KR20060115306A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided to improve shapes of a rotary blade and a stationary blade to smoothly supply ice to an ice cutting part. A refrigerator includes an ice storage vessel(10), an ice cutting part, rotary blades(41), first and second discharge parts(31,33), and first and second discharge levers(51,53). The ice storage vessel is disposed at a freezer compartment and has an opening at one side. The ice cutting part receives ice cubes to crash the ice cubes into ice powder. The rotary blades are rotatably installed at the opening. The first and second discharge parts discharge the ice crashed by the rotary blade and are in communication with the ice cutting part. The first and second discharge levers open the first and second discharge ports, respectively.

Description

Refrigerator {REFRIGERATOR}

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to the present invention;

2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a freezer compartment side of the refrigerator of FIG. 1;

3 is a perspective view of an ice storage unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

4 to 6 is a front view of the ice storage of Figure 3, showing the position of the rotating blade and the discharge lever when ice cubes, ice cubes, powdered ice is discharged,

7 is a perspective view of an ice storage unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

8 to 10 is a front view of the ice storage of Figure 7, showing the position of the rotating blade and the discharge lever when ice cubes, flake ice, powdered ice is discharged,

11 is an exploded perspective view of the ice cutting part of FIG.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: body 2: refrigerating chamber

3: freezer 4: cold storage door

5: freezer door 6: door guide

7: shelf 8: storage drawers

9: ice duct 10: ice storage unit

11: ice storage container 12: opening

14: guide 20: ice transfer unit

21: drive motor 23: rotation axis

25: spiral wing 30: front cover

31: first discharge unit 33: second discharge unit

41, 42: rotating blade 45, 46: fixed blade

51: first discharge lever 53: second discharge lever

55 lever lever 60 dispenser

61: water lever 63: ice lever

65: operation panel 70: ice making room

71: ice tray 73: ice detection lever

75: moving motor 80: ice cutting part

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator capable of selectively distributing and supplying ice stored in an ice storage unit according to a use.

The refrigerator is an apparatus for keeping fresh various foods for a long time by using cold air generated in a refrigeration cycle. In general, the refrigerator is divided into a freezer compartment for storing frozen foods below the freezing temperature, such as meat and fish, and a cold compartment for storing refrigerated foods above the freezing temperature, such as fruits and vegetables.

The freezing compartment is provided with an ice making device for making a predetermined size of ice using cold air circulating in the freezing compartment, and an ice storage unit for storing the iced ice. The ice stored in the ice storage unit is crushed into ice cubes or pieces of ice according to the use and discharged to the outside. The ice discharge structure of the ice storage unit is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 1998-0049615.

On the other hand, in recent years, the demand for powdered ice is gradually increasing to make and use foods such as red bean shaved ice at home. However, the conventional refrigerator does not have such a powder ice supply function itself, and thus cannot satisfy the consumer's desire.

In addition, the conventional refrigerator has only one discharge portion for discharging ice cubes and crushed ice in the ice storage unit, so ice cannot be supplied to an additional device such as an ice cube machine. There is a problem that can not be. On the other hand, in the case of supplying ice by separately providing the ice storage unit for the ice machine, the material cost increases accordingly, and there is a problem that frequent defects occur due to the complicated structure.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator capable of selectively distributing and supplying ice in an ice storage unit to one ice transfer unit according to a use.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator having a rotating blade and a fixed blade whose shape is improved to smoothly supply the ice to the ice cutting part while improving the support strength during ice cube crushing.

According to the present invention, a refrigerator comprising a freezer compartment and a freezer compartment for opening and closing the freezer compartment, the refrigerator comprising: an ice storage container provided in the freezer compartment and having an opening formed at one side thereof; An ice cutting unit for receiving ice cubes stored in the ice storage container to make powdered ice; A rotating blade rotatably provided in the opening; The first ejection part for discharging the crushed ice crushed by the rotating blade and the ice cube discharged to the opening portion, and the ice ice portion so that the angular ice discharged to the opening is rotated by the rotating blade to flow into the ice cutting portion; A second discharge portion in communication; And a first discharge lever and a second discharge lever for opening and closing the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion, respectively, wherein the second discharge lever is achieved by a refrigerator that opens the second discharge portion when discharging powdered ice.

A driving motor provided in the ice storage container, a rotating shaft having one end coupled to the driving motor and the other end extending toward the opening, and rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft to face the opening of the ice cube in the ice storage container toward the opening. It may further include an ice conveying unit having a spiral wing for conveying.

The rotating blades may have a plurality of blades disposed at equal angles to each other, and may be provided in plurality and spaced apart from each other at predetermined ends on the other end of the rotating shaft.

It may further include at least one fixed blade provided to deviate from the respective rotating blades in the rotation radius of the plurality of rotating blades to crush the ice cubes, which are pressurized by the rotating blades into pieces of ice.

The fixed blade may have a rod shape which extends vertically downward from the rotation shaft.

It may further include a lever driver for driving each of the discharge lever.

The lever driving unit rotates the first discharge lever to an open position in which the first discharge portion is opened when the ice cube is stored in the ice storage container as it is, and the second discharge lever is closed to close the second discharge portion. Can be rotated into position.

The lever driving unit may cause the first discharge lever and the second discharge lever to rotate to a closed position to close the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit when crushed ice is discharged.

The lever driving part may rotate the first discharge lever to a closed position in which the first discharge portion is closed when the powder ice is discharged, and the second discharge lever may rotate to the open position in which the second discharge portion is opened.

The ice cutting unit includes a fixed tray provided with a powder ice discharge unit, a blade provided in the powder ice discharge unit, and a rotary tray rotatably provided in the fixed tray to convey and pressurize ice cubes introduced into the fixed tray toward the blade. can do.

The apparatus may further include a dispenser unit provided in the freezer compartment door, and an ice duct provided in the freezer compartment door to guide the ice discharged from the powder ice discharge unit and the first discharge unit to the dispenser unit.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, a refrigerator comprising a freezing chamber and a freezing chamber door for opening and closing the freezing chamber, the ice storage container is provided in the freezing chamber and the opening is formed on one side; An ice cutting unit for receiving ice cubes stored in the ice storage container to make powdered ice; A rotating blade rotatably provided in the opening and having three or more blades having a predetermined angle; The first ejection part for discharging the crushed ice crushed by the rotating blade and the ice cube discharged to the opening portion, and the ice ice portion so that the angular ice discharged to the opening is rotated by the rotating blade to flow into the ice cutting portion; A second discharge portion in communication; It is also achieved by a refrigerator including a first discharge lever and a second discharge lever to open and close the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion, respectively.

A driving motor provided in the ice storage container, a rotating shaft having one end coupled to the driving motor and the other end extending toward the opening, and rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft to face the opening of the ice cube in the ice storage container toward the opening. It may further include an ice conveying unit having a spiral wing for conveying.

The rotating blades may have three blades arranged at equal angles, and may be provided in plural and be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals on the other end of the rotating shaft.

It may further comprise at least one stationary blade provided to deviate from the respective rotating blades in the rotation radius of the plurality of rotating blades to crush the ice cubes, which are pressurized by the rotating blades into pieces of ice.

The second discharge portion is provided below the opening vertically, the first discharge portion is provided on one side of the first discharge portion so that the ice discharged to the opening is rotated by the rotating blade to be discharged to the ice cutting portion, The fixed blade may be provided in a 'b' shape where one end is coupled to the rotation shaft and the other end is bent toward the first discharge portion.

It may include a lever driving unit for driving each discharge lever.

The lever driving unit rotates the first discharge lever to an open position in which the first discharge portion is opened when the ice cube is stored in the ice storage container as it is, and the second discharge lever is closed to close the second discharge portion. Can be rotated into position.

The lever driving part may be rotated to a closed position in which the first discharge lever and the second discharge lever close the first discharge part and the second discharge part when discharging pieces of ice.

The lever driving unit may rotate the first discharge lever to a closed position in which the first discharge portion is closed when the powder ice is discharged, and the second discharge lever may rotate to an open position in which the second discharge portion is opened.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, in the refrigerator comprising a freezer compartment, a freezer compartment for opening and closing the freezer compartment and a dispenser unit provided in the freezer compartment, ice provided in the freezer compartment to store ice cubes and openings on one side A storage container; An ice cutting unit for receiving ice cubes in the ice storage container to make powdered ice; A cube ice supply unit having a cube ice discharge unit communicating with the opening to supply cube ice to the dispenser unit; A piece of ice supply unit having a piece of ice discharge portion which is crushed and discharged by the rotating blade provided in the opening of the ice cube discharged into the opening so that piece of ice is supplied to the dispenser; It is also achieved by a refrigerator in communication with the opening and including an ice cube ice supply portion for discharging ice cubes to the ice cube.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to the description, in describing the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a side by side type refrigerator will be described as an example, but the application of the present invention is not limited thereto.

First Embodiment (FIGS. 3-6)

The refrigerator according to the present invention is provided in the freezing compartment (3), the freezing compartment (3), the ice storage container (11) having an opening at one side, and the ice-creaming part to receive the ice cubes stored in the ice storage container (11) to make powdered ice First, the first discharge lever for opening and closing the front cover 30 and the first discharge portion 31, the rotary blade 41, the first discharge portion 31 and the second discharge portion 33 is formed ( 51 and a second discharge lever 53 for opening and closing the second discharge portion 33.

Here, the refrigerator according to the present invention may further include one or more of the ice transfer unit 20, the lever driving unit 55 and the fixed blade (45).

1, in the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator compartment 2 and the freezer compartment 3 are divided left and right by an intermediate partition. The front openings of each of the refrigerating compartments 2 and the freezing compartment 3 are provided with a refrigerating compartment door 4 and a freezing compartment door 5 for opening and closing the openings, and inside the doors 4 and 5 to accommodate parallel flow and the like. The door guide 6 which can be arranged is arranged up and down. Moreover, in the refrigerator compartment 2, the some shelf 7 which partitions the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 is arrange | positioned up and down in the upper part, and the some storage drawer 8 is provided in the lower part.

In the freezer compartment 3, an ice maker 70 (refer to FIG. 2) provided with an ice maker for deicing at an upper portion thereof is provided, and the ice that has been iced in the ice maker 70 at the front of the freezer door 5 and from the outside A dispenser unit 60 capable of receiving drinking water is provided. The dispenser unit 60 is provided with a water lever 61 for supplying drinking water and an ice lever 63 for supplying ice. In addition, an upper portion of the dispenser unit 60 is provided with an operation panel 65 provided with a plurality of selection keys for allowing a user to select ice cubes, ice cubes, or ice cubes.

Referring to FIG. 2, an ice making tray 71 in which water supplied from the outside is stored is installed in the ice making chamber 70, and ice iced from the ice making tray 71 is stored in the lower part of the ice making tray 71. Ice storage unit 10 is provided. On one side of the ice tray 71, an ice motor 75 which rotates the ice tray 71 at a predetermined angle to ice the iced ice, and a ice detection lever 73 which detects whether the ice storage unit 10 is full of ice. ) Is installed.

Referring to FIG. 3, the ice storage unit 10 according to the present invention is an ice storage container 11 having an opening 12 formed therein, and an ice transfer unit for transferring ice in the ice storage container 11 toward the opening 12. A unit 20, a front cover 30 having a plurality of discharge portions 31 and 33, discharge levers 51 and 53 for opening and closing the plurality of discharge portions 31 and 33, and crushing the stored ice The fixed blade 45 and the rotary blade 41 is included.

The ice storage container 11 is provided in the freezing chamber 3 to store ice, and has an opening 12 for discharging the stored ice to the outside. The ice storage container 11 has a storage space formed therein so that ice iced from the ice making tray 71 can be stored therein.

The opening 12 is formed at one side of the ice storage container 11 to allow the stored ice to be discharged to the outside. The opening 12 may be provided in various shapes and sizes. For example, it may have a circular shape, or may be provided in a substantially semi-circular shape as shown in FIG.

The guide cylinder 14 is provided to prevent the opening 12 from being blocked by agglomeration of ice transferred to the opening 12 side. The guide cylinder 14 may have various sizes and shapes, and may be provided corresponding to the shape and size of the opening 12.

The ice transfer unit 20 is coupled to the driving shaft 21 provided in the ice storage container 11, the rotating shaft 23 extending toward the opening 12, and the rotating shaft 23, while rotating the ice storage unit ( A spiral blade 25 for pushing ice in the 10 toward the opening 12.

The drive motor 21 is provided on one side of the ice storage container 11 to transfer the driving force to the rotating shaft (23).

One end of the rotating shaft 23 is coupled to the driving motor 21, and the other end thereof is formed to extend toward the opening 12. The rotary shaft 23 receives the driving force from the driving motor 21 to rotate the spiral blade 25 and transmits the driving force to the rotating blade 41 coupled to the other end.

The spiral blade 25 is rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft 23 and pushes the ice in the ice storage container 11 toward the opening 12 while rotating. The spiral wing 25 may be provided in various shapes. For example, as shown in Figure 3, it may be provided as a spiral surface integrally formed in the radial direction of the rotary shaft 23, the rotary shaft 23 itself may be provided wound in a spiral shape.

The front cover 30 is provided in the opening 12 and has a plurality of discharge parts 31 and 33 for guiding the ice discharged through the opening 12 to a plurality of positions. The front cover 30 may have various shapes as necessary. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, except for the discharge parts 31 and 33, the pieces of ice crushed by the rotating blade 41 and the fixed blade 45 are not scattered around the ice storage part 10. It may be provided to surround the opening 12 side. Meanwhile, the front cover 30 may further include a partition plate 37 for partitioning each of the discharge parts 31 and 33. Here, the front cover 30 may have three or more discharge parts according to the required use of ice, and the positions of the discharge parts to be formed may be variously changed.

The discharge levers 51 and 53 open and close the plurality of discharge portions 31 and 33. For example, the discharge levers 51 and 53 may be provided to open and close the discharge parts 31 and 33 while one end is rotatably coupled to the ice storage container 11.

The discharge levers 51 and 53 may be provided corresponding to the number of the discharge portions 31 and 33. For example, when two discharge parts 31 and 33 are provided, two discharge levers 51 and 53 may be provided. If the ice cube and the piece ice are to be discharged through separate discharge units 31 and 33, respectively, three discharge levers 51 and 53 may be provided. Of course, four or more may be provided depending on the use. Here, the discharge levers 51 and 53 may open and close the discharge portions 31 and 33 simultaneously or selectively open and close either one.

The lever driver 55 is provided to drive the respective discharge levers 51 and 53. The lever driving unit 55 may be provided in various ways according to the opening and closing method of the discharge lever (51, 53). For example, when the discharge levers 51 and 53 are provided as shown in FIG. 3, the lever driver 55 may be provided as a solenoid valve.

Rotating blade 41 is rotatably coupled to the other end of the rotary shaft 23 while rotating the ice cubes passing through the opening 12 toward the fixed blade (45). Rotating blade 41 may be formed with a plurality of sharp projections to facilitate the crushing ice cubes in the forward direction of the rotation direction of each blade.

The rotating blade 41 may be provided in various numbers as necessary. It may be provided in one piece, or may be provided in plurality. When provided in plural, each of the rotary blades 41 may be arranged side by side, or may be provided while being rotated by a predetermined angle with each other.

The rotary blade 41 may have a plurality of blades arranged to form an isometric angle. For example, as shown in Figure 3, it may be provided in two.

 The fixed blade 45 is provided to deviate from the rotary blade 41 so as not to affect the rotation of the rotary blade 41 within the rotation radius of the rotary blade 41. The fixed blade 45 is crushed into pieces of ice by using the rotational force of the rotating blade 41 received and transported by the rotating blade 41.

The stationary blade 45 may have a plurality of sharp protrusions on the face of the ice cube. The fixed blade 45 may be provided in various numbers as necessary.

The fixed blade 45 according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be provided in various shapes as long as it does not prevent the ice cubes which are conveyed and transported by the rotary blade 41 from falling to the second discharge portion 33. Can be. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it may be provided in the shape of a rod extending vertically downward from the rotation shaft 23. By such a shape, as illustrated in FIG. 6, ice transferred by the rotating blade 41 may be introduced into the ice cutting unit 80 without being influenced by the fixed blade 45 at all.

The ice cutting unit 80 communicates with the second discharge unit 33 to receive ice cubes discharged from the ice storage container 11 to make powdered ice.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the ice cutting unit 80 includes a fixing tray 82 in which the powder ice discharge unit 86 is formed, a blade 84 provided in the powder ice discharge unit 86, and fixed thereto. It may be configured to include a rotary tray 83 rotatably provided in the tray 82 for conveying and pressing the ice cubes accommodated in the fixing tray 82 toward the blade 84. Meanwhile, a driving unit 90 for driving the ice cutting unit 80 may be provided.

By the configuration as described above, when ice cubes are accommodated in the fixing tray 82 through the ice inlet port 83b communicated with the second discharge unit 33, the rotary tray 83 rotated by the driving unit 90. The rotary blade 83a feeds and presses the ice cubes toward the blade 84. Powdered ice iced by the blade 84 is discharged to the powdered ice discharge unit 86.

The ice cutting unit 80 is detachably provided to the support member 91 on which the ice storage container 11 is installed. The support member 91 is provided with an accommodation portion 96 in which the ice cutting portion 80 is accommodated. A locking protrusion 89a is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the fixing tray 82, and a receiving groove 89b is provided in the receiving part 96 to accommodate the locking protrusion 89a.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6 the ice supply process of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration as follows.

At the time of ice cube discharge (Fig. 4)

First, when the first discharge portion 31 is provided below the opening 12 so that the ice discharged through the opening 12 flows directly into the ice duct 9, the first discharge portion 31 is disposed on the left side with the fixed blade 45 interposed therebetween. The 2nd discharge part 33 which communicates with the ice cutting part 80 is provided.

When the user selects ice cubes through the operation panel 65 and presses the ice lever 63, power is supplied to the driving motor 21 to drive the driving motor 21. The driving motor 21 rotates the rotating shaft 23 coupled thereto, and the spiral blade 25 rotates along the rotating shaft 23 to push the ice cubes in the ice storage container 11 toward the opening 12 ( 3).

The positions of each discharge lever 51, 53 at the time of ice cube discharge are as follows. The first discharge lever 51 is rotated to open the first discharge portion 31, and the second discharge lever 33 is positioned to maintain the second discharge portion 33 in a closed state.

Therefore, the ice cubes transferred to the opening 12 by the ice transfer unit 20 are discharged to the first discharge portion 31 by passing between the rotating blade 41 and the fixed blade 45 (see arrow).

When crushed ice discharge (Fig. 5)

Even when the crushed ice is discharged, the operation procedure from the crushed ice selection through the operation panel 65 until the ice in the ice storage container 11 is discharged to the opening 12 is the same as in the case of the above-mentioned ice cube. Do.

Referring to the positions of the respective discharge levers 51 and 53 at the time of crushed ice discharge, the first discharge lever 51 and the second discharge lever 53 are the first discharge portion 31 and the second discharge portion 33. Are in the closed position to close each. Accordingly, ice cubes pushed out to the openings 12 by the spiral blades 25 are accommodated in the rotating blade 41 and rotated (see 1 and 2).

On the other hand, since the second discharge unit 33 is also in the closed state by the second discharge lever 53, the ice transferred by the ice transfer unit 20 is pressurized and transported to the fixed blade 45 to be crushed into pieces of ice. (See ③), the crushed ice is discharged to the first discharge portion 31 through the fixed blade (45) (see ④).

When discharging powdered ice (Fig. 6)

The first discharge lever 51 at the time of discharging the powder ice is in the closed position closing the first discharge portion 31. Therefore, the ice cubes pushed out to the opening 12 by the ice conveying unit 20 are received and conveyed by the rotating blade 41 (see 1).

On the other hand, the second discharge lever 53 is rotated to the open position in which the second discharge portion 33 is opened. Therefore, the ice conveyed by the rotating blade 41 is discharged to the second discharge portion 33 by its own weight after passing through the highest point (see ②, ③). Here, since the fixing blade 45 has a vertically long rod shape, the ice cubes directed to the second discharge portion 33 are not disturbed by the fixing blade 45.

Thereafter, the ice cube is crushed into powdered ice in the powdered ice device 40 and then discharged into the ice duct 9 and supplied to the user.

Therefore, according to the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention, one ice storage container 11 and one ice transfer unit 20 can discharge the ice to a plurality of locations according to the use of the ice There is no need to provide a separate storage container for each, thereby reducing material costs and improving space utilization.

Second Embodiment (FIGS. 7-10)

The refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention smoothly ices with the ice cutting unit 80 while improving the crushing force by improving the shapes of the rotating blades 42 and the fixed blades 46 in the above-described first embodiment. It relates to a refrigerator that can supply.

Prior to the description, the same components as in the first embodiment will be avoided, and duplicate features will be described with emphasis on the features different from the first embodiment.

The refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided with a rotating blade 42 having three or more blades formed at a predetermined angle and rotatably provided in the ice storage container 11, the ice cutting unit 80, and the opening 12. ), A front cover 30 on which the first discharge portion 31 and the second discharge portion 33 are formed, and discharge levers 51 and 53 for opening and closing the plurality of discharge portions 31 and 33.

The fixed blade 46 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided with a substantially 'b' shape bent toward the second discharge portion 33, as shown in FIG. As a result, it is possible to efficiently support the rotational force of the rotary blade 42 during the discharge of the crushed ice, thereby improving the crushing force and minimizing the influence on the peripheral parts due to the weakening of the bearing force.

The rotary blade 42 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided with three or more blades. The number of blades may be provided in various numbers as needed, for example, may be provided in three. In addition, the angle formed by each of the blades 42a, 42b, and 42c formed on the rotating blade 42 is not limited, but is preferably provided to form a mutual angle.

For example, when the rotating blade 42 has the blades 42a, 42b, 42c arranged at three isometric angles, the ice that is rotated by the blades 42a, 42b, 42c freely falls before The blade is positioned at a predetermined downward angle on the top of the fixed blade 46.

Therefore, even if the fixed blade 46 is not a straight bar in the vertical direction as in the above-described first embodiment, it is possible to supply ice to the ice cutting unit 80 without being interrupted by the fixed blade 46.

Here, in addition to the above-described example, the shape of the fixed blade 46 and the number and angle of the blades 42a, 42b, and 42c formed on the rotating blade 42 may be variously modified.

Referring to Figures 8 to 10 the ice supply process of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration as follows.

At the time of ice cube discharge (Fig. 8)

The first discharge lever 51 is rotated to an open position for opening the first discharge portion 31 when the ice is discharged, and the second discharge lever 53 has a closed position for closing the second discharge portion 33. Keeping up.

Therefore, the ice cubes transferred to the opening 12 by the ice transfer unit 20 are discharged directly to the first discharge portion 31 through the rotating blade 42 and the fixed blade 46 (see arrow). .

When crushed ice is discharged (Fig. 9)

The 1st discharge lever 51 and the 2nd discharge lever 53 at the time of discharge of flake ice hold the closed position which closes the 1st discharge part 31 and the 2nd discharge part 33, respectively.

Therefore, the ice cubes pushed out to the opening 12 by the ice transfer unit 20 are accommodated in the rotating blade 42 rotating (see ①), and transported according to the rotation of the rotating blade 42 (see ②). , It is crushed into pieces of ice between the fixed blade 46 (see ③). The crushed ice is discharged to the ice duct 9 through the first discharge portion 31 (see ④).

When discharging powdered ice (Fig. 10)

When discharging powdered ice, the first discharge lever 51 maintains a closed position for closing the first discharge portion 31, and the second discharge lever 53 rotates to an open position to open the second discharge portion 33. do.

The ice cubes pushed out to the opening 12 by the ice transfer unit 20 are accommodated in the rotating blade 42, which is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the rotating blade 42 (see ①).

When the edge 42b which accommodates ice cube and rotates reaches near the highest point (refer to (2)), the ice cube falls by its own weight. At this time, the falling ice is guided by the blade 42c and the like positioned above the fixed blade 46 and discharged to the second discharge portion 33. (See ③)

Similarly, when the rear blade 42a rotates to reach the current position, the blade 42b at the highest point is also rotated to be positioned on the fixed blade 46.

Therefore, the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention is provided with three or more blades on the rotating blade 42 so that the ice falling by its own weight is guided by the leading blades and discharged, so that the fixed blade 46 Ice cubes can be smoothly discharged to the ice cutting unit 80 without being limited in shape.

In addition, since the space between each blade of the rotary blade 42 is less than three when the space between the two, there is less change in the amount of angular ice rotated by the rotary blade 42, a certain amount of angle Ice can be supplied.

In addition, in the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention, since the fixed blade 46 can sufficiently support the rotational force of the rotary blade 42 when discharging pieces of ice, the second discharge lever is rotated by the rotational force of the rotary blade 42. 53 can be prevented from opening or deformation of peripheral parts.

 Therefore, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, a plurality of discharge levers 51 and 53 are installed on the discharge parts 31 and 33 side of the ice storage unit 10 and the opening and closing thereof are adjusted to a plurality of positions according to the use of the ice. It can be supplied selectively.

That is, as shown in Figures 4 to 6 and 8 to 10, it is necessary to provide a separate ice storage container 11 and the ice transfer unit 20 to supply the ice to the ice cutting unit 80 Therefore, the material cost is reduced, a separate space is not required, and a complicated configuration for distributing and supplying ice can be avoided, thereby preventing the occurrence of defects.

In addition, when the refrigerator according to the present invention supplies the ice cubes to the ice-creaming unit 80 (as described in the case of discharging the powdered ice), the ice cubes are rotated without being discharged directly from the opening 12 to the first discharge unit 31. Since it is accommodated by the blade 41 and rotated and discharged to the first discharge portion 31, it is possible to prevent excessive ice cubes from flowing from the ice storage container 11 to the ice cutting portion 80 at once, thereby resulting in poor operation. It can also prevent.

As described above, the refrigerator according to the present invention is capable of selectively distributing and supplying the ice stored in the ice storage unit into one ice transfer unit according to the use, thereby reducing the material cost and simplifying the structure of the ice storage unit.

In addition, by improving the shape of the rotating blades and the fixed blades it is possible to smoothly supply the ice to the ice cutting part while improving the support strength during the crushed ice.

Claims (21)

A refrigerator comprising a freezing compartment and a freezing compartment door for opening and closing the freezing compartment. An ice storage container provided in the freezing chamber and having an opening formed at one side thereof; An ice cutting unit for receiving ice cubes stored in the ice storage container to make powdered ice; A rotating blade rotatably provided in the opening; The first ejection part for discharging the crushed ice crushed by the rotating blade and the ice cube discharged to the opening portion, and the ice ice portion so that the angular ice discharged to the opening is rotated by the rotating blade to flow into the ice cutting portion; A second discharge portion in communication; And a first discharge lever and a second discharge lever to open and close the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion, respectively. The second discharge lever is a refrigerator, characterized in that to open the second discharge portion during the discharge of powdered ice. The method of claim 1, A driving motor provided in the ice storage container, a rotating shaft having one end coupled to the driving motor and the other end extending toward the opening, and rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft to face the opening of the ice cube in the ice storage container toward the opening. Refrigerator characterized in that it further comprises an ice conveying unit having a spiral wing for conveying. The method of claim 2, The rotating blades have a plurality of blades arranged at equal angles to each other, and provided in plurality, the refrigerator, characterized in that spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals on the other end of the rotating shaft. The method of claim 3, The refrigerator further comprises at least one fixed blade provided to deviate from each of the rotating blades in the rotation radius of the plurality of rotating blades to crush the ice cubes, which are pressurized by the rotating blades into pieces of ice. The method of claim 4, wherein The fixed blade has a refrigerator characterized in that it has a rod-shaped extending vertically downward from the rotating shaft. The method of claim 5, The refrigerator further comprises a lever driving unit for driving the respective discharge lever. The method of claim 6, The lever driving unit rotates the first discharge lever to an open position in which the first discharge portion is opened when the ice cube is stored in the ice storage container as it is, and the second discharge lever is closed to close the second discharge portion. A refrigerator, which is rotated to a position. The method of claim 6, And the lever driver rotates the first discharge lever and the second discharge lever to a closed position to close the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion when discharging pieces of ice. The method of claim 6, The lever driving unit rotates the first discharge lever to a closed position in which the first discharge portion is closed when discharging powdered ice, and the second discharge lever rotates to an open position in which the second discharge portion is opened. . The method of claim 1, The ice cutting unit includes a fixed tray provided with a powder ice discharge unit, a blade provided in the powder ice discharge unit, and a rotary tray rotatably provided in the fixed tray to convey and pressurize ice cubes introduced into the fixed tray toward the blade. Refrigerator characterized in that. The method of claim 1, A dispenser unit provided in the freezer compartment door, And an ice duct provided in the freezing chamber door to guide the ice discharged from the powder ice discharge unit and the first discharge unit to the dispenser unit. A refrigerator comprising a freezing compartment and a freezing compartment door for opening and closing the freezing compartment. An ice storage container provided in the freezing chamber and having an opening formed at one side thereof; An ice cutting unit for receiving ice cubes stored in the ice storage container to make powdered ice; A rotating blade rotatably provided in the opening and having three or more blades having a predetermined angle; The first ejection part for discharging the crushed ice crushed by the rotating blade and the ice cube discharged to the opening portion, and the ice ice portion so that the angular ice discharged to the opening is rotated by the rotating blade to flow into the ice cutting portion; A second discharge portion in communication; And a first discharge lever and a second discharge lever to open and close the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion, respectively. The method of claim 12, A driving motor provided in the ice storage container, a rotating shaft having one end coupled to the driving motor and the other end extending toward the opening, and rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft to face the opening of the ice cube in the ice storage container toward the opening. Refrigerator characterized in that it further comprises an ice conveying unit having a spiral wing for conveying. The method of claim 13, The rotating blades have three blades arranged at equal angles to each other, and are provided in plurality and spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals on the other end of the rotating shaft. The method of claim 14, The refrigerator further comprises at least one fixed blade provided to deviate from each of the rotating blades in the rotation radius of the plurality of rotating blades to crush the ice cubes, which are pressurized by the rotating blades into pieces of ice. The method of claim 15, The second discharge portion is provided below the opening vertically, the first discharge portion is provided on one side of the first discharge portion so that the ice discharged to the opening is rotated by the rotating blade to be discharged to the ice cutting portion, The fixed blade is a refrigerator, characterized in that the one end is coupled to the rotating shaft and the other end is provided in a 'b' shape bent toward the first discharge portion. The method of claim 15, And a lever driver for driving each of the discharge levers. The method of claim 17, The lever driving unit rotates the first discharge lever to an open position in which the first discharge portion is opened when the ice cube is stored in the ice storage container as it is, and the second discharge lever is closed to close the second discharge portion. A refrigerator, which is rotated to a position. The method of claim 17, And the lever driver rotates the first discharge lever and the second discharge lever to a closed position to close the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion when discharging pieces of ice. The method of claim 17, The lever driving unit rotates the first discharge lever to a closed position in which the first discharge portion is closed when discharging powdered ice, and the second discharge lever rotates to an open position in which the second discharge portion is opened. . In the refrigerator comprising a freezer compartment, a freezer compartment door for opening and closing the freezer compartment and a dispenser unit provided in the freezer compartment door, An ice storage container provided in the freezing compartment to store ice cubes and having an opening formed at one side thereof; An ice cutting unit for receiving ice cubes in the ice storage container to make powdered ice; A cube ice supply unit having a cube ice discharge unit communicating with the opening to supply cube ice to the dispenser unit; A piece of ice supply unit having a piece of ice discharge portion which is crushed and discharged by the rotating blade provided in the opening of the ice cube discharged into the opening so that piece of ice is supplied to the dispenser; And an ice-cold portion ice supply unit communicating with the opening and discharging ice cubes to the ice-ice portion.

Images