KR100953972B1 - Ice-making device for refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ice maker for a refrigerator. The present invention is provided on the rear surface of the door 131 for selectively opening and closing the storage space 121 of the refrigerator, the ice maker 161 for manufacturing ice; An ice maker cover 171 detachably installed on a rear surface of the door 131 and selectively opening and closing the ice maker 161; And a pair of support ends 135 which are opened downward on both sides of the ice making machine cover 171 and protrudes backwards from both side ends of the back of the door 131 by a predetermined length to extend vertically. Fixing grooves 173 into which the fixing protrusions 135a provided at corresponding positions of the facing surfaces of the fixing grooves 173 are formed, respectively, and correspond to the lower sides of the fixing protrusions 135a at lower ends of both sides of the ice maker cover 171. It characterized in that the flow preventing jaw 179 is provided with a flow preventing rib 135c which is provided horizontally long at a corresponding position on the surface facing each other of the support end 135. According to the present invention, the storage capacity of the refrigerator can be used to the maximum and at the same time there is an advantage that the smell of food is not discharged on the ice in the process of producing ice, it is possible to prevent the flow of the ice maker cover.

Refrigerator, ice maker, ice maker cover, flow preventing groove, flow preventing jaw

Description

Ice-making device for refrigerators {Ice-making device for refrigerator}

1 is a side sectional view showing a main portion of a refrigerator provided with an ice maker according to the related art.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator provided with a preferred embodiment of the icemaker for a refrigerator according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the main part of the embodiment shown in FIG.

Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a cold air duct constituting the embodiment shown in FIG.

5 is an exploded perspective view showing another main portion of the embodiment shown in FIG.

6 is a side cross-sectional view showing an ice maker cover constituting the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the bottom of the ice bank constituting the embodiment shown in FIG. 2; FIG.

Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing the flow of cold air and the transfer process of ice in the embodiment shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100: main body 111: outer case

113: inner case 121: freezer

123: shroud 123: cold air outlet

124: heat exchange chamber 125: tightening rib

126: fastening hole 127: fastening groove

129: refrigerator compartment 131: freezer door

131a: dispenser 133: outdoor

134: door liner 135: support end

135a, 135b: fixed protrusion 135c: flow preventing rib

136: seating end 136a: communication port

136b: fastener 137: connection end

139: refrigerator door 139a: home bar

141: cold air duct 143: cold air inlet

144: cold air outlet 145: auxiliary cold air outlet

146: support rib 147: tightening boss

147a: through hole 148: fastening protrusion

149: insulation 151: seating hole

151S: Installation Space 153: Front Panel

153a: cold guide 153b: fastener

153c: jamming rib 154: drive connector

154a: interlocking protrusion 155: both side plates

155a: fixing groove 157: bottom plate

157a: communication port 157b: through hole

157c: obstacle 161: ice maker

163: mounting bracket 163a: through hole

171: ice maker cover 173: fixing groove

174: fastening hook 175: cold air inlet

176: blade 177: sight glass

178: flow barrier 181: ice bank

181S: Storage 183: Ice Transport Opening

184: locking groove 185: rounding part

187: sight glass 188: installation groove

189: interlocking connector 189a: interlocking rib

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to an ice maker for a refrigerator installed on the back of the door to manufacture ice.

1 shows a main part of a refrigerator provided with an ice maker according to the prior art.

As shown therein, the inner case 12 is coupled to the inner side of the outer case 11 forming the exterior of the refrigerator body 10. The inner case 12 forms the inside of the main body 10, and the freezer compartment 13, which is a storage space, is substantially formed by the inner case 12.

One side of the main body 10 is provided with a door 15 to selectively open and close the freezer compartment 13. The door 15 is installed on the main body 10 so that the other end of the door 10 can be rotated forward and backward. The door 15 is composed of an outdoor 16 and a door liner 17. The outdoor 16 forms the front appearance of the door 15. The door liner 17 forms an outer appearance of the rear surface of the door 15.

The shroud 19 is provided in the freezer compartment 13. The shroud 19 is spaced apart from the rear surface of the freezing chamber 13 by a predetermined interval. The shroud 19 is provided with a plurality of cold air discharge ports 19a through which cold air is discharged into the freezing chamber 13.

Meanwhile, a heat exchange chamber 21 is formed between the rear surface of the freezing chamber 13 and the rear surface of the shroud 19. An evaporator (not shown) for forming cold air is provided below the heat exchange chamber 21. In addition, an upper part of the heat exchange chamber 21 is provided with a blowing fan 23 for discharging the cold air heat exchanged in the evaporator to the freezing chamber 13.

An ice maker 25 is provided at an upper end of the rear end of the freezing chamber 13 corresponding to the front of the blowing fan 23. The ice maker 25 is installed long left and right on an upper portion of the freezing chamber 13 adjacent to the shroud 19. The ice maker 25 serves to produce ice and deliver it to the ice bank 31 to be described below.

A motor casing 29 is installed at one side of the freezing compartment 13 corresponding to the lower side of the ice maker 25. The inside of the motor casing 29 is provided with a transfer motor 27 for driving the transfer lever 31a to be described below.

An ice bank 31 is provided in the freezing compartment 13 corresponding to the front of the motor casing 29. The ice bank 31 serves to transfer the ice received from the ice maker 25 to a dispenser (not shown) so that the user can take out ice from the outside. To this end, the inside of the ice bank 31 is provided with a transfer lever 31a driven by the transfer motor 27. One end of the transfer lever 31a is connected to the drive shaft of the transfer motor 27.

However, the refrigerator according to the prior art configured as described above has the following problems.

As described above, in the related art, the ice maker 25 is provided at the rear end of the freezing chamber 13 to be long left and right. In addition, the motor casing 29 and the ice bank 31 are provided inside the freezing chamber 13 to deliver the ice produced by the ice maker 25 to the dispenser. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the storage capacity of the freezer compartment 13 is reduced by the volume of the ice maker 25, the motor casing 29 and the ice bank 31.

In addition, since the ice maker 25 is installed in the freezer compartment 13, the ice maker 25 manufactures ice by cold air circulating in the freezer compartment 13. Therefore, in the process of manufacturing ice in the ice maker 25, there is a fear that the smell of other food stored in the freezing chamber 13 will be doubled.

The present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ice making device for a refrigerator configured to prevent a decrease in the storage capacity of the refrigerator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice making apparatus for a refrigerator, which is configured to minimize a phenomenon in which the smell of other foods stored in the refrigerator is exhausted.

According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention is provided on the rear surface of the door for selectively opening and closing the storage space of the refrigerator, the ice making machine for manufacturing ice; An ice maker cover detachably installed on a rear surface of the door and selectively opening and closing the ice maker; Comprising a position corresponding to the opposite sides of the pair of support ends that are formed to extend upward and downward protruding by a predetermined length from the rear end of both sides of the rear of the door is opened downward on both sides of the outer side of the ice maker cover Fixing grooves are formed to be inserted into each of the fixing projections provided in, the lower side of both sides of the ice making machine cover prevents the flow is provided horizontally long at the corresponding position of the facing surfaces of the support end corresponding to the lower side of the fixing projections It is characterized in that the flow prevention jaw is provided that the rib is seated.

The lower end of the rear side of the ice maker cover adjacent to the rear side of the door is further provided with a fastening hook which is elastically fastened to a connection end formed by protruding a predetermined length to the rear of the rear part of the door so as to connect the upper end of the support side to the left and right. It is characterized by.

A cold air duct provided on the ceiling of the storage space in a front and rear direction and supplying a part of the cold air supplied to the storage space to the ice maker through the cold air inlet; An ice bank detachably installed on a rear surface of the door corresponding to the lower side of the ice maker, and storing the ice manufactured by the ice maker and transferring the ice bank to a dispenser provided in the door; Characterized in that further comprises a.

According to the present invention, the storage capacity of the refrigerator can be used to the maximum and at the same time there is an advantage that the smell of food is not discharged on the ice in the process of producing ice, it is possible to prevent the flow of the ice maker cover.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of the refrigerator ice maker according to the present invention will be described in more detail.

2 shows a refrigerator equipped with a preferred embodiment of the icemaker for a refrigerator according to the present invention, FIG. 3 shows a summary of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 shows the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The constituent cold air duct is shown, and FIG. 5 shows another main part of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, and FIGS. 6 and 7 show an ice maker cover and an ice bank constituting the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, respectively. It is.

As shown in the figure, the freezer compartment 121 and the refrigerating compartment 129 are provided in the refrigerator body 100 so as to be parallel to the left and right. The outer case 111 forms the exterior of the main body 100. An inner case 113 forming the inside of the main body 100 is coupled to the inside of the outer case 111. That is, the freezing chamber 121 and the refrigerating chamber 129 are formed by the inner case 113.

Meanwhile, the main body 100 includes a freezing chamber door 131 and a refrigerating chamber door 139. The freezing chamber door 131 and the refrigerating chamber door 139 may be rotatably installed in a front and rear direction around each end. The freezing compartment door 131 and the refrigerating compartment door 139 serve to selectively open and close the freezing compartment 121 and the refrigerating compartment 129, respectively.

In addition, the freezer compartment door 131 and the refrigerating compartment door 139 are provided with a dispenser 131a and a groove bar 139a, respectively. The dispenser 131a is for a user to take out water or ice from the outside without opening the freezer door 131. The home bar 139a is for the user to withdraw the beverage from the outside without opening the refrigerating chamber door 139.

The shroud 123 is provided inside the freezing chamber 121. At this time, the rear surface of the shroud 123 is spaced apart from the rear surface of the freezing chamber 121 by a predetermined distance. A heat exchange chamber 124 (see FIG. 8) is formed between the rear surface of the freezing chamber 121 and the rear surface of the shroud 123, in which an evaporator (not shown) and a blowing fan (not shown) are installed.

Meanwhile, a plurality of cold air outlets 123a and 123b are formed in the shroud 123. The cold air discharge ports 123a and 123b are places where cold air heat-exchanged in the evaporator is discharged into the freezing chamber 121 by driving the blower fan. The cold air discharge ports 123a and 123b are formed in the shroud 123 at a position spaced apart from each other vertically or horizontally.

As shown in detail in FIG. 3, a front surface of the shroud 123 corresponding to an upper portion of the cold air discharge port 123a positioned at the top of the freezing chamber 121 among the cold air discharge ports 123a and 123b. The fastening rib 125 is provided. The fastening rib 125 is protruded forward from the front of the shroud 123, and is provided long to the left and right. At this time, it is preferable that both ends of the fastening rib 125 are rounded downward inclined downward.

Meanwhile, a pair of fastening holes 126 and one fastening groove 127 are formed in the ceiling of the freezing compartment 121. The fastening hole 126 and the fastening groove 127 of the freezing compartment 121 are provided at the front end of the ceiling of the freezing compartment 121 corresponding to the front of the cold air outlet 123a and the fastening rib 125. At this time, the fastening groove 127 of the freezing chamber 121 is preferably provided between the fastening holes 126 of the freezing chamber 121.

The cold air duct 141 is installed at the ceiling of the freezing chamber 121. The cold air duct 141 flows a part of the cold air discharged through the cold air discharge port 123a toward the rear surface of the freezing chamber door 131, thereby supplying cold air to the ice maker 161 which will be described below. Do it.

To this end, the cold air duct 141 is elongated in the longitudinal direction, and has a c-shaped side cross-section with an upper portion opened. Accordingly, a flow path through which the cold air supplied to the ice maker 161 flows is formed by the ceiling of the freezing chamber 121 and the inside of the cold air duct 141.

As shown in Figure 4, the vertical height of the cold air duct 141 is preferably gradually increased from the front end to the rear end. That is, the cold air duct 141 is formed to be inclined downward by a predetermined slope from the front end to the rear end. And the height of the rear end of the cold air duct 141 has a relatively large value at least compared to the overall height of the cold air discharge port (123a).

The cold air duct 141 is installed long in the front and rear on the ceiling of the freezing chamber 121. At this time, the rear end of the cold air duct 141 is in close contact with the front surface of the shroud 123 so that the cold air outlet 123a is located therein. The front end of the cold air duct 141 is positioned adjacent to the front end of the ceiling of the freezing chamber 121.

The cold air inlet 143 is formed at the rear end of the cold air duct 141. The cold air inlet 143 serves as an inlet zone through which cold air discharged through the cold air outlet 123a flows into the cold air duct 141.

In addition, a cold air outlet 144 is formed at the front end of the cold air duct 141. The cold air outlet 144 serves as an outlet to be discharged so that the cold air flowing into the cold air duct 141 through the cold air inlet 143 flows into the cold air inlet 175 of the ice maker cover 171 which will be described below. Do it. However, as described above, the cold air duct 141 is formed so that the height gradually increases from the front end toward the rear end. Therefore, the cold air outlet 144 is formed to be inclined downward toward the front of the freezing chamber 121.

In addition, an auxiliary cold air outlet 145 is provided at a rear end of the cold air duct 141 adjacent to the cold air inlet 143. The auxiliary cold air outlet 145 discharges a part of the cold air introduced into the cold air duct 141 through the cold air outlet 123a into the freezing chamber 121.

Meanwhile, a support rib 146 is provided inside the rear end of the cold air duct 141. The support ribs 146 are formed long left and right at the rear end of the cold air duct 141. In the state where the cold air duct 141 is installed on the ceiling of the freezing chamber 121, the bottom surface of the cold air duct 141 is supported on the upper surface of the fastening rib 125.

In addition, a pair of fastening bosses 147 are provided inside the front end of the cold air duct 141 corresponding to the front of the cold air outlet 144. The fastening boss 147 protrudes upward from the inside of the front end of the cold air duct 141 so that the tip thereof is in close contact with the ceiling of the freezing chamber 121. The fastening boss 147 is spaced left and right by a predetermined distance from side to side. In addition, the fastening boss 147 is formed with a through hole 147a through which the fastening screw S1 fastened to the fastening hole 126 of the freezing compartment 121 is formed.

The fastening protrusion 148 is provided inside the front end of the cold air duct 141 corresponding to the fastening boss 147. The fastening protrusion 148 protrudes upward from the front end of the cold air duct 141. At this time, the fastening protrusion 148 is formed relatively longer than the fastening boss 147 is inserted into the fastening groove 127 of the freezing compartment 121.

An insulation 149 is provided inside the cold air duct 141. The heat insulator 149 is provided inside the cold air duct 141 corresponding to the cold air outlet 144 and the auxiliary cold air outlet 145. The heat insulator 149 serves to prevent the inside of the cold air duct 141 from freezing by cold air introduced into the cold air duct 141 through the cold air inlet 143.

The heat insulator 149 is preferably formed of polyethylene form material. This is to maximize the amount of cold air flowing to the ice maker 161 through the cold air duct 141 by forming the thickness of the heat insulating material 149 or less. However, the material of the heat insulator 149 is not limited thereto, and the heat insulator 149 may be formed of general styrofoam.

Meanwhile, as shown in detail in FIG. 5, the outdoor 133 forms a front appearance of the freezer compartment 131. In addition, a door liner 134 is formed inside the outdoor 133 to form an exterior of the rear surface of the freezer compartment 131.

And both ends of the rear surface of the freezer compartment door 131 is provided with a support end 135, respectively. The support end 135 is formed to substantially extend upwardly and downwardly by a part of the doorliner 134 protruding rearward by a predetermined length. A plurality of fixing protrusions 135a and 135b are provided at positions corresponding to the surfaces of the support ends 135 facing each other.

In addition, the surface of the support end 135 facing each other is provided with a flow preventing rib (135c). The flow preventing ribs 135c are located at positions corresponding to each other to be spaced apart from the fixing protrusions 135b provided at an upper portion of the support end 135 by a predetermined interval, among the fixing protrusions 135a and 135b. It is provided. The flow preventing rib 135c is provided horizontally long on the surfaces of the support end 135 facing each other.

The rear end of the freezer compartment door 131 is provided with a seating end (136). The seating end 136 is formed by protruding a part of the door liner 134 corresponding to the support end 135 by a predetermined length. In this case, the seating end 136 protrudes relatively longer than the support end 135. The seating end 136 is formed by the installation of the dispenser 131a.

Meanwhile, a communication port 136a is provided inside the seating end 136. The communication port 136a of the seating end 136 is formed by cutting a part of the seating end 136. The communication port 136a of the seating end 136 is for delivering the ice produced by the ice maker 161 to the dispenser 131a. A pair of fastening holes 136b is formed at the front end of the seating end 136.

A connection end 137 is provided on the rear surface of the freezer door 131. The connection end 137 is formed by protruding a portion of the door liner 134 backward by a predetermined length so as to connect the upper end of the support end 135 to the left and right.

A mounting hole 151 is provided on the rear surface of the freezer compartment door 131. The seating hole 151 is formed in a polyhedral shape, a part of which is opened so that a predetermined installation space 151S is provided therein. That is, the seating hole 151 may include a front plate 153 forming a front surface of the installation space 151S, two side plates 155 forming both side surfaces of the installation space 151S, and the installation space ( It consists of the bottom plate 157 which forms the bottom surface of 151S. The rear surface of the front plate 153 is in close contact with the rear surface of the freezer compartment door 131 corresponding to the support end 135. The outer surface of the both side plate 155 is in close contact with the surfaces of the support end 135 facing each other. The bottom surface of the bottom plate 157 is in close contact with the top surface of the seating end 136.

The cold air guide 153a is provided on the front surface of the installation space 151S. The cold air guide 153a is for guiding a part of the cold air supplied to the ice maker 161 by the cold air duct 141 to the space between the installation space 151S and the ice maker 161. The cold air guide 153a is configured as a pair provided on the front upper portion of the installation space 151S to be vertically long and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. In the illustrated embodiment, the cold guide 153a is formed by protruding a portion of the front plate 153 which forms the front surface of the installation space 151S.

In addition, a pair of fastening holes 153b are formed on the front surface of the installation space 151S. Preferably, the fastening hole 153b is formed on the front surface of the installation space 151S corresponding to one side of the cold guide 153a.

In addition, the front surface of the installation space (151S) is provided with a locking rib (153c). The locking rib 153c is formed by protruding a portion of the front plate 153 forward. The locking rib 153c is a state in which the ice bank 181 to be described below is installed in the installation space 151S, the top of the ice bank 181 around the bottom of the installation space 151S. The top of the ice bank 181 is rotated in a direction to be spaced apart and is positioned on a trajectory formed.

Although not shown, in the space between the rear surface of the freezer compartment door 131 and the rear surface of the seating hole 151, that is, the rear surface of the front plate 153, various kinds of operations for the operation of the dispenser 131a and the ice maker are provided. The part is installed. In such a space, for example, a motor (not shown) providing a driving force for transporting and crushing ice stored in the ice bank 181 is installed.

The motor shaft Ma of the motor penetrates one side of the front lower portion of the installation space 151S and is positioned inside the installation space 151S. In addition, a driving connector 154 is installed on the motor shaft Ma. The drive connector 154 is rotated about the motor shaft Ma by the driving of the motor.

The drive connector 154 is formed to a predetermined length. In addition, interlocking protrusions 154a are provided at both ends of one surface of the driving connector 154, respectively. The interlocking protrusion 154a is formed in a cylindrical shape extending perpendicularly from one surface of the driving connector 154 to protrude into the installation space 153. As the linkage protrusion 154a is formed in a cylindrical shape, the phenomenon in which the user's body is damaged by the linkage protrusion 154a is prevented even when the ice bank 181 is removed from the installation space 151S. .

On the other hand, fixing grooves 155a are formed on both sides of the seating holes 151 that correspond to both sides of the installation space 151S, respectively. The fixing groove 155a of the seating hole 151 is formed in a substantially c-shaped shape which is opened downward. The fixing protrusion 135a of the support end 135 is inserted into the fixing groove 155a of the seating hole 151. Therefore, when the seating hole 151 is moved from above to the bottom, the fixing protrusion 135a of the support end 135 is inserted into the fixing groove 155a of the seating hole 151, and the seating hole 151 is It is fixed to the rear surface of the freezer door 131.

A communication port 157a is provided on the bottom surface of the installation space 151S. The communication port 157a of the installation space 151S communicates with the communication port 136a of the seating end 136. Therefore, the ice passing through the communication port 157a of the installation space 151S and the communication port 136a of the seating end 136 is taken out through the dispenser 131a. The communication port 157a of the installation space 151S is formed by cutting a portion of the bottom plate 157 corresponding to the bottom surface of the installation space 151S.

A pair of through holes 157b is formed at the bottom end of the installation space 151S. The through hole 157b of the installation space 151S is a place through which the fastening screw S2 fastened to the fastening hole 136b of the seating end 136 passes. In addition, a pair of locking projections 157c is provided at the bottom end of the installation space 151S. The locking protrusion 157c is formed by protruding a portion of the bottom plate 157 corresponding to the bottom surface of the installation space 151S upwards.

An ice maker 161 is installed at an upper portion of the installation space 151S. The ice maker 161 serves to manufacture the ice taken out through the dispenser 131a. One side of the ice maker 161 is provided with a pair of mounting brackets 163. Through holes 163a are formed in the mounting brackets 163, respectively. The fastening screw S3 penetrating the through hole 163a of the ice maker 161 is fastened to the fastening hole 153b of the installation space 151S, whereby the ice maker 161 is fixed to the installation space 151S. do.

Meanwhile, an ice maker cover 171 is detachably installed at an upper portion of the installation space 151S. The ice maker cover 171 selectively opens and closes the ice maker 161 and serves to allow cold air supplied through the cold air duct 141 to be delivered to the ice maker 161. Accordingly, in the state where the ice maker cover 171 is installed in the installation space 151S, the ice maker 161 is substantially located inside the ice maker cover 171.

The ice maker cover 171 is formed in a polyhedral shape in which a lower surface and one surface adjacent to the rear surface of the freezing chamber door 131 are opened. In addition, fixing grooves 173 are formed at both outer sides of the ice maker cover 171, respectively. The fixing groove 173 of the ice maker cover 171 is formed in a U-shape opened downward. The fixing protrusion 135b of the support end 135 is inserted into the fixing groove 173 of the ice maker cover 171.

In addition, as shown in Figure 6, the fastening hook 174 is provided on the back of the ice maker cover 171 in close contact with the front of the installation space (151S). The fastening hook 174 is formed to have a predetermined elasticity and is elastically fastened to the connection end 137 while the ice maker cover 171 is installed in the installation space 151S.

On the other hand, the ice maker cover 171 is adhesively increased vertically from the rear end portion adjacent to the rear surface of the freezing chamber door 131 toward the tip portion. Therefore, the upper surface of the ice maker cover 171 is formed to be inclined downward in the same inclination with the cold air duct 141 from the rear end portion adjacent to the rear surface of the freezing chamber door 131 toward the tip portion. That is, the cold air duct 141 and the ice maker cover 171 are formed in a shape to be joined to each other. Therefore, in the state where the freezing chamber door 131 shields the freezing chamber 121, the cold air duct 141 and the ice maker cover 171 are positioned adjacent to each other.

A cold air inlet 175 is formed on an upper surface of the ice maker cover 171. The cold air inlet 175 serves to inlet the cold air supplied through the cold air outlet 144 of the cold air duct 141. The cold air inlet 175 is formed at a position in communication with the cold air inlet 143 in a size and shape corresponding to the cold air inlet 143 in a state where the freezing compartment door 131 shields the freezing compartment 121. .

The cold air inlet 175 is provided with a plurality of blades (176). The blade 176 serves to guide the cold air introduced through the cold air inlet 175 to the ice maker 161. The blade 176 is formed to be inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical axis to guide the cold air at the shortest distance toward the ice maker 161. Therefore, the inclination angle of the blade 176 is different according to the distance and the relative position with the ice maker 161.

For example, the first blade 176a closest to the ice maker 161 among the blades 176 has an inclination angle of 45 ° with respect to the vertical axis. The seventh blade 176g, which is most spaced apart from the ice maker 161, has the inclination angle of 70 ° with respect to the vertical axis. Meanwhile, the remaining second to sixth blades 176b, 176c, 176d, 176e, and 176f positioned between the first blade 176a and the seventh blade 176g are spaced apart from the ice maker 161. Gradually the angle of inclination increases between 45 ° and 70 ° with respect to the vertical axis. That is, the second to sixth blades 176b, 176c, 176d, 176e, and 176f have inclination angles of 49 °, 53 °, 57 °, 61 °, and 65 °, respectively, with respect to the vertical axis.

In addition, the ice maker cover 171 is provided with a see-through window 177. The viewing window 177 of the ice maker cover 171 is formed of a transparent or translucent material. The viewing window 177 of the ice maker cover 171 is for visually identifying a process of manufacturing ice in the ice maker 161 without the user removing the ice maker cover 171.

Flow preventing jaws 178 are formed at lower ends of both sides of the ice maker cover 171, respectively. The flow preventing jaw 178 is located below the fixing groove 173 of the ice maker cover 171. When the ice maker cover 171 is installed in the installation space 151S, the flow preventing jaw 178 is seated on the upper surface of the flow preventing rib 135c. As such, the fixing protrusion 135a is inserted into the fixing groove 173 of the ice maker cover 171, and the flow preventing jaw 178 is seated on the flow preventing rib 135c, so that the ice maker cover 171 is provided. In the state installed in the installation space 151S is partially prevented from flowing up and down.

Referring back to FIG. 5, an ice bank 181 is detachably installed at a lower portion of the installation space 151S corresponding to the ice maker 161 and the ice maker cover 171. The ice bank 181 stores the ice produced in the ice maker 161. The ice bank 181 delivers the stored ice to the dispenser 131a so that the user can take out ice from the outside.

The ice bank 181 is formed in a polyhedron shape having the same cross section as the ice maker cover 171. The ice bank 181 is provided with a hopper-shaped storage space 181S having an upper portion thereof open. The ice produced by the ice maker 161 is stored in the storage space 181S.

As shown in FIG. 7, the ice transfer opening 183 is provided at the bottom of the ice bank 181. The ice transfer opening 183 serves as an outlet for delivering the ice stored in the storage space 181S to the dispenser 131a. That is, the ice stored in the storage space 181S is dispenser 131a through the communication port 157a of the ice transfer opening 183 and the installation space 151S and the communication port 136a of the seating end 136. Is passed to.

On the other hand, the ice bank 181 is provided with an ice removing means for transferring the ice stored in the storage space 181S to the dispenser 131a through the ice transfer opening 183. In addition, the ice bank 181 is provided with ice-breaking means for crushing the ice transferred to the dispenser 131a according to the user's selection.

A pair of locking grooves 184 are formed on the bottom of the ice bank 181. The locking protrusion 157c is inserted into the locking groove 184. Accordingly, the ice bank 181 does not move arbitrarily in front and rear of the installation space 151S in a state where the ice bank 181 is installed in the installation space 151S.

In addition, the ice bank 181 is installed in the installation space (151S), the upper edge of the ice bank 181 is a predetermined distance from the bottom edge of the ice maker 161 and the lower edge of the ice maker cover 171. Are spaced apart. At this time, the distance between the bottom edge of the ice maker cover 171, the bottom of the ice maker 161 and the top edge of the ice bank 181 is determined to be a relatively small value compared to the height of the locking projection (157c). The rear surface of the ice bank 181 is spaced apart from the front surface of the installation space 151S by a predetermined distance.

This is to prevent the ice bank 181 from being detached from the installation space (151S) arbitrarily. In other words, in the state where the ice maker 161 and the ice maker cover 171 are installed in the installation space 151S, the ice bank 181 cannot be moved up and down. In addition, since the locking protrusion 157c is inserted into the locking groove 184, the ice bank 181 may not be moved back and forth or left and right.

Accordingly, in order to remove the ice bank 181 from the installation space 151S, the ice bank 181 is first tilted upward while the upper end of the ice bank 181 is rotated in a direction adjacent to the front surface of the installation space 151S. By moving, the locking projection 157c is separated from the locking groove 184. In this case, the ice bank 181 has an upper end of the rear surface adjacent to an edge formed by one side of the front surface of the installation space 151S, more specifically, the rear end of the bottom surface of the ice maker 161 and the front surface of the installation space 151S. It moves to a position that is in close contact with the part. The ice bank 181 may be removed from the installation space 151S by horizontally moving the ice bank 181 in a direction spaced apart from the front surface of the installation space 151S. In addition, the ice bank 181 may be installed in the installation space 151S in the reverse order.

A rounding part 185 is provided at a lower rear side of the ice bank 181. The rounding part 185 allows the ice bank 181 to be easily rotated in a direction adjacent to the front of the installation space 151S with respect to the bottom of the ice bank 181 for attachment and detachment in the installation space 151S. It is for.

Meanwhile, an impact may occur in the process of rotating the freezer compartment door 131. However, since the lower end of the ice bank 181 is limited in movement by the locking protrusion 157c and the locking groove 184, the upper end of the ice bank 181 rotates around the lower end thereof. That is, the ice bank 181 is rotated in a direction adjacent to the front or spaced apart from the front of the installation space 151S around the lower end.

However, the ice bank 181 is installed at a rear thereof spaced apart from the front of the installation space 151S by a predetermined interval. Therefore, the ice bank 181 is rotated in the direction adjacent to the front of the installation space (151S) around the lower end of the ice bank 181 in the process of the freezing chamber door 131 rotates the installation space ( 151S) will not be removed.

The upper end of the rear surface of the ice bank 181 is positioned adjacent to the locking rib 153c. Therefore, even if the ice bank 181 is rotated in a direction in which the top is spaced apart from the front of the installation space 151S around the bottom thereof, the upper end of the rear surface of the ice bank 181 is caught by the locking rib 153c. The bank 181 is not removed at random from the installation space 151S.

In addition, the ice bank 181 is provided with a see-through window 187. The viewing window 187 of the ice bank 181 is formed of a transparent or semi-transparent material in the same manner as the viewing window 177 of the ice maker cover 171. The user can identify the amount of ice stored in the storage space 181S through the viewing window 187 of the ice maker cover 171.

On the other hand, the installation groove 188 is formed in the lower rear of the ice bank 181. The installation groove 188 of the ice bank 181 is formed at a position corresponding to the driving connector 154. The installation groove 188 of the ice bank 181 is formed by recessing therein so that a portion of the rear surface of the ice bank 181 has a circular cross section.

One end of the rotating shaft A is positioned inside the installation groove 188 of the ice bank 181. The other end of the rotating shaft (A) extends into the ice bank 181. In this way, the ice-breaking means and the ice-breaking means are coupled to the rotating shaft A extending into the ice bank 181. Accordingly, when the rotating shaft A rotates, the ice-breaking means and the ice-breaking means operate so that the ice stored in the storage space 181S is transferred or crushed to the dispenser 131a.

In addition, an interlocking connector 189 is installed inside the installation groove 188 of the ice bank 181. The interlocking connector 189 is rotatably installed about the rotation axis A. The interlock connector 189 is formed in a cylindrical shape having a relatively small diameter compared to the installation groove 188 of the ice bank 181.

A pair of interlocking ribs 189a are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the interlocking connector 189. The interlocking ribs 189a protrude from the inner circumferential surfaces of the interlocking connector 189 by a predetermined length in a direction facing each other. Therefore, the interlocking rib 189a is substantially positioned inside the installation groove 188 of the ice bank 181. The interlocking rib 189a is interlocked with the rotation of the drive connector 154 by engaging with the interlocking protrusion 154a in a state where the ice bank 181 is installed below the installation space 151S. It serves to rotate 189.

Hereinafter will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings the operation of the preferred embodiment of the icemaker for a refrigerator according to the present invention.

8 illustrates a flow of cold air and a process of transferring ice in a preferred embodiment of the icemaker for a refrigerator according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the cold air heat-exchanged in the evaporator provided in the heat exchange chamber 124 is discharged into the freezing chamber 121 through the cold air discharge ports 123a and 123b when the blower fan is driven. The cold air discharged through any one of the cold air discharge ports 123a among the cold air discharge ports 123a and 123b is introduced into the cold air duct 141 through the cold air inlet 143.

As described above, a part of the cold air introduced into the cold air duct 141 is supplied into the freezing chamber 121 through the auxiliary cold air outlet 145. The remaining cold air introduced into the cold air duct 141 is discharged through the cold air outlet 144 and supplied to the ice maker 161 located in the ice maker cover 171 through the cold air inlet 175.

However, the heat insulating material 149 is provided inside the cold air duct 141. Therefore, in the process of discharging the cold air introduced into the cold air duct 141 through the cold air inlet 143 through the cold air outlet 144 and the auxiliary cold air outlet 145, the inside of the cold air duct 141. The phenomenon of freezing in the water is minimized.

Meanwhile, in the state where the freezing chamber 121 is shielded by the freezing chamber door 131, the cold air duct 141 and the ice maker cover 171 are combined with each other. Therefore, the phenomenon that the cold air flowing into the cold air inlet 175 through the cold air outlet 144 is leaked to the outside, that is, the inside of the freezing chamber 121 is minimized. In addition, the cold air supplied to the ice maker 161 through the cold air inlet 175 is guided to the shortest path by the blade 176. Therefore, the cold air is guided by the blade 176 to be more efficiently supplied to the ice maker 161.

A portion of the cold air guided by the blade 176 flows through the space between the front surface of the installation space 151S and the ice maker 161 by the cold guide 153a and is supplied to the ice maker 161. Therefore, cold air is smoothly supplied to one side of the ice maker 161 corresponding to the opposite side of the cold air inlet 175.

Meanwhile, the ice produced by the ice maker 161 is stored in the storage space 181S of the ice bank 181. And it is taken out outside through the dispenser 131a by a user's operation. At this time, the ice may be crushed to a predetermined size according to the user's selection.

In more detail, when the motor shaft Ma rotates by driving the motor, the driving connector 154 rotates. When the driving connector 154 is rotated, the interlocking connector 189 in which the interlocking rib 189a is engaged with the interlocking protrusion 154a of the driving connector 154 rotates in association with the driving connector 154. Therefore, the rotating shaft A coupled to the interlocking connector 189 rotates.

And when the rotary shaft (A) rotates, the ice and ice means coupled to it. Therefore, the ice stored in the storage space 181S is taken out to the outside in the manufactured state or the crushed state through the dispenser 131a.

Within the scope of the basic technical spirit of the present invention as well as many other modifications are possible to those skilled in the art, the scope of the present invention should be interpreted based on the appended claims. .

According to the icemaker for a refrigerator according to the present invention configured as described above can be expected the following effects.

First, in the present invention, an ice maker is installed on the rear surface of the freezing chamber door. Therefore, a phenomenon in which the storage capacity of the refrigerator, in particular, the storage capacity of the freezer is lowered, can be prevented, so that more food can be stored in the freezer.

According to the present invention, in the state where the ice maker is shielded by the ice maker cover, a part of the cold air supplied to the freezing chamber is supplied by the cold air duct to manufacture ice. Therefore, the phenomenon that the smell of other food stored in the freezer during the manufacturing process of the ice in the ice maker is minimized, thereby making the ice more hygienic.

In addition, in the present invention, the ice bank for storing the ice produced by the ice maker to deliver to the dispenser is also installed on the back of the freezer door. Therefore, the phenomenon that the smell of food on the ice is minimized while the ice is stored in the ice bank, and the time required for supplying the ice through the dispenser can be shortened.

In the present invention, the fixing protrusion of the freezer compartment door is inserted into the fixing groove of the ice maker cover, and the flow preventing jaw of the ice maker cover is seated on the flow preventing rib of the freezer compartment door, whereby the ice maker is installed on the rear surface of the freezer compartment door. The phenomenon of partially flowing up and down in the state is prevented. Therefore, the ice maker and the ice maker cover are prevented from colliding with each other, thereby improving the durability of the product.

Claims (3)

An ice maker provided on the rear surface of the door for selectively opening and closing the storage space of the refrigerator and manufacturing ice; An ice maker cover detachably installed on a rear surface of the door and selectively opening and closing the ice maker; It is configured to include, Fixing protrusions which are opened downward on both sides of the ice making machine cover and protrude at opposite sides of the rear side of the door and protrude at a predetermined length from the rear side of the door to a corresponding position of the opposing surfaces of the pair of support ends which are formed to be vertically long. Fixed grooves to be inserted are respectively formed, Refrigerator defrosting apparatus is provided on the lower end of both sides of the ice maker cover is provided with a flow preventing jaw seated horizontally long in the corresponding position of the opposite ends of the support end corresponding to the lower side of the fixing projections; . The method of claim 1, The lower end of the rear side of the ice maker cover adjacent to the rear side of the door is further provided with a fastening hook which is elastically fastened to a connection end formed by protruding a predetermined length to the rear of the rear part of the door so as to connect the upper end of the support side to the left and right. Refrigerator ice maker, characterized in that. The method according to claim 1 or 2, A cold air duct provided on the ceiling of the storage space in a front and rear direction and supplying a part of the cold air supplied to the storage space to the ice maker through the cold air inlet; An ice bank detachably installed on a rear surface of the door corresponding to the lower side of the ice maker, and storing the ice manufactured by the ice maker and transferring the ice bank to a dispenser provided in the door; Refrigerator ice-making device further comprises a.

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