KR102446553B1 - Ice maker and refrigerator including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

control box; an ice-making tray connected to one side of the control box and including one or more accommodating parts; and a water supply unit for supplying ice-making water to the ice-making tray, wherein the water supply unit includes a supply unit provided with a space for guiding the ice-making water, a cutout opened to provide the ice-making water to the receiving unit, and partitioning the supply unit from the outside The partition wall includes a partition wall, the partition wall being formed on the side where the cutout is formed, and including first and second ends respectively positioned on the front and rear sides with respect to the direction in which the ice drift trajectory is formed, the second end being the second end. An ice maker is provided, which is located from the first end in a direction opposite to a water supply direction in which the ice making water is supplied or in a direction away from the accommodating part.

Description

Ice maker and refrigerator including same

The present invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same.

In general, an ice maker includes a control box and an ice maker tray. Such an ice maker may provide ice-making water to an ice-making tray to perform ice-making. The ice-making water is provided from the water supply unit in the above configuration, and the amount and timing of the supplied water supply unit may be generally determined by a control unit located in the control box. The provided ice-making water is accommodated in a receiving unit provided on the ice-making tray and may be in an ice state below the freezing point of the ice-making water depending on the environment inside the refrigerator or freezer. Ice-making performed through this process may then be performed by twisting the ice-making tray or using an ejector. Here, ice moving through the ejector does not move the ice to the storage unit by its own weight, but may be removed from the ice tray by rotation of the ejector pin. In the removal process, the ice is usually removed by an ejector pin that is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise through the top of the ice-making tray. In this case, the ice may not move smoothly due to collision with surrounding components in the ice trajectory. For example, in an ice maker that does not remove ice smoothly, ice may remain in the ice tray, and the capacity of the ice maker exceeds the capacity of the ice maker tray can be accommodated by the supplied ice water. can be Accordingly, the ice maker may stop the ice maker or cause frequent malfunctions.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2005-0028226 (2005. 03. 22)

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the process of removing the ice formed after ice making in the ice maker from the ice maker tray, the configuration of the water supply unit that can be formed on the ice trajectory of the ice is designed not to intersect the trajectory of the ice so as not to intersect the trajectory of the ice. An object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker capable of increasing the ice making efficiency of

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the process of removing the ice formed after ice making in the ice maker from the ice maker tray, the configuration of the water supply unit that can be formed on the ice trajectory of the ice is designed not to intersect the trajectory of the ice so as not to intersect the trajectory of the ice. An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator including an ice maker capable of increasing the ice making efficiency of the refrigerator.

control box; an ice-making tray connected to one side of the control box and including one or more accommodating parts; and a water supply unit for supplying ice-making water to the ice-making tray, wherein the water supply unit includes a supply unit provided with a space for guiding the ice-making water, a cutout opened to provide the ice-making water to the receiving unit, and partitioning the supply unit from the outside The partition wall includes a partition wall, the partition wall being formed on the side where the cutout is formed, and including first and second ends respectively positioned on the front and rear sides with respect to the direction in which the ice drift trajectory is formed, the second end being the second end. An ice maker is provided, which is located from the first end in a direction opposite to a water supply direction in which the ice making water is supplied or in a direction away from the accommodating part.

In addition, the second end is spread by a predetermined angle or more from the ice trajectory of the ice around the first end, and the predetermined angle may be 1 degree or more and 10 degrees or less.

In addition, it may further include a water level sensor for detecting the level of the ice-making water provided from the water supply unit in the accommodating unit.

In addition, the control box rotates the ejector pin, and the ice may be removed by the rotation of the ejector pin.

In addition, the outline of the cutout may include a curved portion or a flat portion.

In addition, the first end and the second end may be connected through a curved portion or a flat portion.

In addition, the partition wall may include a lower portion for guiding the ice-making water, an extension portion extending from the lower portion to an upper side in one direction, and a connection portion serving as a boundary between the lower portion and the extension portion.

In addition, the distance between the cut-away side of the partition and the ejector pin for removing ice from the extension portion may be 1.5 times or less of the width of the ice to be made.

In addition, it may further include a separation preventing portion extending from the cut-out on the second end side.

In addition, the range of the ice trajectory adjacent to the water supply part may be widened toward the rear side.

There is provided a refrigerator comprising the ice maker described above.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the process of removing the ice formed after ice making in the ice maker from the ice maker tray, the configuration of the water supply unit that can be formed on the ice trajectory of the ice is designed not to intersect the trajectory of the ice so as not to intersect the trajectory of the ice. An ice maker capable of increasing the ice making efficiency of the present invention can be provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the process of removing the ice formed after ice making in the ice maker from the ice maker tray, the configuration of the water supply unit that can be formed on the ice trajectory of the ice is designed not to intersect the trajectory of the ice so as not to intersect the trajectory of the ice. It is possible to provide a refrigerator including an ice maker capable of increasing the ice making efficiency of the refrigerator.

1 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a view showing a conventional water supply unit included in the ice maker;
3 is a view showing a water supply unit included in the ice maker of the present invention;
4 is an enlarged view showing a water supply unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a view showing embodiments of the water supply unit of the present invention;
6 is a view showing a curved portion forming the partition wall of the present invention;
7 is a view showing the separation distance of the partition wall of the present invention;
8 is a view showing an ice maker located at the rear side of the cutout of the present invention;
9 is a view showing an ice maker in which the water supply part of the present invention has a narrow partition facing the ice trajectory.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, this is merely an example and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. And, the terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to intentions or customs of users and operators. Therefore, the definition should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

The technical spirit of the present invention is determined by the claims, and the following examples are only one means for effectively explaining the technical spirit of the present invention to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

1 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the ice maker may include a water supply unit 100 , an ice-making tray 200 , and a control box 300 . The control box 300 may include a control unit (not shown) and a driving unit (not shown), and the control unit (not shown) calculates information received from a sensor provided in the ice maker, etc. can do. Also, the controller (not shown) may control the water supply unit 100 that provides ice-making water.

The water supply unit 100 may be provided with a provision unit 110 serving as a space for guiding the ice-making water, and may include the provision unit 110 and a partition wall 120 dividing an external space. The partition wall may be cut toward the receiving part 201 so that the supplied ice making water can move toward the receiving part 201 of the ice making tray 200 , and the ice making water may be moved through the cutout.

In the water supply process of the water supply unit 100 , the control unit (not shown) may determine the amount of ice-making water and the timing of providing the ice-making water. For example, the ice-making water may be provided in a non-ice-making state, that is, in a state in which the accommodating part 201 is empty. This may be determined based on information sensed by a water level sensor that detects the level of the ice-making water contained in the accommodating unit 201 , and when it is determined that the accommodating unit 201 is empty, the ice-making water may be provided. Of course, even if the accommodating part is empty, ice-making water may not be provided in the full ice state, and after ice-making, ice removal may be performed on standby. This can be optional.

Meanwhile, if it is determined to supply water in a situation in which the receiving unit 201 is empty, ice-making water may be provided from the water supply unit 100 . The ice-making water provided from the water supply unit 100 may be moved to the receiving unit and turned into ice depending on the environment of the refrigerator or freezer. That is, ice making may be performed. The ice maker that has performed ice making may perform ice removal to remove ice from the ice making tray 200 . The ice removal may be performed while the ice-making tray 200 is twisted, and may be performed by rotation of the ejector. When the ejector is rotated, a heater (not shown) is heated at one side of the ice-making tray 200 to separate the ice-making tray 200 from the ice to be adhered, and the separated ice can be removed by the rotation of the ejector. can The displaced ice may generally fall into the storage unit by its own weight.

In the above-described ice-moving process, ice may not move on a normal movement trajectory of ice due to contact with some components of the ice maker while the ice is moved from the separation point to the storage unit. For example, ice may come into contact with one side of the water supply unit 100 during the ice-moving process, so that the ice may be positioned at an upper point of the ice-making tray 200 even after ice removal is performed. In this case, the controller may control to supply the ice-making water from the water supply unit 100 by the water level sensor detecting that the storage unit is in a state of storing ice and the accommodating unit 201 is empty.

The supplied ice-making water may not be transferred, and the accommodating part 201 may be filled to overflow by the ice remaining on the ice-making tray 200 . Even if enough ice-making water is provided to fill the accommodating part 201 with a predetermined amount, if ice is formed by sticking with the remaining ice in the process of turning the ice-making water into ice, ice removal may not be smoothly performed due to the rotation of the ejector. For example, in the case of a conventional ice maker, as shown in FIG. 2 , the partition wall 11 of the water supply unit 10 may be located adjacent to the movement trajectory of the ice during ice drift.

Here, the movement trajectory of the ice may be determined according to the environment including the heating temperature of the heater, the heating time, the rotational speed of the ejector, and the temperature in the refrigerator or freezer. It may vary slightly from time to time. Accordingly, sufficient separation from the movement trajectory may be required so that there is no configuration positioned on the movement trajectory when the ice moves. However, the conventional water supply unit 10 is poorly equipped with such a design. For example, ice may come into contact with or collide with the partition wall 12 on the incised side during ice transfer.

Since the partition wall 12 is cut so that the ice-making water moves to the accommodating part, the partition 12 may be positioned to be closest to the accommodating part, that is, the movement trajectory on which the ice moves. Accordingly, during ice moving, ice may contact or collide with the partition wall 12 on the cut side, so that smooth ice may not be performed.

3 is a view showing the water supply unit 100 included in the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the water supply unit 100 may be cut at a position adjacent to the receiving unit 201 so that the ice making water can be moved to the receiving unit 201 . When the partition wall 120 is not cut, it may serve as a guide for guiding the movement trajectory of the ice during ice drift. can occur Therefore, it is advantageous for ice to secure a sufficient distance from the movement trajectory of the ice.

However, if the barrier rib is spaced a distance from the receiving unit 201 as a whole to avoid the contact and the collision, the direction of supply of ice-making water cannot be guided toward the receiving unit 201, so it is difficult to intervene or enter the movement trajectory of ice. The part may be formed in a shape spaced apart from the movement trajectory than the other parts.

For example, the opening ( 121 in FIG. 4 ) is a portion guiding the ice-making water toward the receiving unit 201 , that is, the lower portion of the partition wall 120 is positioned adjacent to the receiving unit 201 to receive the ice-making water. 201) It can serve as a guide in the process of moving it to the side. Accordingly, the lower portion may mean at least a height equal to or higher than the water level of the ice-making water accommodated in the providing unit 110 . The partition wall portion extending upward beyond the lower portion may be horizontally spaced apart from the receiving portion 201 . That is, the partition walls 120 may be formed to be horizontally spaced apart and extend upward.

As an example, the portion exceeding the lower portion of the partition wall 120 may be curved in a direction spaced apart from the receiving portion 201 horizontally as shown. The curved extension may be made such that the partition wall 120 can be horizontally spaced apart from the receiving part 201 as it continues upward even when the bending direction is changed.

Figure 4 (a) is an enlarged view showing the water supply unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 (b) is a plan view showing the water supply unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the partition wall 120 may include a lower portion 122 for guiding the ice-making water to the receiving portion and an extension portion 123 extending upwardly from the lower portion 122 . Specifically, the partition wall 120 is included in the water supply unit 100 positioned above the receiving unit 201 , and may be opened from the receiving unit 201 to the lower portion 122 . Here, ten means that the partition wall 120 is spaced apart from the receiving part 201 by a predetermined angle in the horizontal direction based on the vertical direction and extends upward. For example, the predetermined angle may be greater than or equal to an angle determined by 1 degree or more and 10 degrees or less.

As described above, the moving trajectory of the ice moving while being removed from the ice-making tray 200 during icing is the same as the icing direction shown in the drawing, and the icing direction is mainly similar but different at every ice divergence. It can be determined according to the environment including the heating temperature, the heating time, the rotational speed of the ejector, and the temperature in the refrigerator or freezer, and since these conditions can be continuously changed, albeit minutely, the movement trajectory of the ice may also vary slightly each time the ice moves.

Accordingly, the angle determined between 1 degree and 10 degrees, which is the predetermined angle, enters the inside of the providing unit 110 while the ice is moving through the cutout 130 , regardless of the angle that varies depending on the above conditions. Even so, it may be an example of a separation angle secured in order not to cause contact or collision with the partition wall 120 .

5 is a front view showing embodiments of the water supply unit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5A , it is a front view of the example described with reference to FIG. 4 , which extends upward in a curved shape and may be spaced apart in one direction (right direction in the drawing). This may be a shape of the partition wall 120 to be sufficiently spaced apart so that a part of the water supply unit 100 is not located on the movement trajectory when the ice moves. That is, the partition wall 120 extends upward and is opened and spaced apart in one direction (the right direction in the drawing). It can be a space spaced apart in the direction.

The spacing in the horizontal direction may extend in a straight line to the upper side (right direction in the drawing) and may be spaced apart as shown in FIG. 5(b). Even in this case, the lower portion 122a may be positioned adjacent to the receiving portion 201 to guide the ice-making water to the receiving portion 201 , and the extension 123a extending upward from the lower portion 122a is provided. The shape may be gradually spaced apart in the horizontal direction.

6 is a view showing curved portions C1, C2, and C3 forming the partition wall 120 of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the curved portions C1 , C2 , and C3 of the cut-out partition 120 may be variously employed in the water supply unit 100 according to the curvature. Here, the curved portions C1 , C2 , and C3 indicate curved portions of the extension, and refer to the partition wall 120 from the point extending upward from the lower portion 122 . In addition, each of the curved portions C1 , C2 , and C3 is an example for explaining the difference implemented differently according to the curvature.

The first curved portion C1 is a curved portion that abruptly extends upwardly from the lower portion 122, and may have a shorter distance from the movement trajectory of the ice than the other curved portions C2 and C3. On the other hand, a guideable amount of ice-making water provided from the providing unit 110 of the water supply unit 100 may be increased. That is, the bulkhead having a shape that rapidly extends upward like the first curved portion C1 has a large amount of ice-making water supplied or the range of the movement trajectory of the ice is higher than that of the water supply portion including the other curved portions C2 and C3. It may be suitable for narrow cases.

In addition, the third curved portion C3 is a curved portion that gently extends upward from the lower portion 122 , and may have a longer distance from the movement trajectory of the ice than the other curved portions C1 and C2 . On the other hand, a guideable amount of ice-making water provided from the providing unit 110 of the water supply unit 100 may be reduced. That is, the bulkhead having a shape that rapidly extends upward, such as the third curved portion C3, has a smaller supply of ice-making water or the range of the movement trajectory of ice is higher than that of the water supply portion including the other curved portions C1 and C2. It may be suitable for wide cases.

In addition, the second curved portion C2 is a curved portion formed between the first curved portion C1 and the third curved portion C3, and the functions and effects of the first and third curved portions C1 and C3 are also the same. It can be implemented within the range between. Therefore, the shape of the curved portions C1, C2, and C3 may be changed according to the needs of those skilled in the art.

The curved portions C1, C2, and C3 as in the above embodiment can change the occupancy of the area occupied by the partition wall 120, and the first curved portion C1, the second curved portion C2, and the third curved portion C3 may sequentially decrease the occupancy of the area. This may be determined from a maximum of 80% to a minimum of 30% based on the state in which the thermal opening 121 is not formed.

7 is a view showing the separation distance (D) of the partition wall 120 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the separation distance D of the partition wall 120 may be a distance between the ejector pin E included in the ice maker and the connection part 123c. Here, the connection part 123c may be a boundary between the lower part 122 and the extension part 123 on the plane side. That is, the separation distance D may mean the degree of a distance by which the extension part 123 that can be located on the movement trajectory of the ice is spaced apart from the receiving part 201 in the horizontal direction.

The size of the separation distance D may be determined to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance based on the distance from the ejector pin E. For example, the separation distance D may be determined as a distance less than 1.5 times the width of the ice being made.

That is, the partition wall 120 includes a lower part 122 for guiding the ice-making water to the receiving part 201 and an extension part 123 positioned at a position to avoid contact with or collision with ice during the ice moving process. and spaced apart from the receiving part 201 in the horizontal direction at an angle determined at 1 degree or more and 10 degrees or less with respect to the vertical direction, and the area of the partition wall 120 is 30 based on the state without the opening part 121 % or more. In addition, the plane-side boundary between the lower portion 122 and the extension portion 123 may be determined as a distance equal to or less than 1.5 times the width of the ice from which the distance to the adjacent ejector pin E is made.

8 is a view showing an ice maker in which the position of the cutout 130b of the present invention is located at the rear side.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the water supply unit 100b may further extend in a direction parallel to the ice direction shown in FIG. 4 . In addition, the cutout 130b may be formed on the rear side of the extended water supply part 100b in the extending direction. That is, the cutout 130b may be formed in the water supply unit 100b adjacent to the ice trajectory of the ice, and may be formed at the rear side of the partition wall of the water supply unit 100b in the ice direction. However, the cutout 130b may be formed above the accommodating part 201 to provide ice-making water to the accommodating part 201 .

And, when the water supply part 100b extends in the ice-dividing direction as in the above case, the separation preventing part 125b may extend from the cut-out partition wall 120b. The partition wall 120b may be guided by a part of the partition wall partitioning the providing unit 110b when ice moves in the ice direction, and further, the partition wall 120b passes through the guide partition wall and moves through the ice by a factor such as contact with surrounding components. In the case of departure from the direction, the separation may be prevented by the separation preventing member 125b.

9 is a view showing an ice maker in which the water supply part 100b of the present invention is narrowed in the partition wall 120b facing the ice breaking trajectory.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the water supply unit 100b may be provided such that the ice direction and the ice angle range A are formed. Specifically, the ice-diverging angle range A may extend outwardly of the ice maker by a predetermined angle on the plane with respect to the ice-moving direction.

The partition wall forming an angle with the ice direction may be cut to form a cutout 130b. The ice angle range (A) may have a structure that allows the ice to move smoothly even when the ice moves out of the ice direction so that the ice does not contact or collide with the cut partition wall.

Due to the ice angle range A, the ice may not come into contact with and collide with a part of the water supply unit 100 during ice drift. For example, the part may be the second end 102b. The water supply part 100 may be provided with a cutout 130b formed by cutting the partition wall 120b. The cutout 130b refers to a space, and the two ends of the cutout portion, that is, the partition wall 120b on the cut side, are referred to as a first end 101b and a second end 102b, and the first end may be positioned so as to be adjacent to the front side with respect to the direction in which the ice drift trajectory is formed and the second end 102b to be adjacent to the rear side. The first end 101b and the second end 102b are a part of the water supply unit 100 and may be connected to each other through one or more shapes of a flat portion and a curved portion.

In more detail, the second end 102b may be formed at a position separated by a predetermined angle from the ice drifting trajectory direction with respect to the first end 101b. The predetermined angle may be an ice angle range (A), and may be an angle formed separately.

By the predetermined angle, the second end 102b may be more spaced apart from the receiving portion 201 than the first end 101b. Such a separation condition is to avoid obstacles due to contact or collision when ice is ice moving, since the second end 102b is located on the farther side from the ice trajectory than the first end 101b. Therefore, as in this example, when the water supply unit 100 is located on one side of the receiving unit and has a structure that provides ice-making water, the second end 102b opens from the first end 101b in the opposite direction to the ice-making water supply direction. It may be located in the extended direction.

In the case of drifting away from the ice direction, it may be determined depending on the heating temperature of the heater, the heating time, the rotation speed of the ejector, and the environment including the temperature in the refrigerator or freezer, and since these conditions may be continuously changed, even slightly, the ice The direction may change slightly with each drift. It may extend in the outward direction of the ice maker by a predetermined angle so as to accommodate the changing ice direction.

For example, the range of the icing angle may be, for example, 20 degrees or less. When it exceeds 20 degrees, the distance between the cutout 130b and the receiving part 201 increases on a plane, so that it may not be possible to provide the ice-making water smoothly. That is, if a portion of the ice-making water is supplied to the outside of the ice-making tray 200 without flowing into the accommodating part 201 , ice may be formed in the periphery of the ice-making tray 200 or sticking may occur between the ices stored in the storage unit. Such a result may interfere with the extraction of ice from the ice maker or may become a factor causing the ice to be removed abnormally.

Although representative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that various modifications are possible within the limits without departing from the scope of the present invention with respect to the above-described embodiments. . Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, and should be defined by the claims described below as well as the claims and equivalents.

10, 100: water supply
11, 110, 110b: providing unit
101, 101b: first end
102, 102b: second end
12, 120, 120a, 120b: bulkhead
121, 121a: dehiscence
122, 122a: lower part
123, 123a: extension
123c: connection
125, 125b: escape prevention part
130, 130b: cutout
20, 200: Ice tray
201: receptacle
300: control box
C1: 1st song part
C2 : 2nd song part
C3: 3rd song
E: ejector pin
B: separation distance
A : Ice angle range

Claims (11)

control box;
an ice-making tray connected to one side of the control box and including one or more accommodating parts; and
and a water supply unit supplying ice-making water to the ice-making tray.
The water supply unit,
a provision unit provided with a space for guiding the ice-making water; a cutout opened to provide the ice-making water to the receiving unit; and a partition wall dividing the provision unit from the outside;
The partition wall,
It is formed on the side where the cutout is formed, and includes first and second ends respectively located on the front and rear sides with respect to the direction in which the ice trajectory is formed,
The second end is located in a direction opposite to the water supply direction in which the ice making water is supplied from the first end or in a direction away from the receiving portion,
An ice maker comprising: a lower portion guiding the ice-making water; an extension portion extending from the lower portion to an upper side; and a connection portion serving as a boundary between the lower portion and the extension portion.
The method according to claim 1,
The second end is spread by a predetermined angle or more from the ice trajectory of the ice around the first end,
The pre-determined angle is 1 degree or more and 10 degrees or less.
The method according to claim 1,
The ice maker further comprising a water level sensor for detecting the level of the ice-making water provided from the water supply unit in the accommodating unit.
The method according to claim 1,
The control box rotates the ejector pin,
An ice maker in which the ice is removed by rotation of the ejector pin.
The method according to claim 1,
An outline of the cutout includes a curved portion or a flat portion.
The method according to claim 1,
and the first end and the second end are connected through a curved portion or a flat portion.
delete The method according to claim 1,
An ice maker, wherein a distance between the side cut in the partition wall and the ejector pin for removing ice from the extension part is 1.5 times or less the width of the ice being made.
The method according to claim 1,
The ice maker further comprising a separation preventing portion extending from the cutout on the second end side.
The method according to claim 1,
The ice maker, wherein the range of the ice trajectory adjacent to the water supply portion increases toward the rear side.
A refrigerator comprising the ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and 8 to 10.

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