AU2018412677B2 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

This refrigerator is provided with: a body having a first chamber and a second chamber; a first ice-making means having a first ice-making tray disposed inside the first chamber; a second ice-making means having a second ice-making tray disposed inside the second chamber; and a dispenser having a discharge port that is capable of discharging ice. The temperature inside the first chamber is maintained at a lower temperature than the temperature inside the second chamber. The first ice-making tray is configured to make first ice having a first size. The second ice-making tray is configured to make second ice having second size smaller than the first size. The second ice-making tray is positioned above the discharge port. The dispenser is capable of discharging the second ice from the discharge port.

Description

REFRIGERATOR

Field

[0001]

The present invention relates to a refrigerator.

Background

[0002]

A refrigerator including an ice crusher having at least one pair of blades has been

known, at least one of the pair of the blades being driven to crush ice (see, e.g., PTL 1).

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0003]

[PTL 1] JP 2006-349207 A

Summary

Technical Problem

[0004]

A refrigerator mounting an ice crusher as shown in PTL 1 can provide an ice cube

made by an ice-making device and crushed ice made of the ice cube using an ice crusher.

That is to say, this refrigerator can provide two types of ice-pieces having different sizes.

[0005]

However, such a refrigerator including an ice crusher has following disadvantages.

It is necessary to provide a safety mechanism to ensure that no user touches a sharp blade

included in the ice crusher. The edge of the blade of the ice crusher is needed to be made thinner, and thus, the edge may be chipped. In addition, a motor that rotates the blade might not withstand mechanical load, which can result in malfunction.

[0006]

The present invention has been developed to solve the aforementioned problems.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator capable of efficiently

making two types of ice-pieces having different sizes without using any ice crusher.

Solution to Problem

[0007]

A refrigerator according to the present invention includes: a main body having a

first chamber and a second chamber; a first ice-maker having a first ice-tray arranged

inside the first chamber; a second ice-maker having a second ice-tray arranged inside the

second chamber; and a dispenser having a discharge port capable of discharging ice. A

temperature inside the first chamber is maintained at a temperature less than a

temperature inside the second chamber. The first ice-tray is configured to make a first

ice-piece having a first size. The second ice-tray is configured to make a second ice

piece having a second size smaller than the first size. The second ice-tray is located

higher than the discharge port. The dispenser is capable of discharging the second ice

piece from the discharge port, a volume of the second ice-piece being one-twentieth to

one-third of a volume of thefirst ice-piece.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0008]

According to the present invention, providing the first ice-maker and the second

ice-maker makes it possible to make efficiently making two types of ice-pieces having

different sizes without using any ice crusher.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0009]

Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to afirst embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control system

of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a side cross sectional view of a first ice-making device included in the

refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a side cross sectional view of a second ice-making device included in the

refrigerator according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a side cross sectional view of a part of the refrigerator according to the

first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a front view of a refrigerator of a comparative example.

Fig. 7 is a side cross sectional view of an ice-making device included in the

refrigerator according to the comparative example.

Description of Embodiments

[0010]

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the

drawings. In each figure, the same reference characters are applied to the same or

corresponding elements, and the repetitive explanation thereof is simplified or omitted.

[0011]

First Embodiment

Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to the first embodiment. As

illustrated in Fig. 1, a refrigerator 1 includes a main body 2, a first ice-making device 3, a

second ice-making device 4, and a dispenser 5. The dispenser 5 has a discharge port 13 capable of discharging ice. The dispenser 5 is incorporated in the main body 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control system of the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the main body 2 of the refrigerator 1 includes a controller 6, a cooling mechanism 7, a water supplier 8, and an operation panel 9. The dispenser 5 includes a dispenser switch 10, an ice transfer device 11, and an openable lid 12. The controller 6 is electrically connected to each of the first ice-making device 3, the second ice-making device 4, the cooling mechanism 7, the water supplier 8, the operation panel 9, the dispenser switch 10, the ice transfer device

11, and the openable lid 12. The controller 6 controls the operation of the refrigerator 1,

which will be described later. It should be noted that Fig. 1 and other subsequent

figures are schematic diagrams, and the dimensional relationships of components, shapes

thereof, and other factors in Fig. 1 and other subsequent figures may be different from the

actual ones.

[0012]

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the main body 2 includes a first chamber 14 and a second

chamber 15. The first ice-making device 3 includes a first ice-tray 16 arranged inside

the first chamber 14. The second ice-making device 4 includes a second ice-tray 17

arranged inside the second chamber 15. In the following description, an ice-piece made

using the first ice-tray 16 is referred to "first ice-piece" and an ice-piece made using the

second ice-tray 17 is referred to "second ice-piece."

[0013]

The first ice-making device 3 further includes an ice bank 18 arranged inside the

first chamber 14. The ice bank 18 can store thefirst ice-pieces therein. The second ice-making device 4 further includes an ice bank 19 arranged inside the second chamber

15. The ice bank 19 can store the second ice-pieces therein.

[0014]

The main body 2 has a heat insulating body box whose front, i.e., anterior face is

opened. A space thermally insulated from outside is formed inside the heat insulating

body box. Typically, the heat insulating body box has an outer box made of metal, an

inner box made of resin, and a heat insulating material filling a space between the outer

box and the inner box. The inner space of the heat insulating body box is divided by

one or more partitions, thereby forming multiple compartments where food is stored.

The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment includes such multiple storage

compartments, namely, a refrigerator compartment 20 and a freezer compartment 21.

[0015]

Although not illustrated in Fig. 1, the rear side of the main body 2 is provided with

the cooling mechanism 7 that cools each of the storage compartments. Typically, the

cooling mechanism 7 includes a refrigerant circuit that performs a refrigeration cycle, an

air duct and a blower fan that supply cold air to each of the storage compartments, and a

damper that regulates the feed rate of the cold air to each of the storage compartments.

The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor that compresses a refrigerant, a condenser

that condenses the high pressure refrigerant compressed, an expansion device that

expands the high pressured refrigerant passed through the condenser to decompress the

refrigerant, and a cooler that exchanges heat between air and the low pressure refrigerant

decompressed to generate cold air. The controller 6 controls the operation of the

cooling mechanism 7 such that temperatures of the respective storage compartments are

maintained in the respective set temperature ranges. The refrigerator 1 can detect the temperatures of the respective storage compartments using temperature sensors (not illustrated), such as a thermistor, installed in the respective storage compartments.

[0016]

The refrigerator compartment 20 has a space where food is stored at a temperature

of 0°C or more. The controller 6 may control the operation of the cooling mechanism 7

such that the temperature of the refrigerator compartment 20 is maintained in the

temperature range from, e.g., 0°C to 8°C. The freezer compartment 21 has a space

where food is stored at a temperature less than0°C. The controller 6 may control the

cooling mechanism 7 such that the temperature inside the freezer compartment 21 is

maintained in the temperature range from, e.g., -20°C to -10°C.

[0017]

The refrigerator 1 of the present embodiment corresponds to a bottom freezer

refrigerator in which the freezer compartment 21 is positioned under the refrigerator

compartment 20. The refrigerator 1 may further include another storage compartment

other than the refrigerator compartment 20 and the freezer compartment 21. For

example, a vegetable compartment (not illustrated) where vegetables are stored may be

provided under the freezer compartment 21. The types, number, dispositions, and

shapes of the storage compartments included in the refrigerator 1 are not limited to the

configuration illustrated in the drawings.

[0018]

The refrigerator compartment 20 is defined by an inner wall 22, a first door 23,

and asecond door24. The first door23 and the second door24 are doors ofa double

door type. Opening at least one of the first door 23 or the second door 24 allows for

putting or taking food into or out of the refrigerator compartment 20. The door of the refrigerator compartment 20 is not limited to the double-door type, and may be one single door.

[0019]

The freezer compartment 21 is defined by an inner wall 25, and a third door 26.

The third door 26 may be configured to be pulled out frontward to be opened. A basket

where food in the freezer compartment 21 is stored may be coupled to the third door 26,

and may be configured to be pulled out frontward together with the third door 26.

[0020]

In the present embodiment, the first chamber 14 corresponds to a part of the

freezer compartment 21. The temperature inside the first chamber 14 is equal to the

temperature inside the freezer compartment 21. The controller 6 may control the

operation of the cooling mechanism 7 such that the temperature inside the first chamber

14 is maintained in the temperature range from, e.g., -20°C to -10°C. Aninteriorspace

of the first chamber 14 may be separated from a space that is outside thefirst chamber 14

but inside the freezer compartment 21 by a partition wall 27. Fig. 1 transparently

illustrates the first ice-tray 16, the ice bank 18, and the partition wall 27 through the third

door 26. The partition wall 27 may have an opening through which air passes. The

partition wall 27 may be omitted. That is to say, the first chamber 14 and the freezer

compartment 21 may be continuously formed.

[0021]

In the present embodiment, the second chamber 15 is formed inside the

refrigerator compartment 20. An interior space of the second chamber 15 is separated

from a space that is outside the second chamber 15 but inside the refrigerator

compartment 20 by a partition wall 28 having heat insulating properties. Such heat insulating properties of the partition wall 28 allows for maintaining the temperature inside the second chamber 15 at a temperature lower than the temperature inside the space that is outside the second chamber 15 but inside the refrigerator compartment 20.

The controller 6 may control the operation of the cooling mechanism 7 such that the

temperature inside the second chamber 15 is maintained in the temperature range from,

e.g., -3°C to -7°C. Fig. 1 transparently illustrates the second ice-tray 17, the ice bank 19,

and the partition wall 28 through the first door 23. The second ice-making device 4 is

positioned in the topmost portion of the refrigerator compartment 20.

[0022]

The first ice-tray 16 is configured to make the first ice-piece having a first size.

The first ice-tray 16 has a recessed portion 16a for making thefirst ice-piece. The shape

of the recessed portion 16a corresponds to the shape of thefirst ice-piece. The first ice

tray 16 has a plurality of recessed portions 16a, and can make a plurality of the first ice

pieces at one time. In the example illustrated in the figure, a shape of thefirst ice-piece,

i.e., a shape of the recessed portion 16a is a truncated quadrangular pyramid shape. The

dimension of the first ice-piece, i.e., the dimension of the recessed portion 16a may be

about 40 mm in length, about 30 mm in width, and about 20 mm in height. The shape

of the first ice-piece, i.e., the shape of the recessed portion 16a is not limited to the

example illustrated in the figure. The shape of the first ice-piece, i.e., the shape of the

recessed portion 16a may be, for example, a cube shape, a polyhedron shape, a star shape,

a heart shape, a crescent shape, a sphere shape, a hemisphere shape, a cylinder shape, and

a semi- cylinder shape, or the like. A volume of the first ice-piece, i.e., a volume of the

recessed portion 16a maybe, e.g., about 10 mL to about 30 mL. The user, when using the first ice-piece, opens the third door 26 and manually takes the first ice-piece out of the ice bank 19.

[0023]

The second ice-tray 17 is configured to make the second ice-piece having a second

size smaller than the first size. That is to say, the second ice-piece has a volume smaller

than the first ice-piece. The second ice-tray 17 has a plurality of recessed portions 17a,

and can make a plurality of the second ice-pieces at one time. In the example illustrated

in the figure, a shape of the second ice-piece, i.e., a shape of the recessed portion 17a is a

truncated quadrangular pyramid shape. The shape of the second ice-piece, i.e., the

shape of the recessed portion 17a is not limited to the example illustrated in the figure.

The shape of the second ice-piece, i.e., the shape of the recessed portion 17a may be, for

example, a cube shape, a polyhedron shape, a star shape, a heart shape, a crescent shape,

a sphere shape, a hemisphere shape, a cylinder shape, and a semi- cylinder shape, or the

like. The shape of the second ice may be similar to that of thefirst ice-piece. The

shape of the second ice may be different from that of thefirst ice-piece. The second ice

piece has a size suitable for use as a substitute for crushed ice used for drinks, etc. A

volume of the second ice-piece, i.e., a volume of the recessed portion 17a may be, e.g.,

about 0.5 mL to about 5 mL. The volume of the second ice-piece, i.e., the volume of the

recessed portion 17a may be one-twentieth to one-third of the volume of the first ice

piece, i.e., the volume of the recessed portion 16a.

[0024]

The present embodiment can provide the user with the first ice-piece having a

relatively large size and the second ice-piece having a relatively small size. The second

ice-making device 4, which has the above second ice-tray 17, can make the second ice- piece without crushing ice. The present embodiment eliminates the need for an ice crusher, thereby obtaining the following advantages. No safety mechanism for ensuring that no user touches a sharp blade of the ice crusher is required. No edge of a blade of the ice crusher would be chipped, and no malfunction would occur in a motor that rotates the blade. No noise occurs due to the ice crusher.

[0025]

The temperature inside the first chamber 14 is maintained at a temperature lower

than the temperature inside the second chamber 15. The first ice-piece whose size is

relatively large is made in the first chamber 14 having a lower temperature. This allows

for formation of the first ice-piece in a relatively short time. Because of such a short

time for making ice, the first ice-piece can be made to be quite transparent.

[0026]

The second ice-piece whose size is relatively small can be made under a smaller

cooling load than the first ice-piece. Therefore, the second ice-piece can be made in the

second chamber 15 having a higher temperature than the first chamber 14 in a relatively

short time. Because of such a short time for making ice, the second ice-piece can be

made to be quite transparent. It is difficult to cool the second chamber 15 inside the

refrigerator compartment 20 to a temperature similar to the temperature inside the freezer

compartment21. In the present embodiment, it is unnecessary to cool the second

chamber 15 to the temperature similar to the temperature inside the freezer compartment

21. This can relatively simplify the configuration of the cooling mechanism 7.

[0027]

The second ice-making device 4 makes only the second ice-piece having a

relatively small size, thus sufficiently reducing its size. This can reduce the space occupied by the second chamber 15 in the refrigerator compartment 20, thereby preventing a space where food can be stored in the refrigerator compartment 20 from decreasing too much.

[0028]

The operation panel 9 is positioned on the outer surface of the first door 23. The

operation panel 9 includes an operation unit and a display unit. For example, the

operation unit may include an operation switch capable of setting cold storage

temperatures in the respective storage compartments and an operation mode of the

refrigerator 1. The display unit may include a display that displays various information

about temperatures of respective storage compartments and other factors. In addition,

the operation panel 9 may include a touch panel serving as both the operation unit and the

display unit.

[0029]

The discharge port 13 of the dispenser 5 is formed in the first door 23. The

dispenser 5 is configured so as to discharge the second ice made by the second ice

making device 4 from the discharge port 13. An ice path 33 is formed inside the first

door 23. The ice path 33 is a path through which delivers the second ice-piece from the

ice bank 19 to the discharge port 13. The second ice-tray 17 and the ice bank 19 are

located higher than the discharge port 13. Therefore, the ice path 33 can be formed so

as to descend from the ice bank 19 toward the discharge port 13. This allows for

delivery of the second ice-piece inside the ice path 33 using gravitation.

[0030]

The first ice-tray 16 and the ice bank 18 are located lower than the discharge port

13. Since the present embodiment does not provide the first ice-piece from the dispenser 5, no problem is caused due to such a location in which the first ice-tray 16 and the ice bank 18 are located lower than the discharge port 13. The present embodiment can position the first ice-tray 16 and the ice bank 18 in the freezer compartment 21, which is located in a lower part of the refrigerator 1, thereby making it possible to sufficiently increase the speed for making the first ice-piece.

[0031]

A water supply tank 29 is positioned inside the refrigerator compartment 20.

Water used for ice-making and drinking is stored in the water supply tank 29. Fig. 1

transparently illustrates a water supply tank 29 through the first door 23. The water

supplier 8 includes a first water supply path 30, a second water supply path 31, and a

third water supply path 32. The first water supply path 30 is a path for supplying the

water in the water supply tank 29 to the first ice-making device 3. The second water

supply path 31 is a path for supplying the water in the water supply tank 29 to the second

ice-making device 4. The third water supply path 32 is a path for supplying the water in

the water supply tank 29 to the discharge port 13 of the dispenser 5. The water supplier

8 includes a pump, which is not illustrated, and can supply the water in the water supply

tank 29 to the first ice-making device 3, the second ice-making device 4, and the

dispenser 5 by operating the pump.

[0032]

In the present embodiment, providing the third water supply path 32 makes it

possible to supply water for drinking from the discharge port 13 of the dispenser 5. The

third water supply path 32 may be omitted. That is to say, the dispenser 5 may be

capable of supplying only the second ice-piece.

[0033]

Instead of the configuration illustrated, tap water which is supplied from a water

pipe connected to the refrigerator 1 may be supplied directly to thefirst ice-making

device 3, the second ice-making device 4, and the dispenser 5. In this case, the water

supply tank 29 is not needed.

[0034]

Fig. 3 is a side cross sectional view of thefirst ice-making device 3 included in the

refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the

controller 6 controls the first ice-making device 3 such that the first ice-making device 3

automatically makes the first ice-piece as follows. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the first ice

making device 3 includes a tray rotating device 34. The tray rotating device 34 includes

an actuator (not illustrated) that rotates a rotation shaft coupled to the first ice-tray 16 to

flip the first ice-tray 16 upside down. When the first ice-piece is removed from the first

ice-tray 16, the tray rotating device 34 rotates the first ice-tray 16. When the tray

rotating device 34 rotates the first ice-tray 16, the first ice-tray 16 is upside down above

the ice bank 18. The first ice-making device 3 includes ice-separating means (not

illustrated) that separates the first ice-piece from the first ice-tray 16. The ice-separating

means may be configured to separate the first ice-piece from the first ice-tray 16 by

twisting, and deforming, the first ice-tray 16. Alternatively, the ice-separating means

may be configured to separate the first ice-piece from the first ice-tray 16 by heating the

first ice-tray 16 and melting the surface of the first ice-piece. The first ice-piece

separated from the first ice-tray 16 drops into the ice bank 18.

[0035]

After the first ice-piece is separated from the first ice-tray 16, the tray rotating

device 34 returns the first ice-tray 16 to the original position. Thereafter, water is discharged from an outlet 35 of the first water supply path 30. The water enters one of the recessed portions 16a of the first ice-tray 16. A wall separating one recessed portion

16a from another recessed portion 16a is provided with a notch or hole which is not

illustrated. Water that has flowed from the outlet 35 to one recessed portion 16a passes

through the notch or hole to successively flow into adjacent recessed portions 16a. As a

result, the water fills all the recessed portions 16a of the first ice-tray 16. As can be seen,

the water that has filled the recessed portion 16a is frozen to generate thefirst ice-piece.

[0036]

Fig. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the second ice-making device 4 included in

the refrigerator 1 according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the

controller 6 controls the second ice-making device 4 such that the second ice-making

device 4 automatically makes the second ice-piece as follows. As illustrated in Fig. 4,

the second ice-making device 4 includes a tray rotating device 36. The tray rotating

device 36 includes an actuator (not illustrated) that rotates a rotation shaft coupled to the

second ice-tray 17 to flip the second ice-tray 17 upside down. When the second ice

piece is removed from the second ice-tray 17, the tray rotating device 36 rotates the

second ice-tray 17. When the tray rotating device 36 rotates the second ice-tray 17, the

second ice-tray 17 is upside down above the ice bank 19. The second ice-making device

4 includes ice-separating means (not illustrated) that separates the second ice-piece from

the second ice-tray 17. The ice-separating means may be configured to separate the

second ice-piece from the second ice-tray 17 by twisting, and deforming, the second ice

tray 17. Alternatively, the ice-separating means may be configured to separate the

second ice-piece from the second ice-tray 17 by heating the second ice-tray 17 and melting the surface of the second ice-piece. The second ice-piece separated from the second ice-tray 17 drops into the ice bank 19.

[0037]

After the second ice-piece is separated from the second ice-tray 17, the tray

rotating device 36 returns the second ice-tray 17 to the original position. Thereafter,

water is discharged from an outlet 37 of the second water supply path 31. Thewater

enters one of the recessed portions 17a of the second ice-tray 17. A wall separating one

recessed portion 17a from another recessed portion 17a is provided with a notch or hole

which is not illustrated. Water that has flowed from the outlet 37 to one recessed

portion 17a passes through the notch or hole to successively flow into adjacent recessed

portions 17a. As a result, the water fills all the recessed portions 17a of the second ice

tray 17. As can be seen, the water that has filled the recessed portion 17a is frozen to

generate the second ice-piece.

[0038]

The ice transfer device 11 is configured to send the second ice-piece in the ice

bank 19 to the ice path 33. When the dispenser 5 provides the second ice-piece, the ice

transfer device 11 is operated, and the second ice-piece in the ice bank 19 is send to the

ice path 33. The ice transfer device 11 may include a rotation member, such as a screw,

positioned inside the ice bank 19. The rotation member may be positioned near the

bottom of the ice bank 19 so as to deliver the second ice-piece having a smaller size.

[0039]

At least one of the first ice-tray 16 or the second ice-tray 17 may be made of metal.

The metal ice-tray has a higher heat conductivity than a resin ice-tray. This makes it

possible to reduce a time since water is frozen until the water becomes ice, i.e., a time for making the ice. In particular, a material having a high heat conductivity, such as aluminum, may be used.

[0040]

Fig. 5 is a side cross sectional view of a part of the refrigerator 1 according to the

first embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the air duct 38 communicates with the second

chamber 15. Cold air generated by the cooling mechanism 7 is supplied from the air

duct 38 to the second chamber 15. A refrigerant pipe 39 included in the cooling

mechanism 7 extends toward the inside of the second chamber 15. The refrigerant pipe

39 is in contact with the second ice-tray 17. The refrigerant pipe 39 supplies refrigerant

for cooling the second ice-tray 17. The present embodiment allows the refrigerant pipe

39 to directly cool the second ice-tray 17, thereby further reducing the time for making

the ice. As a modification, the refrigerator 1 may have a configuration in which the

refrigerant pipe 39 is not provided, and the water in the second ice-tray 17 is frozen only

by cold air from the air duct 38. The refrigerator 1 may have a refrigerant pipe in

contact with the first ice-tray 16 for cooling the first ice-tray 16. In that case, the time

for making the first ice-piece can be further reduced.

[0041]

The openable lid 12 is provided at a part communicating the discharge port 13 of

the dispenser 5 with the ice path 33. Closing the openable lid 12 allows for interruption

between the discharge port 13 communicating with the outside of the refrigerator 1 and

the ice path 33 communicating with the inside of the refrigerator 1. The dispenser

switch 10 is provided near the discharge port 13. Pushing the dispenser switch 10 using

a container such as a drinking cup the user has opens the openable lid 12 and operates the ice transfer device 11. This discharges the second ice-piece in the ice bank 19 from the discharge port 13 through the ice path 33.

[0042]

The present embodiment eliminates the need for passage of the first ice-piece

having a larger size through the ice path 33. This can make the cross-sectional area of

the ice path 33 relatively small. A larger cross-sectional area of the ice path 33 is likely

to cause spreading of the second ice-piece discharged from the discharge port 13, and

thus, the second ice-piece is likely to come out of the container. In contrast, the present

embodiment can make the cross-sectional area of the ice path 33 relatively small, thereby

reliably reducing spreading of the second ice-piece discharged from the discharge port 13.

The minimum area of the cross section of the ice path 33 perpendicular to the

longitudinal direction of the ice path 33 may be equal to or less than the maximum area

of the cross section of thefirst ice-piece. This reliably allows for achievement of the

above advantage. Note that "the maximum area of the cross section of the first ice

piece" refers to a cross-sectional area of the first ice-piece when the first ice-piece is cut

at a position in which its cross-sectional area is maximum.

[0043]

The total weight of the second ice-pieces made by the second ice-making device 4

at one time may be smaller than the total weight of the first ice-pieces made by the first

ice-making device 3 at one time. That is to say, the total amount of water that is to enter

the second ice-tray 17 may be smaller than the total amount of water that is to enter the

first ice-tray 16. The second chamber 15 has a higher temperature than the first

chamber 14. Therefore, if a large amount of water enters, it may take a long time to

make the ice. However, the total amount of water that is to enter the second ice-tray 17 is smaller than the total amount of water that is to enter the first ice-tray 16, thereby reliably reducing the time for making the second ice-piece.

[0044]

The controller 6 may have the following configuration. Respective functions of

the controller 6 may be implemented in a processing circuit. The processing circuit of

the controller 6 may include at least one processor 6a and at least one memory 6b. If the

processing circuit includes at least one processor 6a and at least one memory 6b,

respective functions of the controller 6 may be implemented in software, firmware, or a

combination of the software and the firmware. At least one of the software or the

firmware may be described as a program. At least one of the software or the firmware

may be stored in at least one memory 6b. At least one processor 6a may perform the

respective functions of the controller 6 by reading, and executing, a program stored in at

least one memory 6b. At least one memory 6b may include, e.g., a non-volatile or

volatile semiconductor memory, and a magnetic disk. The processing circuit of the

controller 6 may include at least one piece of dedicated hardware. If the processing

circuit includes at least one piece of dedicated hardware, the processing circuit may be,

e.g., a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel-programmed

processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate

array (FPGA), or a combination thereof. The respective functions of the controller 6

may be implemented in respective processing circuits. Also, the respective functions of

the controller 6 may be collectively implemented in a processing circuit. Some of the

functions of the controller 6 may be implemented in dedicated hardware, and others may

be implemented in software or firmware. A processing circuit may constitute the

respective functions of the controller 6 using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. The operation does not have to be controlled by only the controller 6, and may be controlled by multiple controllers.

[0045]

Fig. 6 is a front view of a refrigerator 100 of a comparative example. Fig.7isa

side cross sectional view of an ice-making device 50 included in the refrigerator 100

according to the comparative example. Hereinafter, the refrigerator 100 of the

comparative example will be described with reference to these figures. The description

of the refrigerator 100 focuses on the difference with the refrigerator 1 of the first

embodiment, and the same reference characters are applied to the same or corresponding

elements, and the explanation thereof is simplified or omitted.

[0046]

The refrigerator 100 includes the ice-making device 50 positioned in an ice

making chamber 51 formed inside the refrigerator compartment 20. An ice-tray 52

included in the ice-making device 50 is configured to make a ice-piece having a size

corresponding to the size of the first ice-piece. The dispenser 5 is configured so as to

discharge the first ice-piece made by the ice-making device 50 from the discharge port 13.

The ice path 53 ranging from the ice bank 19 to the discharge port 13 is configured to

allow the first ice-piece to pass therethrough. That is to say, the ice path 53 has a larger

cross-sectional area than the ice path 33 of the refrigerator 1.

[0047]

As illustrated in Fig. 7, the refrigerator 100 includes an ice crusher 54 provided

near the ice-making device 50. The ice crusher 54 can make crushed ice by crushing the

first ice-piece. The ice crusher 54 includes, e.g., a stationary blade and a rotary blade.

The stationary blade and the rotary blade sandwich, and crush, the first ice-piece. The dispenser 5 of the refrigerator 100 can provide both the first ice-piece and the crushed ice.

That is to say, in order to provide the first ice-piece, the first ice-piece in the ice bank 19

is discharged from the discharge port 13 through the ice path 53 without operating the ice

crusher 54. In order to provide the crushed ice, the first ice-piece is crushed by the

operation of the ice crusher 54, and the crushed ice obtained is discharged from the

discharge port 13 through the ice path 53.

[0048]

The refrigerator 100 of the comparative example has the following disadvantages.

The blade of the ice crusher 54 is sharp, and thus, the user may contact the blade to be

injured, which is less safe. When the blade is rotated to crush the ice, strong force is

applied to the ice, and thus, a motor used for rotation of the blade outputs high power,

which can result in occurrence of noise. The ice path 53 has a cross-sectional area

corresponding to the size of the first ice-piece. Thus, when the crushed ice is provided,

the crushed ice is likely to spread from the discharge port 13 and to come out of the

container. The ice-making chamber 51 is formed inside the refrigerator compartment 20,

and thus, it is difficult to cool the ice-making chamber 51 to a low temperature like the

temperature of the freezer compartment 21. Since the first ice-piece having a relatively

large size is made in such the ice-making chamber 51, efficient ice making is difficult,

the ice making time is prolonged, and convenience is reduced. In addition, the produced

ice-piece tends to have a low transparency, which deteriorates the quality of the ice-piece.

The ice-making device 50 makes both the first ice-piece and the crushed ice, and thus, the

ice-making device 50 is needed to have a large size. This increases the space occupied

by the ice-making chamber 51 in the refrigerator compartment 20, resulting in a significant decrease in a space where food can be stored in the refrigerator compartment

20.

[0049]

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For

example, the present invention may be as follows. The first chamber 14 may be formed

as another compartment independent of the freezer compartment 21. The second

chamber 15 may be formed as another compartment independent of the refrigerator

compartment 20. The first ice-making device 3 does not have to automatically make the

first ice-piece. The user may manually supply water to the first ice-tray 16 and

manually separate the first ice-piece from the first ice-tray 16. An injector for removing

the ice-piece from the ice-tray may be provided as an ice-separating means of the ice

making device. Another ice-separating means capable of feeding hot gas to the

refrigerant pipe in contact with the ice-tray may be used. In order to improve ice

transparency, a metal ice-tray cooled by the refrigerant pipe may be positioned in the ice

making device such that an opening of the ice-tray is horizontally positioned, and the ice

making device may make the ice by allowing water to circulate, and flow, from the upper

part of the ice-making device.

[0050]

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention,

except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary

implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is

used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to

preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the

invention.

[0051]

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such

reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the

common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Reference Signs List

[0052]

1 refrigerator

2 main body

3 first ice-making device

4 second ice-making device

dispenser

6 controller

7 cooling mechanism

8 water supplier

9 operation panel

dispenser switch

11 ice transfer device

12 openable lid

13 discharge port

14 first chamber

second chamber

16 first ice-tray

17 second ice-tray

18 ice bank

19 ice bank

refrigerator compartment

21 freezer compartment

22 inner wall

23 first door

24 second door

inner wall

26 third door

27 partition wall

28 partition wall

29 water supply tank

first water supply path

31 second water supply path

32 third water supply path

33 ice path

34 tray rotating device

36 tray rotating device

38 air duct

39 refrigerant pipe

ice-making device

51 ice-making chamber

52 ice-tray

53 ice path

54 ice crusher

100 refrigerator

Claims (8)

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a main body having a first chamber and a second chamber;

a first ice-maker having a first ice-tray arranged inside the first chamber;

a second ice-maker having a second ice-tray arranged inside the second chamber;

and

a dispenser having a discharge port capable of discharging ice,

a temperature inside the first chamber being maintained at a temperature less than

a temperature inside the second chamber,

the first ice-tray being configured to make a first ice-piece having a first size,

the second ice-tray being configured to make a second ice-piece having a second

size smaller than the first size,

the second ice-tray being located higher than the discharge port,

the dispenser being capable of discharging the second ice-piece from the discharge

port,

a volume of the second ice-piece being one-twentieth to one-third of a volume of

the first ice-piece,

wherein the second ice-maker is configured to make the second ice-piece without

crushing ice,

and wherein the refrigerator does not include an ice crusher.

2. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein a total weight of ice made by the second ice

maker at one time is lighter than a total weight of ice made by the first ice-maker at one

time.

3. The refrigerator of claim 1 or 2, wherein the dispenser has an ice path through

which the second ice-piece passes toward the discharge port, and

a minimum area of a cross section of the ice path perpendicular to a longitudinal

direction of the ice path is equal to or less than a maximum area of a cross section of the

first ice-piece.

4. The refrigerator of any one of claims I to 3, wherein the first chamber is a part of

a freezer compartment having a space where food is stored at a temperature less than0°C.

5. The refrigerator of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the main body has a storage

compartment having a space where food is stored at a temperature equal to or more than

°C, and

the second chamber is formed inside the storage compartment.

6. The refrigerator of any one of claims I to 5, wherein the first ice-tray is located

lower than the discharge port.

7. The refrigerator of any one of claims I to 6, wherein at least one of the first ice

tray or the second ice-tray is made of metal.

8. The refrigerator of any one of claims I to 7, further comprising

at least one of a refrigerant pipe in contact with the first ice-tray or a refrigerant

pipe in contact with the second ice-tray.