KR101761738B1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator according to an aspect of the present invention includes an ice maker provided in a door, an ice bucket provided in a door, a conveying member for conveying ice of the ice bucket, and a driving motor for driving the conveying member, When the door is closed, it is connected to the conveying member and is provided on the main body so as to be separated from the conveying member when the door is opened. With the above-described structure, the structure of the door can be simplified, the capacity of the ice bucket can be increased, and the replacement and repair of the drive motor can be facilitated. At this time, the coupling device composed of the first coupling portion coupled to the driving shaft of the drive motor to transmit the driving force of the driving motor to the conveying member and the second coupling portion coupled to the rotation axis of the conveying member, Or when the drive motor is driven after the door is closed, it can be engaged and can be hidden when the door is opened. Thereby, the coupling device can be smoothly operated at the time of closing the door, and appearance design, stability, and ease of use can be improved.

Description

Refrigerator {REFRIGERATOR}

The present invention relates to a refrigerator provided with an ice maker on a door.

Generally, a refrigerator is a household appliance having a storage room capable of storing food, and a cold air supply device for supplying cold air to the storage room to store food freshly. The storage room is provided with a front surface opened inside the main body, and the open front surface of the storage room can be opened and closed by a door.

The refrigerator includes an ice maker for generating ice, an ice bucket for storing ice produced in the ice maker, a conveying member for conveying the ice in the ice bucket, a drive motor for driving the conveying member, and a crushing device And so on.

In particular, the components may be provided in the door, not in the storage room. An example of such a refrigerator is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,082,130. According to the publication, the door is provided with an ice bucket for storing ice, and the ice bucket is provided with a conveying member for conveying ice.

At this time, an ice storage space is provided in the upper part of the ice bucket, an ice crushing space is provided in the lower part of the ice bucket, and the conveying member has a vertical rotation axis. Further, the driving motor for driving the conveying member is mounted on the door so as to be positioned below the ice bucket.

One aspect of the present invention discloses a refrigerator in which an ice bucket having a conveying member is provided in a door, wherein the capacity of the ice bucket is increased.

One aspect of the present invention discloses a refrigerator in which an ice bucket having a conveying member is provided in a door, the structure of the door being simplified.

One aspect of the present invention discloses a refrigerator in which an ice bucket having a conveying member is provided in a door, wherein ice can be smoothly conveyed.

One aspect of the present invention discloses a refrigerator having a coupling device for transmitting power of a drive motor provided in a main body to a conveying member provided on a door, the coupling device being smoothly engaged and disengaged.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coupling device for transmitting power of a driving motor provided on a main body to a conveying member provided on a door, the refrigerator having a coupling device with improved appearance design and safety.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber, a door rotatably coupled to the main body to open and close the storage chamber, an ice maker provided in the door, An ice bucket provided in the door and having a transfer device for transferring the stored ice; And a driving device for driving the conveying device, the driving device being connected to the conveying device when the door is closed and disconnected from the conveying device when the door is opened; .

Here, the driving device includes a driving motor for generating a driving force and a driving coupler for connecting the conveying device, wherein the conveying device includes a conveying member for conveying the ice, The drive coupler and the driven coupler are connected when the door is closed, and the drive coupler and the driven coupler can be separated when the door is opened.

Wherein the passive coupler includes a support portion and a pressurized portion protruding from the support portion so as to have all radii between a first radius and a second radius, the drive coupler including a wing portion, And a pressing portion protruding from the wing portion to have a radius between the first radius and the second radius.

Here, the drive coupler and the driven coupler may be formed of a resin material.

Meanwhile, the driving motor may be provided on a side wall of the main body, and the driving device may include a speed reducer that decelerates the rotation of the driving motor and transmits the decelerated rotation to the driving coupler.

Alternatively, the driving motor may be provided on the upper wall of the main body, and the driving device may include at least one worm gear for transmitting the driving force of the driving motor to the driving coupler.

The ice bucket includes a storage space for storing ice falling in the ice maker and a crushing space horizontally provided in the storage space for crushing the ice, And the driven coupler may be provided on the rotating shaft of the conveying member.

Alternatively, the ice bucket may include a storage space for storing the ice falling in the ice maker and a crushing space provided below the storage space for crushing the ice, And the transfer device may include at least one worm gear for transmitting power from the driven coupler to the transfer member.

The ice bucket includes a discharge port for discharging the ice and a crushing device capable of crushing the ice. The crushing device includes a fixed blade fixed to the ice bucket, a rotation A guide member rotatably coupled to the discharge port to open and close the discharge port, and a switching motor for driving the guide member.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a main body having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a heat insulating material disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface; a storage chamber formed inside the inner surface; An ice bucket provided on the door for storing the ice produced in the ice maker and having a conveying member for conveying the stored ice; a door rotatably coupled to the main body; And a driving motor provided to the main body to drive the feeding member; .

Here, on the inner surface, a groove-shaped motor accommodating portion which is recessed toward the heat insulating material side is formed, and at least a part of the driving motor can be accommodated in the motor accommodating portion.

Alternatively, the drive motor may be fixed to the outer surface of the trauma.

Alternatively, the drive motor may be secured to the inner surface of the inboard.

Meanwhile, the refrigerator includes a power transmitting means for transmitting a driving force of the driving motor to the conveying member, and the power transmitting means includes a driving coupler provided in the main body, and a driving coupler coupled to the driving coupler when the door is closed, And a driven coupler provided on the door to be separated from the driving coupler when the door is opened.

Here, the power transmitting means may include a worm gear for transmitting the driving force of the driving motor to the driving coupler.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a main body having a storage chamber; a door rotatably coupled to the main body to open and close the storage chamber; an ice maker provided in the door; An ice bucket provided in the door to store ice and a conveying member having a driven coupler for receiving a driving force and conveying ice of the ice bucket in a horizontal direction; And a drive motor assembly mounted on a side wall of the main body, the drive motor assembly comprising: a drive coupler detachably connected to the driven coupler; .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a main body having a storage chamber; a door rotatably coupled to the main body to open and close the storage chamber; an ice maker provided in the door; An ice bucket provided in the door for storing ice and having a conveying member for conveying the stored ice; a driving motor provided in the main body and generating a driving force; And a driven coupler having a driving coupler having a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion and receiving a driving force, Wherein at least one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion is held when the door is opened; Wherein the refrigerator is a refrigerator.

Here, the first coupling portion may include an insertion protrusion, and the second coupling portion may include an insertion groove into which the insertion protrusion is inserted.

The driving coupler may further include a first cover movably provided on the outside of the insertion protrusion so as to hide the insertion protrusion when the door is opened.

Here, the drive coupler may further include a first spring elastically supporting the first cover so that the first cover hides the insertion protrusion.

The passive coupler may further include a second cover movably disposed inside the insertion groove to hold the insertion groove when the door is opened.

Here, the passive coupler may further include a second spring elastically supporting the second cover so that the second cover hits the insertion groove.

Meanwhile, the second engaging portion may be provided to retract along the axial direction by the pressing of the insertion protrusion when the insertion protrusion is at a position where the insertion protrusion can not be inserted into the insertion groove when the door is closed.

When the drive motor is driven to move to a position where the insertion protrusion can be inserted into the insertion groove in a state in which the second engagement portion is retracted, the driven protrusion is inserted into the insertion groove, And a third spring for restoring the second coupling portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising: a main body having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a heat insulating material disposed between the inner surface and the outer surface; a storage chamber formed inside the main body; An ice maker provided in the door, and an ice bucket provided in the door for storing the ice generated in the ice maker and having a conveying member for conveying the stored ice, A driving motor provided in the main body to drive the conveying member; And a motor housing housing the drive motor, the motor housing having a first housing supported by the inner and outer surfaces of the housing and a second housing coupled to the first housing.

Here, the first housing may be fixed to the inner surface by an adhesive force of the heat insulating material during foaming, and the second housing may be screwed with the first housing.

In addition, the second housing may include a protrusion protruding toward the storage chamber side to receive the drive motor.

Here, the storage chamber may be provided with a mini drawer for holding the protrusion.

The refrigerator further includes a first engaging portion coupled to a driving shaft of the driving motor and having an insertion protrusion protruded to transmit the driving force of the driving motor to the feeding member, And a second engaging portion having an insertion groove formed therein.

Here, the refrigerator includes a first cover movably provided on the outside of the insertion protrusion so as to hide the insertion protrusion when the door is opened, and a second cover movably inserted into the insertion groove, And a second cover provided so as to be movable forward and backward.

The second housing may be closed by the first engaging portion when the door is opened and an opening through which the second engaging portion is engaged when the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged.

According to the idea of the present invention, in the refrigerator in which the ice bucket having the conveying member is provided in the door, the driving motor for driving the conveying member can be installed in the main body, not the door. Thus, the capacity of the ice bucket can be increased.

In addition, the rotation axis of the conveying member can be arranged horizontally to smoothly convey the ice by the conveying member.

Further, the configuration of the door can be simplified.

In addition, the repair and replacement of the drive motor can be facilitated.

The coupling device includes a drive coupler coupled to a drive motor provided in the main body, and a driven coupler coupled to the conveying member provided on the door. The coupling device transmits driving force of the drive motor to the conveying member. Can be smoothly performed without impact.

Further, in a state in which the door is opened, the drive coupler and the driven coupler are not covered by the cover and are not exposed to the outside, so that the appearance design can be improved, and the user safety that can be caused by direct contact with the drive coupler or the driven coupler The occurrence of an accident can be prevented.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a perspective view showing the door of the refrigerator of Fig. 1; Fig.
3 is an exploded perspective view showing the driving device of the refrigerator of Fig.
4 is a plan view of the refrigerator of Fig. 1; Fig.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the rotational center of the driven coupler of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 and the driving coupler of FIG.
6 is a side sectional view of a refrigerator body according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a perspective view showing the driving device of the refrigerator of Fig.
8 is a side sectional view of a refrigerator main body according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a door of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
10 is a plan sectional view of the refrigerator of Fig.
11 is a view for explaining a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
12 shows a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a rear view of the door of the refrigerator of Fig. 12; Fig.
Fig. 14 is an exploded view of the driving device of the refrigerator of Fig. 12; Fig.
Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the drive coupler of the refrigerator of Figure 12;
Figure 16 is a view of the passive coupler of the refrigerator of Figure 12;
Fig. 17 is an exploded view of the passive coupler of the refrigerator of Fig. 12; Fig.
Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the passive coupler of the refrigerator of Fig. 12; Fig.
FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing a state in which the first engaging portion of the drive coupler of the refrigerator of FIG. 12 pushes the second engaging portion of the driven coupler.
20 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the insertion protrusion of the first engagement portion of the drive coupler of the refrigerator of FIG. 12 is inserted into the insertion groove of the second engagement portion of the driven coupler.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

1, a refrigerator 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 10, storage rooms 20 and 30 formed in the main body 10, storage rooms 20 and 30, And a cold air supply device (not shown) for supplying cold air.

The body 10 has an inner surface 11 (Fig. 4) forming the storage chambers 20 and 30, an outer surface 12 (Fig. 4) coupled to the outer side of the inner surface 11, And a heat insulating material 13 (Fig.

The inner surface 11 can be formed by injection molding a resin material, and the outer surface 12 can be formed of a metal material so as to have an aesthetic feeling and durability. The foamed urethane foam may be used as the heat insulating material 13 and may be formed by foaming and curing a urethane stock solution between the inner and outer surfaces 11 and 12 after the inner and outer surfaces 11 and 12 are joined.

The main body 10 may have a substantially box shape with its front surface opened. The body 10 may have a top wall 14, a bottom wall 15, both side walls 16a and 16b, a rear wall, and an intermediate wall 17. [ The intermediate wall 17 can divide the storage rooms 20 and 30 into the left freezer compartment 20 and the right freezer compartment 30. The freezing compartment 20 can be maintained at a temperature of approximately minus 18 ° C and the refrigerating compartment 30 can be maintained at a temperature of approximately 0 ° C to 5 ° C. However, the positions of the freezing compartment 20 and the refrigerating compartment 30 are not limited to the embodiments of the present invention, but may be changed.

The main body 10 is provided with a freezing compartment door 21 so as to be rotatable by a hinge 22 so as to open and close an opened front face of the freezing compartment 20 and to open and close the opened front face of the refrigerating compartment 30 31 may be rotatably coupled by a hinge 32. [

On the other hand, the freezing chamber door 21 is provided with an ice maker 40 for generating ice and an ice bucket 50 for accommodating the ice generated by the ice maker 40. The icemaker (40) can generate ice by the cool air of the freezing chamber (20).

The ice bucket 50 is provided in the freezing chamber door 21 so as to be positioned below the ice maker 40. The ice bucket 50 is provided with a transfer device 61 and 63 for transferring stored ice and a drive device 70 for driving the transfer devices 61 and 63 is provided on the main body 10. Hereinafter, the structure of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the conveying device and the driving device 70. [

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the driving device of the refrigerator of FIG. 1, Sectional view in which the rotational center of the driven coupler and the driving coupler of the refrigerator are aligned.

2 to 5, the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an ice maker 40 for generating ice, an ice bucket 50 for storing ice produced in the ice maker 40, (61, 63) for conveying the ice stored in the ice tray (50), and a driving device for driving the conveying devices (61, 63).

The ice maker 40 includes a plurality of ice making cells 41 for receiving water and generating ice, an ejector 42 for releasing the ice produced in the ice making cell 41 from the ice maker 40, And a slider 43 for guiding the ice separated from the ice maker 40 to the ice bucket 50 through the ice maker 40.

The ejector 42 may be composed of a rotary shaft and an ejector pin extending in the radial direction of the rotary shaft. The ejector 42 may be rotated around the rotary shaft so that the ejector pin pushes the ice of the ice- have. The ice released from the ice-making cell 41 by the ejector 42 slides on the ice bucket 50 through the slider 43 and can fall down.

The ice bucket 50 may have a storage space 51 for receiving ice dropped from the ice maker 40 and a crushing space 52 for crushing ice. Here, the storage space 51 and the crushing space 52 may be provided horizontally to each other.

A discharge port 55 through which the ice is discharged from the ice bucket 50 may be provided below the crushing space 52. The discharge port 55 may be connected to the chute 90 which guides the ice to the discharge space of the dispenser.

The crushing space 52 may be provided with a crushing device capable of crushing ice. The crushing device includes a fixed blade 58 fixed to the ice bucket 50, a rotary blade 59 formed on the rotary shaft 62 of the conveying member 61 and capable of rotating together with the conveying member 61, And a guide member 58 for supporting the ice so that the blade 58 and the rotary blade 59 can crush the ice and guiding the crushed ice to the discharge port 55.

The guide member 58 is rotatably hinged to the discharge port 55 so as to discharge the ice directly to the discharge port 55 without crushing the ice. The crushing device includes a switching motor (57).

The ice dropped from the icemaker 40 into the storage space 51 of the ice bucket 50 is transferred from the storage space 51 to the crushing space 52 by the transfer devices 61, And may be discharged to the outside of the ice bucket 50 through the discharge port 56 formed in the lower portion of the crushing space 52 without crushing or crushing the crushed ice in the crushing space 52.

The conveying devices 61 and 63 are provided with a conveying member 61 and a driven coupler 63 which receives a driving force for rotating the conveying member 61, ≪ / RTI >

The conveying member 61 may be formed in an auger shape having a rotating shaft 62 and a helical blade 64 formed in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 62.

The driven coupler 63 may include a support portion 63a extending in the radial direction from the rotary shaft 62 and a pressed portion 63b projecting from the support portion 63a.

At this time, as shown in Fig. 5, the pressured portion 63b is continuously formed so as to have all the radii between the first radius D1 and the second radius D2 from the rotation center O.

The drive coupler 73 for rotating the driven coupler 63 includes a wing portion 73a extending in the radial direction on the rotation shaft and a pressing portion 73b which is contracted in the wing portion 73a. At this time, the pressing portion 73b is formed such that at least a part thereof has a radius between the first radius D1 and the second radius D2. For example, as shown in Fig. 5, the radial range of the pressing portion 73b may be D3 to D4.

When the driving coupler 73 rotates in a state where the rotational centers of the drive coupler 73 and the driven coupler 63 are aligned with each other, the pressurizing portion 73b of the drive coupler 73 is pressed against the driven portion of the driven coupler 63, So that the driven coupler 63 can be rotated by pressing the pin 73b.

Meanwhile, as will be described later, the drive coupler 73 and the driven coupler 63 are connected to each other when the door 21 is closed, and are disconnected when the door 21 is opened. Therefore, it is preferable that the drive coupler 73 and the driven coupler 63 are formed of a resin material to prevent damage due to frequent connection and disconnection.

3 and 4, the driving motor 71 for rotating the driving coupler 73 in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be provided on the side wall 16a of the main body. The speed reducer 74 for decelerating the rotation of the driving motor 71 may be connected to the driving motor 71 and the driving coupler 73 may be connected to the output shaft 74a of the speed reducer 74.

The inner shape 11 may be formed with a groove-like motor receiving portion 80 which is recessed toward the heat insulating material 13 so that at least a part of the driving motor 71 can be received. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the whole of the drive motor 71 may be accommodated in the motor receiving portion 80. Fig.

Since at least a part of the driving motor 71 can be received in the motor receiving portion 80 as described above, the driving motor 71 can be prevented from excessively protruding toward the freezing chamber 20 to reduce the volume of the freezing chamber 20 , It is possible to prevent the drive motor 71 from being disturbed when the food is put in or out of the freezing room 20. [

The drive motor 71 can be prevented from being exposed to the outside by the cover 75. [ The cover 75 may have an engaging portion 75a that is in close contact with the inner surface 11 to be engaged with the inner surface 11. [ The engaging portion 75a may have a fastening hole 75b for fastening the fastening member 76 and the inner fastening 11 may have a fastening hole 81 corresponding to the fastening hole 75b .

At this time, however, the cover 75 and the drive motor 71 can be separated from the inner surface 11 by releasing the fastening member 76. Therefore, the drive motor 71 can be easily repaired and replaced when necessary.

It is a matter of course that the drive motor 71 should be positioned such that the rotational center of the drive coupler 73 coincides with the rotational center of the movable coupler 63 in a state in which the door 21 is closed.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a refrigerator body according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a driving device of the refrigerator of FIG.

6 and 7, another refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the first embodiment, and description thereof may be omitted.

In the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the driving motor 171 is provided on the outer surface of the outer surface 12 of the upper wall 14 of the main body. The driving motor 171 may be fixed to the outer surface of the outer surface 12 through a motor coupling portion 171. [ The motor fastening portion 171 may have various shapes other than the shapes shown in the drawings and is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings. It is sufficient that the shape of the motor fastening portion 171 is such that the driving motor 171 can be fixed to the outer surface of the outer surface 12 Do.

An accommodation space 180a in which the drive shaft 172 of the drive motor 171 can be disposed is formed between the inner and outer surfaces 11 and 12 and the drive shaft 172 is inserted through the accommodation space 180a And may extend downward from the upper wall 14.

At this time, the drive shaft 172 and the rotation shaft of the drive coupler 173 are provided to be orthogonal to each other, and the worm gears 172a and 174a may be provided to transmit the drive force of the drive shaft 172 to the drive coupler 173 have. However, at this time, bevel gears may be used instead of the worm gears 172a and 174a. However, when the worm gears 172a and 174a are used, there is an advantage that a separate speed reducer is unnecessary since the rotational speed can be reduced. Also, the worm gears 172a and 174a can be designed to have a smaller size than the bevel gears.

The worm gears 172a and 174a may be constituted by a worm 172a formed on the drive shaft 172 and a worm wheel 174a formed on the electric shaft 174 and a drive coupler 173 can be connected. The worm gears 172a and 174a can be accommodated in the receiving space 180b formed between the inner and outer surfaces 11 and 12.

Bearings 172b and 174b may be provided in the accommodation space 180b to facilitate rotation of the drive shaft 172 and the transmission shaft 174 and the accommodation space 180b may be covered by the cover 175 have. The cover 175 may be coupled to the inner surface 11 by a fastening member 176.

As described above, in this embodiment, the drive shaft 172 and the worm gears 172a and 174a are disposed between the inner and outer surfaces 11 and 12 and are not exposed to the outside, so that the appearance may not be damaged.

8 is a side sectional view of a refrigerator main body according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The refrigerator according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the first and second embodiments, and description thereof may be omitted.

In the refrigerator according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the driving motor 271 is provided on the inner surface of the inner surface 11 of the upper wall 14 of the main body. The driving motor 271 can be fixed to the inner surface of the inner surface 11 through the motor coupling portion 271a. The shape of the motor fastening portion 271a is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings, as described above.

The drive shaft 272 of the drive motor 271 can enter the inner phase 11 and the outer phase 12 through the inner phase 11 and the first worm 272a is formed on the drive shaft 272 . The drive shaft 272 may be coupled with a bearing 272b for smooth rotation.

The first worm wheel 274a engaged with the first worm 272a may be formed on the first transmission shaft 274. The first worm 272a and the first worm wheel 274a can form the first worm gears 272a and 274a. A receiving space 280a capable of receiving the first worm gears 272a and 274a may be formed between the inner and outer teeth 11 and 12.

A receiving space 280b extending in the vertical direction may be formed between the inner and outer surfaces 11 and 12 so that the first transmission shaft 274 is disposed. A bearing 274c may be coupled to the first transmission shaft 274 and a second worm 274b may be formed on the first transmission shaft 274. [

The second worm wheel 275a engaged with the second worm 274b may be provided on the second transmission shaft 275 and the drive coupler 273 may be connected to the second transmission shaft 275. [ A bearing 275b may be coupled to the second transmission shaft 275. [ The second worm 274b and the second worm wheel 275a can form the second worm gears 274b and 275a. A receiving space 280c for accommodating the second worm gears 274b and 275a may be formed between the inner and outer teeth 11 and 12.

The accommodation space 280c can be covered by the cover 276 and the cover 276 can be coupled to the inboard 11 by the fastening member 277. [

A plurality of worm gears 272a, 274a, 274b and 275a are used to transmit power from the drive motor 271 disposed on the inner surface of the inner surface 11 of the upper wall 14 to the drive coupler 273 . However, the configuration in which the power is transmitted by using the plurality of worm gears 272a, 274a, 274b, and 275a is merely an embodiment of the present invention, and it is possible to use a single worm gear, , And other belt pulleys, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

In the third embodiment, the worm gears 272a, 274a, 274b, and 275a, the first electric motor shaft 274, and the second electric motor shaft 275 are fixed to the inner and outer surfaces 11 and 12 And the worm gears 272a, 274a, 274b, and 275a are used, so that there is an advantage that a separate speed reducer may not be used.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a door of a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a top cross-sectional view of the refrigerator of FIG.

9 and 10, the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The same components as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

In the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the rotation axis of the conveying member 361 is vertically provided. That is, the ice bucket 350 includes a storage space 351 for storing ice produced in the ice maker, a crushing space 352 for transporting ice in the storage space 351 and crushing ice, (352) is provided below the storage space (351).

9, the storage space 351 is separated from the grinding space 352, and the storage space 351 and the grinding space 352 may be separated from each other or may be integrally provided have.

The crushing space 352 is provided with a discharge port 355 for discharging ice, a fixed blade 358 fixed to the ice bucket 350, a rotary blade 359 rotating together with the conveying member 351, A guide member 365 for supporting the ice and guiding the crushed ice to the discharge port 355 may be provided. The guide member 365 can be rotated about the hinge shaft 356a by the switching motor 357. [

The storage space 351 and the crushing space 352 are partitioned by the partition 353 and the communication hole 354 for communicating the storage space 351 and the crushing space 352 is formed in the partition 353. At this time, the barrier ribs 353 are provided horizontally. Therefore, the rotation axis 362 of the conveying member 361 may be provided vertically.

The conveying member 361 is provided with a rotating shaft 362 and a stirrer 362 formed on the rotating shaft 362 for conveying the ice in the storage space 351 to the crushing space 352 without clogging through the communication hole 354 364).

A worm wheel 362a is formed on the rotary shaft 362 and a worm 365a engaged with the worm wheel 362 can be formed on the electric motor shaft 365. [ A driven coupler 363 may be connected to the electric shaft 365.

As described above, the worm gears 362a and 365a can also be used to transmit power from the driven coupler 363 to the conveying member 361 provided with the rotating shaft 362 vertically.

11 is a view for explaining a refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

A refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the first to fourth embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

In the refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the rotation axis of the conveying member 461 is inclined. That is, the ice buckets 451 and 452 include a storage space 451 for storing the ice produced in the ice maker and a crushing space 452 for transporting the ice of the storage space 451 and crushing ice, A partition wall 453 partitioning the crushing space 451 and the crushing space 452 is provided to be inclined. A communication hole 454 for communicating the storage space 451 and the crushing space 452 is formed in the partition wall 453.

The transfer member 461 has a rotation axis 462 formed to be inclined with respect to a horizontal plane so as to be perpendicular to the partition wall 453 and a transfer chamber 462 in which the ice in the storage space 451 is stirred at an upper portion of the rotation axis 462, And a stirrer 464 for guiding to the grinding space 452.

A worm wheel 462a is formed on the rotary shaft 462 of the transfer member 461 and a worm 465a is formed on the transmission shaft 465 to engage with the worm wheel 462a.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a view showing a rear surface of a door of the refrigerator of FIG.

12 to 13, the structure of a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as those of the other embodiments, and description thereof may be omitted.

The refrigerator 501 includes a main body 510, a storage chamber 520 formed inside the main body 510, and a cool air supply device (not shown) for supplying cool air to the storage chamber 520. The cold air supply device can cool the storage compartment 520 to sub-zero temperatures. That is, the storage room 520 may be a freezer.

The main body 510 includes an inner surface 511 forming the storage chamber 520, an outer surface 512 coupled to the outer side of the inner surface 511 and a heat insulating material 513 disposed between the inner surface 511 and the outer surface 512 , Fig. 18). The foamed urethane foam may be used as the heat insulating material 513 and may be formed by foaming and curing the urethane raw liquid between the inner and outer edges 511 and 512 after the inner and outer edges 511 and 512 are joined.

The body 510 may be rotatably coupled to the door 521 by a hinge 522 to open or close the opened front face of the storage chamber 520. Meanwhile, the door 521 is provided with an ice maker 540 for generating ice and an ice bucket 550 for storing the ice generated by the ice maker 540. The icemaker 540 can generate ice by the cool air in the storage chamber 520.

The ice maker 540 includes a plurality of ice making cells 541 for receiving ice and generating ice, an ejector 542 for releasing the ice produced in the ice making cell 541 from the ice maker 540 and an ejector 542 And a slider 543 for guiding the ice separated in the ice maker 540 to the ice bucket 550.

The ice bucket 550 is provided on the rear surface of the door 521 so as to be positioned below the ice maker 540. The ice bucket 550 may have a storage space 551 for receiving the ice dropped in the ice maker 540 and a crushing space 552 for crushing ice.

The storage space 551 and the crushing space 552 may be provided horizontally to each other. A discharge port 555 through which the ice of the ice bucket 550 is discharged may be provided below the crushing space 552. The discharge port 555 can be connected to the chute 560 that guides the ice to the discharge space of the dispenser.

The ice bucket 550 may be provided with a transfer device 561, 700 for transferring ice and a crushing device 556, 557, 558, 559 for crushing ice.

The conveying device may include a conveying member 561 and a driven coupler 700 receiving a driving force for rotating the conveying member 561. [ The driven coupler 700 is disposed outside the ice bucket 550 and the conveying member 561 can be disposed to be connected to the driven coupler 700 through the opening 553 of the ice bucket 550.

The conveying member 561 may be composed of a rotary shaft 562 and a helix 563 extending from the rotary shaft 562.

The driven coupler 700 includes a second engaging portion 710 in which the insertion groove 720 is formed and a second cover 730 provided inside the insertion groove 720 to hide the insertion groove 720 do. The detailed configuration of the driven coupler 700 will be described later.

The grinding apparatus includes a fixed blade 558 fixed to the ice bucket 550, a rotary blade 559 formed on the rotary shaft 562 of the feeder 561 and rotatable together with the feeder 561, And a guide member 558 for supporting the ice so that the fixed blade 558 and the rotary blade 559 can crush the ice. The guide member 558 can be hinged to the discharge port 555 in a rotatable manner and can select whether to crush ice by receiving driving force from the switching motor 557 and rotating the guide member 558.

On the other hand, the main body 510 is provided with a driving device for driving the conveying device and the pulverizing device.

The driving device includes a driving motor 571 (Fig. 17) for generating driving force and a driving coupler 600 for transmitting the driving force of the driving motor 571 to the conveying device.

That is, when the door 521 is opened, the drive coupler 600 and the driven coupler 700 are separated from each other. When the door 521 is closed, the drive coupler 600 and the driven coupler 700 are coupled to each other, Can be exchanged.

Particularly, the driving coupler 600 and the driven coupler 700 of the refrigerator according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention can be smoothly coupled without a shock at the time of closing the door, and the appearance of the door can be improved So that an accident caused by direct consumer contact can be prevented. Hereinafter, the configurations of the drive coupler 600 and the driven coupler 700 will be described in detail.

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of the drive device of the refrigerator of FIG. 12, and FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the drive coupler of the refrigerator of FIG.

14 to 15, a driving apparatus for a refrigerator according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention includes a driving motor 571 for generating a driving force, a driving motor 571 for transmitting driving force of the driving motor 571 to a transfer device And a driving coupler 600.

The driving force of the driving motor 571 is appropriately decelerated through the driving portion 575 and is transmitted to the driving shaft 572. [ The transmission portion 575 may include a reduction gear or a belt.

The drive coupler 600 may be coupled to the drive shaft 572 and rotated together with the drive shaft 572. The drive coupler 600 may be coupled to the drive shaft 572 through a connection bracket 573.

The connection bracket 573 may have a substantially 'c' cantilever shape and may be coupled to the drive shaft 572 to rotate with the drive shaft 572. For example, the drive shaft 572 may have a longitudinal cross-section, and the connection bracket 573 may be formed with a longitudinal shaft hole such that the drive shaft 572 is inserted. A nut 574 for fixing the connection bracket 573 may be coupled to the drive shaft 572.

The driving coupler 600 may include a first coupling portion 610, a first cover 630, and a first spring 640. The first coupling portion 610 may be coupled to the connection bracket 573 and rotated together with the connection bracket 573.

The first engaging portion 610 may include a disc portion 611 having a substantially disc shape and an insertion protrusion 620 protruding from the disc portion 611. The disc portion 611 may be formed with a spring support portion 612 capable of supporting the first spring 640.

The insertion protrusion 620 may be inserted into the insertion groove 720 formed in the second engagement portion 710 of the passive coupler 700 described later. That is, when the drive motor 571 is driven in a state where the insertion protrusion 620 is inserted into the insertion groove 720, the rotational force of the drive motor 571 can be transmitted to the transfer device.

The first cover 630 may hide the insertion protrusion 620 so that the insertion protrusion 620 is not exposed to the outside when the door 521 is opened. Here, the meaning of hiding means that the insertion protrusion 620 does not appear to protrude from the periphery. That is, the first cover 630 moves to a position corresponding to the upper surface portion 620a of the insertion protrusion 620, thereby preventing the side surface portion 620b of the insertion protrusion 620 from being exposed to the outside.

If the insertion protrusion 620 is thus hindered, the appearance design can be improved, the user can be prevented from accidental injury and inconvenience due to contact with the insertion protrusion 620 during use of the refrigerator, and ease of use can be improved .

The first cover 630 has an opening 631 through which the insertion protrusion 620 passes. The first cover 630 is provided so as to be movable along the axial direction of the motor drive shaft 572 so as to hide or expose the insertion protrusion 620 from the outside of the insertion protrusion 620.

The first cover 630 may be resiliently supported by the first spring 640. The first spring 640 may be provided on both sides of the insertion protrusion 620 as shown in FIG. The first spring 640 elastically biases the first cover 630 to hide the insertion protrusion 620. The first spring 640 may be a compression coil spring.

The first cover 630 can be retreated along the axial direction by being pressed by the second engaging portion 710 of the passive coupler 700 described later so that the insertion protrusion 620 can be exposed to the outside. At this time, when the pressing force disappears, the elastic force of the first spring 640 causes the first cover 630 to be restored to a position to hide the insertion protrusion 620 again.

On the other hand, the refrigerator may include motor housings 581 and 585 that receive the driving motor 571. The motor housings 581, 585 may include a first motor housing 581 and a second motor housing 582.

The first motor housing 581 is inserted between the inner surface 511 and the outer surface 512 by inserting the heat insulating material 513 thereinto. Accordingly, the first motor housing 581 can be supported by the inner surface 511 and the heat insulating material 513. [ The first motor housing 581 opens toward the storage chamber 520 side.

At this time, by temporarily fixing the first motor housing 581 to the inner surface 511 and foaming the thermal insulating material after the first motor housing 581 is fixed to the inner surface 511 before foaming the thermal insulating material, So that the first motor housing 581 can be firmly fixed.

The second motor housing 585 is coupled to the opening of the first motor housing 581. The second motor housing 585 and the first motor housing 581 have engagement holes 589 and 582, respectively, and fastening members such as screws can be fastened to the engagement holes 589 and 582.

The second motor housing 585 has a protrusion 587 protruding toward the storage chamber 520 to form a housing space 586 for housing the drive motor 571.

The second motor housing 585 is formed with an opening 588 through which the second engaging portion 620 can pass when the first engaging portion 610 and the second engaging portion 620 are engaged with each other.

The mini drawer 590 may be provided in the storage chamber 520 to store food having a small volume and small size. The mini drawer 590 covers the protrusion 587 of the second motor housing 585, It may not be exposed. The protrusion 587 of the second motor housing 585 is covered by the mini drawer 590 and is not exposed to the outside, so that the appearance can be improved.

FIG. 16 is a view showing the passive coupler of the refrigerator of FIG. 12, FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the passive coupler of the refrigerator of FIG. 12, and FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the passive coupler of the refrigerator of FIG.

16 to 18, the driven coupler includes a base portion 701, a second engaging portion 710, a second cover 730, a second spring 740, a third spring 750, . ≪ / RTI >

The base portion 701 has a cylindrical shape whose one side is opened and supports the second engaging portion 710 and the third spring 750. The base portion 710 is coupled to the rotary shaft 562 of the conveying member to rotate together. For example, the rotary shaft 562 of the transfer member has a rectangular cross section, and the shaft hole 703 of the base 710 may also be formed in a rectangular shape. A flange portion 702 supported by the ice bucket 550 may be protruded from the outer circumferential surface of the base portion 701 to fix the position of the base portion 701. [

The second coupling portion 710 is coupled to the first coupling portion 610 of the driving coupler to receive power and includes a body portion 712 and an insertion groove 720 formed in the body portion 712 do.

The insertion protrusion 620 of the first coupling portion 610 may be inserted into the insertion groove 720. Accordingly, the insertion groove 720 should have a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the insertion protrusion 620 or larger than the insertion protrusion 620.

The first coupling portion 610 and the second coupling portion 710 are coupled to each other so that the insertion protrusion 620 of the first coupling portion 610 is inserted into the insertion groove 720 of the second coupling portion 710, .

The second engaging portion 710 includes a shaft hole 711 to which the rotating shaft 562 of the conveying member is coupled and the second engaging portion 710 is coupled to rotate with the rotating shaft 562 of the conveying member. Therefore, for example, the rotary shaft 562 of the conveying member may have a rectangular cross-section, and the shaft hole 711 may also be provided in a rectangular shape.

The second cover 730 can hold the insertion groove 720 so that the insertion groove 720 is not exposed to the outside when the door 521 is opened. Herein, the second cover 730 moves to the outermost portion 710a of the body portion 712 so that the insertion groove 720 is not formed in the second engaging portion 710 when viewed from the outside .

If the insertion groove 720 is hindered as described above, the appearance design can be improved, and it is possible to prevent injuries and inconveniences such as a finger being caught in the insertion groove 720 by the user during use of the refrigerator.

The second cover 730 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction of the conveying member rotary shaft 562 so as to hide or expose the insertion groove 720 in the insertion groove 720.

A guide leg 731 may be formed on the rear surface of the second cover 730 to guide the movement of the second cover 730 and prevent the second cover 730 from coming off.

The second cover 730 may be resiliently supported by the second spring 740. The second spring 740 elastically biases the second cover 730 to hide the insertion groove 720. The second spring 740 may be a compression coil spring.

The second cover 730 can be retracted inward by being pushed by the insertion protrusion 620 of the first engaging portion 610. The second cover 730 can be restored to its original position by the elastic force of the second spring 740.

Meanwhile, when the door 521 is closed, the insertion protrusion 620 of the first coupling portion 610 may be inserted directly into the insertion groove 720 of the second coupling portion 710, 610 may not be inserted into the insertion groove 720 of the second engaging portion 710 and may collide with the body portion 712 of the second engaging portion 710. [

This is determined by the positions of the insertion protrusions 620 of the first engaging portion 610 and the insertion grooves 720 of the second engaging portion 710 when the door 521 is closed.

If there is a collision, a large impact may be generated and the components may be damaged. Since the coupling between the first coupling portion 610 and the second coupling portion 710 is not completed, the conveying device is not driven or the door is not closed And the like.

The coupling device of the refrigerator according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is configured such that when the insertion protrusion 620 of the first coupling portion 610 and the body portion 712 of the second coupling portion 710 collide with each other, When the driving motor 571 is driven in this state, the insertion protrusions 620 of the first engaging portion 610 are inserted into the second engaging portion 610, So that it can be inserted into the insertion groove 720 of the base 710.

For this, the second engaging portion 710 is provided so as to be movable along the axial direction of the conveying member rotational shaft 562, and the second engaging portion 710 is elastically supported by the third spring 750.

Therefore, when the door 521 is closed, the insertion protrusion 620 of the first engaging portion 610 collides with the body portion 712 of the second engaging portion 710 and presses the second engaging portion 710, The second engaging portion 710 can retreat to the inside due to the elastic force of the third spring 750.

The driving motor 571 is driven to rotate the insertion protrusion 620 of the first coupling portion 610 and rotate to some extent so that the insertion protrusion 620 of the first coupling portion 610 is rotated by the second coupling portion 710 The second engaging portion 710 is moved outward by the elastic force of the third spring 750 so that the insertion protrusion 710 of the first engaging portion 610 620 may be inserted into the insertion groove 720 of the second engaging portion 710.

A release hole 562a is provided at an end of the rotary shaft 562 of the transferring member and a release preventing member 760 may be coupled to the hole 562a so as to restrict a movement range of the second engagement portion 710 have.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing a state in which the first engaging portion of the drive coupler of the refrigerator of FIG. 12 pushes the second engaging portion of the driven coupler, FIG. 20 is a cross- Is inserted into the insertion groove of the second coupling portion of the coupler.

The operation of the coupling device of the refrigerator according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be summarized below with reference to FIG. 15 and FIGS. 18 to 20. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 15, when the door is opened, the first cover 630 is elastically biased by the first spring 640 to hold the first coupling portion 610. That is, the first cover 630 prevents the side portion 620b of the insertion protrusion 620 formed in the first engaging portion 610 from being exposed to the outside.

18, when the door is opened, the second cover 730 is elastically biased by the second spring 740 to hold the second engagement portion 710 in a hermetic state. That is, the second cover 730 prevents the insertion groove 720 formed in the second coupling portion 710 from being exposed to the outside.

When the door is closed, the insertion protrusions 620 of the first engaging part 610 and the first engaging part 610 and the second engaging part 610 are moved in accordance with the positions of the insertion grooves 720 of the second engaging part 710, Or when the driving motor is driven with the second engaging portion 710 pushed back.

19, when the door is closed, if the insertion protrusion 620 of the first engaging portion 610 is at a position where the insertion protrusion 620 can not be inserted into the insertion groove 720 of the second engaging portion 710, The insertion protrusion 620 of the part 610 presses against the second engaging part 710 while colliding with the body part 712 of the second engaging part 710 so as to overcome the elastic force of the third spring 750, 2 engaging portion 710 is retracted inward.

As such, since the second engaging portion 710 is retracted, a large impact can be prevented from being generated despite the collision, and the door can be completely closed.

20, when the driving motor rotates in the state of FIG. 19, the first engaging portion 610 and the inserting protrusion 620 are also rotated, and the first engaging portion 610 and the inserting protrusion 620 are rotated, 620 can be inserted into the insertion groove 720, the second engagement portion 710 is protruded outward due to the elastic force of the third spring 750.

At this time, the body portion 712 of the second coupling portion 710 pushes the first cover 630 of the drive coupler, and the insertion protrusion 620 of the first coupling portion 610 pushes the second coupling portion 710, And then pushes the second cover 730 of the cover 730 out.

When the driving motor continues to rotate after the insertion protrusion 620 is inserted into the insertion groove 720, the rotational force of the driving motor can be transmitted to the feeding member.

Although the technical idea of the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

61: conveying member 63: driven coupler
70: drive device 71: drive motor
73: Drive coupler 580: Motor housing
581: first housing 585: second housing
600: drive coupler 610: first coupling part
620: insertion protrusion 630: first cover
640: first spring 700: passive coupler
710: second coupling portion 712:
720: insertion groove 730: second cover
740: second spring 750: third spring

Claims (8)

A body having a storage chamber;
A door rotatably coupled to the body to open and close the storage chamber;
An ice maker provided on the door;
An ice bucket provided in the door for storing ice produced in the ice maker and having a conveying member for conveying the stored ice;
A driving motor provided in the main body and generating a driving force; And
And a driven coupler having a drive coupler having a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion and receiving a driving force, the coupling device transmitting the driving force of the driving motor to the conveying member, Device; Lt; / RTI >
The coupling device may include at least one of a first cover provided to hinder the first coupling portion when the door is opened and a second cover provided to hinder the second coupling portion when the door is opened Wherein the refrigerator further comprises a refrigerator. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the first engaging portion includes an insertion protrusion,
And the second engaging portion includes an insertion groove into which the insertion protrusion is inserted. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the first cover is movably provided outside the insertion protrusion to hide the insertion protrusion when the door is opened. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the drive coupler further comprises a first spring elastically supporting the first cover so that the first cover hides the insertion protrusion. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the second cover is movably provided inside the insertion groove to hide the insertion groove when the door is opened. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the passive coupler further comprises a second spring elastically supporting the second cover such that the second cover hides the insertion groove. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the second engaging portion is retracted along the axial direction by the pressing of the insertion protrusion when the insertion protrusion is at a position where the insertion protrusion can not be inserted into the insertion groove when the door is closed. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the driven coupler is configured such that when the drive motor is driven to move to a position where the insertion protrusion can be inserted into the insertion groove in a state in which the second engagement portion is retracted, And a third spring for restoring a portion of the refrigerating device.

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