KR20010026389A - Opening and closing device for ice discharge port of refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus for opening/closing ice discharge port of refrigerator is provided to achieve an improved prevention against ice scattering by improving the installation structure of the scattering prevention cover arranged at the outlet side of the ice discharge port. CONSTITUTION: An apparatus comprises a cap(40) for opening/closing an ice discharge port(22) formed at the refrigerator door, a discharge lever(50) which is hinge-coupled to the inner surface of the ice storage space so as to open/close the cap, a scattering prevention cover(60) arranged to surround the ice discharge port so as to prevent ice pieces being discharged through the ice discharge port from scattering, and a cover fixing unit(63) having a side fixed to an inner surface(25a) of the ice storage space and the other side supporting the scattering prevention cover, such that the scattering prevention cover maintains fixed state regardless of the operation of the discharge lever.

Description

Opening / closing device for ice outlet of refrigerator {OPENING AND CLOSING DEVICE FOR ICE DISCHARGE PORT OF REFRIGERATOR}

The present invention relates to an opening and closing device for opening and closing the ice discharge port of the refrigerator, and more particularly, to open and close the ice discharge port of the refrigerator to improve the installation structure of the shatterproof cover is installed on the outlet side of the ice discharge port to prevent the scattering of ice discharged Relates to a device.

In general, the freezer compartment of a large refrigerator is provided with an automatic ice making device for producing ice by freezing water supplied from the outside, the ice produced by the ice maker is stored in an ice storage container installed inside. In addition, the door of the refrigerator is provided with an ice discharge port and an ice storage space communicated with the inside so that the user can take out the ice inside the storage container without opening the door, and the transfer device for transferring the ice of the storage container to the ice discharge port inside the freezer compartment. Is provided. And the outlet of the ice discharge port communicated to the outside of the door is provided with an opening and closing device for opening and closing the ice discharge port.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ice discharge opening and closing device of the refrigerator includes a stopper 2 rotatably mounted on the outlet side of the ice discharge outlet 1, and the stopper 2 is operated. A discharge lever 3 for opening and closing the ice discharge port 1 is provided. And in front of the discharge lever (3) is provided a shatterproof cover (4) for preventing the scattering of ice to be discharged.

At this time, the stopper 2 is coupled to the upper end of the ice discharge port (1) rotatably back and forth. The discharge lever 3 has a pressing portion 3b extending to the lower end of the semicircular upper support portion 3a that surrounds the stopper 2, and the pivot shaft 3c at the lower end of the upper support portion 3a is iced. It is hinged to the lower part of the discharge port 1.

In addition, at the upper end of the discharge lever 3, a locking protrusion 3d is formed to open and close the stopper 2 during the operation of the discharge lever 3, and the locking protrusion 3d is located at one side of the stopper 2; It is comprised so that it may be caught by the provided locking piece 2a. This means that when the upper support part 3a is rotated forward by pressing the pressing part 3b of the discharge lever 3, the locking projection 3d pushes the locking piece 2a forward to open the stopper 2. (See Fig. 2) And the shatterproof cover 4 is fixed to the extension portion (3e) extending forward from the upper support portion (3a) of the discharge lever (3), so as to rotate together when the discharge lever (3) is rotated It is.

However, the ice discharge port opening and closing device of the conventional refrigerator configured as described above, since the scattering prevention cover 4 for preventing the scattering of ice is rotated together with the discharge lever 3, the return of the discharge lever 3 is closed. If earlier than), there is a problem that a part of the ice discharged to the scattering prevention cover 4 is scattered to the surroundings.

The present invention is to solve such a problem, an object of the present invention is to prevent the scattering of ice discharged by effectively maintaining the fixed cover at a fixed position irrespective of the operation of the discharge lever. It is to provide an ice discharge opening and closing device of the refrigerator.

1 and 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the ice discharge port opening and closing device of the conventional refrigerator, Figure 1 is a view showing a state before the operation of the discharge lever, Figure 2 is a discharge lever is rotated to show the open state. .

3 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of a refrigerator to which the present invention is applied.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the ice discharge port opening and closing device of the refrigerator according to the present invention.

5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the ice discharge port opening and closing device according to the present invention, showing a state in which the discharge lever is rotated and the stopper is opened.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a cover fastener coupling structure of the ice discharge opening and closing device according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

10: main body, 11: storage room,

12: door, 15,16 ice maker,

22: ice outlet, 23: ice feeder,

25: ice compartment, 27: operation switch,

30: ice outlet switchgear, 40: plug,

41: connecting member, 42: support bracket,

43: hinge shaft, 44: torsion coil spring,

45: locking piece, 50: discharge lever,

51: upper support part, 52: pressing part,

53: rotation shaft, 55: obstacle,

60: shatterproof cover, 61: support,

63: cover fasteners, 64: locking portions,

66: fixing part, 67: coupling hole.

Ice outlet opening and closing device of the refrigerator according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the stopper for opening and closing the outlet of the ice discharge port formed in the door, the discharge lever hinged to the inner surface of the ice storage space to open and close the stopper; And an ice discharge opening / closing device of a refrigerator having a shatterproof cover installed to surround the outlet of the ice discharge port to prevent the ice discharged to the ice discharge port, wherein the shatterproof cover is independent of the operation of the discharge lever. One side is fixed to the inner surface of the ice storage space to maintain a fixed state and the other side is characterized in that it comprises a cover fixing tool for supporting the shatterproof cover.

In addition, the cover fixing tool is provided in the shape of a band to support the circumference of the cover to prevent the scattering, characterized in that the upper end of the cover to prevent shattering is supported on the upper end of the cover.

In addition, the inner surface of the ice receiving space is coupled to the cover fastener is characterized in that the fixing portion is provided with a coupling hole corresponding to the end of the cover fastener so that one end of the cover fastener is detachably fitted.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 3, the refrigerator to which the present invention is applied is provided with a freezing compartment 11 that is formed vertically long in the main body 10 and whose front surface is opened, and a door for opening and closing the freezing chamber 11. 12 is installed. At this time, the door 12 is hinged to one side of the main body 10 to rotate and open and close. And the back wall of the main body 10 is provided with the evaporator 13 which produces cold air, and the compressor 14 is installed in the lower back of the main body 10. FIG.

In the freezer compartment 11, a first ice maker 15 and a second ice maker 16 are provided at upper and lower parts of the freezer compartment 11, and an ice reservoir for storing the manufactured ice is provided at the lower part of the ice makers 15 and 16. 17,18). At this time, each ice maker 15, 16 is connected to the water supply pipe 19 so that water from an external water supply source can be supplied. In addition, the freezer compartment 11 is provided with a shelf 20 and a plurality of storage boxes 21 for storing frozen food.

In addition, the door 12 is formed with an ice discharge port 22 which communicates with the inside of the freezer compartment 11 to guide the discharge of ice so that the ice inside the ice storage container 17 can be taken out without opening the door 12. Inside the freezing chamber 11 is provided with an ice conveying device 23 for transferring the ice of the ice reservoir 17 toward the ice discharge port (22). At this time, the front of the door 12 is formed with an ice storage space 25 recessed inward to facilitate receiving the ice discharged through the ice discharge port 22, the outlet of the ice discharge port 22 in the storage space 25 At the same time opening and closing the ice discharge port opening and closing device 30 for operating the conveying device 23 in the freezer compartment 11 is installed.

Referring to FIG. 4, the ice discharge opening / closing device 30 includes a stopper 40 rotatably mounted at an outlet side of the ice discharge opening 22 and an operation of opening and closing the ice discharge opening 22 by operating the stopper 40. And a discharge lever 50. In addition, in front of the discharge lever 50, a scattering prevention cover 60 for preventing the scattering of ice to be discharged is provided. Hereinafter, the configuration of each part of the ice outlet opening and closing device will be described in detail.

The stopper 40 is coupled to the upper end is rotatable back and forth to the top of the ice discharge port (22). To this end, both sides of the stopper 40 are provided with a connecting member extending upwards, and a support bracket 42 for supporting the connecting member 41 so as to be rotatable is fixed to the upper portion of the ice discharge port 22. . At this time, the support bracket 42 is fixed to the inner surface 25a of the ice storage space 25 through the fixing screw 42a, and both ends thereof are provided with a support portion 42b coupled to the connection member 41. The rod-shaped hinge shaft 43 is fitted to the support 42b and the connecting member 41 to interconnect them. In addition, the torsion coil spring 44 is installed on the hinge shaft 43 so as to keep the stopper 40 closed. The torsion coil spring 44 has one end in a state of being fitted to the outer surface of the hinge shaft 43. It is supported by the inner surface of the support bracket 42 and the other end is supported by the back surface of the stopper 40, thereby providing a closing force to the stopper 40. And reference numeral 45 is a locking piece to open the stopper 40 in conjunction with the operation of the discharge lever 50 to be described later.

The discharge lever 50 has a pressing portion 52 that extends long to the lower end of the semi-circular upper support part 51 surrounding the stopper 40, and a rotating shaft protruding outwards on both lower ends of the upper support part 51. 53). And the rotation shaft 53 is rotatably coupled to the shaft fixing portion 54 provided on both sides of the lower end of the ice discharge port (22). In addition, the inner upper end of the upper support portion 51 is formed with a locking projection 55 protruding inward so that the stopper 40 can be opened during the operation of the discharge lever 50. At this time, the locking projection 55 is configured to be caught by the locking piece 45 extending outward from both sides of the connecting member 41 of the stopper 40.

The ice shatterproof cover 60 coupled to the front of the discharge lever 50 supports the shatterproof cover 60 to maintain the shatterproof cover 60 fixed regardless of the operation of the discharge lever 50. The cover fixture 63 is fixed to the inner surface 25a of the ice storage space.

Here, the cover fixture 63 is a band-shaped member having a predetermined rigidity is bent in a "c" shape so as to surround and support the circumference prevention cover 60, and both ends are detachable from the inner surface of the ice storage space. It is fitted so that it can be combined. To this end, a fixing part 66 having a coupling hole 67 is formed to protrude from the inner surface 25a of the ice storage space, and is fitted into the coupling hole 67 of the fixing part 66 at an end portion of the cover fixture 63. The stopping portion 64 is provided.

Referring to FIG. 6, the locking portion 64 of the cover fastener 63 is formed of an upper locking portion 64a and a lower locking portion 64b divided into upper and lower ends thereof by cutting in the longitudinal direction thereof. On the upper surface of the locking portion 64a and the lower surface of the lower locking portion 64b, a locking projection 65 is formed to protrude to the outer surface to form an arrowhead shape. In addition, the fixing part 66 formed on the inner surface 25a of the storage space has a coupling hole 67 corresponding to the shape of the locking portion 64 so that the locking portion 64 is fitted therein, and an inner upper surface of the coupling hole 67. Over and under the engaging groove (66a) is formed to be opened to the upper or lower side so as to engage the locking projection (65) of the locking portion (64). This is because the locking jaw 65 enters the locking groove 66a by the elasticity of the upper and lower locking portions 64a and 64b when the locking portion 64 enters the inside of the coupling hole 67. It is to be done. In addition, when the locking groove 66a is opened up and down to communicate with the outer surface of the fixing part 66, when the cover fixing tool 63 is required to be removed, the locking jaw (ie, pin or awl through the locking groove 66a) is required. By pressing the release 65 to release the locking is to be able to easily remove the locking portion (64).

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 4, the scattering prevention cover 60 coupled to the cover fastener 63 may be supported by the top of the cover fastener 63 so that the upper edge thereof is bent outwardly. The support portion 61 is bent downward to surround and support the upper end of the cover fixture 63. Therefore, when the shatterproof cover 60 according to the present invention is fixed to the inner surface of the storage space, the shatterproof cover 60 is first caught on the upper end of the cover fastener 63, and then the catching portion 64 of the cover fastener 63 is fixed. ) May be inserted into the coupling hole 67 of the fixing portion 66 provided on the inner surface 25a of the storage space.

The following describes the operation of the ice discharge port opening and closing device according to the present invention configured as described above.

The stopper 40 is kept closed by the elasticity of the torsion coil spring 44. In this state, when the user presses the lower end of the pressing portion 52 of the discharge lever 50, as shown in FIG. 5, the discharge lever 50 rotates about the rotation shaft 53. When the discharge lever rotates, the locking protrusion 55 protruding from the inner surface of the upper end of the discharge lever 50 pushes the locking piece 45 protruding toward both sides of the connection member 41 of the stopper 40 forward. Therefore, the stopper 40 is opened while rotating around the hinge shaft 43 of the upper portion.

In addition, the stopper 40 is opened by the rotation of the discharge lever 50, and at the same time, the back of the pressing portion 52 of the discharge lever 50 presses the operation switch 27 which slightly protrudes into the inner surface 25a of the storage space. Ice is discharged to the ice discharge port 22 by applying an ice discharge signal to the transfer device 23 inside the refrigerator storage chamber 11. And the discharged ice is guided by the shatterproof cover 60 installed in front of the ice discharge port 22 is entered into the container, such as a cup located in the lower portion. At this time, the ice discharge opening and closing device according to the present invention is fixed by the cover fixing hole 63 to prevent the scattering of ice, so that even if the discharge lever 50 is operated, it is discharged This will effectively prevent the ice from scattering.

Then, after the appropriate amount of ice is discharged and the pressure of the discharge lever 50 is released, the stopper 40 is closed again by the elasticity of the torsion coil spring 44. At this time, the locking piece 45 provided on both sides of the connecting member 41 of the stopper 40 pushes the locking projection 55 on the upper end of the discharge lever 50 backward, so that the stopper 40 and the discharge lever 50 Restore to original state. In addition, while the discharge lever 50 is restored to its original state, pressing of the operation switch 27 is released, and the operation of the ice feeder 23 is stopped to discharge the ice.

As described above in detail, the ice discharge port opening and closing device of the refrigerator according to the present invention is installed in front of the ice discharge port is discharged because the cover is fixed to the cover fixture fixed to the inner surface of the cover to prevent the scattering of ice, Irrespective of the operation of the lever, by guiding the discharge of ice at a constant position at all times, there is an advantage that the scattering of the discharged ice is excellent.

Claims (3)

A stopper for opening and closing the outlet of the ice discharge port formed at the door, a discharge lever hinged to an inner surface of the ice storage space to open and close the stopper, and a periphery of the outlet of the ice discharge outlet to prevent the ice from being discharged to the ice discharge outlet In the ice discharge opening and closing device of the refrigerator having a shatterproof cover installed to surround the, The cover of the refrigerator characterized in that the one side is fixed to the inner surface of the ice storage space and the other side to support the shatterproof cover so that the shatterproof cover is fixed regardless of the operation of the discharge lever. Ice outlet switchgear. The method of claim 1, The cover fixing tool is provided in the shape of a belt to support the circumference of the shatterproof cover, the upper end of the shatterproof cover is an ice discharge port opening and closing device of the refrigerator, characterized in that supported by the upper end of the cover fixture. The method of claim 1, The ice discharge port opening and closing device of the refrigerator, characterized in that the fixing portion is formed on the inner surface of the ice receiving space to which the cover fastener is coupled is formed a coupling hole corresponding to the end of the cover fastener so that one end of the cover fastener is detachably fitted.