KR20050022067A - ice-making apparatus in the refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An ice making device of a refrigerator is provided to restrict water from overflowing by a water overflow prevention panel in opening a door while filling an ice chamber with the water and to prevent an ejector pin from being caught by the water overflow prevention panel by opening and closing the panel after discharging the ice. CONSTITUTION: An ice making device(60) of a refrigerator is composed of an ice tray(61) installed in a freezer door and formed with ice making chambers(62) filled with the water; an ejector(64) composed of a rotary shaft installed across the ice making chamber and plural ejector pins(65) arranged vertically to the rotary shaft, and rotated to discharge the ice to the lower part of an ice bank; a water overflow prevention panel(66) mounted to restrict the water from being split by covering a half of the opened upside of the ice tray and installed in the front side of the ice tray to open or close; and a driving unit(70) connected to the rotary shaft of the ejector and the water overflow prevention panel to open and close the water overflow prevention panel not to hang the ejector pin by the water overflow prevention panel in rotating the ejector.

Description

Ice-making apparatus in the refrigerator

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to an ice maker of a refrigerator installed in a freezer door.

A typical refrigerator is divided into a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment. The refrigerator compartment keeps food and vegetables fresh and long at a temperature of about 3 ° C. to 4 ° C., and the freezer compartment keeps food such as meat and fish frozen at subzero temperatures.

Recently, various functions have been added to the refrigerator for the user to conveniently use, such as storing kimchi. The ice making machine described below is one such additional function.

Hereinafter, a conventional refrigerator ice making apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

1 is a schematic view showing a state in which a conventional ice maker is installed in the refrigerator, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the structure of the ice maker constituting the ice maker of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a structure of the ice maker and ice bank in the refrigerator of Figure 1 Figure 4 is a side view, Figure 4 is a state diagram showing the process of the ice produced in the ice maker of Figure 3 accommodated in the ice bank.

Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator is divided into a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment, and a door 1 is installed to open and close the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment. An ice maker is installed in the freezer compartment, and a control panel (not shown) is installed on an outer surface of the door 1 to allow a user to select a predetermined function of the refrigerator.

The ice maker is composed of an ice maker 10 for producing ice, an ice bank 20 for accommodating the produced ice, an ice chute 2 for discharging the ice of the ice bank to the outside, and a dispenser. .

2 and 3, the ice maker 10 has an ice making chamber 11 in which ice is generated and a water supply part 12 formed at one side of the ice making chamber 11 to supply water to the ice making chamber. Is formed.

The ice-making chamber 11 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and the ice-making chamber 11 is formed so that the partition ribs 11a protrude upward at predetermined intervals so that ice can be separated. In addition, a fastening portion 15 is formed at a rear predetermined portion of the ice making chamber 11 so as to fix the ice maker to the freezing chamber.

The motor unit 13 is installed at one side of the ice making chamber 11. The motor unit 13 has a built-in motor, the ejector 14 (ejector) is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft of the motor.

The ejector 14 is installed so that the rotation axis crosses the center of the ice making chamber 11, and a plurality of ejector pins 14a are spaced apart at predetermined intervals so that the rotation axis of the ejector is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis. At this time, each of the ejector pin 14a is disposed for each section partitioned by the partition ribs 11a.

A plurality of slide bars 16 extend in the upper end of the front side of the ice making chamber 11 to about the rotation axis of the ejector 14.

In addition, a heater 17 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the bottom surface of the ice making chamber 11. The heater 17 heats the surface of the ice making chamber for a short time to slightly dissolve the ice surface attached to the surface of the ice making chamber so that the ice can be easily separated from the ice making chamber 11.

The ice maker 10 is provided with an ice sensing arm 18 to measure the amount of ice filled in the ice bank 20. The ice detection arm 18 is installed to be movable up and down and is connected to a control unit built in the motor unit 13. By the action of the ice detection arm 18 and the control unit, the ice bank 20 is filled with a certain amount of ice.

The ice bank 20 has an upper surface open to receive falling ice and an ice outlet 21 is formed in a predetermined portion of the lower surface. The ice outlet 21 is installed at a position corresponding to the ice chute 2, and a dispenser is installed at the lower portion of the ice chute.

In addition, the ice bank 20 is provided with an auger 22, a motor device 23, an ice grinder 30, and an ice discharger 40.

The auger 22 is formed in a thread form and is installed to cross the inside of the ice bank 20. The auger 220 is rotatably coupled to the motor device 23.

Accordingly, when the motor device 23 is rotated, the ice is moved to the ice grinder 30 as the auger 22 is rotated.

The ice grinder 30 is composed of a housing 31, a fixed blade 32 and a movable blade 33.

At this time, the housing 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape with one end open. The fixed blade 32 is fixed inside the housing 31 so as to cross the inside of the housing, and an end portion of the auger 22 is inserted into the center of the fixed blade 32 to serve as a rotating shaft portion, and the end of the auger. At least one movable blade 33 is provided in the part. This movable blade 33 is arranged between the stationary blades 32.

In addition, the ice discharger 40 is composed of a shutter 41 and a solenoid 42.

That is, a substantially plate-shaped shutter 41 is provided at the ice outlet 21 of the housing 31 so as to open and close a predetermined portion of the ice outlet 21, and the solenoid 42 is provided at the shutter 41. Connected. At this time, the shutter 41 and the solenoid 42 are connected by a lever. The shutter 41 is installed to open and close only a predetermined portion of the ice transfer side with respect to the blades 32 and 33.

An ice chute 2 having a predetermined space is installed below the ice outlet as shown in FIG. 1. This ice chute 2 is in communication with the ice bank 20 and the dispenser. At this time, the dispenser is not shown, but when the ice is not discharged, the device is installed to block the outside air.

Referring to the operation of the icemaker of the conventional refrigerator configured as described above are as follows.

When the ice bank 20 determines that the ice bank 20 lacks ice by the ice detection arm 18, water is supplied to the water supply part 12 of the ice maker 10. This water is filled up to a predetermined level in the ice making chamber 11 and is frozen by cold air in the freezing chamber. At this time, the partition rib 11a of the ice making chamber 11 serves to divide the ice produced in the ice making chamber 11 into a predetermined size.

When the ice is manufactured, the heater 17 of the ice maker is operated for a short time to melt the contact surface of the ice in contact with the surface of the ice making chamber 11. Subsequently, as the ejector pin 14a is rotated by the motor unit 13, each ice positioned in the corresponding space is discharged to the outside. This ice is discharged to the ice bank 20 as shown in FIG.

When the ice bank 20 is filled with a predetermined amount of ice by repeating this series of processes, the ice making process of the ice maker 10 is terminated by the control unit. In addition, if it is determined that the ice is insufficient in the ice detection arm 18, the ice making process is performed again, and the ice maker 10 is filled with a predetermined amount of ice.

As the ice bank 20 is filled with ice, when the user selects a predetermined button on the control panel, uncrushed ice (hereinafter referred to as ice) or crushed ice is discharged to the dispenser.

Accordingly, users can selectively obtain ice cubes and crushed ice.

However, since the water supplied to the ice maker overflows when the user opens the door in a state where the ice maker does not freeze water, the ice maker is inadequate to be installed in the freezer door.

In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ice maker of a refrigerator that can be freely installed in the freezer compartment or the door of the freezer compartment.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is provided in the freezing compartment door, the ice making tray is formed in the ice making chamber is filled with water; A rotating shaft is installed to cross the ice making chamber, and a plurality of ejector pins are installed on the rotating shaft to be substantially perpendicular to the rotating shaft to eject the ice to the lower portion of the ice bank; A water overflow prevention panel installed to cover approximately half of the open upper surface of the ice making tray, to prevent water overflow, and to be opened and closed at a front side of the ice making tray; It is connected to the rotating shaft of the ejector and is connected to the water overflow prevention panel, the drive device for opening and closing the water overflow prevention panel so that the ejector pin is not caught by the water overflow prevention panel during rotation of the ejector: do.

Hereinafter, an icemaker of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5 is a schematic view showing a state in which an ice maker according to the present invention is installed in a freezer compartment door, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the ice maker of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a side view schematically showing the internal structure of the ice maker of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is an operation state diagram illustrating a state in which the water overflow prevention panel is opened when the ice maker of FIG. 7 discharges ice.

Referring to FIG. 5, the ice making apparatus according to the present invention includes a ice maker 60, an ice bank 53, and an ice chute 54. The ice maker 60 is installed in the door 52 of the freezing compartment 51.

Prior to the description of the ice maker, the structure of the ice bank, ice chute and dispenser is the same as described in the prior art, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, the ice maker is largely composed of an ice maker tray 61, an ejector 665, a water overflow prevention panel 66, and a driving device 70.

The ice tray 61 is installed in the freezer compartment door 51 and an ice maker 62 is formed to fill water therein. In this case, a partition rib 63 protrudes from the ice making chamber 62 so as to partition the inside into a predetermined number of sections.

Although not shown, a heater is provided on the lower surface of the ice making tray 61 to heat the ice making tray for a short time as described above to separate ice from the surface of the ice making tray.

The ejector 64 is installed so that the rotating shaft crosses the ice making chamber 62, and a plurality of ejector pins 65 are installed on the rotating shaft to be substantially perpendicular to the rotating shaft to discharge the ice to the lower portion of the ice bank. . Each ejector pin 65 is disposed in a section partitioned by the partition ribs 63, respectively.

The water overflow prevention panel 66 is installed to cover approximately half of the open upper surface of the ice making tray 61 to prevent water overflow and is opened and closed at the front side of the ice making tray. In this case, an opening and closing rotary shaft 72 is installed at the front edge of the ice making tray to axially couple the water overflow prevention panel 66.

The water overflow prevention panel 66 prevents the water contained in the ice making chamber from spilling to the outside even when the door 52 is opened while the ice making chamber 62 is filled with water.

The driving device 70 is connected to the rotating shaft of the ejector 64 and the water overflow prevention panel 66. When the ejector is rotated, the ejector pin 65 is caught on the water overflow prevention panel 66. It is installed to open and close the water overflow prevention panel 66.

The driving device 70 includes a motor unit 71 for generating a driving force, an opening and closing rotary shaft 72 axially coupled to the water overflow prevention panel 66 at the front edge of the ice making tray, and the opening and closing rotary shaft ( 72 and the drive shaft of the motor unit 71 is installed so as to interlock and comprises a gear assembly (gear assembly) for opening and closing the water overflow prevention panel 66.

As shown in FIG. 6, the motor unit 71 is installed at one side of the ice making tray 61. The motor unit 71 includes a motor that can rotate only on one side.

Referring to FIG. 7, the gear assembly includes a first gear 73a connected to a drive shaft of the motor, a second gear 73b installed to engage the first gear, and a cam is installed at a predetermined portion, and the first gear 73a. The second gear 73c is installed to engage with the cam only for a predetermined time while the second gear 73b is rotated, and the second shaft 73b is engaged with the third gear and the rotating shaft for opening and closing the water overflow prevention panel ( And a fourth gear 73d connected to 72).

Here, the first gear 73a and the second gear 73b should be designed to have a constant gear ratio in consideration of the rotational speed ratio of the motor and the rotational speed ratio of the ejector. That is, while the first gear 73a is rotated at high speed, the second gear 73b should be designed to have a constant gear ratio so as to rotate at low speed.

In addition, the cam 74 of the second gear 73b may have a third gear 73c between the ejector pin 65 after discharging the ice into the ice bank and before reaching the water overflow prevention panel 66. It must be fixed in position so that it engages with the wealth.

The third and fourth gears 73c and 73d may also be formed to have a constant gear ratio in consideration of the rotational speed of the second gear 73b. That is, while the cam 74 is engaged with the third gear 73c, the overflow plate 66 is sufficiently opened so that the ejector pin 65 can be rotated without being caught by the overflow plate 66. It should be designed to have a constant gear ratio.

Of course, the gear assembly is applied only the external gear, it can be understood that the internal gear can be applied to a predetermined portion.

Referring to the operation of the ice maker according to the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

When it is determined that the ice is sufficiently frozen in the ice making tray 61, a heater (not shown) installed on the lower surface of the ice making tray is activated to separate the ice from the surface of the ice making tray.

When the ice is separated from the ice making tray in this way, power is applied to the motor unit 71 to rotate the ejector 64.

At this time, the first gear 73a connected to the drive shaft of the motor unit 71 is rotated counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 8, and the second gear 73b meshed with the first gear 73a is rotated clockwise. Done. At this time, the third gear 73c and the fourth gear 73d are not rotated yet.

As the ejector 64 connected to the second gear 73b is rotated, the ejector pin 65 is rotated, and the ejector pin raises the ice partitioned by the partition rib 63 upwards. The ice slides on the upper surface of the water overflow prevention panel 66 and falls to the ice bank 53. Even after the ice is discharged, the ejector pin 65 does not reach the water overflow prevention panel 66.

Subsequently, before the ejector pin 65 reaches the water overflow prevention panel 66, the cam 74 fixed to the second gear 73b is engaged with the third gear 73c as shown in FIG. 8. . At this time, the third gear 73c rotates in a counterclockwise direction, and the fourth gear 73d engaged with the third gear 73c rotates in a clockwise direction and is axially coupled to the water overflow prevention panel 66. The opening and closing rotary shaft 72 is rotated by a predetermined angle. Subsequently, as the opening / closing rotating shaft 72 rotates, the water overflow prevention panel 66 rotates by a predetermined angle.

At this time, the stopper 67 (see FIG. 6) protruding from the case of the motor unit 71 prevents the water overflow prevention panel 66 from being opened for a predetermined angle or more. That is, the water overflow prevention panel 66 is prevented from opening at an angle parallel to the direction of gravity.

When the second gear 73b is rotated a little more, the engagement between the cam 74 and the third gear 73c is released and the ejector pin 65 is returned to its original position as shown in FIG. 7.

At this time, when the engagement of the third gear 73c is released, the rotational force of the third gear 73c and the fourth gear 73d is released so that the water overflow prevention panel 66 rotates downward by its own weight. And return to the original position as shown in FIG.

By repeating this series of steps, the ice bank installed in the lower part of the door is filled with a certain amount of ice.

As described above, the ice maker according to the present invention has the following effects.

First, since the water overflow prevention panel is installed in the ice maker, there is an effect of preventing the water from pouring out even when the door is opened in the state where the water is filled in the ice making chamber. In addition, there is an advantage that can ensure the reliability of the consumption of the product.

Second, by opening and closing the water overflow prevention panel after discharging the ice in the ice making chamber to the outside, it is possible to prevent the ejector pin from being caught in the water overflow prevention panel. Accordingly, there is no need to install the forward and reverse motor, there is an effect that can reduce the manufacturing cost of the ice maker.

Third, since the ice maker can be selectively installed in the door and the freezing compartment, the degree of freedom of design change can be improved when designing the refrigerator. Therefore, the same kind of ice maker can be applied to refrigerators of various structures, thereby reducing the production cost of the ice maker.

1 is a schematic view showing a state in which an ice maker is installed in a conventional refrigerator.

2 is a perspective view showing the structure of an ice maker constituting the ice making device of FIG.

Figure 3 is a side view showing the structure of the ice maker and the ice bank in the refrigerator of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a state diagram showing a process in which the ice generated in the ice maker of Figure 3 is accommodated in the ice bank.

5 is a schematic view showing a state in which an ice maker according to the present invention is installed in a freezer compartment door.

6 is a perspective view showing the structure of the ice maker of FIG.

7 is a side view schematically showing the internal structure of the ice maker of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an operating state diagram illustrating a state in which the water overflow prevention panel is opened when the ice maker of FIG. 7 discharges ice; FIG.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

51: freezer 52: door

53: ice bank 54: ice suit

60: ice maker 61: ice tray

62 ice making room 63 compartment rib

64: ejector 65: ejector pin

66: water overflow prevention panel 67: stopper

71: motor portion 72: rotation shaft for opening and closing

73: gear assembly 73a: first gear

73b: Second Gear 73c: Third Gear

73d: fourth gear 74: cam

Claims (4)

An ice making tray installed in the door of the freezer compartment and having an ice making chamber formed therein so as to fill with water; A rotating shaft is installed to cross the ice making chamber, and a plurality of ejector pins are installed on the rotating shaft to be substantially perpendicular to the rotating shaft to eject the ice to the lower portion of the ice bank; A water overflow prevention panel installed to cover approximately half of the open upper surface of the ice making tray, to prevent water overflow, and to be opened and closed at a front side of the ice making tray; And, And a driving device connected to the rotating shaft of the ejector and connected to the water overflow prevention panel, and configured to open and close the water overflow prevention panel so that the ejector pin does not catch on the water overflow prevention panel when the ejector is rotated. The method of claim 1, The drive unit is: A motor unit generating a driving force; An opening / closing rotating shaft configured to axially couple the water overflow prevention panel to the front edge of the ice making tray; And, Gear assembly for opening and closing the opening and closing the rotating shaft and the drive shaft of the motor unit to open and close the water overflow prevention panel: ice maker of the refrigerator comprising a The method of claim 2, The gear assembly is: A first gear connected to a drive shaft of the motor; A second gear installed to engage the first gear and having a cam installed at a predetermined portion; A third gear installed to rotate in engagement with the cam only for a predetermined time while the second gear rotates; And, And a fourth gear connected to the third gear and connected to a rotating shaft for opening and closing the water overflow prevention panel. The method of claim 3, wherein And a stopper installed in the case of the driving device to prevent the water overflow prevention panel from being opened for a predetermined angle or more.