18662388. REFRIGERATOR simplified abstract (LG ELECTRONICS INC.)
Contents
REFRIGERATOR
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
REFRIGERATOR - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18662388 titled 'REFRIGERATOR
The abstract describes a refrigerator with a unique ice-making mechanism that optimizes water supply for efficient ice production.
- Storage chamber for food
- Cool air supplying means for the storage chamber
- First tray forming part of an ice-making cell
- Second tray in contact with the first tray during ice-making
- Water supply valve to adjust water flow to the ice-making cell
- Water supply amount detector to monitor water levels
- Controller to manage water supply valve
- Controller supplies water to the ice-making cell up to a first reference amount
- Controller moves the second tray for ice-making and checks water levels
- Controller starts ice-making when water levels reach target amount
- If water levels are insufficient, controller moves the second tray back for more water supply
Potential Applications: - Household refrigerators - Commercial refrigeration units - Ice-making machines
Problems Solved: - Efficient ice production - Optimal water supply management - Improved ice-making process
Benefits: - Consistent ice production - Energy efficiency - Reduced water wastage
Commercial Applications: - Refrigerator manufacturers - Ice machine manufacturers - Food service industry
Questions about the technology: 1. How does the water supply valve adjust the flow of water in the ice-making cell? 2. What are the advantages of having a two-tray ice-making system in a refrigerator?
Frequently Updated Research: - Ongoing studies on energy consumption in refrigeration technologies - Research on water management systems in appliances
Original Abstract Submitted
A refrigerator of the present invention comprises: a storage chamber for storing food; a cool air supplying means for supplying cool air to the storage chamber; a first tray which forms a part of an ice-making cell in which water is phase-changed to ice by the cool air; a second tray which forms another part of the ice-making cell and can be in contact with the first tray during an ice-making process; a water supply valve for adjusting a flow of the water supplied to the ice-making cell; a water supply amount detector for detecting the amount of water supplied to the ice-making cell; and a controller for controlling the water supply valve. The controller controls the water supply valve to supply water to the ice-making cell as much as a first reference water supply amount, for supplying water to the ice-making cell at a water supply position of the second tray. After finishing the water supply as much as the first reference water supply amount, the controller moves the second tray to an ice-making position and determines whether the water supply amount of the ice-making cell has reached a target water supply amount by using the water supply amount detector. When the water supply amount of the ice making cell has reached the target water supply amount, the controller starts ice-making, and when the water supply amount of the ice making cell has not reached the target water supply amount, the controller moves the second tray back to the water supply position and controls the water supply valve to supply water as much as a second reference water supply amount which is less than the first reference water supply amount.
