KR20070009945A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided to selectively supply ices stored in an ice storage section by using one ice feeding unit. A refrigerator includes an ice storage vessel(11), an ice shattering unit, a rotational blade(51), a first discharge section(19), a second discharge section(18), a second discharge lever(33), and a first discharge lever(32). The ice storage vessel is provided in a freezer compartment and an opening is formed on one side of the ice storage container. The ice shattering unit receives cubic ices stored in the ice storage vessel and makes powdery ices. The rotational blade is rotatably provided in the opening. The first discharge section is communicated with the ice shattering unit so that the cubic ices discharged from the opening can be rotatably fed by the rotational blade and can be introduced into the ice shattering unit. The cubic ices and the shattered piece ices are discharge through the second discharge section. The second discharge lever opens and closes the second discharge section. The first discharge lever is rotated between a closing position and an opening position.

Description

Refrigerator {REFRIGERATOR}

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

4 to 6 is an operation diagram showing that each ice cube, ice cubes, powdered ice is discharged from the ice storage of Figure 3,

7 and 8 are operation diagrams showing that ice cubes and powdered ice are discharged from the ice storage unit of the second embodiment of the present invention, respectively;

9 and 10 are operation diagrams showing that ice cubes and powdered ice are discharged from the ice storage unit of the third embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1: refrigerator body 2: refrigerating chamber

3: freezer 10: ice storage unit

11: ice storage container 12: opening

13: partition plate 15: front cover

17 discharge part 18 second discharge part

19: first discharge unit 20: ice transfer unit

21: drive unit 23: rotation axis

25: spiral wing 32: first discharge lever

33: second discharge lever 35: lever drive unit

40: ice cutting part 51: rotating blade

53: fixed blade

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator capable of selectively distributing ice 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 freezer is provided with an ice maker for making ice of a predetermined size by receiving water from an external water supply device, and an ice storage unit for storing ice iced from the ice maker is provided in the lower part of the ice maker. The ice stored in the ice storage unit is crushed into ice cubes or pieces of ice depending on the purpose, and discharged to the outside. And the like.

Recently, a refrigerator having an ice cutting unit has been developed to make and use food such as red bean shaved ice at home, and the ice supplied through the refrigerator is becoming more and more diversified. However, in the refrigerator supplying various kinds of ice, the discharge structure capable of selectively distributing and supplying ice according to each use is important.

However, in the conventional refrigerator, only one outlet for discharging ice cubes and crushed ice is formed in the ice storage unit, and thus it is not possible to supply ice to an apparatus for making ice to be used for other purposes such as an ice cutting unit. In addition, in the case of separately preparing the ice storage container and the ice transfer unit for each use, there was a problem such as the increase in the material cost, securing the space in the freezer compartment and the frequent risk of failure due to the complex structure.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which can be selectively distributed and supplied according to the use of ice to be used as one ice transfer unit.

According to the present invention, a refrigerator comprising a main body having a freezing compartment having a front opening and a freezing compartment door for opening and closing the front opening, the refrigerator comprising: an ice storage container provided in the freezing 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; A first discharge portion communicating with the ice cutting portion such that the ice cube discharged into the opening is rotated by the rotating blade and introduced into the ice cutting portion; A second discharge portion for discharging ice cubes discharged into the openings and pieces of ice crushed by the rotating blades; A second discharge lever for opening and closing the second discharge unit; A first discharge lever pivoting between a closed position for closing the first discharge portion and an open position for opening the first discharge portion and guiding the ice conveyed by the rotating blade to the first discharge portion; Is achieved by

A drive unit provided in the ice storage container, a rotating shaft having one end coupled to the driving unit and the other end extending toward the opening, and rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft to transfer ice cubes in the ice storage container toward the opening. It is preferable to further include an ice transfer unit having a spiral wing.

The free end of the first discharge lever in the open position is preferably disposed adjacent to the rotation axis of the ice transfer unit.

Preferably, the first discharge lever has a through hole through which the rotating blade passes when the rotating blade is rotated in the open position.

It is preferable to further include at least one stationary blade provided in the rotation radius of the plurality of rotating blades to be deviated from each of the rotating blades to crush the ice conveyed by the rotating blade.

It is preferable to include a lever driving unit for driving the first discharge lever and the second discharge lever.

When the lever driving unit discharges ice cubes stored in the ice storage container as it is, the second discharge lever is rotated to an open position where the second discharge unit is opened, and the first discharge lever is closed. It is preferable to rotate to the closed position.

When the lever driving unit discharges flake ice, it is preferable to rotate the first discharge lever and the second discharge lever to a closed position in which the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit are closed.

When the lever driving unit discharges the powdered ice, the second discharge lever rotates to the closed position where the second discharge portion is closed, and the first discharge lever rotates to the open position where the first discharge portion is opened. Do.

On the other hand, the object is a refrigerator comprising a main body having a freezing compartment having a front opening and a freezing chamber door for opening and closing the front opening, 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; A first discharge portion communicating with the ice cutting portion such that the ice cube discharged into the opening is rotated by the rotating blade and introduced into the ice cutting portion; A second discharge portion for directly discharging ice cubes discharged into the opening portion; Also by a refrigerator including a discharge lever for rotating between the closed position for closing the first discharge portion and the open position for opening the first discharge portion and the angular ice conveyed by the rotating blade to the first discharge portion. Can be achieved.

A driving unit provided in the ice storage container, a rotating shaft having one end coupled to the driving unit and the other end extending toward the opening, and rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft to transfer ice cubes in the ice storage container toward the opening. It is preferable to further include an ice transfer unit having a spiral wing.

The free end of the discharge lever in the open position is preferably disposed adjacent to the rotation axis of the ice transfer unit.

Preferably, the discharge lever has a through hole through which the rotating blade passes when the rotating blade is rotated in the open position.

It is preferable to include a lever driving unit for driving the discharge lever.

When the lever driving unit discharges ice cubes stored in the ice storage container as it is, it is preferable to rotate the discharge lever to a closed position in which the first discharge unit is closed.

When the lever driving unit discharges powdered ice, it is preferable to rotate the discharge lever to an open position where the first discharge unit is opened.

The object is a refrigerator including a main body having a freezing compartment having a front opening and a freezing compartment door for opening and closing the front opening, the refrigerator comprising: an ice storage container provided in the freezing 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; A first discharge portion communicating with the ice cutting portion such that the ice cube discharged into the opening is rotated by the rotating blade and introduced into the ice cutting portion; A second discharge portion for directly discharging ice cubes discharged into the opening portion; A partition plate partitioning the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion; It is also achieved by a refrigerator including a discharge lever that rotates between a closed position for closing the second discharge portion and an open position for opening the second discharge portion.

It is preferable to further include at least one stationary blade provided in the rotation radius of the plurality of rotating blades to be deviated from each of the rotating blades to crush the ice conveyed by the rotating blade.

It is preferable to include a lever driving unit for driving the discharge lever.

When the lever driving unit discharges ice cubes stored in the ice storage container as it is, it is preferable to rotate the discharge lever to an open position where the second discharge unit is opened.

The lever driving unit rotates the discharge lever to a closed position where the second discharge unit is closed so that the ice cube discharged to the opening is rotated by the rotating blade to flow into the first discharge unit when discharging the powder ice. It is preferable.

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

In various embodiments, like reference numerals refer to like elements, and like reference numerals refer to like elements in the first embodiment and may be omitted in other embodiments.

Prior to the description, in describing the embodiments 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.

The refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 1 having a freezing compartment 3 having a front opening, a door 4 and 5 for opening and closing the front opening, and a freezing chamber 3 for storing ice. Opening and closing the ice storage unit 10 having the ice storage container 11, the ice transfer unit 20 for transferring the ice in the ice storage unit 10, and the discharge unit 17 formed in the ice storage unit 10 And a pair of discharge levers 32 and 33, and an ice cutting unit 40 for ice-creaming ice cubes with powdered ice.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 1 is divided into a refrigerator compartment 2 and a freezer compartment 3 from side to side 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 front openings, and inside the doors 4 and 5 for storing parallel flows. The door guide 6 which can be arranged is arranged up and down. Moreover, in the refrigerator compartment 2, the some shelf 8 which partitions the inside of the refrigerator compartment 2 is arrange | positioned up and down in the upper part, and the several drawer 7 is provided in the lower part.

The freezing chamber 3 is divided into an ice making chamber 70 in which an ice making apparatus for ice making is installed at an upper portion thereof, and the ice iced in the ice making chamber 70 and drinking water from the outside are supplied to the front of the freezing chamber door 5. Dispenser unit 60 is provided. The dispenser unit 60 is provided with a water dispenser 61 for supplying drinking water and an ice dispenser 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.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ice storage unit 10 according to the present invention transfers ice in the ice storage container 11 having the opening 12 and the ice in the ice storage container 11 toward the opening 12. Ice transfer unit 20, front cover 15 having a plurality of discharge portions 17, discharge levers 32 and 33 for opening and closing each discharge portion 18 and 19, and fixing for crushing the stored ice. The blade 53 and the rotating blade 51 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 is not limited, but the ice storage tray 71 may be provided at the lower portion so that the ice iced from the ice tray 71 may be immediately stored. The ice storage container 11 may be provided in various shapes. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the upper portion may be provided in an open rectangular shape, it may be provided in a cylindrical shape.

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. Here, the ice storage container 11 may be further provided with a guide cylinder 14 on the opening 12 side to prevent the opening 12 from being blocked by the aggregated ice. 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 from the driving portion 21 toward the opening 12, and the rotating shaft 23 while rotating. It includes a spiral wing 25 for pushing the ice in the ice storage unit 10 toward the opening 12.

The driving unit 21 is provided on one side of the ice storage container 11 to transfer the driving force to the rotating shaft (23). The driving unit 21 may be provided as, for example, a driving motor.

One end of the rotating shaft 23 is coupled to the driving unit 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 unit 21 to rotate the spiral blades 25 and transmits the driving force to the rotating blade 51 coupled to the other end.

The spiral wing 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). On the other hand, the rotating shaft 23 itself may be provided wound in a spiral shape.

The front cover 15 is provided in the ice storage container 11 to guide the ice discharged through the openings 12 to different positions according to their purpose. The front cover 15 may be provided having various shapes as necessary. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it may be provided surrounding the opening 12 side except for the discharge part 17. Therefore, when the ice cubes are crushed into pieces of ice by the fixed blade 53 and the rotating blades 51 provided on the opening 12 side, the pieces of ice are scattered and are discharged to portions other than the discharge unit 17. You can prevent it. The front cover 15 may be provided with a partition plate 13 for dividing the discharge unit 17 into a plurality of partial discharge units 18 and 19.

The discharge part 17 is formed in the front cover 15 to allow the ice passing through the opening 12 to be discharged to the outside. Here, the discharge unit 17 may be provided as one, or may be divided into a plurality of partial discharge unit (18, 19) by the partition plate (13). When divided into a plurality of partial discharge portions 18, 19, each partial discharge portion 18, 19 may guide the ice to various locations depending on the use of the ice. For example, the discharge part 17 is divided into two partial discharge parts 18 and 19, and one discharge part 17 discharges ice cubes in the ice storage container 11 to the ice cutting part 40. 19), and the other may be provided as a second discharge unit 18 for discharging ice cubes and crushed ice to the guide unit (9). Here, the positions of the first discharging unit 19 and the second discharging unit 18 are not fixed, and may be changed as necessary.

The first discharge portion 19 is disposed to face the second discharge portion 18 with the partition plate 13 therebetween. The first discharge unit 19 is provided such that the ice received by the rotating blade 51 rotates and is guided and discharged by the first discharge lever 32.

Discharge levers 32 and 33 are provided between the opening 12 and the discharge portion 17 to selectively open and close the discharge portion 17 to selectively open the ice in the ice storage container 11 to a plurality of positions according to its purpose. Discharge.

The discharge levers 32 and 33 may be provided corresponding to the number of positions to be distributedly supplied. For example, the discharge levers 32 and 33 are formed of two of the first discharge lever 32 for opening and closing the first discharge portion 19 and the second discharge lever 33 for opening and closing the second discharge portion 18. Can be arranged as a dog. If the ice cube and the piece ice are to be discharged through separate discharge units 17, three discharge levers may be provided. Of course, four or more may be provided according to a use.

The discharge levers 32 and 33 are not limited, but each discharge part 17 may be selectively opened and closed. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the respective discharge levers 32 and 33 are linked to each other without opening and closing the respective discharge portions 18 and 19 at the same time, and according to the type of ice discharged individually. 18, 19) can be opened and closed.

One end of the first discharge lever 32 is rotatably coupled to the ice storage container 11 to open and close the first discharge portion 19. When the first discharge unit 19 is opened, the free end of the first discharge lever 32 does not fall into the fixed blade 53 without the ice transported by the rotating blade 51 to the first discharge unit 19. It is rotated in the direction of the rotating shaft 23 so as to discharge. At this time, the first discharge lever 32 is formed with a through hole 34 through which each rotating blade 51 passes so as not to affect the rotation of the rotating blade 51. In addition, when the first discharge lever 32 is in an open position, the first discharge lever 32 may be provided to be inclined downward toward the first discharge unit 19 so that the transferred ice may flow down to the first discharge unit 19 by its own weight. have.

The lever driving part 35 drives the discharge levers 32 and 33 so that each discharge part 17 can be opened and closed. The lever driving unit 35 may be provided in various ways according to the opening and closing method of the discharge lever (32, 33). For example, when the discharge levers 32 and 33 are provided as shown in FIG. 3, the lever driving part 35 may be provided as a solenoid valve.

Between the opening 12 and the discharge lever (32, 33) rotatably coupled to the other end of the rotary shaft 23 and spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals of the plurality of rotary blades 51 At least one fixed blade 53 for crushing ice cubes that are deviated from the respective rotating blades 51 and pressurized by the rotating blades 51 may be provided within the rotation radius.

The rotary blade 51 is rotatably coupled to the other end of the rotary shaft 23 having a predetermined length and rotates about the rotary shaft 23 to press the ice cubes passing through the opening 12 toward the fixed blade 53. Transfer. Rotating blade 51 may be formed with a plurality of sharp projections to facilitate the ice cube grinding in the forward direction of the rotation direction. Rotating blade 51 may be provided in various numbers as needed. It may be provided in one piece, or may be provided in plurality. When provided in plural, they may be arranged side by side at the same position in the radial direction of the rotation shaft 23, or may be provided while being rotated by a predetermined angle. The projections of each rotating blade 51 may have different shapes. On the other hand, there is no limitation on the spacing of each rotating blade 51, it may be provided at intervals smaller than the minimum diameter of the ice cube to convey the ice cube.

The fixed blade 53 is provided to be offset from the rotary blade 51 so as not to affect the rotation of the rotary blade 51 within the rotation radius of the rotary blade 51. The fixed blade 53 is crushed into pieces of ice by using the rotational force of the rotating blade 51 received and transported by the rotating blade 51. On the surface where the fixed blade 53 and the ice face each other, a plurality of sharp protrusions may be formed. The fixed blade 53 may be provided in various numbers as necessary.

The fixed blade 53 may be provided in various shapes as needed. For example, the fixed blade 53 is provided with a substantially 'b' shape, as shown in FIG. As a result, since the rotational force of the rotating blade 51 can be efficiently supported during the discharge of the crushed ice, the influence on the peripheral components can be minimized.

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.

Hereinafter, the ice cube discharge of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

The first discharge lever 32 at the time of discharging ice is kept in the closed position, and the second discharge lever 33 is rotated by the lever drive part 35 to be in the open position. That is, the first discharge portion 19 is closed and the second discharge portion 18 is opened. Therefore, the ice cubes transferred to the opening 12 by the ice transfer unit 20 are discharged to the second discharge unit 18 by passing between the rotating blade 51 and the fixed blade 53.

Hereinafter, the discharging ice of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

Since the first discharge lever 32 and the second discharge lever 33 maintain their respective closed positions when crushed ice is discharged, both the first discharge portion 19 and the second discharge portion 18 are in a closed state. . Therefore, the ice cube passing through the opening 12 stays on the second discharge lever 33 for a while and is received by the rotating blade 51 to rotate.

The ice received by the rotating blade 51 and transported to the fixed blade 53 is crushed into pieces of ice by the rotational force of the rotating blade 51 and is discharged through the flake ice discharge space.

Hereinafter, the powder ice discharge of the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

The first discharge lever 32 is rotated by the lever driver 35 so that the free end thereof is located close to the rotation shaft 23, and the second discharge lever 33 maintains the closed position as it is. 19 is open and the 2nd discharge part 18 is closed.

Here, the first discharge lever 32 has a through hole through which the rotating blade 51 penetrates, so that the rotation of the rotating blade 51 is not affected despite the rotation of the first discharge lever 32.

The ice cubes pushed out to the openings 12 by the ice transfer unit 20 are accommodated in the rotating blades 51 which rotate, and are rotated according to the rotation of the rotating blades 51. When the rotating blade 51 that rotates by receiving the ice cube reaches the highest point, the ice cube falls to the first discharge lever 32 while falling by its own weight. The ice cube is guided by the first discharge lever 32 and flows into the ice cutting unit 40 to be iced into powder ice.

Accordingly, the refrigerator according to the first embodiment of the present invention is provided with a plurality of discharge levers 32 and 33 on the discharge part 17 side of the ice storage part 10 and by controlling the opening and closing thereof, It can be selectively supplied to the position of.

That is, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, there is no need to provide a separate ice storage container and ice transfer unit to supply the ice to the ice cutting unit 40, the material cost is reduced, ensuring a separate space It is unnecessary, and a complicated structure for distributing and supplying ice can be avoided, thereby preventing the occurrence of defects.

In addition, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, when the ice cube is supplied to the ice cutting unit 40, the ice cube is not discharged from the opening 12 directly to the first discharge unit 19 but is accommodated by the rotating blade 51 and rotated. While being discharged to the first discharge unit 19, it is possible to prevent excessive ice from flowing into the ice storage unit 40 from the ice storage container 11 at once, thereby preventing malfunction.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Prior to the description, the description of the configuration overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

The refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 1 having a freezing compartment 3, a freezing chamber door 5, an ice storage container 11, an ice cutting unit 40, and a rotating blade 51. The first discharge portion 19, the second discharge portion 18, the closed position for closing the first discharge portion 19, and the first discharge portion 19 are opened, and the rotating blade 51 is opened. And a discharge lever 32 that rotates between open positions for guiding the ice cubes conveyed by the first discharge unit 19.

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 opening 12 is formed at one side of the ice storage container 11 to allow the stored ice to be discharged to the outside. As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the opening 12 is provided in a fan shape on the upper left side in the rotation radius of the rotary blade 51.

One end of the discharge lever 32 is rotatably coupled to the ice storage container 11 to open and close the first discharge part 19. When the first discharge unit 19 is opened, the free end of the discharge lever 32 does not discharge the ice conveyed by the rotating blade 51 to the second discharge unit 18 but the first discharge unit 19. It is rotated in the direction of the rotating shaft 23 so as to discharge. At this time, the discharge lever 32 is formed with a through hole (34 in FIG. 3) through which each rotating blade 51 passes so as not to affect the rotation of the rotating blade 51. In addition, when the discharge lever 32 is in the open position, the discharged ice 32 may be provided to be inclined downward toward the first discharge unit 19 so that the transferred ice may flow down to the first discharge unit 19 by its own weight. That is, the discharge lever 32 is the same as the first discharge lever 32 of the first embodiment described above.

Referring to Figures 7 and 8 the ice supply process of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration as follows.

Hereinafter, ice cube discharge of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

The discharge lever 32 maintains a closed position for closing the first discharge portion 19. The ice cubes conveyed to the openings 12 fall to the second discharge portion 18 by the conveyance by the rotary blade 51 or by the weight thereof.

Hereinafter, the powder ice discharge of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

The discharge lever 32 moves to the open position to open the first discharge portion 19. The discharge lever 32 is rotated by the lever driver 35 so that the free end is located close to the rotation shaft 23, so that the first discharge part 19 is opened.

The ice cubes pushed out to the openings 12 by the ice transfer unit 20 are accommodated in the rotating blades 51 which rotate, and are rotated according to the rotation of the rotating blades 51. The ice cube falls on the discharge lever 32 or the like while falling by its own weight. And the ice cube is guided by the discharge lever 32 and flowed into the ice cutting unit 40 is iced with powdered ice.

As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, there is no need to provide a separate ice storage container and ice transfer unit in order to supply the ice to the ice cutting unit 40, material cost is reduced, and secured a separate space Is unnecessary, and a complicated configuration for distributing and supplying ice can be avoided, thereby preventing occurrence of defects.

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Prior to the description, the description of the configuration overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.

The refrigerator according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 1 having a freezing compartment 3, a freezing chamber door 5, an ice storage container 11, an ice cutting unit 40, and a rotating blade 51. And a first discharge portion 19 communicating with the ice cutting portion 40 such that the ice cubes discharged into the opening 12 are rotated by the rotating blade 51 and introduced into the ice cutting portion 40. A front cover (15) having a second discharge portion (18) through which ice cubes discharged to the direct discharge are discharged, and a partition plate (13) partitioning the first discharge portion (19) and the second discharge portion (18). And a discharge lever 33 that rotates between a closed position for closing the second discharge portion 18 and an open position for opening the second discharge portion 18.

The front cover 15 is provided in the ice storage container 11 to guide the ice discharged through the openings 12 to different positions according to their purpose. The front cover 15 may be provided having various shapes as necessary. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it may be provided surrounding the opening 12 side except for the discharge part 17.

The partition plate 13 is provided in the front cover 15 so as to divide and partition the discharge unit 17 into a plurality of partial discharge units 18 and 19. It is preferable that the partition plate 13 is provided below the rotating shaft 23.

Since the discharge lever 33 is the same as the second discharge lever 33 of the first embodiment described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to Figures 9 and 10 the ice supply process of the refrigerator according to the third embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration as follows.

Hereinafter, the ice discharge time of the third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The discharge lever 33 at the time of ice discharge moves to the open position to open the second discharge portion 18. When the discharge lever 33 is rotated by the lever driver 35 and the second discharge unit 18 is opened, the ice cubes transferred to the opening 12 are transferred by the own weight or the rotating blade and then the second discharge unit 18. Fall). Here, since the partition plate 13 partitions between the second discharge portion 18 and the first discharge portion 19, the ice cubes are prevented from being discharged to the first discharge portion 19. FIG.

Hereinafter, the powder ice discharge of the third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The discharge lever 33 maintains the closed position for closing the second discharge portion 18. The ice cubes pushed out to the openings 12 by the ice transfer unit 20 are accommodated in the rotating blades 51 to be rotated and rotated according to the rotation of the rotating blades 51. The ice cube falls into the ice bin 40 while falling by its own weight, and is iced into powder ice. Here, since the partition plate 13 partitions between the first discharge portion 19 and the second discharge portion 18, the ice cubes are prevented from being discharged to the second discharge portion 18. FIG.

As described above, according to the third embodiment of the present invention, there is no need to provide a separate ice storage container and an ice transfer unit in order to supply the ice to the ice cutting unit 40, thereby reducing the material cost and securing a separate space. Is unnecessary, and a complicated configuration for distributing and supplying ice can be avoided, thereby preventing occurrence of defects.

While some embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be modified without departing from the spirit or spirit of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

As described above, the refrigerator according to the present invention can selectively supply and distribute the ice stored in the ice storage unit to one ice transfer unit according to the use, thereby reducing the material cost and simplifying the structure of the ice storage unit.

Claims (20)

In the refrigerator comprising a main body with a freezer compartment having a front opening and a freezer door for opening and closing the front opening, 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; A first discharge portion communicating with the ice cutting portion such that the ice cube discharged into the opening is rotated by the rotating blade and introduced into the ice cutting portion; A second discharge portion for discharging ice cubes discharged into the openings and pieces of ice crushed by the rotating blades; A second discharge lever for opening and closing the second discharge unit; And a first discharge lever pivoting between a closed position of closing the first discharge portion and an open position of opening the first discharge portion and guiding the ice conveyed by the rotating blade to the first discharge portion. Refrigerator. The method of claim 1, A drive unit provided in the ice storage container, a rotating shaft having one end coupled to the driving unit and the other end extending toward the opening, and rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft to transfer ice cubes in the ice storage container toward the opening. Refrigerator, characterized in that it further comprises an ice transfer unit having a spiral wing. The method of claim 2, The free end of the first discharge lever in the open position, characterized in that the refrigerator is disposed adjacent to the axis of rotation of the ice conveying unit. The method of claim 3, The first discharge lever is a refrigerator, characterized in that a through hole through which the rotating blade is penetrated when the rotating blade is rotated in the open position. The method of claim 4, wherein And at least one stationary blade provided in a rotation radius of the plurality of rotating blades so as to be deviated from the respective rotating blades to crush the ice conveyed by the rotating blades. The method of claim 5, And a lever driver configured to drive the first discharge lever and the second discharge lever. The method of claim 6, When the lever driving unit discharges ice cubes stored in the ice storage container as it is, the second discharge lever is rotated to an open position where the second discharge unit is opened, and the first discharge lever is closed. A refrigerator, characterized in that rotated to a closed position. The method of claim 6, And the lever driving part rotates the first discharge lever and the second discharge lever to a closed position in which the first discharge part and the second discharge part are closed when discharging pieces of ice. The method of claim 6, The lever driving unit rotates the second discharge lever to a closed position where the second discharge unit is closed when discharging powdered ice, and rotates the first discharge lever to an open position where the first discharge unit is opened. Refrigerator. In the refrigerator comprising a main body with a freezer compartment having a front opening and a freezer door for opening and closing the front opening, 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; A first discharge portion communicating with the ice cutting portion such that the ice cube discharged into the opening is rotated by the rotating blade and introduced into the ice cutting portion; A second discharge portion for directly discharging ice cubes discharged into the opening portion; And a discharge lever pivoting between a closed position for closing the first discharge portion and an open position for opening the first discharge portion and guiding ice cubes conveyed by the rotating blade to the first discharge portion. Refrigerator. The method of claim 10, A drive unit provided in the ice storage container, a rotating shaft having one end coupled to the driving unit and the other end extending toward the opening, and rotatably coupled to the rotating shaft to transfer ice cubes in the ice storage container toward the opening. Refrigerator characterized in that it further comprises an ice transfer unit having a spiral wing. The method of claim 11, The free end of the discharge lever in the open position, characterized in that the refrigerator is disposed adjacent to the rotation axis of the ice conveying unit. The method of claim 12, The discharge lever is characterized in that the through-hole is formed through the rotating blade when the rotating blade is rotated in the open position. The method of claim 13, And a lever driving part for driving the discharge lever. The method of claim 14, And the lever driving unit rotates the discharge lever to a closed position in which the first discharge unit is closed when the ice cube is discharged as it is stored in the ice storage container. The method of claim 14, And the lever driving unit rotates the discharge lever to an open position where the first discharge unit is opened when discharging powdered ice. In the refrigerator comprising a main body with a freezer compartment having a front opening and a freezer door for opening and closing the front opening, 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; A first discharge part communicating with the ice cutting part such that the ice cube discharged to the opening is rotated by the rotating blade and introduced into the ice cutting part; A second discharge portion for directly discharging ice cubes discharged into the opening portion; A partition plate partitioning the first discharge portion and the second discharge portion; And a discharge lever pivoting between a closed position of closing the second discharge portion and an open position of opening the second discharge portion. The method of claim 17, And a lever driving part for driving the discharge lever. The method of claim 18, And the lever driving unit rotates the discharge lever to an open position in which the second discharge unit is opened when discharging ice cubes stored in the ice storage container as it is. The method of claim 18, The lever driving unit rotates the discharge lever to a closed position where the second discharge unit is closed so that the ice cube discharged to the opening is rotated by the rotating blade to flow into the first discharge unit when discharging the powder ice. Refrigerator, characterized in that.

Images