CN115031472A

CN115031472A - Ice maker and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: CN115031472A
Application number: CN202210705843.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 洪镇驲; 金容贤
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2018-11-16
Filing date: 2019-11-18
Publication date: 2022-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-18
Also published as: CN115031473A; CN115031472B; CN111197890A; KR20230010056A; KR102581486B1; KR20230010054A; KR20230010055A; CN115031471B; CN115031473B; CN115031471A; EP3653964A1; CN115164476A; KR20230010053A; CN111197890B

Abstract

The ice maker of the present invention comprises: an upper tray assembly including an upper mold portion having at least one hemispherical upper cavity; and a lower tray assembly including a lower mold part having a lower mold body forming at least one hemispherical lower cavity, and a lower support, the lower tray assembly being rotatable with respect to the upper tray assembly between an open position and a closed position centering on a rotation axis, the upper cavity and the lower cavity forming at least one spherical ice cavity for making ice, the lower mold body being formed of a flexible material, the lower support covering 1/2 or more of an outer peripheral surface of the lower mold body, at least a portion of the lower mold body being detachably supported by the lower support.

Description

Ice maker and refrigerator

The application is a divisional application of patent applications with application numbers of CN201911126681.5, application dates of 2019, 11 and 18 months, and invented name of 'ice maker and refrigerator'.

Technical Field

The present specification relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator.

Background

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance for enabling food to be stored in a storage space of an interior shielded by a door at a low temperature.

The refrigerator cools the inside of the storage space using cold air so that stored foods can be stored in a refrigerated or frozen state.

In general, an ice maker for making ice is provided inside a refrigerator.

The ice maker is configured to make ice by receiving water supplied from a water supply source or a water tank into a tray.

And, the ice maker is configured to move the made ice from the ice tray by a heating manner or a twisting manner.

The ice maker, which automatically supplies and removes water and ice in the above-described manner, is formed to be opened upward to take out the formed ice.

The ice produced by the ice maker having the above-described structure has a surface having at least one flat surface, such as a crescent shape or a diamond shape.

In addition, the ice can be more conveniently used in the case where the shape of the ice is formed in a spherical shape, and different use feelings can be provided to the user. Also, when storing the produced ice, it is possible to minimize ice condensation by minimizing the area of contact between the ice.

An ice maker is provided in korean registered patent publication No. 10-1850918, which is prior art document 1.

The ice maker of prior document 1 includes: an upper tray in which a plurality of upper housings having a hemispherical shape are arranged, and which includes a pair of link guide portions extending upward at both side ends; a lower tray to which a plurality of lower housings having a hemispherical shape are arranged and which is rotatably connected to the upper tray; and an ice moving heater for heating the upper tray.

And, the ice maker includes a lower push-out pin for separating ice adhered in the lower tray during the ice moving.

The lower tray includes: a tray main body formed with a plurality of lower cases; a lower frame formed with a tray main body seating part for seating the tray main body; and an upper frame, the tray main body and the lower frame being fixed to a bottom surface of the upper frame.

The tray main body is provided with an extension end extending radially from an edge of a top surface of the lower case. The tray main body mounting portion supports the extension end.

In the case of such an ice maker of prior document 1, the tray main body seating portion supports only the extension end in the tray main body. Therefore, the lower case is not covered by the lower frame. Therefore, the lower case is in a state that it may be deformed by an external force during ice making.

During ice making, water expands, and the expansion force of the water acts on the lower tray.

However, in the case of the prior document 1, the lower case is not covered by the lower frame, and therefore, an expansion force of water acts on the lower case, so that the lower case may be deformed. When the lower case is deformed, ice is formed in a form corresponding to the deformed lower case, and thus, there is a disadvantage in that ice cannot be formed in a complete spherical shape.

In the case of prior art document 1, although ice can be produced in a form similar to a ball, the ice freezes in the upper case and the lower case, respectively, and therefore, bubbles are present in the produced ice, making the ice opaque.

Japanese laid-open patent publication No. 9-269172, which is prior art document 2, discloses an ice making device.

The ice making device of prior document 2 includes an ice making tray and a heater that heats a bottom of water supplied to the ice making tray.

The ice-making tray includes a plurality of ice-making units, and the heater is in contact with one side surface and a bottom surface of the ice-making units.

During ice making, heat of the heater is transferred to one side and the bottom of the ice making unit. Therefore, the freezing is performed on the water surface side, and the convection is generated in the water, so that transparent ice can be generated.

However, in the prior art document 2, the ice-making tray is surrounded by the heat insulating member in a state where the heater is in contact with the ice-making tray, and therefore, it is difficult to apply the technique of the prior art document 2 using the heater to the prior art document 1 which is a type in which the lower tray is rotated.

Even if the heater of prior art document 2 is attached to the lower case of the lower tray of prior art document 1, the heater may interfere with the lower ejector pin during the rotation of the lower tray.

Further, even if the heater of the above-mentioned prior document 2 is mounted to the lower tray of the prior document 1, the lower case is deformed by the expansion force of water during the ice making process, and thus there is a disadvantage that the ice cannot be made into a complete spherical shape.

Further, even if the heater of the prior art document 2 is mounted to the lower case of the lower tray of the prior art document 1, the lower case is deformed by the lower push-out pin during the ice making process, and thus the heater may be separated from the lower case.

Disclosure of Invention

The present embodiment provides an ice maker that can generate spherical ice and make the generated ice transparent in making ice using an upper tray and a lower tray.

The present embodiment provides an ice maker capable of maintaining ice in a spherical shape by minimizing deformation of a lower tray during ice making.

The present embodiment provides an ice maker in which a lower heater does not interfere with a lower ejector during ice moving and heat can be uniformly transferred to a lower chamber.

The present embodiment provides an ice maker capable of preventing a lower supporter from being deformed even during repeated ice transfer.

The present embodiment provides a refrigerator including the above-described ice maker.

An ice maker according to an aspect includes: an upper tray assembly including an upper mold portion having at least one hemispherical upper cavity; and a lower tray assembly including a lower mold portion having a lower mold body forming at least one hemispherical lower cavity and a lower support.

The lower tray assembly is rotatable with respect to the upper tray assembly between an open position and a closed position about a rotation axis.

In the closed position, the upper and lower chambers may form at least one spherical ice chamber for making ice.

The lower mold body may be formed of a flexible material.

The lower support may cover more than 1/2 of the outer circumferential surface of the lower mold body.

At least a portion of the lower mold body may be detachably supported by the lower support.

The lower mould body may comprise an end face which, in the closed position of the lower tray assembly, is in contact with the upper mould part.

The lower mold part may further include a peripheral wall extending from the lower cavity and formed along a peripheral end portion of the lower mold body.

The upper mold portion may include an upper mold body forming the upper chamber. The upper mold body may have an end face that contacts an end face of the lower mold body in the closed position of the lower tray assembly.

In the closed position of the lower tray assembly, the upper mold body is received within the peripheral wall and the end faces may contact each other.

In the closed position of the lower tray assembly, when the upper mold body is received within the peripheral wall, the upper mold body is spaced from the peripheral wall so that a gap for preventing water from overflowing can be formed between the upper mold body and the peripheral wall.

In the closed position of the lower tray assembly, the peripheral wall may extend towards the upper tray assembly.

The peripheral wall may include: a first wall extending in a vertical direction; and a curvilinear shaped second wall extending in a direction away from the lower chamber. A center of curvature of the second wall may coincide with a center of the rotation axis.

One or more of the upper mold portion and the lower mold portion may be formed of silicon.

The upper mold portion may be formed of a lower flexible material (lower flexibility) or a higher strength material (highher hardness) than the lower mold portion.

A lower opening may be formed at the lower supporter corresponding to the lower chamber.

The lower mold body includes a convex portion protruding toward the lower chamber side, and the convex portion may be deformed toward an outer side of the lower chamber during ice making. The protrusion may be formed at a position corresponding to the lower opening.

A lower ejector may be further included, the lower ejector extending through the lower opening in the open position for separating the lower mold body from the lower support to remove ice from the lower cavity.

A lower heater may be further included, the lower heater being received by a heater receiving groove formed at a position of the lower supporter adjacent to the lower opening, the lower heater being contactable with the lower mold part.

An ice maker according to another aspect includes: an upper tray defining an upper chamber as part of the ice chamber; and a lower tray rotatable with respect to the upper tray and defining a lower chamber as another part of the ice chamber, whereby the ice maker can generate ice in a spherical shape.

The ice maker may further include a lower support supporting the lower tray to minimize deformation of the lower tray during the ice making process.

The ice maker may further include a lower ejector pressing the lower tray to separate the ice from the lower tray during the ice moving. The lower support may include a lower opening for passing through the lower ejector.

The ice maker may further include a lower ejector penetrating the lower opening and pressing the lower tray when the lower tray is rotated in the ice moving process.

A contact area of the lower tray and the lower supporter during ice moving may be smaller than a contact area of the lower tray and the lower supporter during ice making.

A portion of the lower tray contacting the lower supporter during the ice making process may be spaced apart from the lower supporter by the pressing of the lower ejector.

The ice maker may further include a lower heater supplying heat to the lower tray during the ice making process to generate transparent ice.

A vertical center line passing through the center of the ice chamber in an up-and-down direction may pass through the lower opening. At least a portion of the lower heater may be disposed around the vertical center line so that the lower heater does not interfere with the lower ejector.

The lower heater may include a circular arc portion surrounding the lower tray to uniformly transfer heat to the lower tray.

The lower heater may be located closer to the lower opening than a contact surface of the lower tray and the upper tray to improve transparency of the generated ice.

The lower heater may be provided to the lower supporter and be in contact with the lower tray to stably maintain a state in which a position of the lower heater is fixed during ice moving.

The lower tray may be spaced apart from the lower heater when the lower ejector presses the lower tray during ice moving. When the pressing force pressing the lower tray is removed, the lower tray may be restored to an original shape and come into contact with the lower heater.

A diameter of a lower opening of the lower supporter may be formed to be smaller than a radius of the ice chamber to effectively prevent the lower tray from being deformed.

The lower support may include a reinforcing rib extending along the periphery of the lower opening to minimize deformation of the lower support during ice removal.

A refrigerator according to another aspect may include: a box body provided with a freezing chamber; and an ice maker making ice using cold air for cooling the freezing chamber, the ice maker may include: a first tray defining a portion of the ice chamber; a second tray rotatable with respect to the first tray, defining another portion of the ice chamber; a support supporting the second tray, including an opening; a heater disposed on the support to provide heat to the second tray, at least a portion of the heater being configured to surround the opening; and a pusher penetrating the opening and pressing the second tray to move ice.

An ice maker according to still another aspect may include: an upper tray defining an upper chamber as part of the ice chamber; a lower tray rotatable with respect to the upper tray, defining a lower chamber as another part of the ice chamber, and formed of a flexible material as a non-metallic material; a lower heater located at a periphery of the lower tray for providing heat to the lower chamber; a lower support supporting the lower tray, including a lower opening; and a lower ejector that penetrates the lower opening and presses the lower tray during rotation of the lower tray.

A vertical center line passing through a center of the ice chamber in an up-down direction passes through the lower opening, and at least a portion of the lower heater may be disposed around the vertical center line.

The lower heater may be located closer to the lower opening than a contact surface of the lower tray and the upper tray.

In the lower heater, a distance between two points located at opposite sides with reference to the vertical center line may be smaller than a diameter of the ice chamber.

In the lower heater, a distance between two points located on opposite sides with respect to the vertical center line may be larger than a diameter of the lower opening.

The lower heater may include: a circular arc portion surrounding the vertical centerline; and a straight portion extending from the circular arc portion.

The circular arc portion may have a diameter larger than that of the lower opening.

The lower heater is disposed on the lower supporter and may contact the lower tray.

The lower tray may be spaced apart from the lower heater when the lower tray is pressed by the lower ejector during rotation of the lower tray.

The lower tray includes a chamber wall forming a hemispherical lower chamber, and the lower support may include a support body provided with a chamber accommodating part for accommodating the chamber wall.

The supporter body may include a heater combining part to which the lower heater is combined.

The heater combining part includes an inner wall and an outer wall forming a heater receiving groove for receiving the lower heater, and the inner wall may extend along a periphery of the lower opening.

A protrusion for preventing detachment of the lower heater may be provided at one of the inner wall and the outer wall.

The top surfaces of the inner and outer walls may be radiused to support the chamber walls.

The diameter of the lower opening may be smaller than a radius of the ice chamber.

At least a portion of the lower heater may be configured to surround the lower opening radially outward of the lower opening.

The area of the portion of the support body in contact with the chamber wall may be larger than the area of the portion not in contact with the chamber wall.

The lower support may further include a reinforcing rib extending along a periphery of the lower opening.

A lower case surrounding at least a portion of the lower tray and having an opening through which the lower tray passes may be further included.

An ice maker according to still another aspect may include: an upper assembly provided with an upper tray having a hemispherical upper chamber; and a lower assembly provided with a lower tray having a hemispherical lower chamber.

Spherical ice may be generated from the upper and lower chambers, and the generated ice may be separated from the upper and lower chambers by rotating a lower assembly.

The lower assembly may include: a lower tray body forming the lower chamber; and a peripheral wall extending from the lower tray body.

The peripheral wall may surround the outside of the upper chamber.

The lower assembly may further include a lower housing having a cover wall surrounding the peripheral wall of the lower tray.

The lower housing and the lower support may be combined with the lower tray to fix the position of the lower tray.

The lower tray may be formed of a silicon material so as to be restored to an original shape again after being deformed by an external force.

The lower tray may further include a first extension extending in a horizontal direction from an upper end edge of the lower tray main body.

The lower support may include a support body supporting the lower tray body and the first extension. The bottom surface of the upper tray may be disposed on the top surface of the lower tray main body.

The support body may include a lower opening. Through which the ejector pin of the lower ejector can be introduced.

The lower opening may be located vertically below the lower chamber. Therefore, the ejector pin may contact the lower tray main body after passing through the lower opening.

The support body may further include a reinforcing rib extending along a periphery of the lower opening.

In this embodiment, the lower tray body may further include a protrusion located above the lower opening to be rounded in a convex manner toward the upper chamber. The lower opening may be arranged to overlap the convex portion in the up-down direction.

Accordingly, the convex portion may be deformed toward the lower opening side in the process of making ice, whereby spherical ice may be generated.

The diameter of the convex portion may be formed smaller than the diameter of the lower opening so that the convex portion is deformed to be located at the lower opening side.

A concave portion having a shape recessed upward may be formed on a lower side of the convex portion so that the convex portion can be deformed.

The upper tray main body may further include a second extension extending in such a manner as to form a step with the first extension. The lower case may include a lower plate contacting a top surface of the second extension. The lower support may include a second extension wall contacting a bottom surface of the second extension.

Upper and lower protrusions may be provided at upper and lower sides of the second extension part, respectively.

The lower plate may include an insertion groove for inserting the upper protrusion, and the second extension wall may include a protrusion groove for inserting the lower protrusion.

The plurality of upper projections may be arranged to be spaced apart in the horizontal direction, and the plurality of lower projections may be arranged to be spaced apart in the horizontal direction. The insertion grooves may be provided with the same number as the upper protrusions, and the protrusion grooves may be provided with the same number as the lower protrusions.

The upper protrusion and the lower protrusion may be formed in a curved shape, and the insertion groove and the protrusion groove may be formed in a curved shape.

The lower case may include a first fastening boss. The lower tray may include a first through hole through which the first fastening boss passes. The lower supporter may include a first fastening groove to which a first fastening member penetrating the first fastening boss is fastened.

The first fastening member may penetrate the first fastening boss from an upper side of the first fastening boss and then be fastened to the first fastening groove.

The lower case may further include a second fastening boss. The lower tray may further include a second through-hole for passing the second fastening boss therethrough. The lower support may include a sleeve receiving the second fastening boss.

A second fastening member may be fastened with the second fastening boss from an underside of the sleeve.

The peripheral wall may include a coupling projection, and the cover wall may include a coupling slot, the coupling projection being coupled to the coupling slot.

The peripheral wall may include a first wall that is a vertically extending wall and a second wall that is a wall having a circular arc shape.

The cover wall may include a vertical wall surrounding the first wall and a curved wall surrounding the second wall.

The coupling protrusions may be provided to the first and second walls, respectively. The coupling slots may be respectively provided to the vertical wall and the curved wall.

In this embodiment, the lower support may be rotatably connected with the upper assembly.

The lower support may further include a plurality of hinge bodies. The upper assembly may include a plurality of hinge supports for connection with the plurality of hinge bodies.

A refrigerator according to still another aspect may include: a box body provided with a freezing chamber; a housing disposed at the freezing chamber; and an ice maker disposed within the housing.

The ice maker may include: an upper tray having a hemispherical upper chamber; a lower tray including a lower tray body forming a hemispherical lower chamber, a peripheral wall extending from the lower tray body and surrounding the upper chamber; a lower support supporting the lower tray body; and a lower housing having a cover wall configured to surround a peripheral wall of the lower tray.

According to the proposed invention, not only spherical ice is generated from the lower tray and the upper tray, but also ice is frozen from the upper side by operating the lower heater during ice making, and thus bubbles are locally gathered at the lower side of the ice, thereby having an advantage that the entire ice can be made transparent.

And, the lower tray body forming the lower chamber is supported by the lower supporter, so that the deformation of the body of the lower tray body is restricted during the ice making process, thereby enabling the ice to maintain a spherical shape.

Further, the lower supporter is provided with a lower opening through which the lower ejector passes, and the lower heater is partially disposed to surround at least the lower opening, so that the lower heater does not interfere with the lower ejector, and heat of the lower heater can be uniformly transferred to the lower chamber.

Further, since the reinforcing ribs are provided along the outer periphery of the lower opening, there is an advantage in that the deformation of the lower supporter can be prevented in the process in which the lower ejector presses the lower tray main body through the lower opening.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view illustrating a state in which the refrigerator door of fig. 1 is opened.

Fig. 3 and 4 are perspective views of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of an upper housing of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a lower perspective view of an upper housing of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is an upper perspective view of an upper tray in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a lower perspective view of an upper tray in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a side view of an upper tray of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an upper perspective view of an upper support member of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a lower perspective view of an upper support member of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view illustrating a heater combining portion in the upper case of fig. 6.

Fig. 14 is a view showing a state in which a heater is coupled to the upper case of fig. 6.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the arrangement of electric wires connected to the heater in the upper housing.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view showing a state where the upper assembly is assembled.

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a lower assembly of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an upper perspective view of the lower housing of one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a lower perspective view of the lower housing of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an upper perspective view of a lower tray in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 21 and 22 are lower perspective views of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 23 is a side view of a lower tray of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is an upper perspective view of a lower support of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a lower perspective view of a lower support member of one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 26 is a sectional view showing a state where the lower assembly is assembled.

FIG. 27 is a top view of a lower support of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the lower heater is coupled to the lower supporter of fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a view showing a state in which the electric wire connected to the lower heater penetrates the upper housing in a state in which the lower module is coupled to the upper module.

Fig. 30 is a sectional view showing a state where the lower heater is provided to the lower supporter.

Fig. 31 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 3.

Fig. 32 is a diagram illustrating a state in which ice generation is completed in fig. 31.

Fig. 33 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3 in a water supply state.

Fig. 34 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3 in an ice making state.

Fig. 35 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3 in a state where ice making is completed.

Fig. 36 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3 in an initial state of ice transfer.

Fig. 37 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3 in a state where ice transfer is completed.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 2 is a view illustrating a state in which a refrigerator door of fig. 1 is opened.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a case 2 forming a storage space; and a door for opening and closing the storage space.

In detail, the case 2 forms a storage space partitioned vertically by a partition, and may form a refrigerating chamber 3 at an upper portion and a freezing chamber 4 at a lower portion.

Storage members such as drawers, shelves, and housings may be provided inside the refrigerating chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4.

The door may include a refrigerating chamber door 5 shielding the refrigerating chamber 3 and a freezing chamber door 6 shielding the freezing chamber 4.

The refrigerating chamber door 5 may be formed of a pair of right and left doors and opened and closed by rotation. The freezing chamber door 6 may be configured to be drawn out and pushed in a drawer type.

Of course, the configuration of the refrigerating chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4 and the form of the door may be different according to kinds of refrigerators, and the present invention may be applied to various kinds of refrigerators without being limited thereto. For example, the freezing chamber 4 and the refrigerating chamber 3 may be arranged on the left and right, or the freezing chamber 4 may be positioned on the upper side of the refrigerating chamber 3.

An ice maker 100 may be provided at the freezing chamber 4. The ice maker 100 is used to make ice from supplied water, and can generate spherical ice. Alternatively, the ice maker 100 may be provided to the freezing chamber door 6, or to the refrigerating chamber 3, or to the refrigerating chamber door 5.

An ice bank 102 may be further provided below the ice maker 100, and the ice bank 102 is stored after the made ice is moved from the ice maker 100.

The ice maker 100 and the ice bank 102 may also be installed inside the freezing chamber 4 in a state of being received in a separate housing 101.

The user can take the ice by opening the freezing chamber door 6 and approaching the ice bank 102.

As another example, the refrigerating chamber door 5 may be provided with a dispenser 7 for extracting purified water or made ice from the outside.

The ice generated at the ice maker 100 or the ice generated at the ice maker 100 and stored in the ice bank 102 is transferred to the dispenser 7 by a transfer device, so that a user can obtain the ice from the dispenser 7,

hereinafter, the ice maker will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 3 and 4 are perspective views of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 3 to 5, the ice maker 100 may include an upper assembly 110 (or an upper tray assembly) and a lower assembly 200 (or a lower tray assembly).

The lower assembly 200 may rotate relative to the upper assembly 110. For example, the lower unit 200 may be rotatably connected to the upper unit 110.

The lower assembly 200 may generate ice in a spherical shape together with the upper assembly 110 in a state of being in contact with the upper assembly 110.

That is, the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 form an ice chamber 111 for generating spherical ice. The ice chamber 111 is a substantially spherical chamber.

It should be understood that the term "spherical or hemispherical" in the present invention includes not only a shape of a geometrically complete sphere or hemisphere, but also a shape geometrically similar to the complete sphere or hemisphere.

The upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 may form a plurality of ice chambers 111 that are separated.

Hereinafter, a case where three ice chambers 111 are formed by the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 is exemplified, and it is to be understood that the number of the ice chambers 111 is not limited.

In a state where the ice chamber 111 is formed by the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200, water may be supplied to the ice chamber 111 through the water supply part 190.

The water supply part 190 is coupled to the upper assembly 110 and guides water supplied from the outside to the ice chamber 111.

After ice making, the lower assembly 200 may be rotated in a forward direction. At this time, the spherical ice formed between the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 may be separated from the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200.

The ice maker 100 may further include a driving unit 180 to enable the lower assembly 200 to rotate with respect to the upper assembly 110.

The driving unit 180 may include: a drive motor; and a power transmission portion for transmitting the power of the driving motor to the lower assembly 200. The power transmission portion may include one or more gears.

The driving motor may be a motor capable of bidirectional rotation. Thus, the lower assembly 200 can rotate bi-directionally.

The ice maker 100 may further include an upper ejector 300 to enable ice to be separated from the upper assembly 110.

The upper ejector 300 may separate ice, which is closely attached to the upper assembly 110, from the upper assembly 110.

The upper ejector 300 may include: an ejector main body 310; and a plurality of upper ejector pins 320 extending in a cross direction from the ejector main body 310.

The upper ejector pins 320 may be provided in the same number as the ice chambers 111.

Separation preventing protrusions 312 for preventing the ejector main body 310 from being separated from the coupling unit 350 in a state where the ejector main body 310 is coupled to the coupling unit 350, which will be described later, may be provided at both ends of the ejector main body 310.

For example, a pair of separation preventing protrusions 312 may protrude in opposite directions from the ejector main body 310.

The ice in the ice chamber 111 may be pressed in a process in which the upper push-out pin 320 is introduced into the ice chamber 111 through the upper assembly 110.

The ice pressed by the upper push-out pin 320 may be separated from the upper assembly 110.

Also, the ice maker 100 may further include a lower ejector 400 to separate the ice clinging to the lower assembly 200.

The lower ejector 400 may separate ice clinging to the lower assembly 200 from the lower assembly 200 by pressing the lower assembly 200. For example, the lower ejector 400 may be fixed to the upper unit 110.

The lower ejector 400 may include: an ejector main body 410; and a plurality of lower ejector pins 420 protruding from the ejector main body 410. The lower ejector pins 420 may be provided in the same number as the ice chambers 111.

During the rotation of the lower assembly 200 for moving ice, the rotational force of the lower assembly 200 may be transmitted to the upper ejector 300.

To this end, the ice maker 100 may further include a connection unit 350 connecting the lower assembly 200 and the upper ejector 300. The connection unit 350 may include more than one link.

As an example, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction, the upper ejector 300 is lowered by the connection unit 350, so that the upper ejector pin 320 can press the ice.

On the contrary, when the lower assembly 200 is reversely rotated, the upper ejector 300 is lifted to return to the original position by the coupling unit 350.

The upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 will be described in further detail below.

The upper assembly 110 may include an upper tray 150 forming a portion of an ice chamber 111, the ice chamber 111 being used to make ice. As an example, the upper tray 150 defines an upper portion of the ice chamber 111. The upper tray 150 may be referred to as a first tray. Alternatively, the upper tray 150 may be referred to as an upper mold portion.

The upper assembly 110 may further include an upper support 170 for fixing the position of the upper tray 150.

For example, the upper support 170 may support the lower side of the upper tray 150 to restrict the lower side movement.

The upper assembly 110 may further include an upper housing 120 for fixing the position of the upper tray 150.

The upper tray 150 may be located at a lower side of the upper housing 120. A portion of the upper support 170 may be located at the lower side of the upper tray 150.

As described above, the upper case 120, the upper tray 150, and the upper support 170 aligned in the up-down direction may be fastened by the fastening members.

That is, the upper tray 150 may be fixed to the upper housing 120 by fastening of fastening members.

For example, the water supply unit 190 may be fixed to the upper case 120.

The ice maker 100 may further include a temperature sensor 500 for sensing the temperature of the water or the temperature of the ice chamber 111.

As an example, the temperature sensor 500 may indirectly sense the temperature of the water or the ice of the ice chamber 111 by sensing the temperature of the upper tray 150.

For example, the temperature sensor 500 may be mounted on the upper case 120. The temperature sensor 500 may be in contact with the upper tray 150 when the upper tray 150 is fixed to the upper case 120.

In addition, the lower assembly 200 may include a lower tray 250, and the lower tray 250 forms another portion of the ice chamber 111 for making ice. As an example, the lower tray 250 defines a lower portion of the ice chamber 111. The lower tray 250 may be referred to as a second tray. Alternatively, the lower tray 250 may be referred to as a lower mold portion.

The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower support 270 supporting the underside of the lower tray 250.

The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower housing 210, at least a portion of the lower housing 210 covering an upper side of the lower tray 250.

The lower case 210, the lower tray 250, and the lower support 270 may be fastened by fastening members.

In addition, the ice maker 100 may further include a switch 600 for turning on/off the ice maker 100. When the user operates the switch 600 to the activated state, ice can be made through the ice maker 100.

That is, when the switch 600 is activated, it may be repeatedly performed: an ice making process of supplying water to the ice maker 100 to make ice using cold air; and an ice moving process of rotating the lower assembly 200 to separate ice.

In contrast, when the switch 600 is operated to the off state, ice cannot be made through the ice maker 100. For example, the switch 600 may be provided in the upper case 120.

< Upper case >

Fig. 6 is an upper perspective view of an upper housing according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 7 is a lower perspective view of the upper housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 6 and 7, the upper case 120 may be fixed to the outer case 101 in the freezing chamber 4 in a state where the upper tray 150 is fixed.

The upper housing 120 may include an upper plate 121 for fixing the upper tray 150.

The upper tray 150 may be fixed to the upper plate 121 in a state where a part of the upper tray 150 is in contact with the bottom surface of the upper plate 121.

The upper plate 121 may be provided with an opening 123 for penetrating a portion of the upper tray 150.

For example, in a state where the upper tray 150 is positioned below the upper plate 121, when the upper tray 150 is fixed to the upper plate 121, a portion of the upper tray 150 may protrude above the upper plate 121 through the opening 123.

Alternatively, the upper tray 150 may be exposed above the upper plate 121 through the opening 123, rather than protruding above the upper plate 121 through the opening 123.

The upper plate 121 may include a recess 122 formed to be recessed downward. The opening 123 may be formed at the bottom 122a of the recess 122.

Therefore, the upper tray 150 penetrating the opening 123 may be located in a space formed by the recess 122.

The upper case 120 may be provided with a heater combining part 124 for combining an upper heater (refer to 148 of fig. 14) for heating the upper tray 150 to move ice.

For example, the heater coupling part 124 may be provided on the upper plate 121. The heater combining part 124 may be located at a lower side of the recess 122.

The upper housing 120 may further include a pair of mounting

ribs

128, 129 for mounting the temperature sensor 500.

The pair of mounting

ribs

128, 129 are arranged to be spaced apart in the arrow B direction in fig. 7. The pair of mounting

ribs

128, 129 are configured to face each other, and the temperature sensor 500 may be located between the pair of mounting

ribs

128, 129.

The pair of mounting

ribs

128, 129 may be provided to the upper plate 121.

The upper plate 121 may be provided with a plurality of

insertion grooves

131, 132 for coupling with the upper tray 150.

A portion of the upper tray 150 may be inserted into the plurality of

insertion grooves

131, 132.

The plurality of

slots

131, 132 may include: a first upper slot 131; and a second upper insertion groove 132 located on the opposite side of the first upper insertion groove 131 with respect to the opening 123.

The opening 123 may be located between the first upper insertion groove 131 and the second upper insertion groove 132.

The first upper insertion groove 131 and the second upper insertion groove 132 may be spaced apart in the arrow B direction in fig. 7.

The plurality of first upper slots 131 may be arranged at intervals in an arrow a direction (referred to as a first direction) that intersects an arrow B direction (referred to as a second direction), but is not limited thereto.

Also, the plurality of second upper slots 132 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the arrow a direction.

In this specification, the arrow a direction is the same direction as the arrangement direction of the plurality of ice chambers 111.

For example, the first upper insertion groove 131 may be formed in a curved shape. Accordingly, the length of the first upper insertion groove 131 may be increased.

For example, the second upper insertion groove 132 may be formed in a curved shape. Accordingly, the length of the second upper insertion groove 132 may be increased.

When the length of each of the

upper slots

131 and 132 is increased, the length of a protrusion (formed at the upper tray) inserted into each of the

upper slots

131 and 132 may be increased, so that the coupling force of the upper tray 150 with the upper case 120 can be increased.

The distance from the first upper insertion groove 131 to the opening 123 and the distance from the second upper insertion groove 132 to the opening 123 may be different. For example, the distance from the second upper insertion groove 132 to the opening 123 may be formed shorter than the distance from the first upper insertion groove 131 to the opening 123.

Each of the

upper insertion grooves

131 and 132 may be formed in a circular arc shape protruding from each of the

insertion grooves

131 and 132 to the outside of the opening 123 when viewed from the opening 123.

The upper plate 121 may further include a sleeve 133 for inserting a fastening boss of the upper supporter 170, which will be described later.

The sleeve 133 may be formed in a cylindrical shape and may extend upward from the upper plate 121.

For example, a plurality of sleeves 133 may be provided on the upper plate 121. The plurality of sleeves 133 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the arrow a direction. The plurality of sleeves 133 may be arranged in a plurality of rows in the arrow B direction.

A part of the plurality of sleeves 133 may be positioned between adjacent two first upper slots 131.

Another part of the plurality of sleeves 133 may be disposed between the adjacent two second upper insertion grooves 132, or disposed to face a region between the two second upper insertion grooves 132.

The upper housing 120 may further include a plurality of hinge supports 135, 136 to enable the lower assembly 200 to rotate.

The plurality of hinge supports 135 and 136 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the arrow a direction with reference to fig. 7. A first hinge hole 137 may be formed on each

hinge support

135, 136.

For example, the plurality of

hinge supporters

135 and 136 may extend downward from the upper plate 121.

The upper case 120 may further include a vertical extension 140 vertically extending along the periphery of the upper plate 121. The vertical extension 140 may extend upward from the upper plate 121.

The vertical extension 140 may include more than one coupling hook 140 a. The upper case 120 may be hook-coupled with the case 101 by the coupling hook 140 a.

The water supply part 190 may be coupled to the vertical extension part 140.

The upper housing 120 may further include a horizontal extension 142 horizontally extending to the outside of the vertical extension 140.

The horizontal extension 142 may be provided with a screw fastening part 142a protruded to the outside to screw-fasten the upper case 120 to the outer case 101.

The upper housing 120 may further include a side peripheral portion 143. The side peripheral portion 143 may extend downward from the horizontal extension portion 142.

The side peripheral portion 143 may be configured to surround the periphery of the lower assembly 200. That is, the side peripheral portion 143 functions to prevent the lower assembly 200 from being exposed to the outside.

Although the separate outer case 101 in which the upper case 120 is fastened to the freezing chamber 4 has been described above, the upper case 120 may be directly fastened to a wall forming the freezing chamber 4, unlike this.

< Upper tray >

Fig. 8 is an upper perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 9 is a lower perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 10 is a side view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 8 to 10, the upper tray 150 may be formed of a flexible material that is a non-metallic material such that it can be restored to an original shape after being deformed by an external force.

For example, the upper tray 150 may be formed of a silicon material. When the upper tray 150 is formed of a silicon material as in the present embodiment, the upper tray 150 is restored to an original shape again even if an external force deforms the shape of the upper tray 150 during ice moving, and thus, spherical ice can be formed even though ice making is repeated.

In the case where the upper tray 150 is formed of a metal material, if an external force is applied to the upper tray 150 to deform the upper tray 150 itself, the upper tray 150 cannot be restored to an original shape.

In this case, after the shape of the upper tray 150 is deformed, spherical ice cannot be generated. That is, spherical ice cannot be repeatedly generated.

In contrast, when the upper tray 150 has a flexible material that can be restored to an original shape as in the present embodiment, such a problem can be solved.

Also, when the upper tray 150 is formed of a silicon material, the upper tray 150 can be prevented from being melted or thermally deformed by heat supplied from an upper heater, which will be described later.

The upper tray 150 may include an upper tray body 151 forming an upper chamber 152 that is a part of the ice chamber 111. The upper tray body 151 may be referred to as an upper mold body.

The upper tray body 151 may define a plurality of upper chambers 152.

As an example, the plurality of upper chambers 152 may define a first upper chamber 152a, a second upper chamber 152b, and a third upper chamber 152 c.

The upper tray main body 151 may include three chamber walls 153 forming three independent

upper chambers

152a, 152b, 152c, and the three chamber walls 153 may be formed integrally and connected to each other.

The first, second and third

upper chambers

152a, 152b, 152c may be aligned. For example, the first upper chamber 152a, the second upper chamber 152b, and the third upper chamber 152c may be arranged in the direction of arrow a with reference to fig. 9. The arrow a direction of fig. 9 is the same direction as the arrow a direction of fig. 7.

The upper chamber 152 may be formed in a hemispherical shape. That is, the upper portion of the spherical ice may be formed by the upper chamber 152.

An upper opening 154 may be formed at an upper side of the upper tray main body 151.

For example, three upper openings 154 may be formed in the upper tray main body 151.

Cold air may be guided to the ice chamber 111 through the upper opening 154. And, water may be supplied through the upper opening 154.

During ice removal, the upper ejector 300 may be introduced into the upper chamber 152 through the upper opening 154.

In order to minimize deformation of the upper tray 150 at the upper opening 154 side during the introduction of the upper ejector 300 through the upper opening 154, an inlet wall 155 may be provided at the upper tray 150.

The inlet wall 155 is disposed along the outer periphery of the upper opening 154 and may extend upward from the upper tray main body 151.

The inlet wall 155 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. Therefore, the upper ejector 300 may pass through the upper opening 154 through the inner space of the inlet wall 155.

One or more first coupling ribs 155a may be provided along the periphery of the inlet wall 155 during the introduction of the upper ejector 300 into the upper opening 154 to prevent the deformation of the inlet wall 155.

The first coupling rib 155a may couple the inlet wall 155 and the upper tray body 151. For example, the first coupling rib 155a may be integrally formed with the outer periphery of the inlet wall 155 and the outer surface of the upper tray main body 151.

The plurality of first coupling ribs 155a may be disposed along the periphery of the inlet wall 155, but is not limited thereto.

The two inlet walls 155 corresponding to the second and third

upper cavities

152b and 152c may be connected by a second connection rib 162. The second connection rib 162 also serves to prevent deformation of the inlet wall 155.

A water supply guide 156 may be provided at the inlet wall 155 corresponding to any one of the three

upper chambers

152a, 152b, 152 c.

The water supply guide 156 may be formed at the inlet wall 155 corresponding to the second upper chamber 152b, but is not limited thereto.

The water supply guide 156 may be inclined from the inlet wall 155 in a direction away from the second upper chamber 152b more to the upper side.

The upper tray 150 may further include a first receiving part 160. The recess 122 of the upper case 120 may be received in the first receiving portion 160.

Since the heater coupling portion 124 is provided in the recess 122 and the upper heater (see 148 of fig. 14) is provided in the heater coupling portion 124, it can be understood that the upper heater (see 148 of fig. 14) is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 160.

The first receiving portion 160 may be configured in a shape surrounding the

upper chambers

152a, 152b, 152 c. The first receiving portion 160 may be formed by a top surface of the upper tray main body 151 being recessed downward.

The heater coupling portion 124 coupled to the upper heater (see 148 of fig. 14) may be accommodated in the first accommodation portion 160.

The upper tray 150 may further include a second receiving portion 161 (or may be referred to as a sensor receiving portion) in which the temperature sensor 500 is received.

For example, the second receiving portion 161 may be provided in the upper tray main body 151. The second receiving portion 161 may be formed to be recessed downward from the bottom of the first receiving portion 160, but is not limited thereto.

The second receiving portion 161 may be located between adjacent two upper chambers. As an example, fig. 8 shows a case where the second receiving portion 161 is located between the first upper chamber 152a and the second upper chamber 152 b.

Therefore, interference between the upper heater (refer to 148 of fig. 14) accommodated in the first accommodation part 160 and the temperature sensor 500 can be prevented.

In a state where the temperature sensor 500 is accommodated in the second accommodation portion 161, the temperature sensor 500 may contact an outer surface of the upper tray main body 151.

The chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 may include a vertical wall 153a and a curved wall 153 b.

The curved wall 153b may be rounded in a direction away from the upper chamber 152 toward the upper side.

The upper tray 150 may further include a horizontal extension 164 extending in a horizontal direction from the outer periphery of the upper tray main body 151. For example, the horizontal extension part 164 may extend along the outer circumference of the upper end edge of the upper tray main body 151.

The horizontal extension 164 may be in contact with the upper housing 120 and the upper support 170.

As an example, the bottom surface 164b (or may be referred to as a "first surface") of the horizontal extension 164 may contact the upper support 170, and the top surface 164a (or may be referred to as a "second surface") of the horizontal extension 164 may contact the upper housing 120.

At least a portion of the horizontal extension 164 may be located between the upper housing 120 and the upper support 170.

The horizontal extension 164 may include a plurality of

upper protrusions

165, 166 for being inserted into the plurality of

upper insertion grooves

131, 132, respectively.

The plurality of

upper protrusions

165, 166 may include: a first upper projection 165; and a second upper projection 166 located on the opposite side of the first upper projection 165 with respect to the upper opening 154.

The first upper protrusion 165 may be inserted into the first upper insertion groove 131, and the second upper protrusion 166 may be inserted into the second upper insertion groove 132.

The first and second

upper protrusions

165 and 166 may protrude upward from the top surface 164a of the horizontal extension 164.

The first upper protrusion 165 and the second upper protrusion 166 may be spaced apart in the arrow B direction in fig. 8. The arrow B direction of fig. 8 is the same direction as the arrow B direction of fig. 7.

The plurality of first upper protrusions 165 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the arrow a direction, but is not limited thereto.

Also, the plurality of second upper protrusions 166 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the arrow a direction.

For example, the first upper protrusion 165 may be formed in a curved shape. In addition, the second upper protrusion 166 may be formed in a curved shape, for example.

In the present embodiment, each of the

upper protrusions

165 and 166 not only couples the upper tray 150 with the upper housing 120, but also prevents the horizontally extending portion 164 from being deformed during an ice making process or an ice moving process.

At this time, when the

upper protrusions

165, 166 are formed in a curved shape, the interval with the upper chamber 152 in the length direction of the

upper protrusions

165, 166 is the same or almost the same, so that the deformation of the horizontal extension 164 can be effectively prevented.

For example, the horizontal extension 164 is minimized in horizontal deformation, thereby preventing the horizontal extension 164 from being elongated and plastically deformed. If the horizontal extension 164 is plastically deformed, the upper tray main body cannot be located at an accurate position when ice is made, and thus the shape of ice is not spherical.

The horizontal extension 164 may further include a plurality of

lower projections

167, 168. The plurality of

lower protrusions

167 and 168 may be inserted into lower insertion grooves of the upper supporter 170, which will be described later.

The plurality of

lower projections

167, 168 may include: a first lower projection 167; and a second lower projection 168 located on the opposite side of the first lower projection 167 with respect to the upper chamber 152.

The first and second

lower projections

167 and 168 may protrude downward from the bottom surface 164b of the horizontal extension 164.

The first lower protrusion 167 may be located on the opposite side of the first upper protrusion 165 with respect to the horizontal extension 164. The second lower protrusion 168 may be located on the opposite side of the second upper protrusion 166 with respect to the horizontal extension 164.

The first lower protrusions 167 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the vertical wall 153a of the upper tray main body 151. The second lower protrusion 168 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the curved wall 153b of the upper tray main body 151.

The plurality of

lower protrusions

167, 168 may also be formed in a curved shape. By forming the

projections

165, 166, 167, 168 on the top surface 164a and the bottom surface 164b of the horizontally extending portion 164, respectively, the horizontally extending portion 164 can be effectively prevented from being deformed in the horizontal direction.

The horizontal extension portion 164 may be provided with a through hole 169 for allowing a fastening boss of the upper support 170, which will be described later, to pass therethrough.

For example, a plurality of through holes 169 may be provided in the horizontal extension portion 164.

A portion of the plurality of through holes 169 may be positioned between adjacent two first upper protrusions 165 or adjacent two first lower protrusions 167.

Another portion of the plurality of through holes 169 may be disposed between the two second lower protrusions 168, or may be disposed to face a region between the two second lower protrusions 168.

< Upper support >

Fig. 11 is an upper perspective view of an upper support according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 12 is a lower perspective view of the upper support according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 11 and 12, the upper support 170 may include a support plate 171 contacting the upper tray 150.

For example, the top surface of the support plate 171 may contact the bottom surface 164b of the horizontally extending portion 164 of the upper tray 150.

The support plate 171 may be provided with a plate opening 172 for allowing the upper tray main body 151 to pass through.

A peripheral wall 174 bent upward may be provided at an edge of the support plate 171. As an example, the peripheral wall 174 may contact at least a portion of the lateral periphery of the horizontal extension 164.

The top surface of the peripheral wall 174 may be in contact with the bottom surface of the upper plate 121.

The support plate 171 may include a plurality of

lower slots

176, 177.

The plurality of

lower insertion grooves

176, 177 may include a first lower insertion groove 176 into which the first lower protrusion 167 is inserted and a second lower insertion groove 177 into which the second lower protrusion 168 is inserted.

The plurality of first lower insertion grooves 176 may be disposed in the support plate 171 at intervals in the arrow a direction. The plurality of second lower slots 177 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow a in the support plate 171.

The support plate 171 may further include a plurality of fastening bosses 175. The plurality of fastening bosses 175 may protrude upward from the top surface of the support plate 171.

Each of the fastening bosses 175 may pass through the through-hole 169 of the horizontal extension 164 to be introduced into the interior of the sleeve 133 of the upper case 120.

In a state where the fastening boss 175 is introduced into the interior of the sleeve 133, the top surface of the fastening boss 175 may be located at the same height as the top surface of the sleeve 133, or at a lower height.

For example, the fastening member fastened to the fastening boss 175 may be a bolt (B1 of fig. 3). The bolt B1 may include a main body portion and a head portion formed to be larger than a diameter of the main body portion. The bolt B1 may be fastened to the fastening boss 175 from above the fastening boss 175.

During the process of fastening the body portion of the bolt B1 to the fastening boss 175, the assembly of the upper assembly 110 may be completed when the head portion contacts the top surface of the sleeve 133 or the head portion contacts the top surface of the sleeve 133 and the top surface of the fastening boss 175.

The upper supporter 170 may further include a plurality of unit guides 181, 182 for guiding the connection unit 350 connected to the upper ejector 300.

For example, the unit guides 181 and 182 may be arranged at intervals in the direction of arrow a with reference to fig. 12.

The unit guides 181 and 182 may extend upward from the top surface of the support plate 171. Each of the unit guides 181 and 182 may be coupled to the peripheral wall 174.

Each of the unit guides 181, 182 may include a guide insertion groove 183 extending in an up-down direction.

The connection unit 350 is connected to the ejector main body 310 in a state where both ends of the ejector main body 310 of the upper ejector 300 penetrate the guide insertion groove 183.

Accordingly, during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, when the rotational force is transmitted to the ejector main body 310 by the connection unit 350, the ejector main body 310 may move up and down along the guide insertion groove 183.

< Structure for connecting Upper Heater >

Fig. 13 is an enlarged view showing a heater coupling portion in the upper case of fig. 6, fig. 14 is a view showing a state where the heater is coupled to the upper case of fig. 6, and fig. 15 is a view showing an arrangement of electric wires connected to the heater in the upper case.

Referring to fig. 13 to 15, the heater combining part 124 may include a heater receiving groove 124a for receiving the upper heater 148.

For example, the heater receiving groove 124a may be formed by partially recessing the bottom surface of the recess 122 of the upper case 120 upward.

The heater receiving groove 124a may extend along the periphery of the opening 123 of the upper case 120.

As an example, the upper heater 148 may be a wire type heater. Accordingly, the upper heater 148 may be bent to correspond to the shape of the heater receiving groove 124a to receive the upper heater 148 in the heater receiving groove 124 a.

The upper heater 148 may be a DC heater that receives a DC power supply. The upper heater 148 may be activated to move ice.

When the heat of the upper heater 148 is transferred to the upper tray 150, the ice may be separated from the surface (inner surface) of the upper tray 150.

If the upper tray 150 is formed of a metal material, the more intense the heat of the upper heater 148 is, the more the portion of the ice heated by the upper heater 148 is adhered to the surface of the upper tray 150 again after the upper heater 148 is turned off, thereby generating a phenomenon of becoming opaque.

That is, an opaque band having a shape corresponding to the upper heater is formed at the periphery of the ice.

However, in the case of the present embodiment, a DC heater having a low output itself is used, and the upper tray 150 is formed of a silicon material, and therefore, the amount of heat transferred to the upper tray 150 is reduced and the thermal conductivity of the upper tray 150 itself is also reduced.

Since heat is not concentrated on a part of the ice and a small amount of heat is slowly applied to the ice, not only can the ice be effectively separated from the upper tray, but also an opaque band can be prevented from being formed at the periphery of the ice.

The upper heater 148 may be configured to surround the periphery of the plurality of upper chambers 152 such that the heat of the upper heater 148 can be uniformly transferred to each of the plurality of upper chambers 152 of the upper tray 150.

The upper heater 148 may be in contact with the periphery of each of a plurality of chamber walls 153 respectively forming the plurality of upper chambers 152. At this time, the upper heater 148 may be located at a lower position than the upper opening 154.

The heater receiving groove 124a is recessed in the recess 122, and thus, the heater receiving groove 124a may be defined by an outer wall 124b and an inner wall 124 c.

In a state where the upper heater 148 is received in the heater receiving groove 124a, the diameter of the upper heater 148 may be formed to be greater than the depth of the heater receiving groove 124a so that the upper heater 148 may protrude to the outside of the heater combining part 124.

In a state where the upper heater 148 is received in the heater receiving groove 124a, a portion of the upper heater 148 protrudes to an outside of the heater receiving groove 124a, and thus, the upper heater 148 may contact the upper tray 150.

A detachment prevention protrusion 124d may be provided at one or more of the outer wall 124b and the inner wall 124c to prevent the upper heater 148 received in the heater receiving groove 124a from being detached from the heater receiving groove 124 a.

As an example, fig. 13 shows a case where a plurality of separation preventing projections 124d are provided on the inner wall 124 c.

The separation prevention protrusion 124d may protrude from an end of the inner wall 124c toward the outer wall 124 b.

At this time, the protrusion length of the detachment prevention protrusion 124d may be formed below 1/2 of the interval of the outer wall 124b and the inner wall 124c, so that the insertion of the upper heater 148 is not hindered by the detachment prevention protrusion 124d and the upper heater 148 is prevented from being easily detached from the heater receiving groove 124 a.

As shown in fig. 14, in a state where the upper heater 148 is received in the heater receiving groove 124a, the upper heater 148 may be divided into an upper arc portion 148c and a straight portion 148 d.

That is, the heater receiving groove 124a includes an upper circular arc portion and a straight portion, and the upper heater 148 may be divided into an upper circular arc portion 148c and a straight portion 148d corresponding to the upper circular arc portion and the straight portion of the heater receiving groove 124 a.

The upper circular arc portion 148c is a portion disposed along the outer periphery of the upper chamber 152, and is a portion curved in a circular arc in the horizontal direction.

The straight line portion 148d is a portion connecting the upper circular arc portion 148c corresponding to each upper chamber 152.

The upper heater 148 is positioned below the upper opening 154 so that a line connecting two spaced points of the upper arc portion can pass through the upper chamber 152.

The upper circular arc portion 148c of the upper heater 148 is highly likely to be disengaged from the heater receiving groove 124a, and thus, the disengagement preventing protrusion 124d may be configured to contact the upper circular arc portion 148 c.

A through opening 124e may be provided on a bottom surface of the heater receiving groove 124 a. When the upper heater 148 is received in the heater receiving groove 124a, a portion of the upper heater 148 may be positioned at the through opening 124 e. For example, the through opening 124e may be located at a portion facing the detachment prevention protrusion 124 d.

When the upper heater 148 is curved in a horizontal direction in a circular arc shape, the wire may be broken due to the increased tension of the upper heater 148, and the upper heater 148 may be separated from the heater receiving groove 124 a.

However, in the case where the heater receiving groove 124a forms the through opening 124e as in the present embodiment, a portion of the upper heater 148 may be positioned at the through opening 124e, thereby reducing the tension of the upper heater 148 and preventing the upper heater from being detached from the heater receiving groove 124 a.

As shown in fig. 15, the power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148b of the upper heater 148 may pass through the heater passage hole 125 formed in the upper housing 120 in a state where they are arranged in parallel.

The upper heater 148 is received in the lower side of the upper housing 120, and thus, the power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148b of the upper heater 148 may extend upward to pass through the heater passing hole 125.

The power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148b passing through the heater passing hole 125 may be connected to a first connector 129 a.

The first connector 129a may be connected to a second connector 129c, and the second connector 129c may be connected to two wires 129d connected to correspond to the power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148 b.

The upper heater 148, the first connector 129a, the second connector 129c, and the first guide portion 126 guiding the wire 129d may be provided on the upper plate 121 of the upper case 120.

As an example, fig. 15 shows that the first guide portion 126 guides the first connector 129 a.

The first guide portion 126 extends upward from the top surface of the upper plate 121, and an upper end portion may be bent in a horizontal direction.

Therefore, the bent portion of the upper side of the first guide portion 126 restricts the first connector 129a from moving in the upper direction.

The electric wire 129d may be led out to the outside of the upper case 120 after being bent in a substantially U-like shape to prevent interference with peripheral structures.

The electric wire 129d extends in a state of being bent more than once, and therefore, the upper case 120 may be further provided with electric wire guides 127, 128 for fixing the position of the electric wire 129 d.

The wire guides 127 and 128 may include a first guide 127 and a second guide 128 arranged to be spaced apart in the horizontal direction. The first guide 127 and the second guide 128 may be bent in a direction corresponding to the bending direction of the wire 129d to minimize damage of the bent wire 129 d.

That is, the first guide 127 and the second guide 128 may include curved portions, respectively.

One or more of the first guide 127 and the second guide 128 may include an upper guide 127a extending toward the other guide to restrict the electric wire 129d between the first guide 127 and the second guide 128 from moving in an upper direction.

Referring to fig. 16, the upper case 120, the upper tray 150, and the upper supporter 170 may be coupled to each other in a state where the upper heater 148 is coupled to the heater coupling part 124 of the upper case 120.

The first upper protrusion 165 of the upper tray 150 is inserted into the first upper insertion groove 131 of the upper housing 120. And, the second upper protrusion 166 of the upper tray 150 is inserted into the second upper insertion groove 132 of the upper housing 120.

Then, the first lower protrusion 167 of the upper tray 150 is inserted into the first lower insertion groove 176 of the upper support 170, and the second lower protrusion 168 of the upper tray is inserted into the second lower insertion groove 177 of the upper support 170.

At this time, the fastening boss 175 of the upper support 170 is received in the sleeve 133 of the upper case 120 through the through hole 169 of the upper tray 150. In this state, the bolt B1 can be fastened to the fastening boss 175 from above the fastening boss 175.

In a state where the bolt B1 is fastened to the fastening boss 175, the head of the bolt B1 is positioned higher than the upper plate 121.

In contrast, the hinge supports 135, 136 are positioned lower than the upper plate 121, and thus, the upper assembly 110 or the connection unit 350 is prevented from interfering with the head of the bolt B1 during the rotation of the lower assembly 200.

In the process of assembling the upper assembly 110, the plurality of unit guides 181, 182 of the upper support 170 protrude above the upper plate 121 through-openings (139 a, 139b of fig. 6) located at both sides of the upper plate 121 in the upper case 120.

The upper ejector 300 penetrates the guide insertion groove 183 of the unit guides 181 and 182 protruding above the upper plate 121 in the above-described manner.

Accordingly, the upper ejector 300 descends in a state of being located at an upper side of the upper plate 121 and is introduced into the inside of the upper chamber 152, thereby separating the ice of the upper chamber 152 from the upper tray 150.

When the upper assembly 110 is assembled, the heater combining part 124 combined with the upper heater 148 is received in the first receiving part 160 of the upper tray 150.

In a state where the heater combining portion 124 is accommodated in the first accommodating portion 160, the upper heater 148 is in contact with the bottom surface 160a of the first accommodating portion 160.

In the case where the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the concave-shaped heater coupling part 124 and is in contact with the upper tray main body 151 as in the present embodiment, it is possible to minimize the amount of heat transferred from the upper heater 148 to other portions than the upper tray main body 151.

At least a portion of the upper heater 148 may be configured to overlap the upper chamber 152 in an up-down direction such that heat of the upper heater 148 is smoothly transferred to the upper chamber 152.

In this embodiment, the upper circular arc portion 148c of the upper heater 148 may overlap the upper chamber 152 in the up-down direction.

That is, the maximum distance between two points of the upper arc portion 148c located on opposite sides of each other with respect to the upper chamber 152 is formed smaller than the diameter of the upper chamber 152.

< lower case >

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a lower assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 18 is an upper perspective view of a lower housing according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 19 is a lower perspective view of the lower housing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 17-19, the lower assembly 200 may include a lower tray 250.

The lower tray 250 may form the ice chamber 111 together with the upper tray 150.

The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower support 270 supporting the lower tray 250. In a state where the lower tray 250 is seated on the lower support 270, the lower support 270 and the lower tray 250 may be rotated together.

The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower housing 210 for fixing the position of the lower tray 250.

The lower case 210 may surround the periphery of the lower tray 250, and the lower support 270 may support the lower tray 250.

The connection unit 350 may be coupled to the lower supporter 270.

The connection unit 350 may include: a first link 352 receiving power of the driving unit 180 for rotating the lower support 270; and a second link 356 connected to the lower supporter 270 for transmitting a rotational force of the lower supporter 270 to the upper ejector 300 when the lower supporter 270 rotates.

The first link 352 and the lower support 270 may be connected by an elastic member 360. For example, the elastic member 360 may be a coil spring.

The elastic member 360 has one end connected to the first link 352 and the other end connected to the lower supporter 270.

The elastic member 360 provides an elastic force to the lower support 270 to maintain the state in which the upper tray 150 is in contact with the lower tray 250.

In this embodiment, a first link 352 and a second link 356 may be provided at both sides of the lower support 270.

Any one of the two first links 352 is connected with the driving unit 180 to receive a rotational force from the driving unit 180.

The two first links 352 may be connected by a connecting shaft (370 of fig. 5).

A hole 358 through which the ejector main body 310 of the upper ejector 300 can pass may be formed at an upper end portion of the second link 356.

The lower housing 210 may include a lower plate 211 for fixing the lower tray 250.

The lower tray 250 may be fixed in a state in which a portion thereof contacts the bottom surface of the lower plate 211.

The lower plate 211 may be provided with an opening 212 through which a part of the lower tray 250 passes.

For example, in a state where the lower tray 250 is positioned below the lower plate 211, when the lower tray 250 is fixed to the lower plate 211, a portion of the lower tray 250 may protrude above the lower plate 211 through the opening 212.

The lower housing 210 may further include a peripheral wall 214 (or a covering wall) penetrating the lower plate 211 to surround the lower tray 250.

The peripheral wall 214 may include a vertical wall 214a and a curved wall 215.

The vertical wall 214a is a wall extending vertically upward from the lower plate 211. The curved wall 215 is a wall that is curved in an arc shape and is further away from the opening 212 from the lower plate 211 toward the upper side.

The vertical wall 214a may include a first coupling slot 214b for coupling with the lower tray 250. The first coupling groove 214b may be formed by recessing an upper end of the vertical wall 214a downward.

The curved wall 215 may include a second coupling slot 215a for coupling with the lower tray 250.

The second coupling slot 215a may be formed by downwardly recessing an upper end of the curved wall 215.

The lower case 210 may further include a first fastening boss 216 and a second fastening boss 217.

The first fastening boss 216 may protrude downward from a bottom surface of the lower plate 211. For example, the plurality of first fastening bosses 216 may protrude downward from the lower plate 211.

The plurality of first fastening bosses 216 may be arranged at intervals in the arrow a direction with reference to fig. 18.

The second fastening boss 217 may protrude downward from a bottom surface of the lower plate 211. As an example, a plurality of second fastening bosses 217 may protrude from the lower plate 211. The plurality of second fastening bosses 217 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the arrow a direction with reference to fig. 18.

The first fastening projection 216 and the second fastening projection 217 may be disposed to be spaced apart in the arrow B direction.

In the present embodiment, the length of the first fastening boss 216 and the length of the second fastening boss 217 may be formed to be different. For example, the length of the second fastening projection 217 may be formed to be longer than the length of the first fastening projection 216.

The first fastening member may be fastened to the first fastening boss 216 from an upper side of the first fastening boss 216. Conversely, a second fastening member may be fastened to the second fastening boss 217 from the lower side of the second fastening boss 217.

The curved wall 215 is provided with a moving groove 215b of a fastening member during the fastening of the first fastening member to the first fastening boss 216 so that the first fastening member does not interfere with the curved wall 215.

The lower housing 210 may further include a slot 218 for coupling with the lower tray 250.

A portion of the lower tray 250 may be inserted into the slot 218. The slot 218 may be located adjacent to the vertical wall 214 a.

For example, the plurality of slots 218 may be arranged at intervals in the arrow a direction in fig. 18. Each of the slots 218 may be formed in a curved shape.

The lower case 210 may further include a receiving groove 218a for inserting a portion of the lower tray 250. The receiving groove 218a may be formed by a portion of the lower plate 211 being recessed toward the curved wall 215.

The lower housing 210 may further include an extension wall 219, and the extension wall 219 contacts a portion of the side periphery of the lower plate 211 in a state of being combined with the lower tray 250. The extension wall 219 may extend in a linear shape in the arrow a direction.

< lower tray >

Fig. 20 is an upper perspective view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 21 and 22 are lower perspective views of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 23 is a side view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 20 to 23, the lower tray 250 may be formed of a flexible material, and the lower tray 250 may be restored to an original shape after being deformed by an external force.

For example, the lower tray 250 may be formed of a silicon material. When the lower tray 250 is formed of a silicon material as in the present embodiment, the lower tray 250 may be restored to an original shape again even if an external force is applied to the lower tray 250 to deform the shape of the lower tray 250 during ice moving. Therefore, although ice is repeatedly made, spherical ice can be generated.

If the lower tray 250 is formed of a metal material, the lower tray 250 cannot be restored to an original shape again when an external force is applied to the lower tray 250 to deform the lower tray 250 itself.

In this case, after the shape of the lower tray 250 is deformed, spherical ice cannot be generated. That is, spherical ice cannot be repeatedly generated.

In contrast, when the lower tray 250 has a flexible material that can be restored to an original shape as in the present embodiment, such a problem can be solved.

Also, when the lower tray 250 is formed of a silicon material, the lower tray 250 can be prevented from being melted or thermally deformed by heat supplied from a lower heater, which will be described later.

The lower tray 250 may include a lower tray body 251 forming a lower chamber 252 as a part of the ice chamber 111. The lower tray body 251 may also be referred to as a lower mold body.

The lower tray body 251 may define a plurality of lower chambers 252.

For example, the plurality of lower chambers 252 may include a first lower chamber 252a, a second lower chamber 252b, and a third lower chamber 252 c.

The lower tray body 251 may include three chamber walls 252d forming separate three

lower chambers

252a, 252b, 252c, and the three chamber walls 252d may be formed as a single body and form the lower tray body 251.

For example, the chamber wall 252d may be formed in a hemispherical shape.

The first lower chamber 252a, the second lower chamber 252b, and the third lower chamber 252c may be aligned. For example, the first lower chamber 252a, the second lower chamber 252b, and the third lower chamber 252c may be arranged in the direction of arrow a with reference to fig. 20.

The lower chamber 252 may be formed in a hemispherical shape. That is, a lower portion of the spherical ice may be formed by the lower chamber 252.

The lower tray 250 may further include a first extension portion 253 extending from an upper end edge of the lower tray main body 251 in a horizontal direction. The first extension 253 may be continuously formed along the outer circumference of the lower tray body 251.

The lower tray 250 may further include a peripheral wall 260 extending upward from the top surface of the first extension 253.

The bottom surface of the upper tray main body 151 may contact the top surface 251e of the lower tray main body 251. The top surface 251e of the lower tray main body 251 may also be referred to as an end surface (end surface).

The peripheral wall 260 may surround the upper tray body 151 disposed at the top surface 251e of the lower tray body 251.

The peripheral wall 260 may include: a first wall 260a surrounding the vertical wall 153a of the upper tray main body 151; and a second wall 260b surrounding the curved wall 153b of the upper tray body 151.

The first wall 260a is a vertical wall extending perpendicularly from the top surface of the first extension 253. The second wall 260b is a curved wall formed in a shape corresponding to the upper tray main body 151. That is, the second wall 260b may be rounded in a direction away from the lower chamber 252 toward an upper side from the first extension 253.

The lower tray 250 may further include a second extension 254 extending in a horizontal direction from the peripheral wall 260.

The second extension 254 may be located at a higher position than the first extension 253. Accordingly, the first extension 253 and the second extension 254 form a step.

The second extension 254 may include a first upper protrusion 255 for insertion into the slot 218 of the lower housing 210. The first upper projection 255 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the peripheral wall 260 in a horizontal direction.

For example, the first upper projection 255 may protrude upward from the top surface of the second extension 254 at a position adjacent to the first wall 260 a.

The plurality of first upper protrusions 255 may be arranged at intervals in the arrow a direction with reference to fig. 20, but is not limited thereto. As an example, the first upper protrusion 255 may extend in a curved shape.

The second extension portion 254 may further include a first lower protrusion 257 for being inserted into a protrusion groove of a lower supporter 270, which will be described later. The first lower protrusion 257 may protrude downward from a bottom surface of the second extension portion 254.

The plurality of first lower convex portions 257 may be arranged to be spaced apart in the arrow a direction, but is not limited thereto.

The first upper protrusion 255 and the first lower protrusion 257 may be located at opposite sides in the vertical direction with respect to the second extension portion 254. At least a portion of the first upper protrusion 255 may overlap the first lower protrusion 257 in the up-down direction.

A plurality of through holes 256 may be formed in the second extension 254.

The plurality of through-holes 256 may include: a first through hole 256a through which the first fastening boss 216 of the lower case 210 passes; and a second through hole 256b for passing the second fastening boss 217 of the lower case 210.

For example, the plurality of first through holes 256a may be arranged at intervals in the arrow a direction in fig. 20.

The plurality of second through holes 256b may be arranged at intervals in the arrow a direction in fig. 20.

The plurality of first through holes 256a and the plurality of second through holes 256b may be located on opposite sides with respect to the lower chamber 252.

A portion of the plurality of second through holes 256b may be positioned between adjacent two first upper protrusions 255. Also, a portion of the plurality of second through holes 256b may be positioned between the two first lower protrusions 257.

The second extension 254 may further include a second upper protrusion 258. The second upper protrusion 258 may be located on an opposite side of the first upper protrusion 255 from the lower cavity 252.

The second upper protrusion 258 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the peripheral wall 260 in a horizontal direction. For example, the second upper protrusion 258 may protrude upward from the top surface of the second extension 254 at a position adjacent to the second wall 260 b.

The plurality of second upper protrusions 258 may be disposed to be spaced apart in the arrow a direction of fig. 20, but is not limited thereto.

The second upper protrusion 258 may be received in the receiving groove 218a of the lower housing 210. In a state where the second upper protrusion 258 is received in the receiving groove 218a, the second upper protrusion 258 may contact the curved wall 215 of the lower case 210.

The peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250 may include a first coupling projection 262 for coupling with the lower housing 210.

The first coupling projection 262 may be projected in a horizontal direction from the first wall 260a of the peripheral wall 260. The first coupling projection 262 may be located at a lateral upper side of the first wall 260 a.

The first coupling projection 262 may include a neck portion 262a having a diameter smaller than other portions of the neck portion 262 a. The neck 262a may be inserted into a first coupling groove 214b formed at the peripheral wall 214 of the lower housing 210.

The peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250 may further include a second coupling protrusion 260c for coupling with the lower housing 210.

The second coupling projection 260c may protrude from the second wall 260b of the peripheral wall 260 in a horizontal direction. The second coupling projection 260c may be inserted into the second coupling groove 215a formed at the peripheral wall 214 of the lower housing 210.

The second extension 254 may further include a second lower projection 266. The second lower projection 266 may be positioned on an opposite side of the first lower projection 257 from the lower cavity 252.

The second lower protrusion 266 may protrude downward from the bottom surface of the second extension 254. As an example, the second lower protrusion 266 may extend in a linear shape.

A portion of the first plurality of through holes 256a may be located between the second lower protrusion 266 and the lower chamber 252.

The second lower protrusions 266 may be received in guide grooves formed in a lower supporter 270 described later.

The second extension 254 may further include a side restriction 264. The side restricting parts 264 restrict the horizontal movement of the lower tray 250 in a state where the lower tray 250 is coupled to the lower case 210 and the lower supporter 270.

The side surface restriction portion 264 protrudes laterally from the second extension portion 254, and the vertical length of the side surface restriction portion 264 is formed to be greater than the thickness of the second extension portion 254. For example, a part of the side surface restricting portion 264 is located higher than the top surface of the second extending portion 254, and the other part is located lower than the bottom surface of the second extending portion 254.

Accordingly, a portion of the side surface restriction part 264 may contact with the side surface of the lower case 210, and another portion may contact with the side surface of the lower supporter 270.

< lower supporter >

Fig. 24 is an upper perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 25 is a lower perspective view of the lower supporter according to the embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 26 is a sectional view showing a state where a lower assembly is assembled.

Referring to fig. 24 to 26, the lower support 270 may include a support body 271 supporting the lower tray 250.

The support body 271 may include three chamber receiving parts 272 for receiving the three chamber walls 252d of the lower tray 250. The chamber receiving portion 272 may be formed in a hemispherical shape.

In a state where the chamber wall 252d is accommodated in the chamber accommodating part 272, the chamber wall 252d may be supported by the supporter body 271.

As described above, when the chamber wall 252d is supported by the holder body 271, even if an expansion force of water acts on the chamber wall 252d during ice making, the deformation of the chamber wall 252d can be restricted by the chamber accommodating part 272. Therefore, the ice may maintain a spherical shape.

The holder body 271 may include a lower opening 274, and the lower opening 274 may be used to pass the lower ejector 400 therethrough during ice moving. For example, the holder body 271 may be provided with three lower openings 274 corresponding to the three chamber receiving portions 272.

Reinforcing ribs 275 for strength may be provided along the periphery of the lower opening 274.

As an example, the reinforcing rib 275 may be formed in an arc or circular ring shape.

During the ice moving, the ice is pushed by the lower ejector 400 through the lower opening 274. In the process that the lower ejector 400 presses the ice, a pressing force may be transmitted to the lower support 270 until the ice is separated from the lower tray 250.

The pressing force of the lower ejector 400 is applied to the lower tray 250 around the lower opening 274, and therefore, the lower support 270 is likely to be deformed around the lower opening 274. According to the present embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 275 are disposed along the periphery of the lower opening 274, so that the deformation of the lower supporter 270 can be minimized during the ice moving.

Also, adjacent two of the three chamber receiving parts 272 may be connected by a connecting rib 273. Such a connection rib 273 may enhance the strength of the chamber-receiving portion 272.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a first extension wall 285 extending from an upper end of the supporter body 271 in a horizontal direction.

The lower support 270 may further include a second extension wall 286 stepped with the first extension wall 285 at an edge of the first extension wall 285.

The top surface of the second extension wall 286 may be located higher than the first extension wall 285.

The first extension 253 of the lower tray 250 may be seated on the top surface 271a of the holder body 271, and the second extension wall 286 may surround the side of the first extension 253 of the lower tray 250. At this time, the second extension wall 286 may contact the side of the first extension 253 of the lower tray 250.

The lower support 270 may further include a protrusion groove 287 for receiving the first lower protrusion 257 of the lower tray 250.

The protrusion groove 287 may extend in a curved shape. For example, the protrusion groove 287 may be formed on the second extension wall 286.

The lower support 270 may further include a first fastening groove 286a to which the first fastening member B2 penetrating the first fastening boss 216 of the upper housing 120 is fastened.

For example, the first fastening slits 286a may be provided to the second extension wall 286.

A plurality of first fastening slits 286a may be disposed at intervals in the arrow a direction on the second extension wall 286. A portion of the plurality of first fastening slits 286a may be positioned between adjacent two of the protrusion slits 287.

The lower support 270 may further include a boss penetration hole 286b for penetrating the second fastening boss 217 of the upper housing 120.

For example, the boss penetration hole 286b may be provided in the second extension wall 286. A sleeve 286c may be provided around the second fastening boss 217 through the boss penetration hole 286b in the second extension wall 286. The sleeve 286c may be formed in a cylindrical shape having an open lower portion.

The first fastening member B2 may be fastened to the first fastening groove 286a after penetrating the first fastening boss 216 from above the lower case 210.

The second fastening member B3 may be fastened to the second fastening boss 217 from below the lower support 270.

The lower end of the sleeve 286c may be located at the same height as the lower end of the second fastening boss 217, or may be located at a lower position than the lower end of the second fastening boss 217.

Accordingly, during the fastening of the second fastening member B3, the head of the second fastening member B3 may contact the second fastening boss 217 and the bottom surface of the sleeve 286c, or the bottom surface of the sleeve 286 c.

The lower support 270 may further include an outer wall 280, and the outer wall 280 may be disposed to surround the lower tray main body 251 in a state of being spaced apart from the outer side of the lower tray main body 251.

For example, the outer wall 280 may extend downward along an edge of the second extension wall 286.

The lower support 270 may further include a plurality of

hinge bodies

281, 282 for coupling with each

hinge support

135, 136 of the upper housing 120.

The plurality of

hinge bodies

281 and 282 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the arrow a direction in fig. 24. Each hinge

main body

281, 282 may further include a second hinge hole 281 a.

The shaft connection portion 353 of the first link 352 may penetrate the second hinge hole 281 a. The connection shaft 370 may be connected to the shaft connection portion 353.

The spacing between the plurality of

hinge bodies

281, 282 is less than the spacing between the plurality of hinge supports 135, 136. Accordingly, the plurality of

hinge bodies

281, 282 may be located between the plurality of hinge supports 135, 136.

The lower supporter 270 may further include a coupling shaft 283, and the second link 356 is rotatably connected to the coupling shaft 283. The coupling shafts 283 may be respectively disposed on both sides of the outer wall 280.

The lower support 270 may further include an elastic member coupling part 284 for coupling the elastic member 360. The elastic member coupling part 284 may form a space capable of receiving a portion of the elastic member 360. The elastic member 360 is received in the elastic member coupling part 284, whereby the elastic member 360 can be prevented from interfering with peripheral structures.

The elastic member coupling part 284 may include a catching part 284a for catching a lower end of the elastic member 360.

< bonding Structure of lower Heater >

Fig. 27 is a plan view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 28 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a lower heater is coupled to the lower supporter of fig. 27, and fig. 29 is a view illustrating a state in which an electric wire connected to the lower heater penetrates an upper case in a state in which a lower module is coupled to an upper module. Fig. 30 is a sectional view showing a state where a lower heater is provided to a lower supporter.

Referring to fig. 27 to 30, the ice maker 100 of the present embodiment may further include a lower heater 296 for applying heat to the lower tray 250 during the ice making process.

The lower heater 296 applies heat to the lower chamber 252 during ice making such that ice begins to freeze from an upper side within the ice chamber 111.

Also, since the lower heater 296 generates heat during the ice making process, bubbles in the ice chamber 111 move downward during the ice making process, and when the ice making is completed, the other portions except for the lowermost end portion of the spherical ice can be made transparent. That is, according to the present embodiment, substantially transparent spherical ice can be generated.

For example, the lower heater 296 may be a wire type heater.

The lower heater 296 may be located between the lower tray 250 and the lower support 270.

For example, the lower heater 296 may be disposed on the lower supporter 270. The lower heater 296 may be in contact with the lower tray 250 to provide heat to the lower chamber 252.

The lower support 270 may further include a heater combining part 290 for combining the lower heater 296.

The heater combining part 290 may include a heater receiving groove 291 recessed downward from the chamber receiving part 272 of the lower tray body 251.

For example, the lower heater 296 may be in contact with the lower tray main body 251. The lower heater 296 may be configured to surround the three chamber walls 252d of the lower tray body 251.

In the case of this embodiment, the lower heater 296 is in contact with the lower tray 250 in a state where it is disposed on the lower supporter 270, and thus, the heat of the lower heater 296 can be smoothly transferred to the lower tray 250 during the ice making process. In the ice moving process, even if the lower tray 250 is deformed, the position of the lower heater 296 is stably maintained in a fixed state.

In particular, the lower heater 296 is received in the heater receiving groove 291 recessed from the chamber receiving portion 272, and thus, when an expansion force of water is applied to the lower tray 250 during ice making, a close contact force between the lower tray 250 and the lower heater 296 is increased, and thus, heat of the lower heater 296 can be smoothly transferred to the lower tray 250.

The heater combining part 290 may include an inner wall 291a and an outer wall 291b by the recess of the heater receiving groove 291.

As an example, the inner wall 291a may be formed in a ring shape, and the outer wall 291b may be disposed to surround the inner wall 291 a.

When the lower heater 296 is received in the heater receiving groove 291, the lower heater 296 may surround at least a portion of the inner wall 291 a.

The lower opening 274 may be located at a region formed by the inner wall 291 a. Accordingly, when the chamber wall 252d of the lower tray 250 is received in the chamber receiving part 272, the chamber wall 252d may contact the top surface of the inner wall 291 a. The top surface of the inner wall 291a is a surface that is curved in correspondence with the hemispherical chamber wall 252 d.

In a state where the lower heater 296 is received in the heater receiving groove 291, a diameter of the lower heater 296 may be formed to be greater than a recessed depth of the heater receiving groove 291 such that a portion of the lower heater 296 protrudes to the outside of the heater receiving groove 291.

A detachment prevention protrusion 291c may be provided at one or more of the outer wall 291b and the inner wall 291a to prevent the lower heater 296 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291 from being detached from the heater accommodating groove 291.

Fig. 27 shows that the escape prevention projection 291c is provided on the inner wall 291 a.

The inner wall 291a has a diameter smaller than that of the chamber-accommodating part 272, and thus, the lower heater 296 moves along the surface of the chamber-accommodating part 272 and is accommodated in the heater-accommodating groove 291 during the assembly of the lower heater 296.

That is, the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291 from above the outer wall 291b toward the inner wall 291 a. Therefore, the escape prevention protrusion 291c is preferably formed on the inner wall 291a to prevent the lower heater 296 from interfering with the escape prevention protrusion 291c during the process of being received in the heater receiving groove 291.

The escape prevention protrusion 291c may be protruded from an upper end portion of the inner wall 291a toward the outer wall 291 b.

The protruding length of the escape prevention protrusion 291c may be formed below 1/2 of the interval of the outer wall 291b and the inner wall 291 a.

As shown in fig. 28, in a state where the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291, the lower heater 296 may be divided into a lower circular arc portion 296a and a linear portion 296 b.

The lower arcuate portion 296a is a portion that is disposed along the outer periphery of the lower chamber 252 and is curved in an arcuate manner in the horizontal direction.

The linear portion 296b is a portion connecting the lower circular arc portions 296a corresponding to the respective lower chambers 252.

In the lower heater 296, there is a high possibility that the lower circular arc portion 296a is disengaged from the heater receiving groove 291, and therefore, the disengagement prevention protrusion 291c may be disposed to contact the lower circular arc portion 296 a.

A through opening 291d may be provided on a bottom surface of the heater accommodation groove 291. When the lower heater 296 is received in the heater receiving groove 291, a portion of the lower heater 296 may be located at the through opening 291 d. As an example, the through opening 291d may be located at a portion facing the escape prevention protrusion 291 c.

When the lower heater 296 is curved in a circular arc in the horizontal direction, the wire may be broken due to an increase in tension of the lower heater 296, and the lower heater 296 may be separated from the heater receiving groove 291.

However, in the case where the heater receiving groove 291 forms the through opening 291d as in the present embodiment, a portion of the lower heater 296 may be located at the through opening 291d, thereby reducing the tension of the lower heater 296 and preventing the phenomenon that the lower heater 296 is detached from the heater receiving groove 291.

The lower support 270 may include: a first guide groove 293 for guiding the power input terminal 296c and the power output terminal 296d of the lower heater 296 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291; and a second guide groove 294 extending in a direction crossing the first guide groove 293.

For example, the first guide groove 293 may extend in the direction of arrow B from the heater accommodating groove 291.

The second guide groove 294 may extend from an end of the first guide groove 293 in the arrow a direction. In the present embodiment, the arrow a direction is a direction parallel to the extending direction of the rotation center axis C1 of the lower assembly 200.

Referring to fig. 28, the first guide groove 293 may extend from any one of the left and right chamber accommodating parts except for the central part among the three chamber accommodating parts.

Fig. 28 shows, as an example, a case where the first guide groove 293 extends from a left chamber accommodating portion of the three chamber accommodating portions.

As shown in fig. 28, the power input terminal 296c and the power output terminal 296d of the lower heater 296 may be received in the first guide groove 293 in a side-by-side arrangement.

The power input 296c and the power output 296d of the lower heater 296 may be connected to a first connector 297 a.

The first connector 297a may be connected to a second connector 297b, and two wires 298 connected to the second connector 297b in a manner corresponding to the power input terminal 296c and the power output terminal 296 d.

In the present embodiment, the first and

second connectors

297a and 297b are accommodated in the second guide groove 294 in a state where the first and

second connectors

297a and 297b are connected.

The electric wire 298 connected to the second connector 297b is drawn out from the end of the second guide groove 294 to the outside of the lower support 270 through a drawing-out insertion groove 295 formed in the lower support 270.

According to the present embodiment, the first and

second connectors

297a and 297b are received in the second guide groove 294, and thus, there is an advantage in that the first and

second connectors

297a and 297b are not exposed to the outside when the assembly of the lower assembly 200 is completed.

As described above, if the first and

second connectors

297a and 297b are not exposed to the outside, the first and

second connectors

297a and 297b are prevented from interfering with peripheral structures and from being separated from the second connector 297b during the rotation of the lower assembly 200.

Also, the first and

second connectors

297a and 297b are received in the second guide groove 294, and thus, a portion of the wire 298 is positioned in the second guide groove 294 and the other portion is positioned outside the lower support 270 through the lead-out socket 295.

At this time, the second guide groove 294 extends in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the lower assembly 200, and thus, a portion of the wire 298 also extends in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1.

The other part of the wire 298 extends from the outside of the lower support 270 in a direction crossing the rotation center axis C1.

According to this arrangement of the wire 298, during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, almost no tensile force is applied to the wire 298, and a torsional force (torque) is applied.

In the case where the twisting force is applied, the possibility of breakage of the wire 298 is very low as compared with the case where a tensile force is applied to the wire 298.

In the case of this embodiment, the lower heater 296 maintains a fixed position during the rotation of the lower assembly 200 and applies a twisting force to the electric wire 298, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the lower heater 296 from being damaged and to prevent the electric wire 298 from being broken.

A separation prevention protrusion for preventing the separation of the lower heater 296 or the wire 298 received therein may be provided at one or more of the first guide groove 293 and the second guide groove 294.

The power input terminal 296c and the power output terminal 296d of the lower heater 296 are located at the first guide groove 293. At this time, heat is also generated at the power input terminal 296c and the power output terminal 296d, and thus, the amount of heat supplied to the left-hand chamber accommodating portion where the first guide groove 293 extends is larger than the amount of heat supplied to the other chamber accommodating portions.

In this case, if the amount of heat supplied to each of the chamber receiving parts is different, the transparency of the manufactured spherical ice may also be different from ice to ice after the ice making and the ice moving are completed.

Therefore, a detour receiving groove 292 may be further provided in a chamber accommodating part (e.g., a right chamber accommodating part) farthest from the first guide groove 293 among the three chamber accommodating parts to minimize a case where a difference in transparency of each ice becomes large.

For example, the bypass accommodating groove 292 may be formed to extend outward from the heater accommodating groove 291, be bent, and then be connected to the heater accommodating groove 291.

When the part 296e of the lower heater 296 is additionally accommodated in the bypass accommodating groove 292, a contact area between the chamber wall of the chamber accommodating portion 272 accommodated in the right side and the lower heater 296 can be increased.

Therefore, a projection 292a for fixing the position of the lower heater accommodated in the bypass accommodating groove 292 may be additionally provided in the chamber accommodating portion 272 on the right side.

Referring to fig. 29, in a state where the lower unit 200 is coupled to the upper housing 120 of the upper unit 110, the wire 298 drawn out to the outside of the lower supporter 270 passes through the wire insertion groove 138 formed in the upper housing 120, and may extend upward of the upper housing 120.

The wire insertion slot 138 may be provided with a restricting guide 139 for restricting movement of the wire 298 inserted through the wire insertion slot 138. The restricting guide 139 is formed in a shape bent a plurality of times, and the wire 298 may be located in an area where the restricting guide is formed.

Fig. 31 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 3, and fig. 32 is a view illustrating a state in which ice generation is completed in fig. 31.

Fig. 31 shows a state where the upper tray and the lower tray are in contact with each other.

First, referring to fig. 31, the ice chamber 111 is completed by the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 contacting in the up-down direction.

The bottom surface 151a of the upper tray main body 151 is in contact with the top surface 251e of the lower tray main body 251.

At this time, the elastic force of the elastic member 360 is applied to the lower supporter 270 in a state where the top surface 251e of the lower tray main body 251 is in contact with the bottom surface 151a of the upper tray main body 151.

The elastic force of the elastic member 360 is applied to the lower tray 250 through the lower support 270, so that the top surface 251e of the lower tray main body 251 presses the bottom surface 151a of the upper tray main body 151.

Therefore, in a state where the top surface 251e of the lower tray main body 251 is in contact with the bottom surface 151a of the upper tray main body 151, the surfaces are pressed against each other, thereby improving the adhesion force.

As described above, when the close contact force between the top surface 251e of the lower tray main body 251 and the bottom surface 151a of the upper tray main body 151 is increased, since there is no gap between the two surfaces, it is possible to prevent the formation of thin band-shaped ice along the outer periphery of the spherical ice after the ice making is completed.

The first extension 253 of the lower tray 250 is disposed at the top surface 271a of the holder body 271 of the lower holder 270. The second extension wall 286 of the lower support 270 contacts the side of the first extension 253 of the lower tray 250.

The second extension 254 of the lower tray 250 may be disposed at the second extension wall 286 of the lower support 270.

The upper tray main body 151 may be received in an inner space of the peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250 in a state that the bottom surface 151a of the upper tray main body 151 is seated on the top surface 251e of the lower tray main body 251.

At this time, the vertical wall 153a of the upper tray main body 151 is disposed to face the vertical wall 260a of the lower tray 250, and the curved wall 153b of the upper tray main body 151 is disposed to face the second wall 260b of the lower tray 250.

The outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 is spaced from the inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250. That is, a space is formed between an outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the upper tray main body 151 and an inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250.

Water supplied through the water supply part 190 is contained in the ice chamber 111, and when the amount of water supplied is greater than the volume of the ice chamber 111, water that cannot be contained in the ice chamber 111 is stored in a space between the outer surface of the chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 260 of the lower tray 250.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if the amount of water supplied is greater than the volume of the ice chamber 111, water can be prevented from overflowing from the ice maker 100.

In addition, the lower tray main body 251 may be further provided with a heater contact portion 251a for increasing a contact area with the lower heater 296.

The heater contact part 251a may protrude from a bottom surface of the lower tray main body 251. For example, the heater contact part 251a may be formed in a ring shape on the bottom surface of the lower tray main body 251. The bottom surface of the heater contact 251a may be a flat surface.

The lower tray main body 251 may further include a protrusion 251b formed to protrude upward at a portion of a lower side thereof. That is, the convex portion 251b may be configured to protrude toward the inside of the ice chamber 111.

A concave portion 251c is formed at a lower side of the convex portion 251b such that a thickness of the convex portion 251b is substantially the same as that of the other portion of the lower tray body 251.

In this specification, "substantially the same" is meant to include concepts that are identical and similar, although not identical, with little distinction.

The convex portion 251b may be disposed to face the lower opening 274 of the lower support 270 in the up-down direction.

The lower opening 274 may be located vertically below the lower chamber 252. That is, the lower opening 274 may be positioned vertically below the projection 251 b.

A diameter D1 of the convex part 251b may be formed to be smaller than a diameter D2 of the lower opening 274.

In a state where water is supplied to the ice chamber 111, when cold air is supplied to the ice chamber 111, the water in a liquid state is changed into ice in a solid state. At this time, the water expands during the water phase changes into ice, and the expansion force of the water is transmitted to the upper tray body 151 and the lower tray body 251, respectively.

In the case of the present embodiment, another portion of the lower tray main body 251 is surrounded by the support main body 271, and a portion (hereinafter, referred to as a "corresponding portion") corresponding to the lower opening 274 of the support main body 271 is not surrounded.

If the lower tray body 251 is formed in a complete hemispherical shape, in the case where the expansion force of the water is applied to a portion of the lower tray body 251 corresponding to the lower opening 274, the corresponding portion of the lower tray body 251 is deformed toward the lower opening 274 side.

In this case, before ice making, water supplied to the ice chamber 111 exists in a spherical shape, but after the ice making is completed, additional ice in a convex shape corresponding to a space generated due to the deformation of the corresponding portion is generated on the spherical ice due to the deformation of the corresponding portion of the lower tray body 251.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in consideration of the deformation of the lower tray body 251, a convex portion 251b is formed at the lower tray body 251 so that the ice is made as close to a perfect sphere as possible.

In the case of this embodiment, before ice making, the water supplied to the ice chamber 111 does not have a spherical shape, but after the ice making is completed, the convex portion 251b of the lower tray main body 251 is deformed toward the lower opening 274 side, and thus spherical ice may be generated.

In the present embodiment, the diameter D1 of the convex portion 251b is formed to be smaller than the diameter D2 of the lower opening 274, and therefore, the convex portion 251b can be deformed and positioned inside the lower opening 274.

In addition, a line passing through the center of the ice chamber 111 in the up-down direction in fig. 31 may be referred to as a vertical center line C3. As an example, the vertical centerline C3 may pass through the upper opening 154 and the lower opening 274.

Also, in the ice chamber 111, a line passing through a surface where the bottom surface 151a of the upper tray 150 and the top surface 251e of the lower tray 250 contact may be defined as a horizontal center line with reference to the height of the ice chamber 111.

In this embodiment, at least a portion of the lower heater 296 may be disposed around the vertical center line C3 to prevent the lower heater 296 from interfering with the lower ejector 400 during ice moving.

In the lower arc portion 296a of the lower heater 296, a distance D4 between two points located on opposite sides with respect to the vertical center line C3 or a diameter of the lower arc portion 296a may be formed to be larger than a diameter D2 of the lower opening 274.

In the lower arc portion 296a of the lower heater 296, a distance D4 between two points located at opposite sides with reference to the vertical center line C3 may be formed to be smaller than the diameter D7 of the ice chamber 111.

In this embodiment, the lower heater 296 needs to be located near the lowest side of the lower tray 250 to minimize ice freezing on the lower side of the lower chamber 252 so that air bubbles can accumulate on the lowest side of the lower chamber 252.

Thus, the lower heater 296 may be located closer to the lower opening 274 than the horizontal centerline.

For example, the inner wall 291a of the heater combining portion 290 may be formed along the periphery of the lower opening 274.

Accordingly, the lower heater 296 may be spaced apart from the lower opening 274 by a distance equivalent to the thickness of the inner wall 291a in the horizontal direction.

In the lower circular arc portion 296a of the lower heater 296, a distance D4 between two points located at opposite sides with reference to the vertical center line C3 may be formed to be smaller than the diameter D7 of the ice chamber 111.

The diameter of the lower opening 274 may be formed to be smaller than the radius of the ice chamber 111 to minimize the area of deformation in the lower tray 250 during the ice making process.

As an example, the area of the portion of the holder body 271 that contacts the chamber wall 252d is larger than the area of the portion that does not contact the chamber wall 252 d.

In the case of the present embodiment, by increasing the contact area of the lower tray 250 and the supporter main body 271, most of the lower tray 250 is in a rigid state (rigid) in a state of being restricted from being deformed during the ice making process, so that the ice of a spherical shape can be generated. In contrast, during the ice moving, the shape is deformed by the pressing of the lower ejector 400, so that the ice can be easily separated from the lower tray 250.

When the lower tray 250 is pressed by the lower ejector 400, the lower tray 250 is deformed such that the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the lower heater 296.

When the pressing force applied to the lower tray 250 is removed, since the lower tray 250 is formed of a flexible material, it can be restored to an original shape, in which case the lower tray 250 is again in contact with the lower heater 296.

The lower circular arc portion 296a of the lower heater 296 may be disposed to surround the lower opening 274 radially outside the lower opening 274.

Fig. 33 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3 under water supply, and fig. 34 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3 in an ice making state.

Fig. 35 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3 in an ice making completed state, fig. 36 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3 in an ice moving initial state, and fig. 37 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 3 in an ice moving completed state.

Referring to fig. 33 to 37, first, the lower assembly 200 is rotated to the water supply position.

In the water supply position of the lower assembly 200, the top surface 251e of the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the bottom surface 151e of the upper tray 150. The bottom surface 151e of the upper tray 150 may be referred to as an end surface (end surface). The top surface 251e of the lower tray 250, which is in contact with the bottom surface 151e of the upper tray 150, may also be referred to as an end surface (end surface).

The bottom surface 151e of the upper tray 150 may be located at the same or similar height as the rotation center C2 of the lower assembly 200, but is not limited thereto.

In the present embodiment, a direction in which the lower assembly 200 is rotated for ice removal (counterclockwise direction with reference to the drawing) is referred to as a forward direction, and a direction opposite thereto (clockwise direction) is referred to as a reverse direction.

In the water supply position of the lower module 200, an angle formed by the top surface 251e of the lower tray 250 and the bottom surface 151e of the upper tray 150 may be approximately 8 degrees, but is not limited thereto.

In the state as described above, water supplied from the outside is guided by the water supply part 190 and supplied to the ice chamber 111.

At this time, water may be supplied to the ice chamber 111 through one of the plurality of upper openings 154 of the upper tray 150.

In a state where the water supply is completed, a part of the supplied water fills the lower chamber 252, and another part of the supplied water may be stored in a space between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250.

For example, the volume of the upper chamber 152 may be the same as the volume of the space between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250. At this time, the water between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 may completely fill the upper tray 150. Of course, the volume of the upper chamber 152 may be greater than the volume of the space between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250.

In the case of the present embodiment, the lower tray 250 does not have a passage for communication between the three lower chambers 252.

As described above, even though the lower tray 250 does not have a passage for moving water, since the top surface 251e of the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the bottom surface 151e of the upper tray 150, water can flow to other lower chambers along the top surface 251e of the lower tray 250 when the water fills a specific lower chamber during the water supply process.

Accordingly, the plurality of lower chambers 252 of the lower tray 250 may be filled with water, respectively.

Also, in the case of the present embodiment, since the lower tray 250 does not have a passage for communicating the lower chamber 252, it is possible to prevent formation of additional ice in a convex shape at the periphery of ice after completion of ice making.

In a state where the water supply is completed, as shown in fig. 34, the lower assembly 200 is rotated in a reverse direction. When the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the reverse direction, the top surface 251e of the lower tray 250 approaches the bottom surface 151e of the upper tray 150.

At this time, water between the top surface 251e of the lower tray 250 and the bottom surface 151e of the upper tray 150 is distributed to the inside of each of the plurality of upper chambers 152.

When the top surface 251e of the lower tray 250 and the bottom surface 151e of the upper tray 150 are completely attached, the upper chamber 152 is filled with water.

The position of the lower assembly 200 in a state where the top surface 251e of the lower tray 250 is in contact with the bottom surface 151e of the upper tray 150 may be referred to as an ice making position. Alternatively, the ice making position may be referred to as a closed position (closed position).

Ice making is started in a state where the lower assembly 200 is moved to the ice making position.

During ice making, the pressing force of water is less than a force for deforming the convex portion 251b of the lower tray 250, and thus, the convex portion 251b is not deformed to maintain an original shape.

When ice making is started, the lower heater 296 is activated. When the lower heater 296 is activated, the heat of the lower heater 296 is transferred to the lower tray 250.

Therefore, if ice making is performed in a state where the lower heater 296 is activated, ice making is started from the upper left side in the ice chamber 111.

That is, water is changed into ice in the ice chamber 111 from the upper opening 154 side. Ice is generated in the ice chamber 111 from the upper side, and thus bubbles in the ice chamber 111 move to the lower side.

The ice chamber 111 is formed in a spherical shape, and thus, a horizontal cross-sectional area is different according to a height of the ice chamber 111.

Accordingly, the output of the lower heater 296 may vary according to the height of the ice generated in the ice chamber 111.

The horizontal cross-sectional area gradually increases from the upper side toward the lower side on the basis of the height, and increases to the maximum at the boundary of the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250, and then decreases toward the lower side.

In the ice chamber 111, the ice is in contact with the top surface of the convex portion 251b of the lower tray 250 in the process that the ice is generated from the upper side toward the lower side.

In this state, if ice is continuously generated, the convex portion 251b is pressed to be deformed as shown in fig. 35, and spherical ice may be generated when ice making is completed.

A control portion, not shown, may determine whether ice making is completed based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500.

The lower heater 296 may be turned off at the time of or before the completion of ice making.

When the ice making is completed, the upper heater 148 is first activated to move the ice. When the upper heater 148 is activated, heat of the upper heater 148 is transferred to the upper tray 150, so that ice can be separated from the surface (inner surface) of the upper tray 150.

When the upper heater 148 is operated for a set time, the upper heater 148 is turned off, and the lower assembly 200 may be rotated in a forward direction by operating the driving unit 180.

As shown in fig. 36, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction, the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the upper tray 150.

The rotational force of the lower assembly 200 is transmitted to the upper ejector 300 through the connection unit 350. At this time, the upper ejector 300 is lowered by the unit guides 181 and 182, thereby introducing the upper ejector pin 320 into the upper chamber 152 through the upper opening 154.

During the ice moving process, the ice may be separated from the upper tray 150 before the upper ejector pin 320 presses the ice. That is, the ice may be separated from the surface of the upper tray 150 by the heat of the upper heater 148.

In this case, the ice may rotate together with the lower assembly 200 in a state of being supported by the lower tray 250.

Alternatively, there may be a case where ice is not separated from the surface of the upper tray 150 even though the heat of the upper heater 148 is applied to the upper tray 150.

Accordingly, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction, ice may be separated from the lower tray 250 in a state of being closely attached to the upper tray 150.

In this state, during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, the upper push-out pin 320 passing through the upper opening 154 presses the ice closely attached to the upper tray 150, thereby allowing the ice to be separated from the upper tray 150. The ice separated from the upper tray 150 may be supported by the lower tray 250 again.

In a state where the ice is supported by the lower tray 250, when the ice rotates together with the lower assembly 200, the ice may be separated from the lower tray 250 by its own weight even if an external force is not applied to the lower tray 250.

Even if the ice is not separated from the lower tray 250 by its own weight during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, as shown in fig. 37, the ice may be separated from the lower tray 250 when the lower tray 250 is pressed by the lower ejector 400. The position of the lower assembly 200 of fig. 37 may be referred to as an ice separation position. The ice-moving position may also be referred to as an open position.

Specifically, the lower tray 250 contacts the lower ejector pin 420 during the rotation of the lower assembly 200.

When the lower assembly 200 is continuously rotated in the forward direction, the lower push-out pin 420 presses the lower tray 250, so that the lower tray 250 is deformed, and the pressing force of the lower push-out pin 420 is transmitted to the ice, so that the ice can be separated from the surface of the lower tray 250. The ice separated from the surface of the lower tray 250 may be dropped downward and stored in the ice bin 102.

In the present embodiment, a contact area of the lower tray 250 and the lower supporter 270 in the ice moving process is smaller than a contact area of the lower tray 250 and the lower supporter 270 in the ice making process.

That is, during ice moving, the lower tray 250 is pressed by the lower ejector 400, and at least a portion of the lower tray 250 contacting the lower supporter 270 during ice making is spaced apart from the lower supporter 270.

As described above, the lower tray 250 is deformed while the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the lower support 270, and in the process, ice is separated from the lower tray 250.

After the ice is separated from the lower tray 250, the lower assembly 200 is again reversely rotated in a downward direction by the driving unit 180.

When the lower ejector pins 420 are spaced apart from the lower tray 250 during the reverse rotation of the lower assembly 200, the deformed lower tray may be restored to an original shape.

During the reverse rotation of the lower assembly 200, the rotational force is transmitted to the upper ejector 300 through the connection unit 350, so that the upper ejector 300 is lifted and the upper ejector pin 320 is disengaged from the upper chamber 152.

When the lower assembly 200 reaches the water supply position, the driving unit 180 is stopped, and the water supply is started again.

Claims

1. An ice making machine, comprising:

an upper tray assembly including an upper mold portion having at least one hemispherical upper cavity; and

a lower tray assembly including a lower mold portion having a lower mold body forming at least one hemispherical lower cavity and a lower support,

the lower tray assembly is rotatable relative to the upper tray assembly between an open position and a closed position centered on a rotation axis,

in the closed position, the upper and lower chambers form at least one spherical ice chamber for making ice,

the lower mold body is formed of a flexible material,

the lower support member covers over 1/2 of the outer peripheral surface of the lower mold body,

at least a portion of the lower mold body is detachably supported by the lower support.