KR20050022804A - Dispenser for ice-making apparatus in the refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A dispenser for an ice-making machine of a refrigerator is provided to improve an external appearance and the space utility by minimizing a space occupied by a dispenser. CONSTITUTION: A vertical panel(51) is installed rotatively centering on a rotary shaft(55) vertically installed at an outer surface of a door of a refrigerator. A dispensing member(52) is extended horizontal to an upper end part of the vertical panel to go in and out of a groove formed at the door when the vertical panel rotates. A guide chute is formed at the dispensing member, communicating from an upper part to a lower part so that the guide chute is communicated with a lower end part of an ice chute when the vertical panel rotates to the outside of the door and guides ice to a lower side. A support member(53) is installed at a lower part of the vertical panel for forming a horizontal surface when the vertical panel rotates to the outside and forming a predetermined open space together with the vertical panel and the dispensing member.

Description

Dispenser for ice-making apparatus in the refrigerator}

The present invention relates to an ice maker of a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a dispenser for an ice maker of a refrigerator, which is installed at a refrigerator door and supplies ice generated by the ice maker to the outside of the refrigerator.

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 description will be given with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 attached to an icemaker of a conventional refrigerator.

1 to 5 illustrate a configuration of an ice making apparatus installed in a general refrigerator. Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerator is divided into a freezer compartment and a refrigerating compartment, and a door for opening and closing the freezer compartment and the refrigerating compartment. 1) is installed. 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 includes a ice maker 10 for producing ice, an ice bank 20 for receiving the produced ice, an ice chute 2 for discharging the ice of the ice bank to the outside, and a dispenser 5. It consists of.

3 and 4, 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 part 15 is formed at a rear predetermined portion of the ice making chamber 11 to fix the ice making device 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. 5) 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 embedded 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. This ice outlet 21 is formed at a position corresponding to the ice chute (2).

In addition, the ice bank 20 is provided with an ice transfer means 22, a motor device 23, an ice crusher 30 and an ice discharger (40).

The ice conveying means 22 is formed in a thread form and is installed to cross the inside of the ice bank 20. The ice transfer means 22 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 ice transfer means 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 ice transfer means 22 is inserted into the center of the fixed blade 32 to serve as a rotating shaft portion. At least one movable blade 33 is installed at the end of the transfer means. 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.

In other words, a substantially plate-shaped or arc-shaped shutter 41 is installed at the ice outlet 21 of the housing 31 so as to open the opening degree of the ice outlet 21 to a predetermined size. The solenoid 42 is connected. At this time, the shutter 41 and the solenoid 42 are connected by a lever.

An ice chute 2 having a predetermined space is installed below the ice outlet as shown in FIG. 1. The ice chute 2 is formed to communicate the ice bank 20 and the dispenser 5 exposed to the outside through the door. At this time, the dispenser 5 is not shown, but is provided with a blocking device to block the outside air flow into the ice chute (2) when the ice is not discharged.

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, the water is supplied to the water supply unit 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 ice is produced in this way, the heater 17 of the ice making apparatus 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.

In this state in which the ice bank 20 is filled with ice, when the user selects a predetermined button of the control panel, uncrushed ice (hereinafter referred to as ice) or crushed ice is discharged to the dispenser 5.

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

However, since the dispenser of the ice maker always occupies a certain space on the refrigerator door side, the interior space of the door is violated as much as the space of the dispenser, and thus the effective volume inside the refrigerator is reduced, which hinders utilization of the space, such as dust and the like. Dirt is easy to accumulate, there is a problem that inhibits the appearance.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for a deicing device of a refrigerator that can minimize the space occupied by the dispenser to improve space utilization, and give a beautiful appearance.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ice maker for producing ice by ice-making supplied water, an ice bank for receiving ice produced by the ice maker, and a passage for discharging the ice of the ice bank to the outside. An ice making apparatus for a refrigerator comprising an ice chute to form, the apparatus comprising: a vertical panel rotatably installed around a rotating shaft installed perpendicularly to an outer surface of a door of the refrigerator; A dispensing member extending horizontally at an upper end of the panel and configured to draw in and out of a groove formed in a door when the panel is rotated; A guide chute formed to communicate from the top to the bottom of the dispensing member, the guide panel communicating with a lower end of the ice chute and guiding ice downward when the vertical panel rotates outward from the door; A refrigerator provided at a lower portion of the vertical panel and including a support member which forms a horizontal surface when the vertical panel rotates outward and forms a predetermined open space together with the vertical panel and the dispensing member Provided is a dispenser for an ice maker.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of the dispenser for an icemaker of a refrigerator according to the present invention will be described in detail.

In order to clarify the present invention, in the following description, the same or similar components as those of the refrigerator and the ice maker are the same as those of the refrigerator and the ice maker of FIGS. 1 to 5. Detailed description will be omitted.

6 is a view illustrating an appearance of a refrigerator to which a dispenser according to the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 7 to 11 are views illustrating a structure of an embodiment of the dispenser, and the dispenser 50 of the present invention is disposed on the outer surface of the door 1. A vertical panel 51 installed to be pivotable at a predetermined angle about the vertical rotation shaft 55, and an inner side of the receiving groove 1a formed horizontally in the upper end of the vertical panel 51 and horizontally formed in the door 1. Dispensing member 52 introduced into the support member, and the supporting member 53 is formed on the lower end of the vertical panel 51 to form a shelf on which the vertical panel 51 is horizontally extended when the vertical panel 51 pivots to the outside of the door. It is composed of

Here, the vertical panel 51 preferably forms the same surface as the outer surface of the door 1 in the closed state.

The dispensing member 52 has a generally fan-shaped shape, and is guided in communication with the lower end of the ice chute 2 (see FIG. 2) of the ice making device when the dispensing member 52 is completely turned outward by the turning of the vertical panel 51. The chute 54 is formed to communicate from the top to the bottom.

In addition, the support member 53 is such that the two fan-shaped flat plates are freely connected to each other by rotation around the hinge shaft 56 so that they can be folded and unfolded when the vertical panel 51 is swiveled.

In addition, the connecting portion of the vertical panel 51 and the supporting member 53 and the connecting portion of the supporting member 53 and the door 1 are also hinged to each other so that the supporting member 53 can be folded and unfolded smoothly. And, the supporting member 53 is preferably made of a slightly flexible material so that the folding and unfolding smoothly.

On the other hand, the vertical panel 51 may be opened and closed by the user manually, it is preferable to be automatically opened and opened in an electro-mechanical manner for the user's convenience.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the shaft 55 of the vertical panel 51 is axially coupled to the motor 57 to rotate the shaft 55 by the operation of the motor 57. ) Can be rotated in the desired direction.

The ice maker dispenser of the present invention configured as described above operates as follows.

When the user wants to use the dispenser 50, when the dispenser is input to the control panel 6 provided at the top of the dispenser 50, the microcomputer (not shown) of the refrigerator operates the motor 57 to rotate the rotating shaft 55. It rotates, so that the vertical panel 51 coupled to the rotating shaft 55 is rotated to the outside of the door.

The dispensing member 52 is drawn out of the receiving groove 1a by the turning of the vertical panel 51, and the support member 53 is extended to form a flat surface. At this time, when the dispensing member 52 is completely drawn out, the guide chute 54 of the dispensing member 52 is connected to the ice chute 2 of the ice making apparatus and forms a passage through which the ice is guided.

On the other hand, when the vertical panel 51 is fully pivoted and opened, an empty space is formed by the vertical panel 51, the dispensing member 52, and the support member 53, and the user can use a container such as a cup through the space. It is seated on the support member 53 receives the ice guided through the ice chute (2) and the guide chute (54).

When the user does not use the dispenser, when the dispenser return button of the control panel 6 is operated, the motor 57 operates in reverse to cause the rotation shaft 55 and the vertical panel 51 coupled thereto to pivot inside the door. The dispensing member 52 is led into the receiving groove 1a and the supporting member 53 is folded.

When the vertical panel 51 is completely rotated inside the door, the dispenser 50 is closed while the surface of the vertical panel 51 and the door 1 coincide with each other.

At this time, the lower end of the ice chute 2 (see Fig. 2) is closed by the surface of the dispensing member 52, the inflow of air from the outside is blocked.

Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment, the support member 53 is configured to be foldable, but unlike the dispensing member 52, the support member may be configured in a single flat form, and the support member may be inserted into the door. When the dispenser is closed and the dispenser is closed, the support member may be introduced into the groove, and the support member may be pulled out of the groove when the dispenser is opened to use the dispenser.

Of course, in this case, the space utilization may be impaired as much as the area corresponding to the size of the support member, but the configuration of the support member is simple and has the advantage of improving stability.

And, Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the icemaker dispenser according to the present invention, the dispenser of this embodiment is a handle 58 is formed on the vertical panel 51, when the user manually opens and closes the dispenser 50 It is possible to easily open and close the handle 58 by holding the handle 58.

In addition, Figure 13 shows another embodiment of the dispenser of the present invention, the dispenser of this embodiment is a space formed by the vertical panel 51, the dispensing member 52 and the support member 53 when the dispenser is opened A dispenser-only cup 59 having a shape and size corresponding to (S) is further provided.

Therefore, when the dispenser is used, the dedicated cup 59 may be inserted into the space S while the dispenser is opened to receive ice discharged through the guide chute 54 (see FIG. 11).

As such, when the dedicated cup 59 having a shape and size corresponding to the dispenser space S is used, it is possible to stably receive a larger amount of ice than to use a general cup, and to prevent water overflow. You get

As described above, according to the present invention, since the dispenser is rotated to the outside, a constant space is formed, thereby minimizing the space occupied by the dispenser, and thus, the space utilization inside the door can be increased.

In addition, when the dispenser is not used, the dispenser is in a closed state from the outside, thereby preventing the accumulation of foreign matter inside the dispenser and improving the appearance.

1 is a perspective view of a typical refrigerator equipped with a conventional ice maker

Figure 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a state in which an ice maker is installed in the refrigerator of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of an ice making device constituting a conventional ice making device.

Figure 4 is a side view showing the structure of the ice making device and the ice bank in the refrigerator of Figure 3;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a process in which ice generated by the ice making device of FIG. 3 is accommodated in an ice bank. FIG.

6 is a front view of a refrigerator showing a dispenser for an ice maker according to the present invention.

7 is a partial front view showing a state in which the dispenser of FIG. 6 is closed.

8 is a view illustrating a state in which the dispenser of FIG. 6 is partially opened.

9 is a view showing a state in which the dispenser of FIG. 6 is fully opened.

10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 7.

11 is a perspective view showing a portion of the extract to show a structure for turning the dispenser of FIG.

12 is a partial perspective view showing another embodiment of the dispenser for embankment device according to the present invention

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the dispenser for embankment device according to the present invention

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: door 2: ice chute

10 ice maker 20 ice bank

50: dispenser 51: vertical panel

52: dispensing member 53: support member

54: guide chute 55: rotation axis

56: hinge axis 57: motor

58: handle 59: special cup

Claims (8)

An icemaker for a refrigerator comprising an ice maker for making ice by ice-making the supplied water, an ice bank for accommodating the ice produced by the ice maker, and an ice chute for discharging the ice of the ice bank to the outside To A vertical panel rotatably installed around a rotating shaft installed vertically on an outer surface of the door of the refrigerator; A dispensing member extending horizontally at an upper end of the panel and configured to draw in and out of a groove formed in a door when the panel is rotated; A guide chute formed to communicate from the top to the bottom of the dispensing member, the guide panel communicating with a lower end of the ice chute and guiding ice downward when the vertical panel rotates outward from the door; A refrigerator provided at a lower portion of the vertical panel and including a support member which forms a horizontal surface when the vertical panel rotates outward and forms a predetermined open space together with the vertical panel and the dispensing member Dispenser for ice machines. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the supporting members are connected around the hinge axis to fold and unfold in a foldable manner when the vertical panel is rotated. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the support member has a horizontal flat plate shape so that the supporting member is inserted into and taken out of a groove formed horizontally on a door when the vertical panel is rotated. The dispenser for an icemaker of a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a rotation means for automatically rotating the vertical panel. 5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the rotation means comprises a motor installed inside the door to be axially coupled to one end of the rotating shaft. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the surface of the vertical panel is substantially the same as the outer surface of the door when the vertical panel is closed. The dispenser for an ice maker of claim 1, wherein a handle is formed on the vertical panel. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dispenser has a shape and size corresponding to a space formed by the vertical panel, the dispensing member, and the support member when the dispenser is opened, and is inserted into the space when the dispenser is opened. Dispenser for ice-making device of the refrigerator, characterized in that it further comprises a dedicated cup.