EP2923159A1

EP2923159A1 - An ice making apparatus providing ease of utilization

Info

Publication number: EP2923159A1
Application number: EP13788991.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kadir Ridvan Celik; Ergin Kaplan; Elif Altay
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2012-11-23
Filing date: 2013-11-08
Publication date: 2015-09-30
Also published as: WO2014079703A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus (1) comprising at least one chamber (2) wherein ice cubes are stored, at least one support (4) disposed on the chamber (2), at least one ice cube tray (3) mounted movably on the support (4) and having more than one cell, at least one knob (5) mounted rotatably to the upper part of the support (4), more than one tooth (8) surrounding the surface of the knob (5) facing interior of the support (4), at least one gear rack (9) wherein the teeth (8) are seated, at least one transfer member (6) mounted on the support (4), contacting the knob (5) by means of the gear rack (9) surrounding its surface facing the knob (5) being interlocked with the teeth (8) while the knob (5) is moved, and providing the transfer of the rotational movement of the knob (5) to the ice cube tray (3) by changing the rotational axis thereof.

Description

AN ICE MAKING APPARATUS PROVIDING EASE OF UTILIZATION

The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus that is used in making ice cubes.
The ice making apparatuses used for making ice cubes in the cooling devices comprise ice cube trays containing the ice cubes and various drive mechanisms such as the knob, rotating arm, teeth etc., enabling the ice cubes contained in the ice cube tray to be taken out with the actuation thereof. The ice making apparatuses are generally situated inside the freezing compartment. In the freezing compartments situated at the upper part of the cooling devices, the ice making apparatuses are actuated from the front wall of the ice making apparatus so as to be almost aligned with the eye level of the user and the ice cubes are turned upside down in the ice cube tray. However, it is not ergonomic in terms of the user when the ice making apparatuses situated at the lower part of the body are actuated from the front wall. In the state of the art, there are ice making apparatuses actuated by means of a knob located at the upper part of the ice making apparatus. Teeth disposed at the lower part of the knob move by means of a gear rack located above the ice making apparatus during rotation of the knob by the user and enable the ice cubes contained in the ice making apparatus to be taken out. However, in the course of time, problems arise in the synchronous movement of the knob and the teeth, mounted to the knob, and them standing rigidly one on the other. Furthermore, the teeth being mounted to the knob afterwards increases the assembly time.
In the state of the art Chinese Patent Documents No. CN201503177 and CN102230705, a cooling device is disclosed having an ice making machine wherein the ice cubes contained therein is provided to be taken out by means of a knob situated at the upper part.
The aim of the present invention is the realization of an ice making apparatus where ease of utilization is provided.
The ice making apparatus realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises at least one chamber wherein ice cubes are stored, at least one ice cube tray having more than one open-top cell, at least one support disposed on the chamber, whereon the ice cube tray is placed so as to rotatably move, at least one knob movably mounted on the support, more than one tooth surrounding the surface of the knob facing the interior of the support and at least one transfer member mounted on the support, that transfers the rotational movement of the knob to the ice cube tray by means of the gear rack surrounding its surface facing the knob and interlocking with the teeth moving thereon while the knob is being moved.
The ice making apparatus of the present invention comprises teeth that are produced to be integrated with the knob. While the knob is being moved by the user, the teeth move on the gear rack and the ice cubes contained inside the ice cube tray, moving depending on the transfer member, are provided to fall down as the transfer member is moved.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus comprises at least one housing wherein the knob is disposed and at least one claw that is disposed on the knob so as to be at least partially at the front of the teeth and that passes from the inner side of the housing and bears against the lower surface of the support while the knob is being mounted to the housing. The knob is prevented from dislodging from the housing as the claw is mounted to the inner side of the housing.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus comprises at least one protrusion that extends from the side of the housing towards the interior of the support and bears against the claw while the knob is being mounted to the housing. The protrusion prevents the claw from moving. Consequently, the knob is prevented from dislodging from the housing.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the gear rack is produced to be integrated with the transfer member.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of the tooth is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the gear rack. Thus, when the knob is rotated by the user, the transfer member is provided to move a distance that is greater than the movement distance of the knob.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of the tooth is equal to almost half the cross-sectional area of the gear rack.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus comprises at least one lid that at least partially covers the top of the ice cube tray. By means of the lid, the water contained inside the ice cube tray is prevented from overflowing outside.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus comprises a support in frame form, at least one first wall situated on the support so as to be in the same horizontal direction as the lid when the lid is placed on the support, at least one second wall that is perpendicular to the first wall and at least one opening arranged on the second wall, wherein the transfer member is seated.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus comprises at least one extension situated on the transfer member and at least one recess arranged on the ice cube tray, wherein the extension is seated when the transfer member is placed in the opening. The transfer member is provided to be mounted to the ice cube tray as the extension is seated in the recess.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus comprises at least one hole arranged thereon and at least one shaft that is situated on the ice cube tray and that is borne to the hole when the ice cube tray is placed on the support. The shaft moves by rotating inside the hole during the movement of the ice cube tray.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the height of the chamber is greater than the height of the support. The user obtains the ice cubes from the opening remaining at the top of the chamber.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the support and the chamber are attached to one another by snap fitting method. Thus, the chamber is provided to be fixed to the support.
The ice making apparatus of the present invention is suitable to be used in the refrigerator.
By means of the present invention, an ice making apparatus is realized, that is enabled to be used ergonomically by the user, comprising a knob that allows the ice cube tray to be effectively actuated when moved by the user.
The ice making apparatus realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:
Figure 1 – is the perspective view of an ice making apparatus and the lid.
Figure 2 – is the perspective view of the ice making apparatus.
Figure 3 – is the exploded view of the ice making apparatus and the lid.
Figure 4 – is the perspective view of the knob related to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 – is the sideways cross-sectional view of the support and the knob while the knob is mounted to the support.
Figure 6 – is the perspective view of the support and the chamber when separated from each other.
Figure 7 – is the perspective view of the support and the lid when separated from each other.
Figure 8 – is the partial cross-sectional view of the ice making apparatus and the lid.
The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Ice making apparatus
Chamber
Ice cube tray
Support
Knob
Transfer member
Shaft
Tooth
Gear rack
Housing
Claw
Protrusion
Lid
First wall
Second wall
Opening
Extension
Recess
Hole

The ice making apparatus (1), suitable to be used in cooling devices, comprises at least one chamber (2) wherein ice cubes are stored, at least one support (4) disposed on the chamber (2), at least one ice cube tray (3) mounted movably on the support (4) and having more than one cell, at least one knob (5) mounted rotatably to the upper side of the support (4), more than one tooth (8) surrounding the surface of the knob (5) facing the interior of the support (4), at least one gear rack (9) wherein the teeth (8) are seated, and at least one transfer member (6) mounted on the support (4), that interlocks with the teeth (8) while the knob (5) is being moved, that contacts the knob (5) by means of the gear rack (9) surrounding the surface thereof facing the knob (5) and providing the transfer of the rotational movement of the knob (5) to the ice cube tray (3) by changing the rotational axis thereof. The ice making apparatus (1) is situated in the freezing compartment located at the lower part of cooling devices. The chamber (2) disposed on the ice cube tray (3) is fixed to the support (4) by means of fixing elements like claw etc. (Figure 1, Figure 2).
The ice making apparatus (1) of the present invention comprises the teeth (8) that are integrated with the knob (5). The transfer member (6) is disposed on the support (4) so as to be connected to the ice cube tray (3). The knob (5) is mounted to the support (4) such that there is almost a right angle between the rotational axes of the transfer member (6). The knob (5) and the transfer member (6) contact each other when mounted on the support (4) and the teeth (8) are seated in the gear rack (9). When the user rotates the knob (5), the teeth (8) move on the gear rack (9). The transfer member (6) is connected to the knob (5) from one side and to the ice cube tray (3) from the other side. The transfer member (6) provides the ice cube tray (3) to move by rotating around its own axis by transferring the movement of the knob (5) to the ice cube tray (3). Thus, the ice cubes contained inside the ice cube tray (3) fall into the chamber (2). With the teeth (8) being single piece with the knob (5), the rotational force applied by the user to the knob (5) is provided to be transferred directly to the transfer member (6) and the knob (5) is enabled to actuate the transfer member (6) effectively. Moreover, with the teeth (8) being produced integrated with the knob (5), saving from assembly time is maintained (Figure 3, Figure 4).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises at least one housing (10) that enables the knob (5) to be rotatably attached to the support (4) and at least one claw (11) that extends from the knob (5), that bears against the lower surface of the support (4) by passing from the inner side of the housing (10) while the knob (5) is being mounted to the housing (10). The housing (10) is situated across from the base of the support (4). The knob (5) is fitted into the housing (10) so as to rotate freely. While the knob (5) is being placed into the housing (10), the claw (11) passes from the inner side of the housing (10) and bears against the lower surface of the support (4). Consequently, the knob (5) is prevented from dislodging from the housing (10) (Figure 5).
In a derivative of this embodiment, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises at least one protrusion (12) situated on the support (4) and extending into the housing (10), against which the claw (11) at least partially bears while the knob (5) is being mounted into the housing (10). The protrusion (12) extends into the support (4). While the knob (5) is being mounted into the housing (10), the claw (11) contacts the protrusion (12). The protrusion (12) prevents the claw (11) from dislodging from the housing (10) (Figure 5).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the gear rack (9) is integrated with the transfer member (6). The gear rack (9) is produced integrated with the transfer member (6).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of the tooth (8) is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the gear rack (9). Thus, when the knob (5) is rotated by the user, the transfer member (6) is provided to move for a distance that is greater than the movement distance of the knob (5).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of the tooth (8) is equal to almost half the cross-sectional area of the gear rack (9). Thus, when the knob (5) is rotated by the user, the transfer member (6) moves for a distance that is almost twice as much as the movement distance of the knob (5). Thus, the ice cubes contained inside the ice cube tray (3) are provided to be taken out easily.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises at least one lid (13) that enables the upper part of the ice cube tray (3) to be at least partially covered. The lid (13) prevents water from overflowing from the ice cube tray (3) due to any shake or vibration. The water poured into the lid (13) by any kind of water filling means is transferred into the ice cube tray (3), wherein the freezing process will is to be realized, by means of one or more than one hole arranged on the lid (13) (Figure 1, Figure 3, Figure 7).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises a support (4) in frame form, into which the ice cube tray (3) and the transfer member (6) are seated, at least one first wall (14) whereon the housing (10) is disposed, that is situated side by side with the lid (13) when the lid (13) is placed on the support (4) and enabling the support (4) to be at least partially covered, at least one second wall (15) that is perpendicular to the first wall (14) and at least one opening (16) arranged on the second wall (15), providing the attachment of the transfer member (6) rotatably to the support (4). The top of the ice cube tray (3) is almost entirely covered by means of the first wall (14) and the lid (13). The housing (10), wherein the knob (5) is placed, is situated on the first wall (14). The teeth (8) extend downwards from the part of the first wall (14) facing the interior of the support (4). The gear rack (9) extends from the second wall (15) towards the teeth (8) and its rotational axis almost perpendicularly intersects the teeth (8). The rotational movement of the knob (5) moved by the user is transmitted to the ice cube tray (3) by means of the teeth (8) and the gear rack (9) and the ice cubes contained in the ice cube tray (3) are provided to be transferred to the chamber (2) (Figure 3, Figure 6, Figure 7).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises at least one extension (17) disposed on the transfer member (6) and at least one recess (18) arranged on the ice cube tray (3), wherein the extension (17) is seated when the transfer member (6) is placed in the opening (16). The transfer member (6) is provided to be fixed to the ice cube tray (3) when the claw-shaped extension (17) is seated in the recess (18). Thus, the ice cube tray (3) is provided to move together with the transfer member (6) (Figure 3).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises at least one hole (19) arranged on the support (4) and at least one shaft (7) that is situated on the ice cube tray (3) and that is borne to the hole (19) when the ice cube tray (3) is placed on the support (4). The shaft (7) moves by rotating around its own axis inside the hole (19) (Figure 3, Figure 6, Figure 8).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the height of the chamber (2) is greater than the height of the support (4). The user obtains the ice cubes from the opening remaining at the top of the chamber (2).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the support (4) and the chamber (2) are connected to one another by snap fitting method. Thus, the chamber (2) is provided to be fixed to the support (4).
The ice making apparatus (1) of the present invention is suitable to be used in the refrigerator.
By means of the present invention, an ice making apparatus (1) is realized wherein the movement of the knob (5) is effectively transferred to the ice cube tray (3). With the teeth (8) being integrated with the knob (5), the movement of the knob (5) is directly transmitted to the transfer member (6). Furthermore, saving from assembly time is maintained.
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

An ice making apparatus (1) comprising at least one chamber (2) wherein ice cubes are stored, at least one support (4) disposed on the chamber (2), at least one ice cube tray (3) mounted movably on the support (4) and having more than one cell, at least one knob (5) mounted rotatably to the upper part of the support (4), more than one tooth (8) surrounding the surface of the knob (5) facing interior of the support (4), at least one gear rack (9) wherein the teeth (8) are seated, and at least one transfer member (6) mounted on the support (4), interlocking with the teeth (8) while the knob (5) is being moved, contacting the knob (5) by means of the gear rack (9) surrounding its surface facing the knob (5) and providing the transfer of the rotational movement of the knob (5) to the ice cube tray (3) by changing the rotational axis thereof, characterized by the teeth (8) integrated with the knob (5).
An ice making apparatus (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by at least one housing (10) that provides the attachment of the knob (5) rotatably to the support (4) and at least one claw (11) extending from the knob (5) and bearing against the lower surface of the support (4) by passing from the inner side of the housing (10) while the knob (5) is mounted to the housing (10).
An ice making apparatus (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by at least one protrusion (12) situated on the support (4) and extending into the housing (10), against which the claw (11) at least partially bears while the knob (5) is being placed into the housing (10).
An ice making apparatus (1) as in any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized by the gear rack (9) integrated with the transfer member (6).
An ice making apparatus (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the tooth (8), the cross-sectional area of which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the gear rack (9).
An ice making apparatus (1) as in any one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized by the tooth (8), the cross-sectional area of which is equal to almost half the cross-sectional area of the gear rack (9).
An ice making apparatus (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one lid (13) that enables the upper part of the ice cube tray (3) to be at least partially covered.
An ice making apparatus (1) as in any one of the claims 2 to 7, characterized by a support (4) in frame form, into which the ice cube tray (3) and the transfer member (6) are seated, at least one first wall (14) whereon the housing (10) is disposed, that is situated side by side with the lid (13) when the lid (13) is placed on the support (4) and enabling the support (4) to be at least partially covered, at least one second wall (15) that is perpendicular to the first wall (14) and across from the side wall of the support (4), and at least one opening (16) arranged on the second wall (15), providing the attachment of the transfer member (6) rotatably to the support (4).
An ice making apparatus (1) as in any one of the claims 2 to 8, characterized by at least one extension (17) situated on the transfer member (6) and at least one recess (18) arranged on the ice cube tray (3), wherein the extension (17) is seated when the transfer member (6) is placed in the opening (16).
An ice making apparatus (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one hole (19) arranged on the support (4) and at least one shaft (7) that is disposed on the ice cube tray (3) and that is borne to the hole (19) when the ice cube tray (3) is placed on the support (4).
An ice making apparatus (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a chamber (2), the height of which is greater than the height of the support (4).
An ice making apparatus (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the support (4) and the chamber (2) that are connected to one another by snap fitting method.
An ice making apparatus (1) as in any one of the above claims, that is suitable to be used in the refrigerator.