Refrigerator having an ice maker and a control system therefor

A control circuit for controlling an ice making system located in a freezer compartment of a refrigerator, the ice making system including an ice maker and an ice storage bin for receiving ice pieces formed by the ice maker, the control circuit comprising:

• a microcontroller;
• optic elements including
• a light emitting element for generating a light signal, the light emitting element being supported by the freezer compartment for directing the light signal across an upper portion of the bin and being selectively energized by the microcontroller,
• a light receiving element for receiving the light signal emitted by the light emitting element, the light receiving element being supported by the freezer compartment, the light receiving element changing states in response to the being irradiated with the light signal;
• a first resistor located adjacent the light emitting element;
• a second resistor located adjacent the light receiving element,
• wherein if the state of the light receiving element indicates that the optic elements are impaired due to ice or moisture build up, the microcontroller directs current sufficient current through the first resistor and the second resistor such that the first and second resistors heat up thereby heating the adjacent light emitting element and light receiving element for driving off any ice or moisture build up.

A method for controlling an ice making system, the ice making system including an ice maker and an ice storage bin for receiving ice pieces formed by the ice maker, the method comprising the steps of:

• directing a beam of light from a first side of the ice storage bin, across the bin toward a second side of the ice storage bin using an emitter optic element;
• sensing for the beam of light at the second side of the ice storage bin using a receiver optic element;
• preventing further ice harvesting from the ice maker if ice pieces block the path of the beam of light;
• and
• periodically heating the emitter and receiver optic elements to remove any ice or moisture build up.