KR102482620B1 - Ice maker - Google Patents

Abstract

Start the ice maker.
An ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an inner cylinder into which water is introduced and stored; an outer tube surrounding the inner tube so that the refrigerant flows between the inner tube and the inner tube; an ice discharge unit provided in the inner cylinder and discharging ice generated in the inner cylinder by the refrigerant to the outside; and a cold water generating unit provided in the outer cylinder and configured to cool water by the refrigerant while the water flows to become cold water. can include

Description

Ice maker {ICE MAKER}

The present invention relates to an ice maker for making ice, and more particularly, to an ice maker capable of making not only ice but also cold water.

An ice maker makes ice.

These ice makers generally make ice by cooling supplied water below the freezing point with a cold refrigerant below the freezing point.

As such an ice maker, there is an immersion type ice maker in which an immersion member is connected to an evaporator through which refrigerant flows and the immersion member is submerged in a tray member containing water to generate ice in the immersion member.

In addition, there is a jet ice maker in which an evaporator through which a refrigerant flows is provided in an ice maker frame, and water is sprayed onto the ice maker frame to generate ice.

In addition, there is a water-flow type ice maker in which an evaporator through which refrigerant flows is provided in an ice maker frame, and water flows in the ice maker frame to produce ice.

In addition, there is an auger-type ice maker in which an evaporator is wound outside a barrel containing water to generate ice in the barrel and the ice is discharged to the outside of the barrel through a transfer member rotatably provided in the barrel.

On the other hand, in the above-described immersion type, spray type, and running water type ice makers, it is possible to make cold water together with ice and supply it to users, but in the auger type ice maker, it is impossible to make cold water together with ice and supply it to users.

The present invention has been made in recognition of at least one of the above-mentioned needs or problems occurring in the prior art.

One aspect of the object of the present invention is to make ice as well as cold water and supply it to users.

Another aspect of the object of the present invention is to make various types of ice.

An ice maker related to one embodiment for realizing at least one of the above objects may include the following features.

An ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an inner cylinder into which water is introduced and stored; an outer tube surrounding the inner tube so that the refrigerant flows between the inner tube and the inner tube; an ice discharge unit provided in the inner cylinder and discharging ice generated in the inner cylinder by the refrigerant to the outside; and a cold water generator provided in the outer cylinder and cooled by a refrigerant while water flows to become cold water. can include

In this case, the outer cylinder may include a water inlet through which water flows into the inner cylinder, an ice outlet through which ice generated in the inner cylinder is discharged, a refrigerant inlet through which refrigerant flows in, and a refrigerant outlet through which refrigerant is discharged.

In addition, the water inlet may be provided on one side of the outer cylinder, and the ice outlet, refrigerant inlet, and refrigerant outlet may be provided on the outer circumference of the outer cylinder.

The water inlet and the ice outlet may be provided on one side and the other side of the outer cylinder, respectively, and the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet may be provided on the outer circumference of the outer cylinder.

In addition, a shape forming member having a shape forming hole may be provided in the ice outlet.

In addition, the ice dispensing unit may separate the ice generated on the inner surface of the inner cylinder by the refrigerant and transfer the ice to an ice outlet provided in the outer cylinder.

In addition, the ice discharge unit may include a shaft member rotatably provided inside the inner cylinder; And a transfer blade provided in a spiral shape to the shaft member; can include

Further, the cold water generating unit may include a flow pipe through which water flows while spirally surrounding an outer circumference of the outer cylinder.

In addition, a heater provided in the cold water generator to melt the ice generated in the cold water generator; may further include.

As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, not only ice but also cold water can be made and supplied to the user.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, various types of ice may be made.

1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an ice maker according to the present invention.
2 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Ⅰ-Ⅰ' of Figure 1;
4 and 5 are cross-sectional views like those of FIG. 3 showing the operation of the first embodiment of the ice maker according to the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of an ice maker according to the present invention.
7 is a perspective view illustrating examples of a shape forming member included in a second embodiment of an ice maker according to the present invention.

In order to help understand the characteristics of the present invention as described above, an ice maker related to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

The embodiments described below will be described based on the most suitable embodiments for understanding the technical characteristics of the present invention, and the technical characteristics of the present invention are not limited by the described embodiments, but the following It is to illustrate that the present invention can be implemented like the embodiments. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications within the technical scope of the present invention through the embodiments described below, and these modified embodiments will be said to fall within the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, in the reference numerals described in the accompanying drawings to help understanding of the embodiments described below, among components that perform the same action in each embodiment, related components are indicated by the same or extended numbers.

of ice maker Example 1

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of an ice maker according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

1 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' in FIG.

Also, FIGS. 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views like those of FIG. 3 illustrating the operation of the first embodiment of the ice maker according to the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first embodiment of the ice maker 100 according to the present invention includes an inner cylinder 200, an outer cylinder 300, an ice discharge unit 400, and a cold water generator 500. can do.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , water may be introduced and stored in the inner cylinder 200 .

For example, a storage space SS may be formed in the inner cylinder 200 . In addition, a water inlet 310 to be described later may be connected to the storage space SS of the inner cylinder 200 .

The water inlet 310 may be connected to a water supply source (not shown) such as a raw water supply source such as tap water by a connection pipe (not shown). And, a water supply valve (not shown) may be provided in the connection pipe (not shown).

Accordingly, when the water supply valve of the connecting pipe is opened, water from the water supply source may be introduced into the storage space SS of the inner cylinder 200 through the water inlet 310 and stored therein, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. there is.

The inner cylinder 200 may have a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 2 . However, the shape of the inner cylinder 200 is not particularly limited, and any shape is possible as long as it is a shape in which water is introduced and stored.

The outer cylinder 300 may surround the inner cylinder 200 so that the refrigerant flows between the outer cylinder 200 and the inner cylinder 200 .

To this end, an accommodation space is formed in the outer cylinder 300, and an inner cylinder 200 is provided in the accommodation space of the outer cylinder 300, so that the refrigerant flows between the outer cylinder 300 and the inner cylinder 200 as shown in FIG. A flowing refrigerant flow space SR may be formed.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the cover surface SC may be integrally formed with the inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300 while simultaneously covering one side of the inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300 . In addition, the other open side of the inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300 may be simultaneously covered by the cover member CV.

However, the configuration in which the inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300 are connected is not particularly limited, and any well-known configuration is possible as long as the refrigerant flow space SR can be formed.

The outer cylinder 300 may also have a cylindrical shape as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, the shape of the outer cylinder 300 is not particularly limited, and any shape is possible as long as it can wrap the inner cylinder 200 so that the refrigerant flows therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the outer cylinder 300 may include a water inlet 310, an ice outlet 320, a refrigerant inlet 330, and a refrigerant outlet 340.

One side of the water inlet 310 may be connected to a water supply source by a connection pipe equipped with a water supply valve. In addition, the other side of the water inlet 310 may be connected to the storage space (SS) of the inner cylinder (200).

Accordingly, when the water supply valve is opened, water from the water supply source flows into the storage space SS of the inner cylinder 200 through the connection pipe and the water inlet 310 and is stored as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 described above. can

The water inlet 310 may be provided on one side of the outer cylinder 300 . For example, the water inlet 310 may be provided on the above-described cover surface (SC) and connected to the storage space (SS) of the inner cylinder 200, as shown in FIG.

However, the position of the water inlet 310 in the outer cylinder 300 is not particularly limited, and any position of the outer cylinder 300 as long as the water is introduced and stored in the storage space SS of the inner cylinder 200 may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 4 , ice I generated in the inner cylinder 200 may be discharged through the ice outlet 320 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the ice outlet 320 may pass through the outer cylinder 300 and be connected to the storage space SS of the inner cylinder 200 .

Accordingly, the ice I generated in the inner cylinder 200 may be discharged to the outside through the ice outlet 320 .

The ice outlet 320 may be provided on the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 300 . However, the location of the ice outlet 320 in the outer cylinder 300 is not particularly limited, and may be provided in any position of the outer cylinder 300 as long as the ice I generated in the inner cylinder 200 can be discharged. can

A refrigerant may flow into the refrigerant inlet 330 . One side of the refrigerant inlet 330 may be connected to an expansion valve or a capillary tube (not shown) included in the refrigerating cycle by a connection pipe. In addition, the other side of the refrigerant inlet 330 may be connected to the refrigerant flow space SR formed between the inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300 .

Accordingly, when a compressor (not shown) included in the refrigerating cycle is driven, as shown in FIGS. ) can flow into the refrigerant flow space SR between them.

The refrigerant inlet 330 may be provided on the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 300 . However, the position of the refrigerant inlet 330 in the outer cylinder 300 is not particularly limited, and is provided at any position in the outer cylinder 300 as long as the refrigerant can flow in between the inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300. It can be.

Refrigerant may be discharged from the refrigerant outlet 340 . One side of the refrigerant outlet 340 may be connected to the refrigerant flow space SR between the inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300 . In addition, the other side of the refrigerant outlet 340 may be connected to the aforementioned compressor included in the refrigerating cycle by a connection pipe.

Accordingly, when the compressor is driven, the low-temperature refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant flow space SR may be discharged through the refrigerant discharge port 340 and introduced into the compressor.

The refrigerant outlet 340 may be provided on the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 300 . However, the location of the refrigerant outlet 340 in the outer cylinder 300 is not particularly limited, and may be provided in any position of the outer cylinder 300 as long as the refrigerant can be discharged.

On the other hand, as described above, the outer cylinder 300 may be provided to surround the inner cylinder 200 so that the refrigerant flows between the outer cylinder 300 and the inner cylinder 200, but a tubular evaporator in which the refrigerant flows (shown) not) may cover the inner cylinder 200.

The ice discharge unit 400 may be provided in the inner cylinder 200 . The ice dispensing unit 400 may be provided, for example, in the storage space SS of the inner cylinder 200 .

Also, the ice discharge unit 400 may discharge the ice I generated in the inner cylinder 200 by the refrigerant flowing between the outer cylinder 200 and the inner cylinder 300 to the outside.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the refrigerant flow space SR between the outer cylinder 200 and the inner cylinder 300, when the low temperature refrigerant below the freezing point flows, the storage space SS of the inner cylinder 200 Ice (I) may be generated on the inner surface of the inner cylinder 200 by cooling the water.

And, as shown in FIG. 4 , the ice dispensing unit 400 may separate the ice I generated on the inner surface of the inner cylinder 200 and transport it to the ice outlet 320 .

To this end, the ice dispensing unit 400 may include a shaft member 410 and a transfer blade 420 .

The shaft member 410 may be rotatably provided inside the inner cylinder 200, for example, in the storage space SS of the inner cylinder 200. The shaft member 410 may be connected to a rotation drive unit (not shown) including a drive motor or a gear. The shaft member 410 may be rotated by a rotation drive unit.

The transfer blade 420 may be provided on the shaft member 410 in a spiral shape. And, as described above, when the shaft member 410 is rotated by the rotation drive unit, the transfer blade 420 may also be rotated.

Accordingly, the ice I formed on the inner surface of the inner cylinder 200 may be scraped off by the transfer blade 420, separated from the inner surface of the inner cylinder 200, and transported toward the ice outlet 320.

The ice I transferred to the ice outlet 320 may be discharged through the ice outlet 320 .

Meanwhile, when the rotational speed of the shaft member 410 is relatively slow, the ice I may be discharged through the ice outlet 320 in a relatively hard state. In addition, when the rotational speed of the shaft member 310 is relatively high, the ice I may be discharged to the ice outlet 320 in a slush state.

Therefore, by adjusting the rotational speed of the shaft member 410, various types of ice (I) can be made and supplied to the user.

The cold water generator 500 may be provided in the outer cylinder 300 . The cold water generating unit 500 may be cooled by a refrigerant flowing between the inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300 while the water flows to become cold water.

The cold water generator 500 may include a flow pipe 510 . The flow pipe 510 spirally surrounds the outer circumference of the outer cylinder 300 and allows water to flow.

One side of the flow pipe 510 may be connected to a water supply source by a connection pipe equipped with a water supply valve (not shown) for generating cold water. In addition, the other side of the flow pipe 510 may be connected to a discharge member (not shown) such as a cock or a faucet by a connection pipe.

And, as shown in FIG. 5, when the supply valve for generating cold water is opened in a state in which the low temperature refrigerant below the freezing point flows in the refrigerant flow space (SR) between the inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300, water from the water supply source is opened. While flowing through the flow pipe 510, it may be cooled by a refrigerant having a low temperature below the freezing point and become cold water.

The cold water generated in this way flows through the flow pipe 510 and is then discharged to the outside through the connection pipe and the discharge member to be supplied to the user.

The water supply source to which the flow pipe 510 is connected may be the same as the water supply source to which the water inlet 310 of the outer cylinder 300 is connected.

However, the water supply source to which the water inlet 310 is connected and the water supply source to which the flow pipe 510 is connected may be different.

For example, the water supply source to which the water inlet 310 is connected may be a raw water supply source to supply raw water, and the water supply source to which the flow pipe 510 is connected may be a purified water supply source that includes a water filter and filters water to obtain purified water.

Meanwhile, the first embodiment of the ice maker according to the present invention may further include a heater 600 . The heater 600 may be provided in the cold water generator 500 . For example, the heater 600 may be provided in the flow pipe 510 of the cold water generator 500.

Ice I generated in the cold water generator 500 by the heater 600, for example, in the flow pipe 510 of the cold water generator 500, may be melted.

As shown in FIG. 4 , when ice (I) is generated in the inner cylinder 200 , water may not flow in the cold water generator 500 , for example, the flow pipe 510 of the cold water generator 500 .

Accordingly, the water in the flow pipe 510 of the cold water generator 500 is cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant flow space SR between the inner cylinder 200 and the outer cylinder 300, and the flow pipe ( 510), ice (I) may be generated.

In this state, even if the water supply valve for generating cold water is opened, water does not flow through the flow pipe 510 due to ice (I) generated in the flow pipe 510 of the cold water generator 500.

In this case, when ice (I) generated in the flow pipe 510 of the cold water generator 500 by the heater 600 is melted, water flows in the flow pipe 510 of the cold water generator 500, so that the cold water is can be created

The heater 600 provided in the cold water generator 500 may be, for example, a band heater as shown in FIG. 2 . However, the heater 600 is not particularly limited, and any well-known heater can be used as long as it can melt the ice I generated in the cold water generator 500.

of ice maker Example 2

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of an ice maker according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 .

6 is a cross-sectional view of an ice maker according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating examples of shape forming members included in the second embodiment of an ice maker according to the present invention.

Here, the second embodiment of the ice maker according to the present invention is similar to the first embodiment of the ice maker according to the present invention described with reference to FIGS. There is a difference in that the shape forming member 321 in which the shape forming hole 321a is formed is provided.

Therefore, in the following, differentiated configurations are mainly described, and the remaining configurations can be replaced with those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

In the second embodiment of the ice maker according to the present invention, the ice outlet 320 may be provided on the other side of the outer cylinder 300 as shown in FIG. 6 .

For example, the ice outlet 320 may be provided in the cover member CV that simultaneously covers the other open side of the inner cylinder 200 and the other open side of the outer cylinder 300 .

Accordingly, the ice outlet 320 can be easily provided in the outer cylinder 300 .

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6 , in the second embodiment of the ice maker according to the present invention, the ice outlet 320 may include a shape forming member 321 having a shape forming hole 321a formed therein.

Accordingly, when the ice I generated on the inner surface of the inner cylinder 200 is transported by the ice dispensing unit 400 and discharged through the ice outlet 320, the shape corresponds to the shape of the shape forming hole 321a. Ice (I) having may be discharged.

The shape of the shape forming hole 321a of the shape forming member 321 is not particularly limited, and as shown in FIG. 7, any shape such as a star shape, a hexagonal shape, or an elliptical shape is possible.

As described above, when the ice maker according to the present invention is used, not only ice but also cold water can be made and supplied to the user, and various types of ice can be made.

The above-described ice maker is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiments, and the above embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or part of each of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made.

100: ice maker 200: inner cylinder
300: outer cylinder 310: water inlet
320: ice outlet 321: shape forming member
321a: shape forming hole 330: refrigerant inlet
340: refrigerant outlet 400: ice outlet
410: shaft member 420: transfer blade
500: cold water generating unit 510: flow pipe
600: heater SS: storage space
SR: refrigerant flow space SC: cover surface
CV: cover member

Claims (9)

An inner tube in which water is introduced and stored;
an outer tube surrounding the inner tube so that the refrigerant flows between the inner tube and the inner tube;
an ice discharge unit provided in the inner cylinder and discharging ice generated in the inner cylinder by the refrigerant to the outside; and
a cold water generator provided to surround the outer circumference of the outer cylinder and cooling water through the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder by the refrigerant while the water flows to become cold water;
An ice maker comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the outer cylinder is provided with a water inlet through which water flows into the inner cylinder, an ice outlet through which ice generated in the inner cylinder is discharged, a refrigerant inlet through which refrigerant flows in, and a refrigerant outlet through which refrigerant is discharged. ice machine. The method of claim 2, wherein the water inlet is provided on one side of the outer cylinder,
The ice outlet, the refrigerant inlet, and the refrigerant outlet are provided on an outer circumference of the outer cylinder. The method of claim 2, wherein the water inlet and the ice outlet are respectively provided on one side and the other side of the outer cylinder,
The refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlet are provided on an outer circumference of the outer cylinder. The ice maker according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a shape forming member having a shape forming hole is provided in the ice outlet. The ice maker of claim 1 , wherein the ice dispensing unit separates the ice formed on the inner surface of the inner cylinder by the refrigerant and transfers the ice to an ice outlet provided in the outer cylinder. The method of claim 6, wherein the ice discharge unit
A shaft member rotatably provided inside the inner cylinder; and
A transfer blade provided in a spiral shape to the shaft member;
An ice maker comprising a. The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the cold water generator includes a flow pipe that spirally wraps around an outer circumference of the outer cylinder and through which water flows. The method of claim 1, further comprising: a heater provided in the cold water generator to melt the ice generated in the cold water generator; An ice maker further comprising a.

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