EP2356386A1

EP2356386A1 - A cooling device comprising an ice making apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP2356386A1
Application number: EP09752361A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Onder Fesligil; Ahmet Onur Moza; Onur Onrat; Onur Turkmen
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2008-12-05
Filing date: 2009-11-13
Publication date: 2011-08-17
Also published as: WO2010063548A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising an ice making apparatus (2) that has an actuating means (5) which enables different amounts of ice to be obtained.

Description

A COOLING DEVICE COMPRISING AN ICE MAKING APPARATUS

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising an ice making apparatus that is used in obtaining ice.

[0002] In ice making apparatus used in refrigerators, when the ice trays are actuated by an actuating means, all the ice in the ice tray is taken out. Sometimes, all of this ice that is more than the need of the user cannot be used. Ice making apparatus, by which the user can obtain ice in the amount he/she determined in accordance with the need, are needed.

[0003] In the state of the art Korean Patent Document No KR20030031762, an ice maker, which comprises a supporting frame, an ice making tray disposed in the supporting frame and rotating around a rotary axis, a rotary member and stoppers formed on the rear side of the supporting frame, is described.

[0004] In the state of the art Korean Patent Document No KR100347021 , an ice tray, which is installed in an outside casing and which is actuated by a dial knob, is described.

[0005] In the state of the art Japanese Patent Application No JP2003307374, an automatic ice-making machine, which is used in refrigerators and which enables many ice blocks to be provided at a time, is described.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device comprising an ice making apparatus that provides different amounts of ice to be obtained.

[0007] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is explicated in the claims.

[0008] The cooling device of the present invention comprises an ice making apparatus that has a first ice tray having more than one cell, the top of which is open and wherein water is filled, and a second ice tray connected to the first ice tray, and having more than one cell, the top of which is open and wherein water is filled, and an actuating means which can be moved in two different ways. By the first movement of the actuating means, only the first ice tray is moved and the ice therein is provided to be taken out, and by its second movement, both ice trays are moved and the ice therein is provided to be taken out. Thus, the user is provided with the opportunity to obtain different amounts of ice by two different movements he/she creates by means of a single actuating means.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a support means whereon the first ice tray and the second ice tray are disposed such that they will be able to rotate around an axis located in the horizontal plane. The ice trays are disposed onto the support means in parallel with the horizontal plane, as one being in front of the other and as being connected to each other. The support means provides both the ice trays to be carried and to be easily disposed into the cooling device.

[0010] The actuating means comprises housings providing the first ice tray and the second ice tray to be rotatably fastened to each other, and providing the ice trays to be rotatably fastened to the support means, and comprises shafts that are borne in these housings such that they can rotate in the housings.

[0011] The first shaft is connected to the first ice tray and provides the connection of both ice trays to each other by being borne in the housing located on the second ice tray in a freely rotatable manner. The second shaft is connected to the second ice tray and is borne in the housing located on the rear edge of the support means such that it can freely rotate in the housing. The second shaft provides the connection of the second ice tray and the support means to each other. The actuating means, furthermore, comprises a third shaft which is connected to the first ice tray and which is borne in the housing located on the front edge of the support means such that it can rotate in the housing, and an arm which is connected to the third shaft and which serves to start the first movement and the second movement. The third shaft provides the connection of the first ice tray and the support means to each other. The first shaft, the second shaft, the third shaft and the arm are coaxial, and the horizontal axis, whereon they are seated, passes preferably through the center of the first ice tray and of the second ice tray. By means of the housings and the shafts, the connection of the ice trays and the support means to each other is provided.

[0012] The cooling device comprises a transmitter which is located on the second ice tray and at least one part of which extends towards the first ice tray. The transmitter bears against the first ice tray by the second movement of the actuating means and provides both ice trays to move together. Thus, by a single movement of the actuating means, both the first ice tray and the second ice tray are provided to be rotated, and the ice therein is provided to be taken out.

[0013] The cooling device comprises a stopper which is located on the support means and at least one part of which extends towards the second ice tray. The stopper bears against the second ice tray by the first movement of the actuating means and provides the second ice tray to remain immobile. In the meantime, while the first ice tray rotates together with the first shaft, the stopper presses on the second ice tray and thus, provides it not to move. Hence, by the first movement of the actuating means, only the first ice tray is provided to be moved and the ice therein is provided to be taken out.

[0014] The actuating means comprises a first spring, one end of which is embedded to the first ice tray, and while the first spring is wound around the first shaft, the other end of which extends onto the second ice tray such that it will face the transmitter. By the first movement of the actuating means, the first spring provides one side of the first ice tray to rotate less than its other side while rotating and thus, provides the first ice tray to perform twisting movement.

[0015] The ice trays are produced preferably from plastic material and can stretch when any force is applied thereon. By acting as a support point by means of its end bearing against the second ice tray, the first spring enables the rotation of the first shaft provided by the first movement of the actuating means to be performed in a controlled manner. By the twisting movement of the first ice tray provided by means of the first spring, the ice in the first ice tray is provided to be moved inside the cells and thus, is provided to be taken out of the cells easily.

[0016] The actuating means, furthermore, comprises a second spring, one end of which is embedded to the second ice tray, and while the second spring is wound around the second shaft, the other end of which extends onto the support means such that it will face the stopper. The second spring provides both ice trays moving together during the second movement of the actuating means to perform twisting movement that enables one of their sides to rotate less than their other sides. By means of the end of the second spring bearing against the support means, the second spring acts as a support point and enables the second shaft to perform its rotation in a controlled manner during the second movement of the actuating means. Thus, both ice trays are twisted and hence, the ice therein is provided to be moved inside the cells and the ice is provided to be taken out of the cells easily.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the support means is frame-shaped, and the first ice tray and the second ice tray are disposed in the center thereof. In a version of this embodiment wherein the support means is preferably rectangular, the support means is fixed into the cooling device from its two opposite side edges. In another version of this embodiment, the support means is mounted into the cooling device by being fitted to the slides located in the cooling device. Thus, the ice trays are realized to be mounted into the cooling device and to be removed therefrom in a practical manner.

[0018] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus has a second ice tray having a different number of cells than the first ice tray. Thus, the opportunity is provided that the user obtains different amounts of ice in accordance with his/her need.

[0019] In another embodiment of the present invention, the actuating means comprises a motor, and a first button and a second button. By the first movement of the actuating means created by the first button being triggered, only the first ice tray is moved and thus, the ice therein is provided to be taken out. By the second movement of the actuating means created similarly by the second button being triggered, the first ice tray and the second ice tray are moved together and thus, the ice in both ice trays is provided to be taken out. Thus, the user is provided to obtain ice in the desired amount by expending less energy.

[0020] By means of the present invention, two different movements can be performed by a single actuating means, and as a result of these movements the user performs in accordance with his/her need, either only one ice tray or both ice trays are provided to be moved and different amounts of ice are provided to be obtained. [0021] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: [0022] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cooling device. [0023] Figure 2 - is the view of the ice making apparatus while an actuating means is immobile. [0024] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the ice making apparatus in the situation wherein the first ice tray is moved by the first movement of an actuating means. [0025] Figure 4 - is the perspective view of an ice making apparatus in the situation wherein the first ice tray and the second ice tray are moved together by the second movement of an actuating means. [0026] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device

2. Ice making apparatus

3. First ice tray

4. Second ice tray

5. Actuating means

6. First shaft

7. Second shaft

8. Third shaft

9. 109, 209 Housing

10. Support means

11. Transmitter

12. Stopper

13. First spring

14. Second spring

15. Arm

[0027] The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises an ice making apparatus (2). [0028] The ice making apparatus (2) comprises a first ice tray (3) having more than one cell, the top of which is open and wherein water is filled, a second ice tray (4) connected to the first ice tray (3), and having more than one cell, the top of which is open and wherein water is filled, and an actuating means (5) which can be moved in two different ways and by its first movement (I), which moves only the first ice tray (3) and thus, provides the ice therein to be taken out, and by its second movement (II), which moves both ice trays (3, 4) and thus, provides the ice therein to be taken out (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

[0029] The actuating means (5) is moved in two different ways and by two different movements of the actuating means (5), only one or both of the ice trays (3, 4) located in the ice making apparatus (2) are moved. By the ice trays (3, 4) moving, the ice therein is provided to be taken out. Therefore, by the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5), only the first ice tray (3) is moved and the ice therein is provided to be taken out, and by the second movement (II) of the actuating means (5), both the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) are moved together and the ice in both ice trays (3, 4) is provided to be taken out. Thus, the user is provided with the opportunity to obtain different amounts of ice by moving a single actuating means (5) in different ways.

[0030] The cooling device (1) comprises a support means (10) whereon the ice making apparatus (2) is mounted. The first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) are disposed onto the support means (10) as one being in front of the other such that they will be able to rotate around an axis located in the horizontal plane. The support means (10) provides the ice trays (3, 4) to be carried in parallel with the horizontal plane such that they will not move. Thus, when water is filled into the cells on the ice trays (3, 4) to form ice, the water is provided to be held in a balanced manner without being spilled.

[0031] The actuating means (5) comprises housings (9, 109, 209) providing the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) to be rotatably fastened to each other and to the support means (10), and comprises shafts (6, 7, 8) that are borne in these housings (9, 109, 209) such that they can rotate in the housings (9, 109, 209).

[0032] The first shaft (6) on the first ice tray (3) is borne in the housing (9) located on the second ice tray (4). By the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5), the first shaft (6) is provided to rotate counterclockwise and thus, the ice in the first ice tray (3) is provided to be taken out. The first shaft (6), at the same time, connects the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) to each other by the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5) such that the first ice (3) tray can rotate.

[0033] The second shaft (7) connected to the second ice tray (4) is borne in the housing (109) located on the rear edge of the support means (10). By the second movement (II) of the actuating means (5), the second shaft (7) and the first shaft (6) are provided to rotate clockwise and thus, the ice in both ice trays (3, 4) is provided to be taken out.

[0034] The actuating means (5), furthermore, comprises a third shaft (8) which is connected to the first ice tray (3) and which is borne in the housing (209) located on the front edge of the support means (10) such that it can freely rotate in the housing (209), and an arm (15) which is connected to the third shaft (8) and which serves to start the first movement (I) and the second movement (II). The first shaft (6), the second shaft (7), the third shaft (8) and the arm (15) are coaxial, and this axis passes preferably through the center of the first ice tray (3) and of the second ice tray (4). Thus, the support means (10) provides the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) to be carried in a balanced manner such that they will be located on the same axis with the first shaft (6), the second shaft (7), the third shaft (8) and the arm (15).

[0035] By the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5) provided by the counterclockwise rotation of the arm (15), the third shaft (8) connected to the arm (15) freely rotates in the housing (209) it is borne in. By this rotational movement of the third shaft (8), together with the first ice tray (3) connected to the third shaft (8), the first shaft (6) connected to the first ice tray (3) rotates in the housing (9) it is borne in. Thus, by the first ice tray (3) being rotated 180 degrees, the ice therein is provided to be taken out.

[0036] After the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5), the initial position wherein both ice trays (3, 4) are situated in a position parallel to the horizontal plane is regained.

[0037] The cooling device (1) comprises a transmitter (11) which is located on the second ice tray (4) and at least one part of which extends towards the first ice tray (3). The transmitter (11) is positioned onto the second ice tray (4) such that it will not hinder the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5). By the second movement (II) of the actuating means (5), the transmitter (11) bears against the first ice tray (3) and thus, together with the movement of the first ice tray (3), provides also the second ice tray (4) to move. By the second movement (II) of the actuating means (5) provided by the clockwise rotation of the arm (15), while the third shaft (8) connected to the arm (15) rotates in the housing (209) it is borne in, the first ice tray (3) whereto the third shaft (8) is connected also moves. By means of the transmitter (11) extending from the second ice tray (4) towards the first ice tray (3), the movement of the first ice tray (3) is transmitted to the second ice tray (4) and thus, both ice trays (3, 4) are provided to move together (Figure 4). In the meantime, the second shaft (7) connected to the second ice tray (4) freely rotates in the housing (109) it is borne in. Thus, by a single movement of the actuating means (5), both the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) are provided to be rotated, and the ice therein is provided to be taken out.

[0038] The cooling device (1) comprises a stopper (12) which is located on the rear edge of the support means (10), and at least one part of which extends towards the second ice tray (4), and which hinders the movement of the second ice tray (4) in the direction of the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5). The stopper (12) is positioned onto the support means (10) such that it will not hinder the second movement (II) of the actuating means (5). In this embodiment, by the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5), the stopper (12) bears against the second ice tray (4) and thus, provides the second ice tray (4) to remain immobile and only the first ice tray (3) to move. During the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5), the first ice tray (3) is saved from the bearing effect of the second ice tray (4) against the first ice tray (3) provided by means of the transmitter (11) and can freely rotate. In the meantime, the stopper (12) presses on the second ice tray (4) and thus, provides it not to move. Hence, by a single movement of the actuating means (5), only the first ice tray (3) is provided to be moved and thus, the ice therein is provided to be taken out (Figure 3).

[0039] The actuating means (5), furthermore, comprises a first spring (13), one end of which is embedded to the first ice tray (3), and while the first spring (13) is wound around the first shaft (6), the other end of which extends onto the second ice tray (4) towards the transmitter (11). The first spring (13) applies resistance against the rotational movement by the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5) and thus, provides one side of the first ice tray (3) to rotate less than its other side, namely provides the rear portion to rotate less than its front portion while rotating and provides the first ice tray (3) to perform twisting movement. The ice trays (3, 4) are produced preferably from plastic material and can stretch when any force is applied thereon. The force applied on the first spring (13) during the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5) takes a role of making the movement of the first ice tray (3) difficult and provides the first ice tray (3) to be twisted. In other words, the first spring (13) provides the first shaft (6) to perform its rotation in a controlled manner and by means of its end bearing against the second ice tray (4), acts as a support point. Thus, the ice in the first ice tray (3) is provided to be moved inside the cells and the ice is provided to be taken out of the cells easily. At the same time, by means of the force applied to the first spring (13) end bearing against the second ice tray (4) while the first ice tray (3) moves, the second ice tray (4) bears against the stopper (12) and the second ice tray (4) is provided to remain in a position parallel to the horizontal plane by its rotation being hindered. The first spring (13), furthermore, provides the first ice tray (3) to return to its initial position again after the rotational movement and to remain immobile in the horizontal plane.

[0040] The actuating means (5), furthermore, comprises a second spring (14), one end of which is embedded to the second ice tray (4), and while the second spring (14) is wound around the second shaft (7), the other end of which extends onto the support means (10) towards the stopper (12). The second spring (14) applies resistance against the rotational movement by the second movement (II) of the actuating means (5) and thus, presses on the support means (10) and provides one side of both ice trays (3, 4) to rotate less than their other side, namely provides the rear portion to rotate less than the front portion, while rotating. Thus, the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) that move together are provided to perform twisting movement. The force applied on the second spring (14) during the second movement (II) of the actuating means (5) provides the second shaft (7) to perform its rotation in a controlled manner and by means of its end bearing against the support means (10), acts as a support point. Thus, by the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) that move together being twisted in the direction of the second movement (II), the ice in both ice trays (3, 4) is provided to be moved inside the cells and hence, is provided to be taken out of the cells easily. At the same time, the second spring (14) presses the second ice tray (4) towards the stopper (12) and thus, prevents the second ice tray (4) from moving during the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5). Furthermore, after the second movement (II) of the actuating means (5), the second spring (14) provides both ice trays (3, 4) to return to the initial position and to remain in a position parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0041] In an embodiment of the present invention, the support means (10) is frame-shaped, and the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) are seated in the center thereof. Thus, the ice making apparatus (2) is provided to be mounted into the cooling device (1) and to be removed therefrom in a practical manner. In a version of this embodiment, the support means (10) is fixed into the cooling device (1) from its two opposite side edges. In another version of this embodiment, the support means (10) is disposed into the cooling device (1) by being fitted to the slides located in the cooling device (1).

[0042] In another embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus (2) comprises a second ice tray (4) that has a number of cells different, being preferably less, from the number of cells in the first ice tray (3). Thus, in the situations wherein the user needs less amount of ice, he/she moves only the first ice tray (3) by the actuating means (5) and thus, is provided to obtain fewer number of ice.

[0043] In another embodiment of the present invention, the actuating means (5) comprises a motor and a first button triggering the motor to start the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5) and a second button triggering the motor to start the second movement (II) of the actuating means (5) (This embodiment is not illustrated in the figures). When the first button is triggered, only the first ice tray (3) is moved and thus, the ice therein is provided to be taken out. When similarly the second button is triggered, the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) are moved together and thus, the ice in both ice trays (3, 4) is provided to be taken out. Thus, the user is provided to obtain ice in the desired amount by expending less energy.

[0044] By means of the present invention, by using a single actuating means (5), different amounts of ice are provided to be obtained.

[0045] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cooling device (1) comprising an ice making apparatus (2) that has a first ice tray (3) having more than one cell, the top of which is open and wherein water is filled, and a second ice tray (4) connected to the first ice tray (3), and having more than one cell, the top of which is open and wherein water is filled, and characterized by the ice making apparatus (2) that comprises an actuating means (5) which can be moved in two different ways and by its first movement (I), which moves only the first ice tray (3) and thus, provides the ice therein to be taken out, and by its second movement (II), which moves both ice trays (3, 4) and thus, provides the ice therein to be taken out.

2. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a support means (10) whereon the ice making apparatus (2) is mounted.

3. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) that are disposed onto the support means (10) as one being in front of the other such that they will be able to rotate around an axis located in the horizontal plane.

4. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by an actuating means (5) which, by its first movement (I), provides only the first ice tray (3) to rotate counterclockwise around a horizontal axis and thus, provides the ice therein to be taken out, and which, by its second movement (II), provides both ice trays (3, 4) to rotate clockwise around the same horizontal axis and thus, provides the ice therein to be taken out.

5. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the actuating means (5) that comprises housings (9, 109, 209) providing the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) to be rotatably fastened to each other and to the support means (10).

6. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the actuating means (5) that comprises a first shaft (6) which is located on the first ice tray (3) and which is borne in the housing (9) on the second ice tray (4).

7. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 5 or 6, characterized by an actuating means (5) that comprises a second shaft (7) which is located on the second ice tray (4) and which is borne in the housing (109) on the support means (10).

8. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 5 to 7, characterized by an actuating means (5) that comprises a third shaft (8) which is located on the first ice tray (3) and which is borne in the housing (209) on the support means (10).

9. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by the actuating means (5) that comprises an arm (15) which is connected to the third shaft (8) and which serves to move the actuating means (5).

10. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a transmitter (11), at least one part of which extends from the second ice tray (4) towards the first ice tray (3), and which provides both ice trays (3, 4) to move together by the second ice tray (4) bearing against the first ice tray (3) by the second movement (II) of the actuating means (5).

11. A cooling device (1 ) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 11 , characterized by a stopper (12), at least one part of which extends from the support means (10) towards the second ice tray (4), and which hinders the movement of the second ice tray (4) in the direction of the first movement (I) of the actuating means (5).

12. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 11 , characterized by the actuating means (5) that comprises a first spring (13), one end of which is embedded to the first ice tray (3), and while the first spring (13) is wound around the first shaft (6), the other end of which extends onto the second ice tray (4) towards the transmitter (11).

13. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 12, characterized by the actuating means (5) that comprises a second spring (14), one end of which is embedded to the second ice tray (4), and while the second spring (14) is wound around the second shaft (7), the other end of which extends onto the support means (10) towards the stopper (12).

14. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 14, characterized by the frame-shaped support means (10), in the center of which the first ice tray (3) and the second ice tray (4) are seated.

15. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by the ice making apparatus (2) that comprises a second ice tray (4) having a different number of cells than the first ice tray (3).