EP3561414B1 - Ice-making device for refrigerator and refrigerator having the same - Google Patents
Ice-making device for refrigerator and refrigerator having the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3561414B1 EP3561414B1 EP19171421.1A EP19171421A EP3561414B1 EP 3561414 B1 EP3561414 B1 EP 3561414B1 EP 19171421 A EP19171421 A EP 19171421A EP 3561414 B1 EP3561414 B1 EP 3561414B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- ice
- making
- water
- supply port
- tray
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 166
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 43
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 description 69
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 description 69
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 14
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 11
- 230000000881 depressing effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000003651 drinking water Substances 0.000 description 4
- 235000020188 drinking water Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
- F25D23/04—Doors; Covers with special compartments, e.g. butter conditioners
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C1/00—Producing ice
- F25C1/22—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
- F25C1/24—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds for refrigerators, e.g. freezing trays
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
- F25C2400/14—Water supply
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2500/00—Problems to be solved
- F25C2500/06—Spillage or flooding of water
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2323/00—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2323/02—Details of doors or covers not otherwise covered
- F25D2323/023—Door in door constructions
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2323/00—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2323/122—General constructional features not provided for in other groups of this subclass the refrigerator is characterised by a water tank for the water/ice dispenser
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/06—Refrigerators with a vertical mullion
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an ice-making device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator including the ice-making device.
- Refrigerators are household appliances for keeping foods refrigerated or frozen in order to store the foods in a fresh state for a long time.
- the interior of the refrigerator is portioned into freezing and refrigerating chambers, and an ice-making device is provided in the freezing chamber.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 show a refrigerator provided with a conventional ice-making device
- FIG. 3 shows an ice-making device installed in a refrigerator.
- freezing and refrigerating chambers 11 and 13 which are partitioned side by side are provided within a main body 10 of a refrigerator.
- the main body 10 is provided with a freezing chamber door 11a and a refrigerating chamber door 13a in order to selectively open or close the freezing and refrigerating chambers 11 and 13, respectively.
- the freezing and refrigerating chamber doors 11a and 13a are hinged to opposite lateral sides of the main body 10, respectively, such that the doors can be pivoted in a forward direction.
- home bars 15 and 17 are provided on the freezing and refrigerating chamber doors 11a and 13a, respectively. Food such as drinking water is stored in the home bars 15 and 17.
- Each of the home bars 15 and 17 is composed of a home bar housing 15a or 17a and a home bar door 15b or 17b.
- the home bar housings 15a and 17a are provided on rear surfaces of the freezing and refrigerating chamber doors 11a and 13a, respectively.
- the home bar housings 15a and 17a are provided with predetermined storage spaces, respectively, in which food such as drinking water can be received.
- Each of the home bar doors 15b and 17b functions to selectively open or close an opening that is formed by cutting out a portion of the freezing or refrigerating chamber door 11a or 13a to correspond to the home bar housing 15a or 17a.
- Each of the home bar doors 15b and 17b is installed to be vertically pivoted.
- an ice-making device 19 is installed at a position in the freezing chamber 11.
- the ice-making device 19 is an apparatus for making ice.
- the ice-making device 19 is retractably installed within the freezing chamber 11. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 , the ice-making device 19 is composed of a support frame 21 and a pair of ice trays 23.
- the support frame 21 is formed into a rectangular shape.
- the support frame 21 functions to rotatably support the ice trays 23. That is, the ice trays 23 can be installed to be rotatable within the support frame 21.
- Each of the ice trays 23 is formed with a plurality of ice-making grooves 23a.
- Support shafts 24 are provided at the centers of front and rear surfaces of the ice trays 23, respectively.
- the ice tray 23 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise about the support shaft 24 as viewed in FIG. 2 .
- the support shaft 24 is rotatably inserted into the rear surface of the support frame 21.
- a stopper 25 is installed at a certain position on the rear surface of support frame 21 to the left side of the support shaft 24 as viewed in this figure.
- the stopper 25 protrudes from the rear surface of the support frame 21 by a predetermined distance and is positioned on a moving path of the ice tray 23.
- the ice tray 23 rotating about the support shaft 24 is twisted by the stopper 25.
- a handle 26 is provided on a front surface of the support frame 21 corresponding to the front of the ice tray 23.
- the handle 26 is a portion which a user grips to rotate the ice tray 23.
- a pair of handles 26 are provided to be in harmony with the number of ice trays 23.
- an ice bank 27 is installed below the ice-making device 19 within the freezing chamber 11. Ice made in the ice-making device 19 is stored in the ice bank 27. The ice bank 27 is also retractably installed within the freezing chamber 11.
- the ice-making device configured as such is operated as follows.
- the ice-making groove 23a of the ice tray 23 is filled with water.
- the freezing chamber door 11a is opened to open the freezing chamber 11.
- the ice-making device 19 is received in a position in the freezing chamber 11. After the ice-making device 19 is installed in such a way, the freezing chamber door 11a is closed to close the freezing chamber 11.
- the freezing chamber door 11a is again opened to open the freezing chamber 11. If the handle 26 is rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2 , the ice tray 23 is also rotated in the same direction.
- the ice tray 23 When the ice tray 23 is rotated by a predetermined angle, a rear surface of ice tray 23 is caught to the stopper 25. Thus, the ice tray 23 cannot be further rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2 . If the handle 26 is further rotated clockwise from such a state as viewed in FIG. 2 , the ice tray 23 is twisted. Therefore, ice made in the ice-making grooves 23a is separated from the ice tray 23 and then stored in the ice bank 27.
- the ice tray 23 is received in the freezing chamber 11 in a state where the ice-making grooves 23a are filled with water. Therefore, there is a problem in that the water filled in the ice-making grooves 23a runs down from the grooves while the ice tray 23 is received in the freezing chamber 11.
- the water may be impregnated with odor from the other foods stored in the freezing chamber 11 while the water filled in the ice-making grooves 23a is frozen.
- the water made in the freezing chamber in such a way is not sanitary and odor of the other food may smell when the ice is utilized.
- the ice bank 27 is accommodated in the freezing chamber 11. Thus, it is likely that ice stored in the ice bank 27 is impregnated with odor of foods stored in the freezing chamber 11.
- the support means carries at least one pair of upper rails on which is slidingly and detachably seated a reservoir which is dimensioned to contain, when completely full, a volume of water corresponding to that required for adequately supplying the ice molds disposed immediately below, said reservoir being inferiorly provided with a discharge nozzle, positioned above the ice mold immediately below and in which is mounted an outlet valve which is constantly and resiliently forced to a closed position and automatically displaced to an open position when the reservoir is mounted in the support means.
- the International Patent Application Number WO2005/026631 A1 discloses an ice-making device according to the preamble of claim 1.
- An object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making device for a refrigerator capable of preventing ice-making water from running down from an ice tray.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making device for a refrigerator capable of making ice in a more sanitary way.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making device for a refrigerator capable of withdrawing ice in a more convenient way.
- a still further object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making device for a refrigerator capable of minimizing the leakage of cold air occurring while withdrawing ice from the refrigerator to the outside.
- a still further object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making device for a refrigerator capable of preventing ice stored in an ice bank from being impregnated with odor of foods stored in the refrigerator.
- an ice-making device for a refrigerator comprising: a water tank detachably mounted to a rear surface of a refrigerator door; a first ice-making housing detachably mounted to the rear surface of the door below the water tank and provided with a predetermined installation space therein; an ice tray pivotally mounted into the installation space of the first ice-making housing and provided with an ice-making groove in which water supplied from the water tank is frozen into ice; a tray cover mounted in the installation space of the first ice-making housing to be vertically pivoted in cooperation with a pivot motion of the ice tray and to selectively open or close the ice-making groove; a second ice-making housing detachably mounted to the rear surface of the door below the first ice-making housing and provided with a predetermined installation space therein; an ice bank for storing ice made in the ice tray; and a guide box for moving forward or rearward of the installation space of the second ice-making housing in a state where the ice
- the water tank is detachably mounted into a mounting space defined between a bottom surface of any one of door baskets provided on the rear surface of the door and a top surface of the first ice-making housing.
- the water tank includes: a tank main body formed into a polyhedral shape with an open top to form a water storage space therein and provided with a discharge port, through which water stored in the water storage space is supplied to the ice bank, at a bottom surface thereof; a valve coupled to the tank main body to selectively open or close the discharge port; a tank cover coupled to an upper portion of the tank main body to selectively open or close the water storage space and provided with a supply port through which water is supplied into the water storage space; and a supply port cover provided on the tank cover to selectively open or close the supply port, and the discharge port is formed at a position deviated from a region where the water is supplied into the water storage space through the supply port and at least a part of the water tank is made of a transparent or translucent material to visually check an amount of water stored in the water storage space from the outside.
- the valve includes: a valve bracket provided at an outer periphery of the discharge port and formed with a supply port; a valve main body installed to be vertically movable through the supply port of the water tank to selectively open or close the supply port; a packing ring provided between the valve bracket and the valve main body to stop up a gap between the valve bracket and the valve main body; and an elastic member for imparting an elastic force to the valve main body in a direction in which the valve main body closes the supply port of the water tank, and the valve main body is actuated by an actuating protrusion provided on the top surface of the first ice-making housing to open the discharge port.
- a supply port is provided at the top surface of the first ice-making housing to supply the water stored in the water tank into the ice tray, an ice transfer opening through which ice made in the ice tray is transferred to the ice bank and a transfer guide surface which is formed to be downwardly inclined toward the ice transfer opening to guide the ice into the ice guide opening are provided on a top surface of the second ice-making housing.
- ice made in the ice-making groove is separated from the ice-making groove and then stored in the ice bank by actuating a pivoting lever, which is provided on an outer side of the first ice-making housing corresponding to a free end of the door, and then allowing the ice tray to be caught to and twisted by a stopper provided on an inner side of the first ice-making housing when the ice tray is supported on the stopper.
- a pivoting lever which is provided on an outer side of the first ice-making housing corresponding to a free end of the door, and then allowing the ice tray to be caught to and twisted by a stopper provided on an inner side of the first ice-making housing when the ice tray is supported on the stopper.
- the tray cover is provided with a supply port formed at a position deviated from a region where the water is supplied from the water tank to the ice tray through the supply port of the first ice-making housing, and a water guide surface downwardly inclined toward the supply port of the tray cover to guide the water into the supply
- FIGS. 4 and 5 show a refrigerator equipped with a preferred embodiment of an ice-making device according to the present invention
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5
- FIG. 7 shows a water tank constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5
- FIG. 9 shows an external appearance of a first ice-making housing constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5
- FIG. 10 shows the interior of the first ice-making housing
- FIG. 11 shows an external appearance of a second ice-making housing constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5
- FIG. 12 shows the interior of the second ice-making housing.
- freezing and refrigerating chambers 31 and 33 are provided within a main body 30 of a refrigerator.
- the freezing and refrigerating chambers 31 and 33 are partitioned side by side within the main body 30.
- freezing and refrigerating chamber doors 31a and 33a are pivotally installed to the main body 30 such that one side of each door is horizontally rotated about another hinged side thereof.
- the freezing and refrigerating chamber doors 31a and 33a serve to selectively open or close the freezing and refrigerating chambers 31 and 33, respectively.
- support sidewalls 31b and 33b are provided at opposite side ends on rear surfaces of the freezing and refrigerating chamber doors 31a and 33a, respectively.
- Each of the support sidewalls 31b and 33b is formed in such a manner that a portion of a door liner constituting an outer appearance of a rear surface of the door 31a or 33a protrudes rearward by a predetermined height.
- a plurality of door baskets 32 and 34 are provided on the rear surfaces of freezing and refrigerating chamber doors 31a and 33a between the support sidewalls 31b and 33b.
- An accommodating space for accommodating foods therein is formed in each of the door baskets 32 and 34.
- the door baskets 32 and 34 are detachably installed on the rear surfaces of the freezing and refrigerating chamber doors 31a and 33a, respectively.
- Home bars 35 and 37 are provided in the freezing and refrigerating chamber doors 31a and 33a, respectively.
- the home bars 35 and 37 are used to receive or withdraw foods such as drinking water without opening the freezing and refrigerating chamber doors 31a and 33a, respectively.
- the home bar 35 or 37 comprises a home bar housing 35a or 37a and a home bar door 35b or 37b.
- the home bar housing 35a or 37a is generally formed into a polyhedral shape with an open front.
- the home bar housing 35a or 37a is provided on the rear surface of the freezing or refrigerating chamber door 31a or 33a between the support sidewalls 31b and 33b.
- a storage space 35s or 37s for accommodating drinking water and the like is defined within the home bar housing 35a or 37a.
- an opening 35c is formed by cutting out a portion of the freezing chamber door 31a.
- the opening 35c communicates with the storage space 35s of the home bar housing 35a and an installation space 61s of a second ice-making housing 61 to be explained later.
- the home bar doors 35b and 37b serve to selectively open or close the openings 35c and 37c, respectively.
- the home bar door 35b or 37b is installed on a front surface of the freezing or refrigerating chamber door 31a or 33a such that home bar door can be vertically pivoted.
- ice-making housings 41 and 51 are provided on the rear surface of the freezing door 31a above the home bar housing 35a.
- the ice-making housing 41 and 51 are composed of a first ice-making housing 41 and a second ice-making housing 51. Installation spaces 41s and 51s are defined within the first and second ice-making housings 41 and 51, respectively.
- the first ice-making housing 41 is detachably installed on the rear surface of the freezing door 31a between support sidewalls 31b of the freezing door. To this end, as shown in FIG. 9 , fixing grooves 41a are formed on both external sides of the first ice-making housing 41. In addition, fixing protrusions (not shown) are provided at inner sides of the support sidewalls 31b of the freezing chamber door 31a to correspond to the fixing grooves 41a of the first ice-making housing 41.
- the first ice-making housing 41 is installed below any one of the door baskets 32 provided on the rear surface of the freezing chamber door 31a. At this time, the first ice-making housing 41 is installed at a position downward below the door basket 32 by a predetermined height. Therefore, a certain mounting space S is defined between a bottom surface of the door basket 32 and a top surface of the first ice-making housing 41. A water tank 61 to be explained later is detachably mounted into the mounting space S .
- the first ice-making housing 41 is formed into a polyhedral shape with an open bottom.
- a water supply port 41h is provided on the top surface of the first ice-making housing 41.
- the water supply port 41h is used to deliver water stored in the water tank 61 into the installation space 41s.
- An actuating protrusion 42 is provided on the top surface of the first ice-making housing 41 adjacent to an outer periphery of the water supply port 41h.
- the actuating protrusion 42 protrudes from the top surface of the first ice-making housing 41 by a predetermined height.
- the actuating protrusion 42 functions to actuate a valve 65 to be explained later.
- a guide rib 43 is provided on the top surface of the first ice-making housing 41.
- the guide rib 43 protrudes at a position adjacent to the actuating protrusion 41 upward from the top surface of the first ice-making housing 41 by a predetermined height, and extends in a direction in which the water tank 61 is installed or detached.
- the guide rib 43 functions to guide the water tank 61 which is received in or withdrawn from the mounting space S .
- a viewing window 44 is provided in a rear surface of the first ice-making housing 41.
- the viewing window 44 is formed of a transparent or translucent material.
- the viewing window 44 functions to visually check a process of making ice in an ice tray 71 to be explained later.
- a handle opening 45 is formed at an upper rear edge of the first ice-making housing 41.
- the handle opening 45 is formed by cutting out a portion of a top surface of the first ice-making housing 41 corresponding to a rear end of the mounting space S and a portion of an upper end of the viewing window 44.
- the handle opening 45 functions to allow a user's hand to pass therethrough to mount or withdraw the water tank 61 and also to supply cold air in the freezing chamber 31 into the installation space 41s of the first ice-making housing 41.
- Stoppers 46 are provided on inner sides of the first ice-making housing 41. Each of the stoppers 46 protrudes into the installation space 41s by a predetermined length from the inner side of the first ice-making housing 41. The stoppers 46 are located within a range where the ice tray 71 is pivoted. The stopper 46 functions to support the ice tray 71 and also to allow the ice tray 71 to be twisted after being pivoted by a predetermined angle.
- the second ice-making housing 51 is detachably installed at the rear surface of the freezing chamber door 31a below the first ice-making housing 41.
- fixing grooves 51a are formed on both external sides of the second ice-making housing 51.
- fixing protrusions are provided at inner sides of the support sidewalls 31b of the freezing chamber door 31a to correspond to the fixing grooves 51a of the second ice-making housing 51.
- the second ice-making housing 51 is formed into a polyhedral shape with an open bottom.
- a plurality of cold air supply ports 52 are provided on a rear surface of the second ice-making housing 51. Each of the cold air supply ports 52 functions to deliver cold air in the freezing chamber 31 into an installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51.
- an ice transfer opening 53 is formed in a top surface of the second ice-making housing 51.
- the ice transfer opening 53 becomes a passage through which ice made in the ice tray 71 is delivered to an ice bank 81 to be explained later.
- a transfer guide surface 54 is also defined on the top surface of the second ice-making housing 51.
- the guide surface 54 is formed by downward inclining a portion of the top surface of the second ice-making housing 51 toward the ice transfer opening 53.
- the guide surface 54 functions to guide ice made in the ice tray 71 into the ice transfer opening 53.
- Guide protrusions 55 are provided on inner sides of the second ice-making housing 51. Each of the guide protrusions 55 protrudes from the inner sides of the second ice-making housing 51 by a predetermined height and extends in a front or rear direction of the installation space 51s. The guide protrusion 55 functions to guide the movement of a guide box 83 to be explained later.
- a latch hook 56 is provided on a side of the second ice-making housing 51.
- the latch hook 56 is inserted in a push latch 89 to be explained later and then prevents the ice bank from being inadvertently withdrawn in a state where the ice tray 71 is received in the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51.
- the water tank 61 comprises a tank main body 62, a tank cover 63, a supply port cover 64 and a valve 65.
- the tank main body 62 is formed into a polyhedral shape with an open top.
- a water storage space 62s for storing an amount of water (corresponding to an amount of water required to make ice once in the ice tray 71) is provided within the tank cover 63.
- the tank main body 62 is formed into a polyhedral shape with an open top. It is preferred that at least a portion of the tank main body 62 (and/or the tank cover 63 and the supply port cover 64) be formed of a transparent or translucent material such that an amount of water stored in the water storage space 62s can be checked from the outside.
- a discharge port 62h is provided at a portion on a bottom surface of the tank main body 62 corresponding to the water supply 41h of the first ice-making housing 41. Water stored in the water storage space 62s is supplied to the ice tray 71 through the discharge port 62h.
- a fitting rib 62r is provided at an outer periphery of the discharge port 62h on the bottom surface of the tank main body 62. The fitting rib 62r protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the tank main body by a predetermined height.
- a support member 62a is provided at an inner upper portion of a sidewall of the tank main body 62.
- the support member 62a protrudes inwardly from the inner upper portion of the tank main body 62 by a predetermined height to support an outer periphery of the tank cover 63.
- a handle 62b is provided at a portion on the bottom surface of the tank main body 62.
- the handle 62b is a part which a user grips to mount or withdraw the water tank 61 into or from the mounting space S .
- the handle 62b is formed by upwardly depressing a portion of the bottom surface of the tank main body 62.
- a guide groove 62c is formed in the bottom surface of the tank main body 62.
- the guide groove 62c serves to guide the water tank 61 when the water tank 61 is received in or withdrawn from the mounting space S .
- the guide groove 62c is formed by upwardly depressing a portion of the bottom surface of the tank main body 62 including the discharge port 62h. While the water tank 61 is received in or withdrawn from the mounting space S , an outward surface of the guide rib 43 of the first ice-making housing 41 comes into contact with lateral sides of the guide groove 62c of the tank main body 62.
- the tank cover 63 is coupled with a top portion of the tank main body 62 to selectively open or close the water storage space 62s.
- the outer periphery of the tank cover 63 is supported by the support member 62a of the tank main body 62 in a state where the tank cover 63 is coupled with the tank main body 62.
- a top surface of the tank cover 63 is level with an upper end of the sidewall of the tank main body 62.
- a supply port 63h is provided at a portion of the tank cover 63. Water supplied from an external water source (not shown) is stored in the water storage space 62s through the supply port 62h.
- the discharge port 62h of the tank main body 62 is spaced apart from the supply port 63h of the tank cover 63 by a predetermined distance in a lateral direction. That is, the discharge port 62h of the tank main body 62 is formed at a position deviated from a region where water is stored in the water storage space 62s through the supply port 63h of the tank cover 63. The reason is to prevent water stored in the water storage space 62s through the supply port 63h of the tank cover 63 from being immediately discharged through the discharge port 62h of the tank main body 62.
- a packing groove 63a is formed in the tank cover 63. As shown in FIG. 7 , the packing groove 63a is positioned on the top surface of the tank cover 63 such that it can cover an outer periphery of the supply port 63h in a state where it is spaced apart from the outer periphery of the supply port 63h by a predetermined distance.
- the seating recess 63b is provided in the tank cover 63.
- the seating recess 63b is formed by depressing a portion of tank cover 63 including the supply port and packing groove 63a of the tank cover 63.
- the supply port cover 64 is securely placed in the seating recess 63b in a state where the supply port 63h of the tank cover 63 is covered.
- the supply port cover 64 is securely placed in the seating recess 63b, and thus, it does not protrude upwardly from the tank cover 63 even in a state where the supply port 63h is covered with the supply port cover 64.
- a cutout 63c is also formed in the tank cover 63.
- the cutout 63c communicates with the seating recess 63b.
- the cutout 63c is a part through which a user's hand is inserted in the seating recess to allow the supply port cover 64 to be pivoted about the tank cover 63.
- the cutout 63c is formed by depressing a portion of the tank cover 63 relatively more deeply and downwardly as compared with the seating groove 63b.
- the supply port cover 64 can be vertically and forwardly pivoted.
- the supply port cover 64 serves to selectively open or close the supply port 63h of the tank cover 63.
- the supply port cover 64 is securely placed in the seating recess 63b in a state where the supply port is covered with the cover 64.
- a contact protrusion 64a and a packing protrusion 64b are also provided on a bottom surface of the supply port cover 64.
- the contact protrusion 64a and the packing protrusion 64b protrude downwardly from the bottom surface of the supply port cover 64 at positions corresponding to the outer periphery of the supply port 63h of the tank cover and the packing groove 63a, respectively, by a predetermined height.
- An outward surface of the contact protrusion 64a is brought into close contact with the outer periphery of the supply port 63h in a state where the supply port 63h of the tank cover 63 is covered with the supply port cover 64.
- the packing protrusion 64b is fitted into the packing groove 63a in a state where the supply port 63h of the tank cover 63 is covered with the supply port cover 64.
- the valve 65 functions to selectively open or close the discharge port 62h of the tank main body 62. More specifically, the valve 65 is designed to allow water stored in the water storage space 62s to be supplied to the ice tray 71 only when the water tank 61 is mounted into the mounting space S .
- the valve 65 comprises a valve bracket 66, a valve main body 67, a packing ring 68 and an elastic member 69.
- the valve bracket 66 is provided at an outer periphery of the discharge port 62h of the tank main body 62.
- the valve bracket 66 is formed with a supply port 66h through which the water stored in the water storage space 62s is substantially supplied to the ice tray 71. Further, the valve bracket 66 is formed with a top surface inclined downward toward the supply port 66h.
- a seating groove 66a is formed in the top surface of the valve bracket 66 at a position adjacent to the supply port 66h of the valve bracket 66.
- the packing ring 68a is securely placed in the seating groove 66a.
- a fitting groove 66b is formed in the top surface of the valve bracket 66.
- the fitting rib 62r of the tank main body 62 is inserted in the fitting groove 66b.
- a fixing hook 66c is provided at an upper portion of the valve bracket 66 corresponding to an inner side of the fitting groove 66b. Since the fixing hook 66c is caught to a floor surface of the tank main body 62 in a state where the fitting rib 62r is inserted in the fitting groove 66b, the valve bracket 66 is fixed to the bottom surface of the tank main body 62.
- the valve main body 67 is installed to be vertically movable through the supply port 66h of the valve bracket 66.
- the valve main body 67 selectively opens or closes the supply port 66h of the valve bracket 66. That is, the water tank 61 is mounted into the mounting space S , the valve main body 67 is moved upward by the actuating protrusion 42 such that the supply port 66h of the valve bracket 66 can be opened.
- a fitting groove 67a into which the packing ring 68a is fitted is also formed at an upper portion of the valve main body 67. Further, a flange 67f is provided at a lower portion of the valve main body 67 such that an end of the elastic member 69 is supported on the top surface of the flange.
- a supply port 66h is also provided in the flange 67f. The supply port 67h of the flange 67f is formed at a position corresponding to the supply port 66h of the valve bracket 66.
- the packing ring 68a stops up a gap between valve bracket 66 and the valve main body 67 to prevent the water stored in the water storage space 62s from being discharged to the outside.
- the packing ring 68a is vertically moved together with valve main body 67 in a state where it is inserted in the fitting groove 66b.
- a packing member 68b is provided between the fitting rib 62r of the tank main body 62 and the fitting groove 66b of the valve bracket 66.
- the packing member 68b functions to prevent the water stored in the water storage space 62s from flowing out to the outside through a gap between the fitting rib 62r and the fitting groove 66b when the fitting rib 62r is inserted in the fitting groove 66b.
- Both ends of the elastic member 69 are supported by the bottom surface of the valve bracket 66 and a top surface of the flange 67f, respectively.
- the elastic member 69 serves to prevent the supply port 66h of the valve bracket 66 from being inadvertently opened by means of the valve main body 67. To this end, the elastic member 69 imparts an elastic force to the valve main body 67 in a direction in which the valve main body 67 intends to close the supply port 66h of the valve bracket 66.
- the ice tray 71 is installed in the installation space 41s of the first ice-making housing 41.
- the ice tray 71 is formed into a rectangular shape.
- the ice tray 71 is also provided with a plurality of ice-making grooves 72.
- the ice tray. 71 is pivotally installed in the installation space 41s of the first ice-making housing 41.
- support shafts 73 are provided on short sides of the ice tray 71, respectively.
- a tip end of the support shaft 73 is pivotally supported on an inner surface of the first ice-making housing 41.
- a pivoting lever 74 is provided on an external surface of the first ice-making housing 41 corresponding to a free end of the freezing chamber door 31a.
- the pivoting lever 74 is connected to any one of the support shafts 73 of the ice tray 71. Therefore, a user can rotate the pivoting lever 74 with his/her hand such that the ice tray 71 connected to the lever is pivoted.
- a side of the ice tray 71 i.e. the left side as shown in FIG. 6 , is supported by the stopper 46. At this time, the ice tray 71 is in a horizontal state. Therefore, the ice tray 71 can be pivoted only in one direction, i.e. in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6 .
- the support shaft 73 is provided with an elastic member.
- the elastic member imparts an elastic force to the ice tray 71 in a direction opposite to a direction in which the ice tray 71 is pivoted, i.e. in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6 . Therefore, an elastic force for causing the pivoting lever 74 to be pivoted is removed, the ice tray 71 is returned to an initial original position by means of the elastic force of the elastic member. As this time, since one side of the ice tray 71 is supported to be kept at a horizontal state by means of the stopper 46, the ice tray 71 cannot be further pivoted in a counterclockwise direction from a position shown in FIG. 6 .
- the ice tray 71 is caught to the stoppers 46 while being pivoted about the support shafts 73.
- the ice tray 71 can be distorted while being pivoted about the support shafts 73, ice made in the ice-making grooves 72 can be separated from the ice tray.
- a tray cover 75 is installed in the installation space 41s of the first ice-making housing 41.
- the tray cover 75 serves to selectively open or close the ice-making grooves 72 of the ice tray 71.
- the tray cover 75 is formed into a plate shape corresponding to a cross section of the ice tray 71. Further, the tray cover 75 is preferably formed of a transparent or translucent material in order to visually check a process of making ice in the ice-making grooves 72.
- the tray cover 75 is vertically pivoted about any one end corresponding to long sides of the ice tray 71 in cooperation with the pivot motion of the ice tray 71.
- pivoting shafts 75a are provided at both sides of the one long end of the tray cover 75, respectively. Therefore, the tray cover 75 is pivoted about the pivoting shafts 75a in cooperation with the ice tray 71.
- a supply port 75h is also formed in the tray cover 75.
- the supply port 75h of the tray cover 75 functions as a passage through the water stored in the water storage space 62s of the water tank 61 is supplied to the ice tray 71. Further, the supply port 75h of the tray cover 75 is spaced apart from the discharge port 62h of the water tank 61 by a certain distance in a lateral direction. That is, the supply port 75h of the tray cover 75 is formed at a position deviated from a region where water is discharged through the discharge port 62h of the water tank 61. The reason is to prevent water supplied from the water tank 61 from impinging directly against a floor surface of the ice-making groove 72 of the ice tray 71 and thus from being splashed from the ice-making groove 72 to the outside.
- a water guide surface 76 is also formed on the tray cover 75.
- the water guide surface 76 serves to guide water supplied from the water tank 61 into the supply port 75h of the tray cover 75.
- the water guide surface 76 is formed by allowing a portion of the tray cover 75 to be inclined downward toward the supply port 75h.
- the ice bank 81 is installed in the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51.
- the ice bank 81 can be received in or withdrawn from the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51 through the opening 35c.
- the ice bank 81 is formed into a hexahedral shape with an open top.
- An ice storage space 81s is defined within the ice bank 81. Ice made in the ice tray 71 is stored in the ice storage space 81s.
- a front side of the ice bank 81 is made of a transparent or translucent material such that ice stored in the ice storage space 81s can be visually viewed from the outside.
- a support projection 81a is provided at the front side of the ice bank 81.
- the support projection 81a extends outwards from an edge of the front side of the ice bank 81 by a predetermined length.
- the support projection 81a is brought into close contact with a front brim of the guide box 83 to be explained later.
- a catching protrusion 81b is provided on a bottom surface of the ice bank 81.
- the catching protrusion 81b is protrudes downwardly from the bottom surface of the ice bank 81 by a predetermined height and extends in a lateral direction.
- the catching protrusion 81b is formed to have the same height as the support projection 81a provided at the lower end of the ice bank 81.
- the catching protrusion 81b is inserted in a catching groove 87b of the guide box 83.
- the guide box 83 is installed in the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51.
- the guide box 83 serves to guide the ice bank 81 which is received in or withdrawn from the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51.
- the guide box 83 is installed to be movable in a forward or rearward direction of the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51.
- the guide box 83 is formed into a hexahedral shape with open front and back in accordance with the ice bank 81.
- An ice transfer opening 83a which communicates with the ice transfer opening 53 of the second ice-making housing 51 is provided on a top surface of the guide box 83.
- Guide slots 84 are also formed on outer lateral sides of the guide box 83, respectively, in a forward or rearward direction. The guide protrusions 55 of the second ice-making housing 51 are inserted in the guide slots 84.
- the ice bank 81 is securely placed on a floor plate 87 of the guide box 83.
- the floor plate 87 of the guide box 83 is installed such that it can be slid in a forward or rearward direction with respect to the lateral sides of the guide box 83.
- guide protrusions 85 are formed at lower ends of the inner sides of the guide box 83 to extend in a forward or rearward direction.
- guide slots 88 in which the guide protrusions 85 are inserted are provided at both lateral sides of the floor plate 87 of the guide box 83.
- Support ribs 86 are provided at upper and lower ends on the rear side of the guide box 83.
- the support ribs 86 extend upward or downward from the upper and lower ends on the rear side of the guide box 83 by a predetermined height.
- the support ribs 86 are brought into close contact with upper and lower ends on the rear side of the ice bank 81 securely placed on the floor plate 87 of the guide box 83.
- a handle rib 87a is provided on the floor plate 87 of the guide box 83.
- the handle rib 87a protrudes downward from a front end on a bottom surface of the floor plate of the guide box 83 by a predetermined length.
- the handle grip 87a is a part which a user grips to allow the floor plate 87 of the guide box 83 to be slid with respect to both lateral sides of the guide box 83.
- the catching groove 87b is formed in the floor plate 87 of the guide box 83.
- the catching groove 87b is formed by cutting out a portion of the floor plate 87 of the guide box 83 in a lateral direction in accordance with the catching protrusion 81b. Since the catching protrusion 81b is inserted in the catching groove 87b, the ice bank 81 can be moved in cooperation with the sliding motion of the floor plate 87 of the guide box 83.
- the push latch 89 is provided on a rear surface of the guide box 83.
- the latch hook 56 is selectively inserted in the push latch 89. That is, the latch hook 56 is inserted into or separated from the push latch 89 by pushing the ice bank 81 or the guide box 83 into the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51. Therefore, the ice bank 81 can be mounted into the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51 in a state where it is received in the space or be withdrawn from the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51.
- FIGS. 13 and 14 show a process of storing water into the water storage space in the water tank of the ice-making device according to the present invention
- FIGS. 15 and 16 show a process of mounting the water tank of the ice-making device according to the present invention
- FIGS. 17 to 19 show an operating process of the ice tray of the ice-making device according to the present invention
- FIGS. 20 to 23 show a withdrawing process of an ice bank of the ice-making device according to the present invention.
- the supply port cover 64 is pivoted at a predetermined angle with respect to the tank cover 63 to open the supply port 63h. Then, water is fed and stored into the water storage space 62s of the water tank 61 through the supply port 63h. At this time, the supply port 63h of the tank cover 63 and the discharge port 62h of the tank main body 62 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a lateral distance. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from being immediately discharged through discharge port 62h of the tank main body 62 while storing the water in the water storage space 62s through the supply port 63h of the tank cover 63.
- the supply port cover 64 is pivoted to close the supply port 63h as shown in FIG. 14 . Then, in a state where the supply port 63h is closed, the water tank is mounted into the mounting space S .
- the water tank 61 is first slid into the mounting space S as shown in FIG. 15 .
- the bottom surface of the tank main body 63 comes into contact with the top surface of the first ice-making housing 41.
- the top surface of the tank cover 63 is brought into contact with a bottom surface of the door basket 34.
- the water tank 61 is further slid into the mounting space S in a state where the guide ribs 43 of the first ice-making housing 41 are brought into contact with the lateral sides of the guide groove 62c of the tank main body 62. That is, the water tank 61 can be easily mounted by using the guide ribs 43 and the guide groove 63c.
- the discharge port 62h of the water tank 61 is positioned to correspond to the supply port 41h of the first ice-making housing 41. Then, the valve main body 67 is moved upward, i.e. into the water tank 61, by means of the actuating protrusion 42 of the first ice-making housing 41. Therefore, the discharge port 62h of the water tank 61 and substantially supply port 66h of the valve bracket 66 are opened, and consequently, water stored in the water storage space 62s of the water tank 61 can be transferred through the supply port 66h of the valve bracket 66 and the supply port 67h of the valve main body 67.
- the water transferred through the supply port 66h of the valve bracket 66 drops onto a top surface of the tray cover 75 through the supply port 41h of the first ice-making housing 41. Then, the water dropped onto the top surface of the tray cover 75 is guided into the supply port 75h of the tray cover 75 by means of the water guide surface 76.
- the water guided into the supply port 75h of the tray cover 75 is supplied into the ice-making grooves 72 of the ice tray 71.
- the water stored in the water storage space 62s of the water tank 61 as such drops onto the tray cover 75 and is then supplied into ice-making grooves 72 of the ice tray 71. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water stored in the water storage space 62s of the water tank 61 from impinging directly against the floor surface of the ice-making groove 72 of the ice tray 71 and thus from being splashed from the ice-making groove 72 to the outside.
- the water contained in the ice-making grooves 72 of the ice tray 71 is frozen into ice by means of cold air from the freezing chamber 31.
- the cold air is supplied from the freezing chamber 31 into the installation space 41s of the first ice-making housing 41 through the handle opening 45.
- the pivoting lever 74 is rotated. As shown in FIG. 18 , therefore, the ice tray 71 connected to the pivoting lever 74 is pivoted about the support shafts 73.
- the ice separated from the ice-making grooves 72 of the ice tray 71 is stored in the ice bank 81 placed in the guide box 83.
- the ice stored in the guide box 83 has been guided by means of the transfer guide surface 54 of the second ice-making housing 51 and transferred through the ice transfer opening 53 of the second ice-making housing 51 and the ice transfer opening 53a of the guide box 53.
- the home bar door 35b of the home bar 35 is first opened to open the opening 35c. Then, ice bank 81 or the guide box 83 is pushed into the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51. Thus, the latch hook 56 of the second ice-making housing 51 is released from the push latch 89 of the guide box 83.
- the guide box 83 with the ice bank 81 seated therein can be moved forward from the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51.
- the guide box 83 is pulled forward out of the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51, both the ice bank 81 and the guide box 83 can be pulled out of the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51.
- the ice bank 81 is further pulled forward out of the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51 with respect to the guide box 83. Therefore, the ice bank 81 and the floor plate 87 of the guide box 83 are completely pulled out of the installation space 51s of the second ice-making housing 51 through the opening 35c of the home bar 35.
- the ice bank 81 can be separated from the floor plate 87 of the guide box 83. That is, the ice bank 81 can be completely withdrawn by pulling up the ice bank 81 and then taking the ice bank out of the floor plate through the opening 35c of the home bar 35.
- water used to make ice is supplied to an ice tray in a state where it is contained in a water tank. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a phenomenon in which a freezing chamber or a room may be stained or dirty due to the ice-making water running down from the water tank or ice tray.
- the ice tray is mounted into an installation space of the ice-making housing partitioned from the freezing chamber. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ice from being impregnated with odor of other foods stored in the freezing chamber while water supplied from the water tank is frozen into ice within the ice tray. As a result, a user can utilize ice in a more sanitary and comfortable way.
- an ice bank for storing ice therein is withdrawn out of the freezing chamber through a home bar. That is, the ice bank can be withdrawn to the outside by opening a home bar door which is relatively smaller than a freezing chamber door for opening or closing the freezing chamber. Therefore, the ice bank can be withdrawn in a more convenient way.
- the ice bank can be withdrawn out of the freezing chamber without opening the freezing chamber door, it is possible to prevent cold air in the freezing chamber from being unnecessarily discharged to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to minimize power consumption of a refrigerator and thus to utilize the refrigerator in a more economical way.
- the ice bank is mounted into the installation space of the ice-making housing provided on a rear surface of the freezing chamber door. Therefore, since ice stored in the ice bank from is prevented from being impregnated with the odor of other foods stored in the freezing chamber, the ice can be utilized in a more sanitary way.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
- Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to an ice-making device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator including the ice-making device.
- Refrigerators are household appliances for keeping foods refrigerated or frozen in order to store the foods in a fresh state for a long time. The interior of the refrigerator is portioned into freezing and refrigerating chambers, and an ice-making device is provided in the freezing chamber.
-
FIGS. 1 and2 show a refrigerator provided with a conventional ice-making device, andFIG. 3 shows an ice-making device installed in a refrigerator. - As shown in these figures, freezing and refrigerating
chambers main body 10 of a refrigerator. Themain body 10 is provided with afreezing chamber door 11a and a refrigeratingchamber door 13a in order to selectively open or close the freezing and refrigeratingchambers chamber doors main body 10, respectively, such that the doors can be pivoted in a forward direction. - Furthermore,
home bars chamber doors home bars home bars home bar housing home bar door - The
home bar housings chamber doors home bar housings - Each of the
home bar doors chamber door home bar housing home bar doors - Referring to
FIG. 2 , an ice-makingdevice 19 is installed at a position in thefreezing chamber 11. The ice-makingdevice 19 is an apparatus for making ice. The ice-makingdevice 19 is retractably installed within thefreezing chamber 11. Further, as shown inFIG. 3 , the ice-makingdevice 19 is composed of asupport frame 21 and a pair ofice trays 23. - The
support frame 21 is formed into a rectangular shape. Thesupport frame 21 functions to rotatably support theice trays 23. That is, theice trays 23 can be installed to be rotatable within thesupport frame 21. - Each of the
ice trays 23 is formed with a plurality of ice-makinggrooves 23a.Support shafts 24 are provided at the centers of front and rear surfaces of theice trays 23, respectively. Theice tray 23 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise about thesupport shaft 24 as viewed inFIG. 2 . To this end, thesupport shaft 24 is rotatably inserted into the rear surface of thesupport frame 21. - A
stopper 25 is installed at a certain position on the rear surface ofsupport frame 21 to the left side of thesupport shaft 24 as viewed in this figure. Thestopper 25 protrudes from the rear surface of thesupport frame 21 by a predetermined distance and is positioned on a moving path of theice tray 23. The ice tray 23 rotating about thesupport shaft 24 is twisted by thestopper 25. - A
handle 26 is provided on a front surface of thesupport frame 21 corresponding to the front of theice tray 23. Thehandle 26 is a portion which a user grips to rotate theice tray 23. A pair ofhandles 26 are provided to be in harmony with the number ofice trays 23. - Referring again to
FIG. 2 , anice bank 27 is installed below the ice-makingdevice 19 within thefreezing chamber 11. Ice made in the ice-makingdevice 19 is stored in theice bank 27. Theice bank 27 is also retractably installed within thefreezing chamber 11. - The ice-making device configured as such is operated as follows.
- First, the ice-making
groove 23a of theice tray 23 is filled with water. Thefreezing chamber door 11a is opened to open thefreezing chamber 11. Next, the ice-makingdevice 19 is received in a position in thefreezing chamber 11. After the ice-makingdevice 19 is installed in such a way, thefreezing chamber door 11a is closed to close thefreezing chamber 11. - In the meantime, if the water filled in the ice-making
grooves 23a is frozen after a certain period of time, thefreezing chamber door 11a is again opened to open thefreezing chamber 11. If thehandle 26 is rotated clockwise as viewed inFIG. 2 , theice tray 23 is also rotated in the same direction. - When the
ice tray 23 is rotated by a predetermined angle, a rear surface ofice tray 23 is caught to thestopper 25. Thus, theice tray 23 cannot be further rotated clockwise as viewed inFIG. 2 . If thehandle 26 is further rotated clockwise from such a state as viewed inFIG. 2 , theice tray 23 is twisted. Therefore, ice made in the ice-makinggrooves 23a is separated from theice tray 23 and then stored in theice bank 27. - However, the related art ice-making device for a refrigerator has the following problems.
- As described above, the
ice tray 23 is received in thefreezing chamber 11 in a state where the ice-makinggrooves 23a are filled with water. Therefore, there is a problem in that the water filled in the ice-makinggrooves 23a runs down from the grooves while theice tray 23 is received in thefreezing chamber 11. - Further, the water may be impregnated with odor from the other foods stored in the
freezing chamber 11 while the water filled in the ice-makinggrooves 23a is frozen. Thus, the water made in the freezing chamber in such a way is not sanitary and odor of the other food may smell when the ice is utilized. - If a user intends to withdraw the
ice bank 27 with ice stored therein from thefreezing chamber 11, he/she should rotate thefreezing chamber door 11a to open thefreezing chamber 11. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is troublesome to put theice bank 27 into or out of the freezing chamber. - Moreover, when the
freezing chamber 11 is opened in order to withdraw theice bank 27 from the chamber, cold air in thefreezing chamber 11 is discharged to the outside. That is, in the related art ice-making device for a refrigerator, cold air in thefreezing chamber 11 is unnecessarily discharged to the outside while theice bank 27 is withdrawn. Therefore, power consumption of the refrigerator is increased. - Further, the
ice bank 27 is accommodated in thefreezing chamber 11. Thus, it is likely that ice stored in theice bank 27 is impregnated with odor of foods stored in thefreezing chamber 11. - In International Patent Application Number
WO2005/026631 A1 , there is described an ice mold supply system for refrigeration appliances of the type comprising a freezer compartment, in whose interior is provided a support means carrying at least one pair of median rails on which is slidingly and detachably seated at least one ice mold. The support means carries at least one pair of upper rails on which is slidingly and detachably seated a reservoir which is dimensioned to contain, when completely full, a volume of water corresponding to that required for adequately supplying the ice molds disposed immediately below, said reservoir being inferiorly provided with a discharge nozzle, positioned above the ice mold immediately below and in which is mounted an outlet valve which is constantly and resiliently forced to a closed position and automatically displaced to an open position when the reservoir is mounted in the support means. Moreover, the International Patent Application NumberWO2005/026631 A1 discloses an ice-making device according to the preamble of claim 1. - In International Patent Application Number
WO2005/010447 A1 , there is described an ice maker which ensures the ice trays to be filled with water without the need to move them from their places, which provides hygienic conditions and which enables the user to obtain ice, without the need of additional water filling installation elements, by means of a cartridge. - Accordingly, the present invention is conceived to solve the problems in the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making device for a refrigerator capable of preventing ice-making water from running down from an ice tray.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making device for a refrigerator capable of making ice in a more sanitary way.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making device for a refrigerator capable of withdrawing ice in a more convenient way.
- A still further object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making device for a refrigerator capable of minimizing the leakage of cold air occurring while withdrawing ice from the refrigerator to the outside.
- A still further object of the present invention is to provide an ice-making device for a refrigerator capable of preventing ice stored in an ice bank from being impregnated with odor of foods stored in the refrigerator.
- An ice-making device according to the appended independent claim 1 is provided. Further aspects and embodiments of the present invention are set out in the appended dependent claims.
- According to the invention, there is provided an ice-making device for a refrigerator comprising: a water tank detachably mounted to a rear surface of a refrigerator door; a first ice-making housing detachably mounted to the rear surface of the door below the water tank and provided with a predetermined installation space therein; an ice tray pivotally mounted into the installation space of the first ice-making housing and provided with an ice-making groove in which water supplied from the water tank is frozen into ice; a tray cover mounted in the installation space of the first ice-making housing to be vertically pivoted in cooperation with a pivot motion of the ice tray and to selectively open or close the ice-making groove; a second ice-making housing detachably mounted to the rear surface of the door below the first ice-making housing and provided with a predetermined installation space therein; an ice bank for storing ice made in the ice tray; and a guide box for moving forward or rearward of the installation space of the second ice-making housing in a state where the ice bank is seated thereon such that the ice bank can be received in or withdrawn from the installation space of the second ice-making housing through a home bar provided in the door, wherein the ice bank and the guide box can be received in or withdrawn from the installation space of the second ice-making housing.
- Preferably, the water tank is detachably mounted into a mounting space defined between a bottom surface of any one of door baskets provided on the rear surface of the door and a top surface of the first ice-making housing.
- The water tank includes: a tank main body formed into a polyhedral shape with an open top to form a water storage space therein and provided with a discharge port, through which water stored in the water storage space is supplied to the ice bank, at a bottom surface thereof; a valve coupled to the tank main body to selectively open or close the discharge port; a tank cover coupled to an upper portion of the tank main body to selectively open or close the water storage space and provided with a supply port through which water is supplied into the water storage space; and a supply port cover provided on the tank cover to selectively open or close the supply port, and the discharge port is formed at a position deviated from a region where the water is supplied into the water storage space through the supply port and at least a part of the water tank is made of a transparent or translucent material to visually check an amount of water stored in the water storage space from the outside.
- Preferably, the valve includes: a valve bracket provided at an outer periphery of the discharge port and formed with a supply port; a valve main body installed to be vertically movable through the supply port of the water tank to selectively open or close the supply port; a packing ring provided between the valve bracket and the valve main body to stop up a gap between the valve bracket and the valve main body; and an elastic member for imparting an elastic force to the valve main body in a direction in which the valve main body closes the supply port of the water tank, and the valve main body is actuated by an actuating protrusion provided on the top surface of the first ice-making housing to open the discharge port.
- Preferably, a supply port is provided at the top surface of the first ice-making housing to supply the water stored in the water tank into the ice tray, an ice transfer opening through which ice made in the ice tray is transferred to the ice bank and a transfer guide surface which is formed to be downwardly inclined toward the ice transfer opening to guide the ice into the ice guide opening are provided on a top surface of the second ice-making housing.
- Preferably, ice made in the ice-making groove is separated from the ice-making groove and then stored in the ice bank by actuating a pivoting lever, which is provided on an outer side of the first ice-making housing corresponding to a free end of the door, and then allowing the ice tray to be caught to and twisted by a stopper provided on an inner side of the first ice-making housing when the ice tray is supported on the stopper.
- According to the invention, the tray cover is provided with a supply port formed at a position deviated from a region where the water is supplied from the water tank to the ice tray through the supply port of the first ice-making housing, and a water guide surface downwardly inclined toward the supply port of the tray cover to guide the water into the supply
- According to an ice-making device for a refrigerator of the present invention as described above, the following effects can be expected.
- It is possible to prevent ice-making water from running down from the ice tray. It is also possible to prevent ice made in the ice tray from being impregnated with odor of other foods. Further, the ice can be easily withdrawn and an amount of cold air lost while the ice is withdrawn can also be minimized. Furthermore, it is also possible to prevent the ice stored in the ice bank from being impregnated with odor of other foods.
-
-
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an external appearance of a refrigerator equipped with a related art ice-making device; -
FIG. 2 is a front view showing the interior of the refrigerator shown inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the ice-making device provided in the refrigerator shown inFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a front view showing an external appearance of a refrigerator equipped with a preferred embodiment of an ice-making device according to the present invention; -
FIG. 5 is a front view showing the interior of a refrigerator equipped with a preferred embodiment of an ice-making device according to the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a water tank constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a valve of a water tank constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a first ice-making housing constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the interior of a first ice-making housing constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a second ice-making housing constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the interior of a second ice-making housing constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIGS. 13 and14 are sectional views illustrating a process of storing water into a water storage space in a water tank shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIGS. 15 and16 are sectional views illustrating a process of installing a water tank shown inFIG. 5 ; -
FIGS. 17 to 19 are sectional views illustrating an operating process of an ice tray shown inFIG. 5 ; and -
FIGS. 20 to 23 are sectional views illustrating a withdrawing process of an ice bank shown inFIG. 5 . - Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of an ice-making device for a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIGS. 4 and5 show a refrigerator equipped with a preferred embodiment of an ice-making device according to the present invention,FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5 ,FIG. 7 shows a water tank constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5 ,FIG. 9 shows an external appearance of a first ice-making housing constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5 ,FIG. 10 shows the interior of the first ice-making housing,FIG. 11 shows an external appearance of a second ice-making housing constituting the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 5 , andFIG. 12 shows the interior of the second ice-making housing. - As shown in the figures, freezing and refrigerating
chambers main body 30 of a refrigerator. The freezing and refrigeratingchambers main body 30. Further, freezing and refrigeratingchamber doors main body 30 such that one side of each door is horizontally rotated about another hinged side thereof. The freezing and refrigeratingchamber doors chambers - Referring to
FIG. 5 , support sidewalls 31b and 33b are provided at opposite side ends on rear surfaces of the freezing and refrigeratingchamber doors door - A plurality of
door baskets chamber doors door baskets door baskets chamber doors - Home bars 35 and 37 are provided in the freezing and refrigerating
chamber doors chamber doors FIG. 6 , thehome bar home bar housing home bar door - The
home bar housing home bar housing chamber door storage space 35s or 37s for accommodating drinking water and the like is defined within thehome bar housing - Further, as shown in
FIG. 6 , anopening 35c is formed by cutting out a portion of the freezingchamber door 31a. Theopening 35c communicates with thestorage space 35s of thehome bar housing 35a and an installation space 61s of a second ice-makinghousing 61 to be explained later. - The
home bar doors openings 35c and 37c, respectively. Thehome bar door chamber door - In addition, ice-making
housings door 31a above thehome bar housing 35a. The ice-makinghousing housing 41 and a second ice-makinghousing 51.Installation spaces housings - The first ice-making
housing 41 is detachably installed on the rear surface of the freezingdoor 31a between support sidewalls 31b of the freezing door. To this end, as shown inFIG. 9 , fixinggrooves 41a are formed on both external sides of the first ice-makinghousing 41. In addition, fixing protrusions (not shown) are provided at inner sides of the support sidewalls 31b of the freezingchamber door 31a to correspond to the fixinggrooves 41a of the first ice-makinghousing 41. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , the first ice-makinghousing 41 is installed below any one of thedoor baskets 32 provided on the rear surface of the freezingchamber door 31a. At this time, the first ice-makinghousing 41 is installed at a position downward below thedoor basket 32 by a predetermined height. Therefore, a certain mounting space S is defined between a bottom surface of thedoor basket 32 and a top surface of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Awater tank 61 to be explained later is detachably mounted into the mounting space S. - The first ice-making
housing 41 is formed into a polyhedral shape with an open bottom. Awater supply port 41h is provided on the top surface of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Thewater supply port 41h is used to deliver water stored in thewater tank 61 into theinstallation space 41s. - An
actuating protrusion 42 is provided on the top surface of the first ice-makinghousing 41 adjacent to an outer periphery of thewater supply port 41h. The actuatingprotrusion 42 protrudes from the top surface of the first ice-makinghousing 41 by a predetermined height. The actuatingprotrusion 42 functions to actuate avalve 65 to be explained later. - A
guide rib 43 is provided on the top surface of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Theguide rib 43 protrudes at a position adjacent to theactuating protrusion 41 upward from the top surface of the first ice-makinghousing 41 by a predetermined height, and extends in a direction in which thewater tank 61 is installed or detached. Theguide rib 43 functions to guide thewater tank 61 which is received in or withdrawn from the mounting space S. - Further, a
viewing window 44 is provided in a rear surface of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Theviewing window 44 is formed of a transparent or translucent material. Theviewing window 44 functions to visually check a process of making ice in anice tray 71 to be explained later. - A
handle opening 45 is formed at an upper rear edge of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Thehandle opening 45 is formed by cutting out a portion of a top surface of the first ice-makinghousing 41 corresponding to a rear end of the mounting space S and a portion of an upper end of theviewing window 44. Thehandle opening 45 functions to allow a user's hand to pass therethrough to mount or withdraw thewater tank 61 and also to supply cold air in the freezingchamber 31 into theinstallation space 41s of the first ice-makinghousing 41. -
Stoppers 46 are provided on inner sides of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Each of thestoppers 46 protrudes into theinstallation space 41s by a predetermined length from the inner side of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Thestoppers 46 are located within a range where theice tray 71 is pivoted. Thestopper 46 functions to support theice tray 71 and also to allow theice tray 71 to be twisted after being pivoted by a predetermined angle. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , the second ice-makinghousing 51 is detachably installed at the rear surface of the freezingchamber door 31a below the first ice-makinghousing 41. To this end, similar to the first ice-makinghousing 41, fixinggrooves 51a are formed on both external sides of the second ice-makinghousing 51. In addition, fixing protrusions (not shown) are provided at inner sides of the support sidewalls 31b of the freezingchamber door 31a to correspond to the fixinggrooves 51a of the second ice-makinghousing 51. - The second ice-making
housing 51 is formed into a polyhedral shape with an open bottom. A plurality of coldair supply ports 52 are provided on a rear surface of the second ice-makinghousing 51. Each of the coldair supply ports 52 functions to deliver cold air in the freezingchamber 31 into aninstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51. - In addition, an ice transfer opening 53 is formed in a top surface of the second ice-making
housing 51. The ice transfer opening 53 becomes a passage through which ice made in theice tray 71 is delivered to anice bank 81 to be explained later. - A
transfer guide surface 54 is also defined on the top surface of the second ice-makinghousing 51. Theguide surface 54 is formed by downward inclining a portion of the top surface of the second ice-makinghousing 51 toward theice transfer opening 53. The guide surface 54 functions to guide ice made in theice tray 71 into theice transfer opening 53. -
Guide protrusions 55 are provided on inner sides of the second ice-makinghousing 51. Each of theguide protrusions 55 protrudes from the inner sides of the second ice-makinghousing 51 by a predetermined height and extends in a front or rear direction of theinstallation space 51s. Theguide protrusion 55 functions to guide the movement of aguide box 83 to be explained later. - A
latch hook 56 is provided on a side of the second ice-makinghousing 51. Thelatch hook 56 is inserted in apush latch 89 to be explained later and then prevents the ice bank from being inadvertently withdrawn in a state where theice tray 71 is received in theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51. - Further, water is stored in the
water tank 61 mounted into the mounting space S such that the stored water can be supplied to theice tray 71. Referring toFIG. 7 , thewater tank 61 comprises a tankmain body 62, atank cover 63, asupply port cover 64 and avalve 65. - The tank
main body 62 is formed into a polyhedral shape with an open top. Awater storage space 62s for storing an amount of water (corresponding to an amount of water required to make ice once in the ice tray 71) is provided within thetank cover 63. The tankmain body 62 is formed into a polyhedral shape with an open top. It is preferred that at least a portion of the tank main body 62 (and/or thetank cover 63 and the supply port cover 64) be formed of a transparent or translucent material such that an amount of water stored in thewater storage space 62s can be checked from the outside. - A
discharge port 62h is provided at a portion on a bottom surface of the tankmain body 62 corresponding to thewater supply 41h of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Water stored in thewater storage space 62s is supplied to theice tray 71 through thedischarge port 62h. Afitting rib 62r is provided at an outer periphery of thedischarge port 62h on the bottom surface of the tankmain body 62. Thefitting rib 62r protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the tank main body by a predetermined height. - Further, a
support member 62a is provided at an inner upper portion of a sidewall of the tankmain body 62. Thesupport member 62a protrudes inwardly from the inner upper portion of the tankmain body 62 by a predetermined height to support an outer periphery of thetank cover 63. - A
handle 62b is provided at a portion on the bottom surface of the tankmain body 62. Thehandle 62b is a part which a user grips to mount or withdraw thewater tank 61 into or from the mounting space S. Thehandle 62b is formed by upwardly depressing a portion of the bottom surface of the tankmain body 62. - A
guide groove 62c is formed in the bottom surface of the tankmain body 62. Theguide groove 62c serves to guide thewater tank 61 when thewater tank 61 is received in or withdrawn from the mounting space S. Theguide groove 62c is formed by upwardly depressing a portion of the bottom surface of the tankmain body 62 including thedischarge port 62h. While thewater tank 61 is received in or withdrawn from the mounting space S, an outward surface of theguide rib 43 of the first ice-makinghousing 41 comes into contact with lateral sides of theguide groove 62c of the tankmain body 62. - The tank cover 63 is coupled with a top portion of the tank
main body 62 to selectively open or close thewater storage space 62s. The outer periphery of thetank cover 63 is supported by thesupport member 62a of the tankmain body 62 in a state where thetank cover 63 is coupled with the tankmain body 62. At this time, a top surface of thetank cover 63 is level with an upper end of the sidewall of the tankmain body 62. - Further, a
supply port 63h is provided at a portion of thetank cover 63. Water supplied from an external water source (not shown) is stored in thewater storage space 62s through thesupply port 62h. - In the meantime, the
discharge port 62h of the tankmain body 62 is spaced apart from thesupply port 63h of thetank cover 63 by a predetermined distance in a lateral direction. That is, thedischarge port 62h of the tankmain body 62 is formed at a position deviated from a region where water is stored in thewater storage space 62s through thesupply port 63h of thetank cover 63. The reason is to prevent water stored in thewater storage space 62s through thesupply port 63h of the tank cover 63 from being immediately discharged through thedischarge port 62h of the tankmain body 62. - A packing
groove 63a is formed in thetank cover 63. As shown inFIG. 7 , the packinggroove 63a is positioned on the top surface of thetank cover 63 such that it can cover an outer periphery of thesupply port 63h in a state where it is spaced apart from the outer periphery of thesupply port 63h by a predetermined distance. - In addition, the
seating recess 63b is provided in thetank cover 63. Theseating recess 63b is formed by depressing a portion of tank cover 63 including the supply port and packinggroove 63a of thetank cover 63. Thesupply port cover 64 is securely placed in theseating recess 63b in a state where thesupply port 63h of thetank cover 63 is covered. As such, thesupply port cover 64 is securely placed in theseating recess 63b, and thus, it does not protrude upwardly from thetank cover 63 even in a state where thesupply port 63h is covered with thesupply port cover 64. - A
cutout 63c is also formed in thetank cover 63. Thecutout 63c communicates with theseating recess 63b. Thecutout 63c is a part through which a user's hand is inserted in the seating recess to allow thesupply port cover 64 to be pivoted about thetank cover 63. To this end, thecutout 63c is formed by depressing a portion of thetank cover 63 relatively more deeply and downwardly as compared with theseating groove 63b. - The
supply port cover 64 can be vertically and forwardly pivoted. Thesupply port cover 64 serves to selectively open or close thesupply port 63h of thetank cover 63. Thesupply port cover 64 is securely placed in theseating recess 63b in a state where the supply port is covered with thecover 64. - A
contact protrusion 64a and apacking protrusion 64b are also provided on a bottom surface of thesupply port cover 64. Thecontact protrusion 64a and the packingprotrusion 64b protrude downwardly from the bottom surface of thesupply port cover 64 at positions corresponding to the outer periphery of thesupply port 63h of the tank cover and the packinggroove 63a, respectively, by a predetermined height. An outward surface of thecontact protrusion 64a is brought into close contact with the outer periphery of thesupply port 63h in a state where thesupply port 63h of thetank cover 63 is covered with thesupply port cover 64. In addition, the packingprotrusion 64b is fitted into the packinggroove 63a in a state where thesupply port 63h of thetank cover 63 is covered with thesupply port cover 64. - Referring now to
FIG. 8 , thevalve 65 functions to selectively open or close thedischarge port 62h of the tankmain body 62. More specifically, thevalve 65 is designed to allow water stored in thewater storage space 62s to be supplied to theice tray 71 only when thewater tank 61 is mounted into the mounting space S. Thevalve 65 comprises avalve bracket 66, a valvemain body 67, apacking ring 68 and anelastic member 69. - The
valve bracket 66 is provided at an outer periphery of thedischarge port 62h of the tankmain body 62. Thevalve bracket 66 is formed with asupply port 66h through which the water stored in thewater storage space 62s is substantially supplied to theice tray 71. Further, thevalve bracket 66 is formed with a top surface inclined downward toward thesupply port 66h. - In addition, a
seating groove 66a is formed in the top surface of thevalve bracket 66 at a position adjacent to thesupply port 66h of thevalve bracket 66. The packing ring 68a is securely placed in theseating groove 66a. - A
fitting groove 66b is formed in the top surface of thevalve bracket 66. Thefitting rib 62r of the tankmain body 62 is inserted in thefitting groove 66b. A fixinghook 66c is provided at an upper portion of thevalve bracket 66 corresponding to an inner side of thefitting groove 66b. Since the fixinghook 66c is caught to a floor surface of the tankmain body 62 in a state where thefitting rib 62r is inserted in thefitting groove 66b, thevalve bracket 66 is fixed to the bottom surface of the tankmain body 62. - The valve
main body 67 is installed to be vertically movable through thesupply port 66h of thevalve bracket 66. The valvemain body 67 selectively opens or closes thesupply port 66h of thevalve bracket 66. That is, thewater tank 61 is mounted into the mounting space S, the valvemain body 67 is moved upward by the actuatingprotrusion 42 such that thesupply port 66h of thevalve bracket 66 can be opened. - A
fitting groove 67a into which the packing ring 68a is fitted is also formed at an upper portion of the valvemain body 67. Further, aflange 67f is provided at a lower portion of the valvemain body 67 such that an end of theelastic member 69 is supported on the top surface of the flange. Asupply port 66h is also provided in theflange 67f. Thesupply port 67h of theflange 67f is formed at a position corresponding to thesupply port 66h of thevalve bracket 66. - The packing ring 68a stops up a gap between
valve bracket 66 and the valvemain body 67 to prevent the water stored in thewater storage space 62s from being discharged to the outside. The packing ring 68a is vertically moved together with valvemain body 67 in a state where it is inserted in thefitting groove 66b. - Further, a packing
member 68b is provided between thefitting rib 62r of the tankmain body 62 and thefitting groove 66b of thevalve bracket 66. The packingmember 68b functions to prevent the water stored in thewater storage space 62s from flowing out to the outside through a gap between thefitting rib 62r and thefitting groove 66b when thefitting rib 62r is inserted in thefitting groove 66b. - Both ends of the
elastic member 69 are supported by the bottom surface of thevalve bracket 66 and a top surface of theflange 67f, respectively. Theelastic member 69 serves to prevent thesupply port 66h of thevalve bracket 66 from being inadvertently opened by means of the valvemain body 67. To this end, theelastic member 69 imparts an elastic force to the valvemain body 67 in a direction in which the valvemain body 67 intends to close thesupply port 66h of thevalve bracket 66. - As shown in
FIGS. 6 and10 , theice tray 71 is installed in theinstallation space 41s of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Theice tray 71 is formed into a rectangular shape. Theice tray 71 is also provided with a plurality of ice-makinggrooves 72. The ice tray. 71 is pivotally installed in theinstallation space 41s of the first ice-makinghousing 41. - To this end,
support shafts 73 are provided on short sides of theice tray 71, respectively. A tip end of thesupport shaft 73 is pivotally supported on an inner surface of the first ice-makinghousing 41. As shown inFIG. 5 , a pivotinglever 74 is provided on an external surface of the first ice-makinghousing 41 corresponding to a free end of the freezingchamber door 31a. The pivotinglever 74 is connected to any one of thesupport shafts 73 of theice tray 71. Therefore, a user can rotate the pivotinglever 74 with his/her hand such that theice tray 71 connected to the lever is pivoted. - A side of the
ice tray 71, i.e. the left side as shown inFIG. 6 , is supported by thestopper 46. At this time, theice tray 71 is in a horizontal state. Therefore, theice tray 71 can be pivoted only in one direction, i.e. in a clockwise direction as viewed inFIG. 6 . - Although it has not been illustrated in the figures, the
support shaft 73 is provided with an elastic member. The elastic member imparts an elastic force to theice tray 71 in a direction opposite to a direction in which theice tray 71 is pivoted, i.e. in a clockwise direction as viewed inFIG. 6 . Therefore, an elastic force for causing the pivotinglever 74 to be pivoted is removed, theice tray 71 is returned to an initial original position by means of the elastic force of the elastic member. As this time, since one side of theice tray 71 is supported to be kept at a horizontal state by means of thestopper 46, theice tray 71 cannot be further pivoted in a counterclockwise direction from a position shown inFIG. 6 . - Further, the
ice tray 71 is caught to thestoppers 46 while being pivoted about thesupport shafts 73. Thus, since theice tray 71 can be distorted while being pivoted about thesupport shafts 73, ice made in the ice-makinggrooves 72 can be separated from the ice tray. - Referring again to
FIGS. 6 and10 , atray cover 75 is installed in theinstallation space 41s of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Thetray cover 75 serves to selectively open or close the ice-makinggrooves 72 of theice tray 71. Thetray cover 75 is formed into a plate shape corresponding to a cross section of theice tray 71. Further, thetray cover 75 is preferably formed of a transparent or translucent material in order to visually check a process of making ice in the ice-makinggrooves 72. - The
tray cover 75 is vertically pivoted about any one end corresponding to long sides of theice tray 71 in cooperation with the pivot motion of theice tray 71. To this end, pivotingshafts 75a are provided at both sides of the one long end of thetray cover 75, respectively. Therefore, thetray cover 75 is pivoted about the pivotingshafts 75a in cooperation with theice tray 71. - A
supply port 75h is also formed in thetray cover 75. Thesupply port 75h of thetray cover 75 functions as a passage through the water stored in thewater storage space 62s of thewater tank 61 is supplied to theice tray 71. Further, thesupply port 75h of thetray cover 75 is spaced apart from thedischarge port 62h of thewater tank 61 by a certain distance in a lateral direction. That is, thesupply port 75h of thetray cover 75 is formed at a position deviated from a region where water is discharged through thedischarge port 62h of thewater tank 61. The reason is to prevent water supplied from thewater tank 61 from impinging directly against a floor surface of the ice-makinggroove 72 of theice tray 71 and thus from being splashed from the ice-makinggroove 72 to the outside. - A
water guide surface 76 is also formed on thetray cover 75. Thewater guide surface 76 serves to guide water supplied from thewater tank 61 into thesupply port 75h of thetray cover 75. Thewater guide surface 76 is formed by allowing a portion of thetray cover 75 to be inclined downward toward thesupply port 75h. - Referring to
FIGS. 6 and12 , theice bank 81 is installed in theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51. Theice bank 81 can be received in or withdrawn from theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51 through theopening 35c. - In addition, the
ice bank 81 is formed into a hexahedral shape with an open top. Anice storage space 81s is defined within theice bank 81. Ice made in theice tray 71 is stored in theice storage space 81s. Further, a front side of theice bank 81 is made of a transparent or translucent material such that ice stored in theice storage space 81s can be visually viewed from the outside. - A
support projection 81a is provided at the front side of theice bank 81. Thesupport projection 81a extends outwards from an edge of the front side of theice bank 81 by a predetermined length. Thesupport projection 81a is brought into close contact with a front brim of theguide box 83 to be explained later. - A catching
protrusion 81b is provided on a bottom surface of theice bank 81. The catchingprotrusion 81b is protrudes downwardly from the bottom surface of theice bank 81 by a predetermined height and extends in a lateral direction. Preferably, the catchingprotrusion 81b is formed to have the same height as thesupport projection 81a provided at the lower end of theice bank 81. The catchingprotrusion 81b is inserted in a catchinggroove 87b of theguide box 83. - The
guide box 83 is installed in theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51. Theguide box 83 serves to guide theice bank 81 which is received in or withdrawn from theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51. Theguide box 83 is installed to be movable in a forward or rearward direction of theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51. - The
guide box 83 is formed into a hexahedral shape with open front and back in accordance with theice bank 81. Anice transfer opening 83a which communicates with the ice transfer opening 53 of the second ice-makinghousing 51 is provided on a top surface of theguide box 83.Guide slots 84 are also formed on outer lateral sides of theguide box 83, respectively, in a forward or rearward direction. The guide protrusions 55 of the second ice-makinghousing 51 are inserted in theguide slots 84. - The
ice bank 81 is securely placed on afloor plate 87 of theguide box 83. Thefloor plate 87 of theguide box 83 is installed such that it can be slid in a forward or rearward direction with respect to the lateral sides of theguide box 83. To this end, guideprotrusions 85 are formed at lower ends of the inner sides of theguide box 83 to extend in a forward or rearward direction. Further, guideslots 88 in which theguide protrusions 85 are inserted are provided at both lateral sides of thefloor plate 87 of theguide box 83. -
Support ribs 86 are provided at upper and lower ends on the rear side of theguide box 83. Thesupport ribs 86 extend upward or downward from the upper and lower ends on the rear side of theguide box 83 by a predetermined height. Thesupport ribs 86 are brought into close contact with upper and lower ends on the rear side of theice bank 81 securely placed on thefloor plate 87 of theguide box 83. - A
handle rib 87a is provided on thefloor plate 87 of theguide box 83. Thehandle rib 87a protrudes downward from a front end on a bottom surface of the floor plate of theguide box 83 by a predetermined length. Thehandle grip 87a is a part which a user grips to allow thefloor plate 87 of theguide box 83 to be slid with respect to both lateral sides of theguide box 83. - The catching
groove 87b is formed in thefloor plate 87 of theguide box 83. The catchinggroove 87b is formed by cutting out a portion of thefloor plate 87 of theguide box 83 in a lateral direction in accordance with the catchingprotrusion 81b. Since the catchingprotrusion 81b is inserted in the catchinggroove 87b, theice bank 81 can be moved in cooperation with the sliding motion of thefloor plate 87 of theguide box 83. - The
push latch 89 is provided on a rear surface of theguide box 83. Thelatch hook 56 is selectively inserted in thepush latch 89. That is, thelatch hook 56 is inserted into or separated from thepush latch 89 by pushing theice bank 81 or theguide box 83 into theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51. Therefore, theice bank 81 can be mounted into theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51 in a state where it is received in the space or be withdrawn from theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51. - Next, a process of making ice using an ice-making device for a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIGS. 13 and14 show a process of storing water into the water storage space in the water tank of the ice-making device according to the present invention,FIGS. 15 and16 show a process of mounting the water tank of the ice-making device according to the present invention,FIGS. 17 to 19 show an operating process of the ice tray of the ice-making device according to the present invention, andFIGS. 20 to 23 show a withdrawing process of an ice bank of the ice-making device according to the present invention. - Referring first to
FIG. 13 , thesupply port cover 64 is pivoted at a predetermined angle with respect to thetank cover 63 to open thesupply port 63h. Then, water is fed and stored into thewater storage space 62s of thewater tank 61 through thesupply port 63h. At this time, thesupply port 63h of thetank cover 63 and thedischarge port 62h of the tankmain body 62 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a lateral distance. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water from being immediately discharged throughdischarge port 62h of the tankmain body 62 while storing the water in thewater storage space 62s through thesupply port 63h of thetank cover 63. - If water is stored in the
water storage space 62s, thesupply port cover 64 is pivoted to close thesupply port 63h as shown inFIG. 14 . Then, in a state where thesupply port 63h is closed, the water tank is mounted into the mounting space S. - More specifically, the
water tank 61 is first slid into the mounting space S as shown inFIG. 15 . At this time, the bottom surface of the tankmain body 63 comes into contact with the top surface of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Then, the top surface of thetank cover 63 is brought into contact with a bottom surface of thedoor basket 34. - As shown in
FIG. 16 , thewater tank 61 is further slid into the mounting space S in a state where theguide ribs 43 of the first ice-makinghousing 41 are brought into contact with the lateral sides of theguide groove 62c of the tankmain body 62. That is, thewater tank 61 can be easily mounted by using theguide ribs 43 and theguide groove 63c. - If the water tank has been completely mounted into the mounting space S as shown in
FIG. 14c , thedischarge port 62h of thewater tank 61 is positioned to correspond to thesupply port 41h of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Then, the valvemain body 67 is moved upward, i.e. into thewater tank 61, by means of the actuatingprotrusion 42 of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Therefore, thedischarge port 62h of thewater tank 61 and substantially supplyport 66h of thevalve bracket 66 are opened, and consequently, water stored in thewater storage space 62s of thewater tank 61 can be transferred through thesupply port 66h of thevalve bracket 66 and thesupply port 67h of the valvemain body 67. - The water transferred through the
supply port 66h of thevalve bracket 66 drops onto a top surface of thetray cover 75 through thesupply port 41h of the first ice-makinghousing 41. Then, the water dropped onto the top surface of thetray cover 75 is guided into thesupply port 75h of thetray cover 75 by means of thewater guide surface 76. - As shown in
FIG. 17 , the water guided into thesupply port 75h of thetray cover 75 is supplied into the ice-makinggrooves 72 of theice tray 71. The water stored in thewater storage space 62s of thewater tank 61 as such drops onto thetray cover 75 and is then supplied into ice-makinggrooves 72 of theice tray 71. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water stored in thewater storage space 62s of thewater tank 61 from impinging directly against the floor surface of the ice-makinggroove 72 of theice tray 71 and thus from being splashed from the ice-makinggroove 72 to the outside. - Thereafter, the water contained in the ice-making
grooves 72 of theice tray 71 is frozen into ice by means of cold air from the freezingchamber 31. At this time, the cold air is supplied from the freezingchamber 31 into theinstallation space 41s of the first ice-makinghousing 41 through thehandle opening 45. - After the water contained in the ice-making
grooves 72 of theice tray 71 has been frozen into ice, the pivotinglever 74 is rotated. As shown inFIG. 18 , therefore, theice tray 71 connected to the pivotinglever 74 is pivoted about thesupport shafts 73. - As shown in
FIG. 19 , if theice tray 71 is pivoted by a predetermined angle, one end of theice tray 71 is caught to thestoppers 46. If the pivotinglever 74 is further rotated in such a state, theice tray 71 is twisted by means of thestoppers 46. Thus, the ice is separated from thegrooves 72. - As shown in
FIG. 20 , the ice separated from the ice-makinggrooves 72 of theice tray 71 is stored in theice bank 81 placed in theguide box 83. The ice stored in theguide box 83 has been guided by means of thetransfer guide surface 54 of the second ice-makinghousing 51 and transferred through the ice transfer opening 53 of the second ice-makinghousing 51 and the ice transfer opening 53a of theguide box 53. - In order to use the ice stored in the
ice bank 81, thehome bar door 35b of thehome bar 35 is first opened to open theopening 35c. Then,ice bank 81 or theguide box 83 is pushed into theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51. Thus, thelatch hook 56 of the second ice-makinghousing 51 is released from thepush latch 89 of theguide box 83. - Therefore, the
guide box 83 with theice bank 81 seated therein can be moved forward from theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51. As shown inFIG. 21 , if theguide box 83 is pulled forward out of theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51, both theice bank 81 and theguide box 83 can be pulled out of theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51. - Further, as shown in
FIG. 22 , theice bank 81 is further pulled forward out of theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51 with respect to theguide box 83. Therefore, theice bank 81 and thefloor plate 87 of theguide box 83 are completely pulled out of theinstallation space 51s of the second ice-makinghousing 51 through theopening 35c of thehome bar 35. - Finally, as shown in
FIG. 23 , theice bank 81 can be separated from thefloor plate 87 of theguide box 83. That is, theice bank 81 can be completely withdrawn by pulling up theice bank 81 and then taking the ice bank out of the floor plate through theopening 35c of thehome bar 35. - It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made thereto within the scope of the invention defined by the claims. Thus, the scope of the present invention should be construed on the basis of the claims.
- From an ice-making device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator including an ice-making device according to the present invention so configured, the following effects can be expected.
- First, according to the present invention, water used to make ice is supplied to an ice tray in a state where it is contained in a water tank. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a phenomenon in which a freezing chamber or a room may be stained or dirty due to the ice-making water running down from the water tank or ice tray.
- Further, the ice tray is mounted into an installation space of the ice-making housing partitioned from the freezing chamber. Therefore, it is possible to prevent ice from being impregnated with odor of other foods stored in the freezing chamber while water supplied from the water tank is frozen into ice within the ice tray. As a result, a user can utilize ice in a more sanitary and comfortable way.
- In addition, an ice bank for storing ice therein is withdrawn out of the freezing chamber through a home bar. That is, the ice bank can be withdrawn to the outside by opening a home bar door which is relatively smaller than a freezing chamber door for opening or closing the freezing chamber. Therefore, the ice bank can be withdrawn in a more convenient way.
- Furthermore, since the ice bank can be withdrawn out of the freezing chamber without opening the freezing chamber door, it is possible to prevent cold air in the freezing chamber from being unnecessarily discharged to the outside. Therefore, it is possible to minimize power consumption of a refrigerator and thus to utilize the refrigerator in a more economical way.
- Moreover, the ice bank is mounted into the installation space of the ice-making housing provided on a rear surface of the freezing chamber door. Therefore, since ice stored in the ice bank from is prevented from being impregnated with the odor of other foods stored in the freezing chamber, the ice can be utilized in a more sanitary way.
Claims (4)
- An ice-making device for a refrigerator having a refrigerator door, comprising:a water tank (61) configured to be detachably mounted to a rear surface of the refrigerator door;a first ice-making housing (41) configured to be detachably mounted to the rear surface of the refrigerator door below the water tank and provided with a predetermined installation space therein;an ice tray (71) pivotally mounted into the installation space of the first ice-making housing (41) and provided with an ice-making groove (72) in which water supplied from the water tank (61) is frozen into ice;a second ice-making housing (51) configured to be detachably mounted to the rear surface of the refrigerator door below the first ice-making housing (41) and provided with a predetermined installation space therein;an ice bank (81) for storing ice made in the ice tray (71); anda guide box (83) for moving forward or rearward of the installation space of the second ice-making housing (51) in a state where the ice bank is seated thereon such that the ice bank can be received in or withdrawn from the installation space of the second ice-making housing (51) through a home bar provided in the refrigerator door,wherein the ice bank and the guide box (83) can be received in or withdrawn from the installation space of the second ice-making housing (51),characterized in that the ice-making device further comprises a tray cover (75) mounted in the installation space of the first ice-making housing (41) to be vertically pivoted in cooperation with a pivot motion of the ice tray (71) and to selectively open or close the ice-making groove (72),wherein the tray cover (75) is provided with a supply port formed at a position deviated from a region where the water is supplied from the water tank (61) to the ice tray (71) through the supply port of the first ice-making housing (41), and a water guide surface (76) downwardly inclined toward the supply port (75h) of the tray cover (75) to guide the water into the supply port of the tray cover (75).
- The ice-making device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water tank (61) is configured to be detachably mounted into a mounting space defined between a bottom surface of any one of door baskets provided on the rear surface of the refrigerator door and a top surface of the first ice-making housing (41), and
wherein the water tank (61) includes:a tank main body formed into a polyhedral shape with an open top to form a water storage space therein and provided with a discharge port, through which water stored in the water storage space is supplied to the ice bank, at a bottom surface thereof;a valve coupled to the tank main body to selectively open or close the discharge port;a tank cover coupled to an upper portion of the tank main body to selectively open or close the water storage space and provided with a supply port through which water is supplied into the water storage space; anda supply port cover provided on the tank cover to selectively open or close the supply port, andthe discharge port is formed at a position deviated from a region where the water is supplied into the water storage space through the supply port and at least a part of the water tank (61) is made of a transparent or translucent material to visually check an amount of water stored in the water storage space from the outside. - The ice-making device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the valve includes:a valve bracket provided at an outer periphery of the discharge port and formed with a supply port;a valve main body installed to be vertically movable through the supply port of the water tank (61) to selectively open or close the supply port;a packing ring provided between the valve bracket and the valve main body to stop up a gap between the valve bracket and the valve main body; andan elastic member for imparting an elastic force to the valve main body in a direction in which the valve main body closes the supply port of the water tank (61), and the valve main body is actuated by an actuating protrusion provided on the top surface of the first ice-making housing (41) to open the discharge port.
- The ice-making device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a supply port is provided at the top surface of the first ice-making housing (41) to supply the water stored in the water tank (61) into the ice tray (71), an ice transfer opening through which ice made in the ice tray (71) is transferred to the ice bank and a transfer guide surface which is formed to be downwardly inclined toward the ice transfer opening to guide the ice into the ice guide opening are provided on a top surface of the second ice-making housing (51), and
wherein ice made in the ice-making groove (72) is separated from the ice-making groove (72) and then stored in the ice bank by actuating a pivoting lever, which is provided on an outer side of the first ice-making housing (41) corresponding to a free end of the door, and then allowing the ice tray (71) to be caught to and twisted by a stopper provided on an inner side of the first ice-making housing (41) when the ice tray (71) is supported on the stopper.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1020050118415A KR100745791B1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2005-12-06 | Ice-making device for refrigerator |
KR1020050118382A KR100745790B1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2005-12-06 | Ice-making device for refrigerator |
KR1020050118384A KR100745778B1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2005-12-06 | Ice-making device for refrigerator |
PCT/KR2006/005211 WO2007066958A1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2006-12-05 | Ice-making device for refrigerator and refrigerator having the same |
EP06823918.5A EP1960720B1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2006-12-05 | Ice-making device for a refrigerator |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06823918.5A Division EP1960720B1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2006-12-05 | Ice-making device for a refrigerator |
EP06823918.5A Division-Into EP1960720B1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2006-12-05 | Ice-making device for a refrigerator |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3561414A1 EP3561414A1 (en) | 2019-10-30 |
EP3561414B1 true EP3561414B1 (en) | 2020-11-25 |
Family
ID=38123057
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06823918.5A Active EP1960720B1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2006-12-05 | Ice-making device for a refrigerator |
EP19171421.1A Active EP3561414B1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2006-12-05 | Ice-making device for refrigerator and refrigerator having the same |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP06823918.5A Active EP1960720B1 (en) | 2005-12-06 | 2006-12-05 | Ice-making device for a refrigerator |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20080289355A1 (en) |
EP (2) | EP1960720B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2006323384B2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007066958A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (43)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2521359A1 (en) | 2004-09-27 | 2006-03-27 | Maytag Corporation | Apparatus and method for dispensing ice from a bottom mount refrigerator |
US7340914B2 (en) | 2005-01-03 | 2008-03-11 | Whirlpool Corporation | Refrigerator with a water and ice dispenser having a retractable ledge |
US7726148B2 (en) * | 2005-05-18 | 2010-06-01 | Maytag Corporation | Refrigerator ice compartment seal |
US7337620B2 (en) | 2005-05-18 | 2008-03-04 | Whirlpool Corporation | Insulated ice compartment for bottom mount refrigerator |
US7607312B2 (en) | 2005-05-27 | 2009-10-27 | Maytag Corporation | Insulated ice compartment for bottom mount refrigerator with temperature control system |
EP2052196B1 (en) * | 2006-08-17 | 2018-12-26 | LG Electronics Inc. | Ice-making assembly and refrigerator using the same |
KR100863389B1 (en) * | 2006-08-24 | 2008-10-13 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator and Ice making apparatus thereof |
KR100934185B1 (en) | 2007-10-31 | 2009-12-29 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Ice making device |
KR20090080305A (en) * | 2008-01-21 | 2009-07-24 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Ice-making assembly for refrigerator |
US8020360B2 (en) * | 2008-03-12 | 2011-09-20 | Whirlpool Corporation | Device to produce a modified atmosphere for food preservation |
WO2010079970A2 (en) * | 2009-01-08 | 2010-07-15 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Cooling apparatus |
CN102369403B (en) | 2009-04-01 | 2014-02-05 | Lg电子株式会社 | Refrigerator having ice making device |
KR101658667B1 (en) * | 2009-04-13 | 2016-09-21 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A refrigerator |
KR101626614B1 (en) * | 2009-04-13 | 2016-06-01 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Control method of a refrigerator |
KR101406188B1 (en) * | 2009-07-20 | 2014-06-12 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Ice making apparatus and refrigerator having the same |
DE102009046023A1 (en) * | 2009-10-27 | 2011-04-28 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Refrigerating appliance and ice maker for it |
KR101669421B1 (en) * | 2010-04-05 | 2016-10-26 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Refrigerator |
KR20120040891A (en) * | 2010-10-20 | 2012-04-30 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Refrigerator |
EP2728282A4 (en) * | 2011-08-09 | 2015-04-29 | Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corp | Refrigerator |
US9513045B2 (en) | 2012-05-03 | 2016-12-06 | Whirlpool Corporation | Heater-less ice maker assembly with a twistable tray |
KR101370250B1 (en) * | 2012-05-17 | 2014-03-06 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Ice maker for refrigerator |
DE102012208668A1 (en) * | 2012-05-23 | 2013-11-28 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Filler and cover for a Eisstückherstelleinrichtung |
KR101918059B1 (en) * | 2012-07-23 | 2018-11-13 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator with sealing apparatus for drawer |
ES2600646T3 (en) * | 2012-08-31 | 2017-02-10 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | A cooling device that has a water dispenser |
US8925335B2 (en) | 2012-11-16 | 2015-01-06 | Whirlpool Corporation | Ice cube release and rapid freeze using fluid exchange apparatus and methods |
US9470448B2 (en) | 2012-12-13 | 2016-10-18 | Whirlpool Corporation | Apparatus to warm plastic side of mold |
US9500398B2 (en) | 2012-12-13 | 2016-11-22 | Whirlpool Corporation | Twist harvest ice geometry |
US9557087B2 (en) | 2012-12-13 | 2017-01-31 | Whirlpool Corporation | Clear ice making apparatus having an oscillation frequency and angle |
US9759472B2 (en) | 2012-12-13 | 2017-09-12 | Whirlpool Corporation | Clear ice maker with warm air flow |
US9410723B2 (en) | 2012-12-13 | 2016-08-09 | Whirlpool Corporation | Ice maker with rocking cold plate |
US9518773B2 (en) | 2012-12-13 | 2016-12-13 | Whirlpool Corporation | Clear ice maker |
US9377233B2 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2016-06-28 | Whirlpool Corporation | Ice maker for french door bottom mount refrigerator |
EP3628946A1 (en) * | 2013-03-25 | 2020-04-01 | LG Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
EP2979048A1 (en) * | 2013-03-29 | 2016-02-03 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | A household appliance having a reservoir fed with a liquid |
DE102013209875A1 (en) | 2013-05-28 | 2014-12-04 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Refrigeration unit with an icemaker |
US10228179B2 (en) | 2014-10-23 | 2019-03-12 | Whirlpool Corporation | In door ice bin for an automatic ice maker |
WO2016065269A2 (en) | 2014-10-23 | 2016-04-28 | Whirlpool Corporation | Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker |
US20180283759A1 (en) * | 2015-04-17 | 2018-10-04 | David Bess | Ice Tray Assembly |
KR102401642B1 (en) * | 2017-08-04 | 2022-05-25 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
US10739053B2 (en) | 2017-11-13 | 2020-08-11 | Whirlpool Corporation | Ice-making appliance |
US10907874B2 (en) | 2018-10-22 | 2021-02-02 | Whirlpool Corporation | Ice maker downspout |
CN115342580B (en) * | 2022-08-15 | 2023-10-27 | 海信冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator and control system thereof |
CN115326300B (en) * | 2022-08-22 | 2023-03-28 | 安徽兴盛达制冷铜管制造有限公司 | Energy-saving air tightness detection device for refrigerator liquid storage device production |
Family Cites Families (21)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2777304A (en) * | 1953-12-09 | 1957-01-15 | Avco Mfg Corp | Water dispenser for refrigerator |
US4095439A (en) * | 1976-12-10 | 1978-06-20 | Whirlpool Corporation | Movable ice receptacle |
US4249761A (en) * | 1979-05-30 | 1981-02-10 | Futaba Kinzoku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Locking assembly for doors and the like of a box body |
US4366941A (en) * | 1981-11-19 | 1983-01-04 | Harris Carl H | Ice cube tray |
US4432529A (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1984-02-21 | Mcmillan Charles | Ice tray with lid |
US5297394A (en) * | 1991-12-31 | 1994-03-29 | Whirlpool Corporation | Clear cube ice maker |
US5188744A (en) * | 1992-02-10 | 1993-02-23 | Silverman Ethan E | Ice cube dispenser tray |
JPH07218069A (en) * | 1994-01-31 | 1995-08-18 | Toshiba Corp | Water supply device for automatic icemaker |
JP3391638B2 (en) * | 1996-08-27 | 2003-03-31 | 松下冷機株式会社 | Ice making equipment |
KR200181763Y1 (en) * | 1996-08-31 | 2000-05-15 | 전주범 | Water supply control device for an automatic ice engine |
KR19990007058U (en) * | 1997-07-30 | 1999-02-25 | 배순훈 | Ice room in the refrigerator |
KR200186556Y1 (en) * | 1997-12-29 | 2000-07-01 | 윤종용 | Refrigerator |
US6574984B1 (en) * | 2002-02-07 | 2003-06-10 | Camco Inc. | Refrigerator door mounted water dispensing assembly |
BR0302286B1 (en) * | 2003-06-11 | 2014-01-07 | REFRIGERATOR WATER RESERVOIR | |
ATE380323T1 (en) * | 2003-07-31 | 2007-12-15 | Arcelik As | ICE MAKING MACHINE |
BR0303842B1 (en) * | 2003-09-16 | 2013-12-17 | ICE FORM SUPPLY SYSTEM IN COOLING DEVICES | |
MXPA04003411A (en) * | 2004-04-07 | 2005-10-11 | Mabe De Mexico S De R L De C V | Device for making ice in refrigerated cabinets. |
KR20050110209A (en) * | 2004-05-18 | 2005-11-23 | 주식회사 대창 | Ice maker |
KR20050110211A (en) * | 2004-05-18 | 2005-11-23 | 주식회사 대창 | Ice maker |
US7472974B2 (en) * | 2005-05-06 | 2009-01-06 | Whirlpool Corporation | Refrigerator with storage bin |
US7469553B2 (en) * | 2005-11-21 | 2008-12-30 | Whirlpool Corporation | Tilt-out ice bin for a refrigerator |
-
2006
- 2006-12-05 US US12/096,562 patent/US20080289355A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2006-12-05 WO PCT/KR2006/005211 patent/WO2007066958A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-12-05 EP EP06823918.5A patent/EP1960720B1/en active Active
- 2006-12-05 EP EP19171421.1A patent/EP3561414B1/en active Active
- 2006-12-05 AU AU2006323384A patent/AU2006323384B2/en active Active
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
None * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2006323384B2 (en) | 2010-03-04 |
EP1960720B1 (en) | 2019-06-19 |
AU2006323384A1 (en) | 2007-06-14 |
EP1960720A4 (en) | 2012-06-20 |
US20080289355A1 (en) | 2008-11-27 |
EP1960720A1 (en) | 2008-08-27 |
EP3561414A1 (en) | 2019-10-30 |
WO2007066958A1 (en) | 2007-06-14 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP3561414B1 (en) | Ice-making device for refrigerator and refrigerator having the same | |
US8302423B2 (en) | Ice-making device for refrigerator and refrigerator having the same | |
US11320187B2 (en) | Refrigerator and method of manufacturing the same | |
US8104304B2 (en) | Ice making device for refrigerator | |
KR100488074B1 (en) | Door structure of refrigerator | |
KR101052150B1 (en) | Refrigerator | |
US20080174220A1 (en) | Refrigerator related technology | |
KR20110112377A (en) | Refrigerator | |
KR100745790B1 (en) | Ice-making device for refrigerator | |
KR100745791B1 (en) | Ice-making device for refrigerator | |
US8074466B2 (en) | Refrigerator with dispenser mounted on the exterior of the door | |
KR100756463B1 (en) | Ice-making device for refrigerator | |
KR100766116B1 (en) | Ice-making device for refrigerator | |
KR100745778B1 (en) | Ice-making device for refrigerator | |
CN101231056A (en) | Ice-making apparatus for refrigerator | |
KR101346981B1 (en) | Refrigerator and refrigerator door and manufacturing method therof | |
KR101259808B1 (en) | Ice-making device for refrigerator | |
MX2008007335A (en) | Ice-making device for refrigerator and refrigerator having the same |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED |
|
AC | Divisional application: reference to earlier application |
Ref document number: 1960720 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: P |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): DE GB IT |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20200424 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): DE GB IT |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20200615 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED |
|
AC | Divisional application: reference to earlier application |
Ref document number: 1960720 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: P |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE GB IT |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602006059827 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602006059827 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20210826 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20231106 Year of fee payment: 18 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20231107 Year of fee payment: 18 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20231106 Year of fee payment: 18 |