water collecting member 1460 may be provided to guide water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 (refer to FIG. 2) to the second ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a to be described later. The water collecting member 1460 may be provided to be mounted on the support frame 1450 and extend between a fixed tray 1412 and a movable tray 1422 to supply water.

The water collecting member 1460 may include a water collecting body 1461 formed to be mounted on the first support frame 1451. A water collecting portion 1462 formed to be inclined downward may be formed on an inner surface of the water collecting body 1461.

The water collecting member 1460 may include a supply portion 1463 extending downward from the water collecting body 1461. The supply portion 1463 may be inserted between the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422.

With the configuration, water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 may flow to the supply portion 1463 along the water collecting portion 1462 of the water collecting member 1460, and flow into the inside of the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420.

The second ice-making unit 1400 may include the heater 1480. The heater 1480 may be configured to heat the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420. For example, at least one portion of the heater 1480 may be supported on a fixed case 1411 of the fixed tray unit 1410 described later, and may be configured to heat the fixed tray 1412 described later. In addition, for example, a portion of the heater 1480 may be accommodated in the heater receiving portion 1451d of the first support frame 1451.

The second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420 may include the fixed tray unit 1410 and the movable tray unit 1420. The fixed tray unit 1410 and the movable tray unit 1420 may be supported by the support frame 1450.

The fixed tray unit 1410 may maintain a fixed position with respect to the support frame 1450. The movable tray unit 1420 may be provided to be movable with respect to the support frame 1450. Particularly, the movable tray unit 1420 may be provided to be movable between the fixed tray unit 1410 and the second ejector 1440.

The fixed tray unit 1410 may include the fixed tray 1412 for producing a portion of ice. The fixed tray 1412 may maintain a fixed position with respect to the support frame 1450. The movable tray unit 1420 may include the movable tray 1422 for producing another portion of ice. The movable tray unit 1420 may be provided to be movable with respect to the support frame 1450. Particularly, the movable tray 1422 may be provided to be movable between the fixed tray 1412 and the second ejector 1440.

The fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 may be configured to be separated from each other or coupled to each other. Particularly, the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 may be disposed to be separated from each other or coupled to each other according to the movement of the movable tray 1422.

When the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 are in a position in which the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 are coupled to each other, the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 may form an ice-making space for producing ice as a whole. Accordingly, when the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 are in the position in which the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 are coupled to each other, water may be supplied from the water supply pipe 81 into the inside of the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422, and ice may be produced.

After the production of the ice in the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 is completed, the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 may be separated, and the produced ice may be moved from the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420.

A portion corresponding to approximately half of the second ice-making cell may be provided inside the fixed tray 1412. A portion corresponding to approximately the remaining half of the second ice-making cell may be provided inside the movable tray 1422. For example, a portion of the second ice-making cell inside the fixed tray 1412 and another portion of the second ice-making cell inside the movable tray 1422 may each be formed to have a substantially hemispherical shape.

Hereinafter a specific configuration of the fixed tray unit 1410 and the movable tray unit 1420 will be described.

The fixed tray unit 1410 may include the fixed case 1411, the fixed tray 1412, and a first fixed member 1413.

The fixed case 1411 may be provided to support the fixed tray 1412. The fixed case 1411 may be provided to accommodate at least a portion of the fixed tray 1412.

The fixed case 1411 may include a fixed tray receiving portion 1411a. The fixed tray receiving portion 1411a may be provided to receive a portion of the fixed ice-making cell 1412a of the fixed tray 1412. The number of fixed tray receiving portions 1411a may correspond to the number of fixed ice-making cells 1412a.

The fixed case 1411 may include a first through hole 1411b. The first through hole 1411b may be formed to have a penetrated shape. The first through hole 1411b may be formed by cutting out a center of the fixed tray receiving portion 1411a. The first through hole 1411b may be provided to allow a first pressing portion 1432 of the first ejector 1430 to pass therethrough.

The fixed tray 1412 may be provided to receive water supplied from the water supply pipe 81. The fixed tray 1412 may be formed to produce ice using the water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 and to support at least a portion of the produced ice.

The fixed tray 1412 may include the fixed ice-making cell 1412a. The fixed ice-making cell 1412a may be provided to receive water supplied from the water supply pipe 81. The fixed ice-making cell 1412a may be provided to form a portion of ice. The fixed ice-making cell 1412a may be formed to have a shape that is recessed inwardly from the inner surface of the fixed tray 1412.

The fixed tray 1412 may include a first inlet hole 1412b. The first inlet hole 1412b may be provided to allow water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 to be introduced. A portion of the water collecting member 1460 may be seated in the first inlet hole 1412b. The first inlet hole 1412b may communicate with the fixed ice-making cell 1412a. Water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 may be supplied to the fixed ice-making cell 1412a through the water collecting member 1460 and the first inlet hole 1412b.

The first fixed member 1413 may be provided to fix the fixed tray 1412 to the fixed case 1411.

Particularly, the first fixed member 1413 may include a first ice-making cell cover portion 1413a and a first fixed portion 1413b.

The first ice-making cell cover portion 1413a may cover an outer perimeter of the fixed tray 1412 to allow the fixed tray 1412 to be fixed to the fixed case 1411. The first fixed member 1413 may be coupled to the fixed case 1411.

For example, a portion of the fixed tray 1412 may be positioned and fixed between the first fixed member 1413 and the fixed case 1411. In addition, the fixed ice-making cell 1412a of the fixed tray 1412 may be engaged with the movable tray 1422, which faces the fixed ice-making cell 1412a, through the open portion of the first fixed member 1413.

The first fixed portion 1413b may be provided to be coupled to the fixed tray 1412 and the fixed case 1411. The fixed tray 1412, the fixed case 1411, and the first fixed member 1413 may be coupled by a fastening member (not shown) penetrating the first fixed portion 1413b. With the configuration, the fixed case 1411, the fixed tray 1412, and the first fixed member 1413 may maintain a fixed position on the inside of the support frame 1450.

The fixed tray 1412 may include a communication portion 1412d. The communication portion 1412d may be disposed between the plurality of fixed ice-making cells 1412a to allow water, which is introduced into the fixed ice-making cell 1412a connected to the first inlet hole 1412b, to flow to an adjacent fixed ice-making cell 1412a. The communication portion 1412d may be formed by being recessed into the inside of the fixed tray 1412. In other words, the plurality of fixed ice-making cells 1412a may be formed to be in communication with each other.

For example, the fixed ice-making cell 1412a may include three fixed ice-making cells 1412a as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this case, two communication portions 1412d may be provided to allow adjacent fixed ice-making cells 1412a among the three fixed ice-making cells 1412a to communicate with each other. At this time, water may be supplied to a central fixed ice-making cell 1412a through the first inlet hole 1412b, and water flowing into the central fixed ice-making cell 1412a may be supplied to the adjacent fixed ice-making cells 1412a on both sides through the communication portions 1412d.

The fixed tray 1412 may include a fixed tray hole 1412h (refer to FIG. 13) formed at the upper portion of the fixed tray 1412. The fixed tray hole 1412h may be formed to have a shape penetrating through the upper portion of the fixed tray 1412. The fixed tray hole 1412h may be formed to allow the inside of the fixed tray 1412 to communicate with the outside of the fixed tray 1412. Fixed tray holes 1412b and 1412c may be formed to allow the inside of the fixed ice-making cell 1412a to communicate with the outside of the fixed tray 1412.

The above-described first inlet hole 1412b of the fixed tray 1412 may be regarded as a component of the fixed tray hole 1412h. For example, when the fixed tray 1412 includes the plurality of fixed ice-making cells 1412a, the first inlet hole 1412b may be formed in at least one fixed ice-making cell 1412a among the plurality of fixed ice-making cells 1412a, and may be formed on the upper portion of the central fixed ice-making cell 1412a as illustrated in the drawing.

The fixed tray hole 1412h may include an outlet hole 1412c that is distinct from the first inlet hole 1412b. The outlet hole 1412c may be formed to allow air inside the fixed ice-making cell 1412a to be discharged to the outside when water is introduced into the fixed ice-making cell 1412a through the first inlet hole 1412b. With the configuration, when water is supplied into the fixed ice-making cell 1412a through the first inlet hole 1412b, air inside the fixed ice-making cell 1412a may be discharged to the outside of the fixed tray 1412 through the outlet hole 1412c, and thus ice having a neat shape without bubbles may be produced while a pressure inside the fixed ice-making cell 1412a is maintained constant.

For example, when the fixed tray 1412 includes the plurality of fixed ice-making cells 1412a, the first inlet hole 1412b may be formed at the upper portion of the central fixed ice-making cell 1412a among the plurality of fixed ice-making cells 1412a, and the outlet hole 1412c may be formed at the upper portion of the fixed ice-making cells 1412a on both sides, respectively, as shown in the drawing.

The fixed tray 1412 may include a sealing portion 1412e. The sealing portion 1412e may be formed to be engaged with the movable tray 1422 to seal the inside of the fixed ice-making cell 1412a and prevent water from leaking between the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422.

For example, the sealing portion 1412e of the fixed tray 1412 may be formed along an edge of the fixed ice-making cell 1412a.

The movable tray unit 1420 may include a movable case 1421, the movable tray 1422, and a second fixed member 1423.

The movable case 1421 may be provided to support the movable tray 1422. The movable case 1421 may be provided to accommodate at least a portion of the movable tray 1412.

The movable case 1421 may include a movable tray receiving portion 1421a. The movable tray receiving portion 1421a may be provided to receive a portion of a movable ice-making cell 1422a of the movable tray 1422. The number of movable tray receiving portions 1421a may correspond to the number of movable ice-making cells 1422a.

The movable case 1421 may include a second through hole 1421b. The second through hole 1421b may be formed to have a penetrated shape. The second through hole 1421b may be formed by cutting out the center of the movable tray receiving portion 1421a. The second through hole 1421b may be provided to allow a second pressing portion 1442 of the second ejector 1440 to pass therethrough.

The movable case 1421 may include a first elastic member mounting portion 1421c.

The first elastic member mounting portion 1421c may be provided to allow an elastic member 1475 of the second driver 1470 to be connected thereto. One end of the elastic member 1475 may be connected to a first elastic member mounting portion 1421c of the rack gear 1474, and the other end of the elastic member 1475 may be connected to the first elastic member mounting portion 1421c of the movable case 1421. Accordingly, the movable case 1421 may move together with a horizontal movement of the rack gear 1474.

The movable case 1421 may include a protrusion 1421d.

The protrusion 1421d may be accommodated in a protrusion receiving space 1433a formed in the leg portion 1433 of the first ejector 1430. The protrusion 1421d of the movable case 1421 may be configured to move the first ejector 1430 in conjunction with the movement of the movable case 1421. Specific details related thereto will be described later.

The movable tray 1422 may be provided to receive water supplied from the water supply pipe 81. The movable tray 1422 may be provided to produce ice using the water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 and to support at least a portion of the produced ice.

The movable tray 1422 may include the movable ice-making cell 1422a. The movable ice-making cell 1422a may be provided to receive water supplied from the water supply pipe 81. The movable ice-making cell 1422a may be provided to form a portion of ice. The movable ice-making cell 1422a may be formed to have a shape that is recessed inwardly from the inner surface of the movable tray 1422.

The movable tray 1422 may be provided to be coupled to the fixed tray 1412 to form an integrated ice-making space. Particularly, the hemispherical movable ice-making cell 1422a of the movable tray 1422 may be provided to be coupled to the hemispherical fixed ice-making cell 1412a of the fixed tray 1412 to form a spherical ice-making cell, which is an integrated ice-making space. The integrated ice-making space may be formed to have a substantially spherical shape.

The movable tray 1422 may include a second inlet hole 1422b. The second inlet hole 1422b may be provided to allow water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 to be introduced. A portion of the water collecting member 1460 may be seated in the second inlet hole 1422b. The second inlet hole 1422b may communicate with the movable ice-making cell 1422a. The water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 may be supplied to the movable ice-making cell 1422a through the water collecting member 1460 and the second inlet hole 1422b.

When the fixed tray 1421 and the movable tray 1422 are coupled, the first inlet hole 1412b of the fixed tray 1421 and the second inlet hole 1422b of the movable tray 1422 may be coupled to each other to form integrated inlet holes 1412b and 1422b for introducing water supplied from the water supply pipe 81.

The second fixed member 1423 may be provided to fix the movable tray 1422 to the movable case 1421.

Particularly, the second fixed member 1423 may include a second ice-making cell cover portion 1423a and a second fixed portion 1423b.

The second ice-making cell cover portion 1423a may cover the outer perimeter of the movable tray 1422 to allow the movable tray 1422 to be fixed to the movable case 1421. The second fixed member 1423 may be coupled to the movable case 1421.

For example, a portion of the movable tray 1422 may be positioned and fixed between the second fixed member 1423 and the movable case 1421. In addition, the movable ice-making cell 1422a of the movable tray 1422 and a second auxiliary ice-making cell 222 may be engaged with the movable tray 1422 facing each other through the open portion of the second fixed member 1423.

The second fixed portion 1423b may be provided to be coupled to the movable tray 1422 and the movable case 1421. The movable tray 1422, the movable case 1421, and the second fixed member 1423 may be coupled by a fastening member (not shown) penetrating the second fixed portion 1423b. With the configuration, the movable case 1421, the movable tray 1422, and the second fixed member 1423 may be moved together in the horizontal direction within the support frame 1450.

The movable tray 1422 may include a communication portion (not shown).

The communication portion of the movable tray 1422 may be disposed between the plurality of movable ice-making cells 1422a to allow water, which is introduced into the movable ice-making cell 1422a connected to the second inlet hole 1422b, to flow to an adjacent movable ice-making cell 1422a. The communication portion of the movable tray 1422 may be formed by being recessed into the inside of the movable tray 1422. In other words, the plurality of movable ice-making cells 1422a may be formed to be in communication with each other.

For example, the movable ice-making cell 1422a may include three movable ice-making cells 1422a as illustrated in FIG. 6. In this case, two communication portions may be provided to allow adjacent movable ice-making cells 1422a among the three movable ice-making cells 1422a to communicate with each other. At this time, water may be supplied to a central movable ice-making cell 1422a through the second inlet hole 1422b, and the water introduced into the central movable ice-making cell 1422a may be supplied to adjacent movable ice-making cells 1422a on both sides through the communication portions of the mobile tray 1422.

The communication portion of the movable tray 1422 may be disposed to face the communication portion 1412d of the fixed tray 1412.

The movable tray 1422 may include a movable tray hole formed in the upper portion of the movable tray 1422. The movable tray hole may be formed to have a shape penetrating through the upper portion of the movable tray 1422. The movable tray hole may be formed to allow the inside of the movable tray 1422 to communicate with the outside of the movable tray 1422. The movable tray hole may be formed to allow the inside of the movable ice-making cell 1422a to communicate with the outside of the movable tray 1422.

The movable tray hole of the movable tray 1422 may have features corresponding to the fixed tray holes 1412b and 1412c of the fixed tray 1412 described above.

The above-mentioned second inlet hole 1422b of the movable tray 1422 may be regarded as a configuration of the movable tray hole. For example, when the movable tray 1422 includes the plurality of movable ice-making cells 1422a, the second inlet hole 1422b may be formed in at least one movable ice-making cell 1422a among the plurality of movable ice-making cells 1422a, and may be formed on the upper portion of the central movable ice-making cell 1422a as illustrated in the drawing.

The movable tray hole of the movable tray 1422 may include an outlet hole (not shown) that is distinct from the second inlet hole 1422b. The outlet hole of the movable tray 1422 may be formed to allow air inside the movable ice-making cell 1422a to be discharged to the outside when water is introduced into the movable ice-making cell 1422a through the second inlet hole 1422b. With the configuration, when water is supplied into the movable ice-making cell 1422a through the second inlet hole 1422b, air inside the movable ice-making cell 1422a may be discharged to the outside of the movable tray 1422 through the outlet hole, and thus ice having a neat shape without bubbles may be produced while a pressure inside the movable ice-making cell 1422a is maintained constant.

For example, when the movable tray 1422 includes the plurality of movable ice-making cells 1422a, the second inlet hole 1422b may be formed at the upper portion of the central movable ice-making cell 1422a among the plurality of movable ice-making cells 1422a, and the outlet hole of the movable tray 1422 may be formed at the upper portions of the movable ice-making cells 1422a on both sides, respectively, as shown in the drawing.

The movable tray hole of the movable tray 1422 may be disposed to face the fixed tray holes 1412b and 1412c of the fixed tray 1412. The second inlet hole 1422b of the movable tray 1422 may be arranged to face the first inlet hole 1412b of the fixed tray 1412. The outlet hole (not shown) of the movable tray 1422 may be arranged to face the outlet hole 1412c of the fixed tray 1412.

The movable tray 1422 may include a sealing portion (not shown). The sealing portion of the movable tray 1422 may be formed to be engaged with the fixed tray 1412 to seal the inside of the movable ice-making cell 1422a and prevent water from leaking between the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422.

For example, the sealing portion of the movable tray 1422 may be formed along the edge of the movable ice-making cell 1422a.

The configuration of the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 120 described above is merely an example of the configuration of the second ice-making tray unit for producing the second type of ice in the refrigerator according to the disclosure, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The second ice-making unit 1400 may include the second driver 1470 configured to provide power for the movable tray unit 1420 to move relative to the support frame 1450, and the ejectors 1430 and 1440 for discharging ice produced in the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420 from the second ice-making tray unit 1410 and 1420.

The second driver 1470 may include a motor (not shown) configured to generate power, a motor case 1471 provided to accommodate the motor, and power transmission members 1472, 1473 and 1474 configured to transmit power generated from the motor.

The motor case 1471 may be coupled to the support frame 1450. Particularly, the motor case 1471 may be coupled to an outer surface of one side of the support frame 1450.

The power transmission members 1472, 1473 and 1474 may be connected to the motor of the second driver 1470 and receive power generated by the motor. The power transmission members 1472, 1473 and 1474 may transmit power received from the motor to the movable tray 1422. For example, the power transmission members 1472, 1473 and 1474 may include at least one gear.

The power transmission members 1472, 1473 and 1474 may be configured to convert a rotational motion of the motor of the second driver 1470 into a linear motion and transmit the linear motion to the movable tray 1422.

For example, the power transmission members 1472, 1473 and 1474 may include the pinion gear 1472 and the rack gear 1474. The pinion gear 1472 may be connected to a rotational shaft of the motor of the second driver 1470. The pinion gear 1472 may receive power from the motor of the second driver 1470 to rotate. The pinion gear 1472 may mesh with the rack gear 1474, and the rotational motion of the pinion gear 1472 may be converted into the linear motion of the rack gear 1474.

The rack gear 1474 may be coupled to the movable tray unit 1420. The movable tray unit 1420 may be configured to perform a linear motion with respect to the support frame 1450 by the linear motion of the rack gear 1474.

The second driver 1470 may further include the elastic member 1475. The rack gear 1474 may be connected to the movable case 1421 via the elastic member 1475. As an example, the elastic member 1475 may include an elastic spring.

The rack gear 1474 may include a toothed portion 1474a provided to mesh with the pinion gear 1472. The rack gear 1474 may include a support portion 1474b supported on the support frame 1450. The toothed portion 1474a may be formed on an upper surface of the support portion 1474b.

The toothed portion 1474a of the rack gear 1474 and the pinion gear 1472 may be arranged to mesh with each other. Accordingly, when the pinion gear 1472 rotates, the rack gear 1474 may move horizontally with respect to the support frame 1450.

The rack gear 1474 may include a second elastic member mounting portion 1474c extending from the support portion 1474b. The elastic member 1475 may be mounted on the second elastic member mounting portion 1474c.

When the rack gear 1474 receives power, which is generated by the second driver 1470, from the pinion gear 1472 and moves in the horizontal direction, the movable case 1421 may also move horizontally with respect to the support frame 1450. The movable case 1421 may be coupled to the movable tray 1422 and the second fixed member 1423 and move together. As the movable case 1421 moves, ice produced between the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 may be separated from the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422.

In addition, as described above, the rack gear 1474 and the movable case 1421 may be connected by the elastic member 1475. When the movable case 1421 is moved toward the fixed case 1411, and when the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 are engaged, the rack gear 1474 may be further moved toward the fixed tray 1412 by the elastic force of the elastic member 1475. Accordingly, the sealing between the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 may be further enhanced.

The pinion gear 1472 may be provided in plurality so as to be disposed on both side of the support frame 1450. The second driver 1470 may include the shaft member 1473 provided to connect the plurality of pinion gears 1472. The shaft member 1473 may be provided to transmit the rotation of the pinion gear 1472 on one side to the pinion gear 1472 on the other side. The shaft member 1473 may be provided in a substantially long bar shape.

However, the configuration of the second driver 1470 described above is merely an example of the second driver configured to provide power for moving the movable tray unit in the refrigerator according to the disclosure. The disclosure is not limited thereto, and for example, the power transmission member of the second driver may be provided by including various configurations configured to transmit power generated from a power source, such as a motor.

The ejectors 1430 and 1440 of the second ice-making unit 1400 may include the first ejector 1430 and the second ejector 1440. The first ejector 1430 may be provided at a position adjacent to the fixed tray unit 1410. The second ejector 1440 may be provided at a position adjacent to the movable tray unit 1420. The second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420 may be disposed between the first ejector 1430 and the second ejector 1440.

The first ejector 1430 may be accommodated in the ejector receiving portion 1453a of the cover frame 1453.

The first ejector 1430 may be configured to be movable with respect to the support frame 1450. The first ejector 1430 may be configured to be movable based on the movement of the movable tray 1422.

The first ejector 1430 may include a first body 1431, the first pressing portion 1432, and the leg portion 1433.

The first body 1431 may extend in a direction parallel to the fixed case 1411. For example, the first body 1431 may extend along a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the first ejector 1430.

The first pressing portion 1432 may extend from the first body 1431. The first body 1431 may be provided to support the first pressing portion 1432.

The first pressing portion 1432 may be provided to press the fixed tray 1412 by passing through the first through hole 1411b of the fixed case 1411. Particularly, the first pressing portion 1432 may be provided to press the fixed ice-making cell 1412a of the fixed tray 1412. The first pressing portion 1432 may be provided in a number corresponding to the number of fixed ice-making cells 1412a so as to press each of the fixed ice-making cells 1412a.

The leg portion 1433 may extend from both ends of the first body 1431 and be inserted into the lateral side of the support frame 1450. Particularly, the leg portion 1433 may be supported by the leg support portion 1452c of the support frame 1450. The leg portion 1433 may extend in a direction parallel to the movement direction of the first ejector 1430. The leg portion 1433 may be provided as a symmetrical pair at each end of the first body 1431.

When the movable tray unit 1420 is moved away from the fixed tray unit 1410, the first ejector 1430 may be moved along the movement direction of the movable tray unit 1420. For example, because the fixed tray unit 1410 is disposed between the first ejector 1430 and the movable tray unit 1420, the first ejector 1430 may be moved in a direction closer to the fixed tray unit 1410.

In addition, when the movable tray unit 1420 is moved in a direction closer to the fixed tray unit 1410, the first ejector 1430 may also be moved along the movement direction of the movable tray unit 1420. For example, because the fixed tray 1412 is disposed between the first ejector 1430 and the movable tray unit 1420, the first ejector 1430 may be moved in a direction away from the fixed tray unit 1410.

For example, the leg portion 1433 may be provided to receive the protrusion 1421d of the movable case 1421. The protrusion receiving space 1433a may be formed on the inside of the leg portion 1433. The protrusion 1421d of the movable case 1421 may be received in the protrusion receiving space 1433a of the leg portion 1433 and may interfere with the leg portion 1433. As the protrusion 1421d of the movable case 1421 and the leg portion 1433 interferes with each other according to the movement of the movable tray unit 1420, the first ejector 1430 may also be moved together.

The second ejector 1440 may include a second body 1441, the second pressing portion 1442, and the frame mounting portion 1443.

The second body 1441 may be extended in a direction parallel to the movable case 1421. For example, the second body 1441 may be extended in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the movable case 1421. The second body 1441 may be extended to connect both side surfaces of the second support frame 1452.

The second pressing portion 1442 may be extended from the second body 1441. The second pressing portion 1442 may be extended from the second body 1441 toward the movable tray 1422. The second body 1441 may be provided to support the second pressing portion 1442.

The second pressing portion 1442 may be provided to press the movable tray 1422 by passing through the second through hole 1421b of the movable case 1421. Particularly, the second pressing portion 1442 may be provided to press the movable ice-making cell 1422a of the movable tray 1422. The second pressing portion 1442 may be provided in a number corresponding to the number of movable ice-making cells 1422a so as to press each of the movable ice-making cells 1422a.

The second ejector 1440 may be fixed to one side of the support frame 1450.

The frame mounting portion 1443 may be provided at a position corresponding to the ejector mounting portion 1452d of the second support frame 1452. The frame mounting portion 1443 may be formed at both ends of the second body 1441. The second ejector 1440 may be mounted on one side of the second support body 1452a through the frame mounting portion 1443. For example, the second ejector 1440 may be fixedly coupled to the second support frame 1452.

The second ejector 1440 may be provided to maintain a fixed position with respect to the support frame 1450, and when the movable tray unit 1420 moves toward the second ejector 1440, the second ejector 1440 may press the movable tray 1422. Particularly, the second ejector 1440 may be provided to press the movable ice-making cell 1422a of the movable tray 1422 when the movable tray unit 1420 moves toward the second ejector 1440.

Hereinafter the operation of the second ice-making unit 1400 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420 produces ice using water supplied from the water supply pipe 81, the fixed tray unit 1410 and the movable tray unit 1420 may be positioned to be coupled to each other. At the position in which the fixed tray unit 1410 and the movable tray unit 1420 are coupled, a portion of the fixed ice-making cell 1412a of the fixed tray 1412 and another portion of the movable ice-making cell 1422a of the movable tray 1422 may be coupled to form an integrated ice-making cell. The second type of ice may be produced inside such an integrated ice-making cell.

After the second type of ice is completed, the driving of the second driver 1470 may be controlled to allow the movable tray unit 1420 to move toward the second ejector 1440, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. When power is generated from the motor of the second driver 1470, the generated power may be transmitted to the movable tray unit 1420 through the power transmission members 1472, 1473 and 1474. The movable tray unit 1420 may be separated from the fixed tray unit 1410 and moved linearly toward the second ejector 1440.

The second pressing portion 1442 of the second ejector 1440 may be provided to press the movable ice-making cell 1422a by penetrating the movable case 1421 when the movable tray unit 1420 approaches. The movable ice-making cell 1422a may be elastically deformed when pressed by the second pressing portion 1442, and the second type of ice located therein may be discharged from the movable tray 1422. The second type of ice discharged from the movable tray 1422 may be moved to the ice bucket 100.

When the movable tray unit 1420 is further moved in a state in which a portion of the movable ice-making cell 1422a of the movable tray 1422 is pressed by the second pressing portion 1442, the protrusion 1421d of the movable case 1421 and the leg portion 1433 of the first ejector 1430 may interfere with each other and thus the first ejector 1430 may be moved toward the fixed tray 1412. Accordingly, the first pressing portion 1432 of the first ejector 1430 may be provided to press the fixed ice-making cell 1412a of the fixed tray 1412 by penetrating the fixed case 1411. The fixed ice-making cell 1412a may be elastically deformed when pressed by the second pressing portion 1442, and the second type of ice located therein may be discharged from the fixed tray 1412. The second type of ice discharged from the fixed tray 1412 may be moved to the ice bucket 100.

With the configuration, ice produced within the second ice-making trays 1410 and 1420 may be discharged from the second ice-making tray unit 1410 and 1420 and moved to the ice bucket 100.

The configuration of the second ice-making unit 1400 described above with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 is merely an example of the ice-making unit provided in the ice maker of the refrigerator according to the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In addition, the structure of the indirect cooling type-ice maker, in which cold air generated in the storage compartment 20 is guided toward the ice maker 1000 to cool water supplied to the first ice-making tray 1310 and the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420, has been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, as an example of the ice maker of the refrigerator according to the disclosure of one embodiment. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the disclosure may be applied to a configuration of a direct cooling type-ice maker in which a separate refrigerant pipe (not shown) is disposed in the first ice-making tray 1310 and the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420 to directly supply cold air so as to cool water supplied to the first ice-making tray 1310 and the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420.

Hereinafter for convenience of description, the ice-making unit of the refrigerator according to the disclosure will be described based on the second ice-making unit 1400 according to one embodiment of the disclosure, and for convenience, the second ice-making unit 1400 will be referred to as an ‘ice maker 1400’.

In addition, for the convenience of description, the second ice-making tray units 1410 and 1420 of the refrigerator according to the disclosure will be described based on the fixed tray unit 1410 according to one embodiment of the disclosure, and for convenience, the fixed tray 1412 will be referred to as the ‘first ice-making tray 1412’, and the movable tray 1422 will be referred to as the ‘second ice-making tray 1422’. In addition, a structure in which the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 are coupled to each other will be referred to as the ‘ice-making trays 1412 and 1422’.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a portion of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 10, the refrigerator 1 may include a controller 200 configured to control various components of the refrigerator 1.

The controller 200 may be electrically connected to a user interface 500, a temperature sensor 1490, a flow sensor 420, a full ice detection sensor 430, the water supply valve 82, an ice maker 1400, and a cooling device 440.

For example, the user interface 500 may be implemented as a control panel.

The user interface 500 may include an input device 510 for receiving a user input and a display 520 for displaying information related to the operation of the refrigerator 1.

The type of user input that is received through the input device 510 may include turning power on/off, starting/stopping an ice-making operation, setting the ice-making operation, or the like.

The input device 510 may include various types of input devices, such as a tact switch, a push switch, a slide switch, a toggle switch, a micro switch, a touch switch, a touch screen, or a button.

The operation information of the refrigerator 1 that is displayed on the display 520 may include a status of the ice-making operation, a status of the water supply operation, an amount of water supplied, an elapsed time of the ice-making operation or the time remaining until the end of the ice-making operation, information on the occurrence of various errors, or the like.

A display panel of the display 520 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, or the like, but is not limited thereto. Any device configured to visually display various information about the refrigerator 1 and configured to display an interface for receiving various control commands from a user may be employed as the display 520 without limitation.

The temperature sensor 1490 may detect a temperature of the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 of the ice maker 1400 and output a signal corresponding to the detected temperature. The temperature sensor 1490 may transmit the detected temperature information to the controller 200. The controller 200 may determine the temperature of the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 based on the temperature information.

The flow sensor 420 may detect the amount of water supplied to the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422.

The flow sensor 420 may detect the amount of water supplied to the ice maker 1400, more particularly, to the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 of the ice maker 1400.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, the flow sensor 420 may include an impeller and may include a circuit configuration configured to generate a pulse (pulse signal) according to the rotation of the impeller.

When water passes through the flow sensor 420, the impeller may rotate due to the pressure of the water, and pulses may be generated according to the rotation of the impeller. Accordingly, an amount of water passing through the flow sensor 420 may be measured according to the number of pulses.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the refrigerator 1 may include a flow sensor 410 configured to detect an amount of water supplied to the first ice-making tray 1310 of the first ice-making unit 1300. The flow sensor 410 may include the same configuration as the flow sensor 420.

The full ice detection sensor 430 may detect whether the ice bucket 100 is full of ice.

The full ice detection sensor 430 may detect the fullness of ice stored in the ice bucket 100. Detecting the fullness of ice stored in the ice bucket 100 may mean detecting whether the ice bucket 100 is full of ice.

For example, the full ice detection sensor 430 may include a light emitting portion configured to emit light toward the ice bucket 100 and a light receiving portion configured to receive light reflected from ice contained in the ice bucket 100. The full ice detection sensor 430 may detect whether the ice bucket 100 is full of ice based on an intensity of light received from the light receiving portion.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the full ice detection sensor 430 may be implemented in the form of a detection lever configured to detect physical contact of ice on the upper portion of the ice bucket 100. However, examples of the full ice detection sensor 430 are not limited thereto, and any sensor configured to detect whether the ice bucket 100 is full of ice may be employed as the full ice detection sensor 430 without limitation.

The water supply valve 82 may open and close the water supply pipe 81.

For example, the water supply valve 82 may be configured as a solenoid valve. The water supply valve 82 may be configured to open or close the water supply pipe 81 by an electric signal. The water supply valve 82 may be opened and closed by the controller 200.

The water supply valve 82 may include a plurality of water supply valves 82, and each of the plurality of water supply valves 82 may be configured to open and close each of the plurality of water supply pipes 81 (e.g., a water supply pipe for supplying water to the first ice-making tray 1310 and a water supply pipe for supplying water to the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422). Each of the plurality of water supply valves 82 may be independently controlled by the controller 200. Accordingly, each of the plurality of water supply pipes 81 may be independently opened and closed. The controller 200 may control the amount of water supplied to the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 of the ice maker 1400 through the water supply pipe 81 by opening and closing the water supply valves 82.

The ice maker 1400 may include an ice moving device and the heater 1480.

The second driver 1470 of the ice maker 1400 configured to perform an ice moving operation may be referred to as an ice moving device. The ice moving operation may be an operation to move ice in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 to the ice bucket 100.

The cooling device 440 may supply cold air to the storage compartment 20.

The cooling device 440 may generate cold air by utilizing the latent heat of vaporization of the refrigerant in the cooling cycle. The cooling device 440 may be configured to include the compressor 73, the condenser, the expansion valve, the evaporator 71, the blower fan 72, or the like.

The controller 200 may include a processor 201 configured to generate a control signal regarding the operation of the refrigerator 1 and memory 202 provided to store programs, applications, instructions and/or data for the operation of the refrigerator 1. The processor 201 and the memory 202 may be implemented as separate semiconductor devices or as a single semiconductor device.

In addition, the controller 200 may include a plurality of processors or a plurality of memories. The controller 200 may be provided at various locations inside the refrigerator 1. For example, the controller 200 may be included in a printed circuit board provided inside a control panel of the refrigerator 1.

The processor 201 may include an arithmetic circuit, memory circuit, and a control circuit. The processor 201 may include one chip or may include a plurality of chips. In addition, the processor 201 may include one core or may include a plurality of cores.

The memory 202 may store a program for performing a water supply operation and an ice-making cycle, and data necessary for performing the water supply operation and the ice-making cycle. In addition, the memory 202 may store a currently selected ice-making setting (e.g., a type of ice (spherical ice, hemispherical ice, or the like)) based on a user input.

The memory 202 may include volatile memory, such as static random access memory (S-RAM) and dynamic random access memory (D-RAM), and nonvolatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM) and erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM). The memory 202 may include one memory element or may include a plurality of memory elements.

The processor 201 may process data and/or signals using a program provided from the memory 202, and transmit a control signal to each component of the refrigerator 1 based on the processing result. For example, the processor 201 may process a user input received through the input device 510 of the refrigerator 1. The processor 201 may output a control signal for controlling each component of the refrigerator 1, such as the display 520, the water supply valve 82, and the ice maker 1400, in response to the user input. Each component of the refrigerator 1, such as the display 520, the water supply valve 82, and the ice maker 1400, may be operated based on the control signal of the processor 201.

For example, the processor 201 may control the user interface 500 to display various information.

For example, the processor 201 may control the ice maker 1400 to perform the ice-making cycle.

For example, the processor 201 may control the water supply valve 82 to open the water supply pipe 81 in an operation (hereinafter referred to as a ‘water supply operation’) for supplying water to the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 based on satisfaction of a predetermined condition. The processor 201 may control the water supply valve 82 to close the water supply pipe 81 in an operation (hereinafter referred to as a ‘water supply stop operation’) for stopping the water supply operation to the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 based on satisfaction of a predetermined condition.

For example, the processor 201 may initiate the water supply operation based on the completion of the ice-making cycle and based on the ice bucket 100 not being in the full ice state.

In the water supply operation, the processor 201 may open the water supply valve 82, detect the amount of water supplied to the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 through the flow sensor 420, and stop the water supply operation based on the detected amount of water.

Based on the completion of the ice-making operation, the processor 201 may control the operation of the ice moving device in an operation (hereinafter referred to as ‘ice moving operation’) to move ice in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 to the ice bucket 100.

For example, before the ice moving operation is performed after the ice-making operation is completed, the processor 201 may control the heater 1480 to heat the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 in an operation (hereinafter referred to as a ‘heating operation’) for heating the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 to a predetermined temperature to allow the ice moving operation to be easily performed.

The configuration of the refrigerator 1 described above is merely an example of the refrigerator according to the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 11, the controller 200 may receive a user input for selecting an ice production mode through the user interface 500 in operation 2000.

The controller 200 may determine whether the ice production mode selected by a user is a spherical ice production mode based on the user input in operation 2002. The controller 200 may determine whether the ice production mode selected by the user is the spherical ice production mode, a hemispherical ice production mode, or a cube-shaped ice production mode based on the user input.

In response to the ice production mode being the spherical ice production mode (yes in operation 2002), the controller 200 may supply a first amount of water to the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a of the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 through the water supply valve 82 based on the selection of the spherical ice production mode in operation 2004.

The first amount of water may be an amount of water that allows a level of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a of the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 to reach a spherical ice level so as to allow spherical ice to be produced in the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a.

The controller 200 may determine whether the ice production mode is the hemispherical ice production mode in operation 2006 in response to the ice production mode not being the spherical ice production mode (no in operation 2002).

In response to the ice production mode being the hemispherical ice production mode (yes in operation 2002), the controller 200 may supply a second amount of water to the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a of the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 through the water supply valve 82 based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode in operation 2008.

The second amount of water may be a smaller amount than the first amount of water.

The second amount of water may be an amount of water that allows a level of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a of the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 to reach a hemispherical ice level so as to allow hemispherical ice to be produced in the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a. The second amount of water may be approximately 1/2 of the first amount of water.

The controller 200 may determine that the ice production mode is the cube-shaped ice production mode in response to the ice production mode not being the hemispherical ice production mode (no in operation 2006).

The controller 200 may supply a third amount of water to the ice-making cell 1311 of the first ice-making tray 1310 through the water supply valve 82 based on the selection of the cube-shaped ice production mode in operation 2010.

The third amount of water may be an amount of water that allows a lever of water supplied to the first ice-making cell 1311 to reach a cube-shaped ice level so as to allow cube-shaped ice to be produced in the first ice-making cell 1311 of the first ice-making tray 1310.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 12, the ice-making cycle may be divided into several processes depending on its purpose.

Before the ice-making cycle is performed, a water supply process may be performed.

The water supply process may be performed based on the ice bucket 100 not being in the full ice state.

The controller 200 may detect whether the ice bucket 100 is full of ice by operating the full ice detection sensor 430 in a full ice detection process, and may perform the water supply process based on the information detected by the full ice detection sensor 430.

The controller 200 may determine whether the ice production mode selected by a user is the spherical ice production mode based on a user input received through the user interface 500 in operation 2100. The controller 200 may determine whether the ice production mode selected by the user is the spherical ice production mode or the hemispherical ice production mode based on the user input.

In response to the ice production mode being the spherical ice production mode (yes in operation 2100), the controller 200 may supply the first amount of water to the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a of the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 through the water supply valve 82 in the water supply process based on the selection of the spherical ice production mode in operation 2102. The first amount of water may be an amount of water that allow a level of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a of the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 to reach the spherical ice level so as to allow spherical ice to be produced in the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a.

Hereinafter for convenience of description, the fixed tray 1412 will be referred to as the ‘first ice-making tray 1412’, and the movable tray 1422 will be referred to as the ‘second ice-making tray 1422’. In addition, a structure in which the fixed tray 1412 and the movable tray 1422 are coupled to each other will be referred to as the ‘ice-making trays 1412 and 1422’

In addition, configurations of the first ice-making tray 1412 will be described based on the configurations of the fixed tray 1412 described above (e.g., the fixed ice-making cell 1412a, the fixed tray hole 1412h, the inlet hole 1412b, the outlet hole 1412c, the communication portion 1412d, the sealing portion 1412e, or the like, described above), but features described below may also be applied correspondingly to configurations of the movable tray 1422 described above.

Hereinafter for convenience of description, water being supplied to the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 will be described as water is supplied to the first ice-making tray 1412 based on the first ice-making tray 1412.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating that a first amount of water is supplied to allow spherical ice to be produced in an ice-making tray of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 14 is a view illustrating that a first amount of water is supplied to an ice-making tray of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the ice maker 1400 may include the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 for producing ice.

The first ice-making tray 1412 may be supplied with water from the water supply pipe 81. The water supply pipe 81 may be provided to supply water to the ice-making cell 1412a of the first ice-making tray 1412.

The first ice-making tray 1412 may include the inlet hole 1412b, and water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 may flow into the ice-making cell 1412a through the inlet hole 1412b.

The first ice-making tray 1412 may be disposed in the storage compartment 20, and ice may be produced as liquid water supplied to the first ice-making tray 1412 changes into a solid state due to the cold air of the storage compartment 20. The ice may be produced in the ice-making cell 1412a provided in the first ice-making tray 1412.

For performing the water supply operation, the water supply pipe 81 may be opened to supply water to the first ice-making tray 1412. The controller 200 may control the water supply valve 82 to open the water supply pipe 81.

A condition for starting the water supply operation may include the presence of a user input for the ice-making operation, the completion of the ice-making operation, the inside of the ice bucket 100 not being in the full ice state, and the inside of the second ice-making tray unit 1410 not being full of water.

Based on the start of the water supply operation, a water supply amount detection operation may be performed. The controller 200 may detect the water supply amount through the flow sensor 420 based on the start of the water supply operation.

Water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 may begin to flow into the first ice-making tray 1412 through the inlet hole 1412b.

The introduced water may flow into the central ice-making cell 1412a among the three ice-making cells 1412a and then be evenly distributed to the left and right ice-making cells 1412a through the communication portion 1412d. The communication portion 1412d may be formed at approximately the center position of the ice-making cell 1412a.

The water supplied to the ice-making cell 1412a may be supplied to a first water level at which spherical ice is formed. The ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 may be filled with the first amount of water.

Referring again to FIG. 12, after the water supply process is completed, the ice-making cycle may be performed.

The ice-making cycle may be divided into an ice-making cycle for producing spherical ice and an ice-making cycle for producing hemispherical ice.

The controller 200 may perform the ice-making cycle for producing spherical ice based on the selection of the spherical ice production mode.

The ice-making cycle for producing spherical ice may include a heating process, an ice-making process, an ice moving process, and a full ice detection process.

First, the controller 200 may perform the heating process in operation 2104.

The heating process is a process for controlling a transparency of ice produced in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422. A pure cooling process may be performed before performing the heating process. The pure cooling process is a process for purely cooling the supplied water to a predetermined temperature after supplying the first amount of water.

When water stored in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 is heated, the solubility of the gas decreases, and thus various gases dissolved in the water escapes from the water. Accordingly, when the water stored in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 is heated while supplying cold air, ice with improved transparency may be produced. In other words, ice with improved transparency may be produced as the heater 1480 is operated for a long time.

The controller 200 may control the heater 1480 and the cooling device 440 in the heating process. For example, as the heater 1480 may operate in a predetermined pattern, gas dissolved in water stored in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 may be removed. The predetermined pattern may be different according to the ice production mode.

The controller 200 may perform the ice-making process after completing the heating process in operation 2106.

The ice-making process is a process to cool the water stored in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422.

The controller 200 may control the cooling device 440 in the ice-making process.

In the ice-making process, the heater 1480 may not operate and only the cold air supplied by the cooling device 440 may be supplied to the second ice-making unit 1400.

After the heating process is completed, the controller 200 may turn off the heater 1480 and cool the ice. At this time, the controller 200 may wait for a first ice movement waiting time to secure a cooling time in the ice-making process. For example, the first ice movement waiting time may be 1 hour.

In response to an ice-making completion temperature condition being satisfied after the first ice movement waiting time, the controller 200 may complete the ice-making operation and proceed to the next process, which is the ice moving process.

The controller 200 may perform the ice moving process after completing the ice-making process in operation 2108.

The ice moving process is a process for separating ice stored in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 from the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 and delivering the ice to the ice bucket 100.

The controller 200 may operate the ice moving device in the ice moving process to perform the ice moving operation, thereby causing the ice formed in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 to drop into the ice bucket 100.

In the ice moving process, the controller 200 may operate the heater 1480 to allow a surface of ice stored in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 to be separated from the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422. When ice is produced in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422, the surface of the ice adheres to the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422. Accordingly, by heating the surface of the ice, the surface of the ice may be separated from the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422.

In the ice moving process, residual ice remaining in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 may be removed by heating the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 through the heater 1480. For example, ice crumbs remaining in the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 may be heated and removed.

The controller 200 may perform the full ice detection process after completing the ice moving process in operation 2110.

The full ice detection process is a process that detects whether the ice bucket 100 is full of ice.

The controller 200 may detect whether the ice bucket 100 is full of ice by the full ice detection sensor 430 in the full ice detection process.

In the full ice detection process, the controller 200 may control the water supply process based on the detection of the full ice state of the ice bucket 100. For example, the controller 200 may control the water supply valve 82 to prevent water from being supplied to the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 based on the detection of the full ice state of the ice bucket 100. The controller 200 may start the next water supply operation based on the ice bucket 100 not being detected as the full ice state. Through this flow, the ice bucket 100 may always be maintained in the full ice state.

The controller 200 may terminate ice-making based on the detection of the full ice state of the ice bucket 100 in the full ice detection process.

Meanwhile, in response to the ice production mode being the hemispherical ice production mode (no in operation 2100), the controller 200 may supply the second amount of water to the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a of the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 through the water supply valve 82 in the water supply process based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode in operation 2112. The second amount of water may be an amount of water that allows a level of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a of the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 to reach the hemispherical ice level so as to allow hemispherical ice to be produced in the spherical ice-making cells 1412a and 1422a. The second amount of water may be approximately ½ of the first amount of water.

FIG. 15 is a view illustrating that a second amount of water is supplied to allow hemispherical ice to be produced in an ice-making tray of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 16 is a view illustrating that a second amount of water is supplied to an ice-making tray of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the first ice-making tray 1412 may receive water from the water supply pipe 81.

For performing the water supply operation, the water supply pipe 81 may be opened to supply water to the first ice-making tray 1412. The controller 200 may control the water supply valve 82 to open the water supply pipe 81.

Based on the start of the water supply operation, the water supply amount detection operation may be performed. The controller 200 may detect the water supply amount through the flow sensor 420 based on the start of the water supply operation.

Water supplied from the water supply pipe 81 may begin to flow into the first ice-making tray 1412 through the inlet hole 1412b.

The introduced water may flow into the central ice-making cell 1412a among the three ice-making cells 1412a and then be evenly distributed to the left and right ice-making cells 1412a through the communication portion 1412d. The communication portion 1412d may be formed at approximately the center of the ice-making cell 1412a.

Water supplied to the ice-making cell 1412a is supplied to the second water level at which hemispherical ice is formed. The second water level may have an upper limit value and a lower limit value, and the upper limit value and the lower limit value may have values corresponding to a height of the communication portion 1412d. For example, an upper portion 1412d_1 of the communication portion 1412d may correspond to the upper limit value, and a lower portion 1412d_2 may correspond to the lower limit value.

The water supplied to the ice-making cell 1412a may be equilibrated between the upper limit value and the lower limit of the second water level, that is, between the upper portion 1412d_1 and the lower portion 1412d_2 of the communication portion 1412d. For example, when the amount of water supplied is less than the lower limit value or more than the upper limit value of the second water level, dispersion in the size of the hemispherical ice produced may occur. Accordingly, the ice-making trays 1412 and 1422 may be filled with the second amount of water.

Referring again to FIG. 12, after the water supply process is completed, the ice-making cycle for producing hemispherical ice may be performed.

The controller 200 may perform the ice-making cycle for producing hemispherical ice based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

The ice-making cycle for producing hemispherical ice may include an ice-making process, an ice moving process, and a full ice detection process. The ice-making cycle for producing hemispherical ice may not perform a heating process compared to the ice-making cycle for producing spherical ice, and may have a longer ice movement waiting time in the ice-making process.

First, in order to improve the ice-making speed and increase an amount of ice-making, the controller 200 may perform the ice-making process directly without performing the heating process in operation 2116.

In the ice-making process, the heater 1480 may not operate and only the cold air supplied by the cooling device 440 may be supplied to the second ice-making unit 1400.

The controller 200 may wait for a second ice movement waiting time, which is set to be longer than the first ice movement waiting time of the ice-making process for producing spherical ice, to secure additional cooling time in the ice-making process. For example, the second ice movement waiting time may be 3 hours.

The ice-making speed may be improved, because the heating process for controlling the transparency of the ice is not performed in the ice-making process for producing hemispherical ice. However, because the heating process is omitted, the cooling time for the hemispherical ice may be insufficient. Accordingly, water may not be frozen properly and hollow ice may be produced. To prevent the difficulty and to ensure reliable freezing, the ice movement waiting time (second ice movement waiting time) may be increased compared to the ice movement waiting time (first ice movement waiting time) of the spherical ice production mode. Therefore, the ice movement may wait for 1 hour in the spherical ice production mode, and the ice movement may wait for 3 hours in the hemispherical ice production mode.

The controller 200 may perform the ice moving process after completing the ice-making process in operation 2118.

The controller 200 may perform the full ice detection process after completing the ice moving process in operation 2200.

The controller 200 may terminate ice-making based on the detection of the full ice state of the ice bucket 100 in the full ice detection process.

The refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure may improve the ice-making speed and increase the amount of ice-making by being implemented so as to selectively produce spherical ice and hemispherical ice.

The refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure may

include the storage compartment, the ice-making tray disposed in the storage compartment and including the first ice-making tray including the first ice-making cell in the hemispherical shape, and the second ice-making tray coupled to the first ice-making tray and including the second ice-making cell in the hemispherical shape, the ice-making tray provided to form the spherical ice-making cell by allowing the first ice-making cell and the second ice-making cell to come into contact with each other by coupling the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray, the water supply pipe provided to supply water to the ice-making tray, the water supply valve configured to open and close the water supply pipe, the user interface configured to receive a user input to select the spherical ice production mode or the hemispherical ice production mode, and the controller configured to control the water supply valve to allow a first amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the spherical ice production mode, and configured to control the water supply valve to allow a second amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

The first amount of water may be an amount of water that allows a level of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell to reach a water level corresponding to spherical ice so as to allow the spherical ice to be produced in the spherical ice-making cell, and the second amount of water may be an amount of water that allows a level of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell to reach a water level corresponding to hemispherical ice so as to allow the hemispherical ice to be produced in the spherical ice-making cell.

The refrigerator may further include the flow sensor configured to detect the amount of water supplied to the ice-making tray.

The controller may be configured to control the water supply valve to allow an amount of water detected by the flow sensor to reach the first amount of water based on the selection of the spherical ice production mode, and configured to control the water supply valve to allow an amount of water detected by the flow sensor to reach the second amount of water based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

The first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray may include the plurality of ice-making cells formed to allow water to be supplied therein and formed to communicate with each other.

The communication portion provided to allow the plurality of ice-making cells to communicate with each other may be formed in at least one of the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray. The communication portion may be provided to allow water, which is introduced into one ice-making cell among the plurality of ice-making cells, to move to an adjacent ice-making cell.

The communication portion may be disposed at the center of the plurality of ice-making cells.

The controller may be configured to supply an amount of water to the communication portion to allow hemispherical ice to be produced in the spherical ice-making cell.

The refrigerator may further include the ice maker including the heater. The controller may be configured to perform the heating process for controlling a transparency of spherical ice by the heater before the ice-making process of the spherical ice production mode, and configured not to perform the heating process before the ice-making process of the hemispherical ice production mode.

The controller may be configured to wait for the first ice movement waiting time in the ice-making process of the spherical ice production mode, and configured to wait for the second ice movement waiting time in the ice-making process of the hemispherical ice production mode.

The second ice movement waiting time may be set to be longer than the first ice movement waiting time.

The method of controlling the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure including the ice-making tray to which water is supplied, wherein the ice-making tray includes the first ice-making tray including the first ice-making cell in the hemispherical shape, and the second ice-making tray coupled to the first ice-making tray and including the second ice-making cell in the hemispherical shape, the ice-making tray provided to form the spherical ice-making cell by allowing the first ice-making cell and the second ice-making cell to come into contact with each other by coupling the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray, the method may include receiving a user input via the user interface to select either the spherical ice production mode or the hemispherical ice production mode, controlling the water supply valve to allow the first amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the spherical ice production mode, and controlling the water supply valve to allow the second amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

The first amount of water may be an amount of water that allows a level of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell to reach a water level corresponding to spherical ice so as to allow the spherical ice to be produced in the spherical ice-making cell, and the second amount of water may be an amount of water that allows a level of water supplied to the spherical ice-making cell to reach a water level corresponding to hemispherical ice so as to allow the hemispherical ice to be produced in the spherical ice-making cell.

The controlling of the water supply valve to allow the first amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell and the controlling of the water supply valve to allow the second amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell, respectively may include detecting an amount of water supplied to the ice-making tray through the flow sensor.

The controlling of the water supply valve to allow the first amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell may include controlling the water supply valve to allow an amount of water detected by the flow sensor to reach the first amount of water based on the selection of the spherical ice production mode, and the controlling of the water supply valve to allow the second amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell may include controlling the water supply valve to allow an amount of water detected by the flow sensor to reach the second amount of water based on the selection of the hemispherical ice production mode.

The first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray may include the plurality of ice-making cells formed to allow water to be supplied therein and to communicate with each other.

The communication portion provided to allow the plurality of ice-making cells to communicate with each other may be formed in at least one of the first ice-making tray and the second ice-making tray. The communication portion may be provided to allow water, which is introduced into one ice-making cell among the plurality of ice-making cells, to move to an adjacent ice-making cell.

The controlling of the water supply valve to allow the second amount of water to be supplied to the spherical ice-making cell may include supplying an amount of water to the communication portion to allow hemispherical ice to be produced in the spherical ice-making cell.

The refrigerator may further include the ice maker including the heater. The method may further include performing the heating process for controlling a transparency of spherical ice by the heater before the ice-making process of the spherical ice production mode, and not performing the heating process before the ice-making process of the hemispherical ice production mode.

The method may further include waiting the first ice movement waiting time in the ice-making process of the spherical ice production mode, and waiting the second ice movement waiting time in the ice-making process of the hemispherical ice production mode.

Meanwhile, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied in the form of a recording medium storing instructions executable by a computer. The instructions may be stored in the form of program code and, when executed by a processor, may generate a program module to perform the operations of the disclosed embodiments. The recording medium may be embodied as a computer-readable recording medium.

Storage medium readable by a machine, may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. “Non-transitory storage medium” means that the storage medium is a tangible device and does not contain a signal (e.g., electromagnetic wave), and this term includes a case in which data is semi-permanently stored in a storage medium and a case in which data is temporarily stored in a storage medium. For example, “non-transitory storage medium” may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

The method according to the various disclosed embodiments may be provided by being included in a computer program product. Computer program products may be traded between sellers and buyers as commodities. Computer program products are distributed in the form of a device-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or are distributed directly or online (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) between two user devices (e.g., smartphones) through an application store (e.g., Play Store™). In the case of online distribution, at least a portion of the computer program product (e.g., downloadable app) may be temporarily stored or created temporarily in a device-readable storage medium, such as the manufacturer's server, the application store's server, or the relay server's memory.

It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure according to the claims and description in the specification can be realized in the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

Any such software may be stored in non-transitory computer readable storage media. The non-transitory computer readable storage media store one or more computer programs (software modules), the one or more computer programs include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform a method of the disclosure.

Any such software may be stored in the form of volatile or non-volatile storage, such as, for example, a storage device like read only memory (ROM), whether erasable or rewritable or not, or in the form of memory, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), memory chips, device or integrated circuits or on an optically or magnetically readable medium, such as, for example, a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk or magnetic tape or the like. It will be appreciated that the storage devices and storage media are various embodiments of non-transitory machine-readable storage that are suitable for storing a computer program or computer programs comprising instructions that, when executed, implement various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, various embodiments provide a program comprising code for implementing apparatus or a method as claimed in any one of the claims of this specification and a non-transitory machine-readable storage storing such a program.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.