KR20080028847A - Refrigerator and ice making apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerator and an ice making device thereof are provided to mount an ice making device in a door for increasing a food containing area of the refrigerator and mount rotation guides to an ice making tray for guiding rotation of the ice making tray and preventing water from overflowing out of the ice making tray in response to opening or closing of the door. An ice making device for a refrigerator includes a frame mounted at a side in a door, an ice making tray(12) coupled with the frame rotatively, and a cover mounted to the frame for preventing water stored in the ice making tray from overflowing. Rotation guides(123) are formed in the semi-circular shape with a predetermined curvature at both sides of the ice making tray to be positioned on a rotational shaft of the ice making tray. The rotation guides rotate in close contact with an inner surface of the cover in association with the rotation of the ice making tray with respect to the frame, thereby guiding the rotation of the ice making tray and serving as overflow-preventing protrusions for preventing the water stored in the ice making tray from overflowing.

Description

Refrigerator and ice making apparatus

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

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that maintains a high temperature inside a room temperature so that food is kept in a refrigerated or frozen state so as not to be damaged for a long time. In addition, a separate ice making device is provided inside the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment, so that the user can freeze the ice easily.

In detail, the conventional ice making apparatus is generally mounted in a freezer compartment, so that ice is produced by the freezer cold air.

However, when the ice making apparatus is mounted in the freezer compartment as in the prior art, there is a disadvantage that the freezer compartment space is narrowed so that the space for storing food is insufficient.

The present invention has been proposed to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ice making apparatus that can be mounted on one side of a door of a refrigerator.

In addition, when the ice making apparatus is mounted inside the door, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ice making apparatus that can prevent the water overflow phenomenon that can occur in opening and closing the door.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a twisting-type ice making device which prevents water overflow that may occur during opening and closing of a door and smoothly rotates the ice making tray.

According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the present invention is a frame provided on the inner side of the refrigerator door for opening and closing the cold room; An ice making tray rotatably coupled to the frame; A cover provided in the frame to prevent overflow of water stored in the ice making tray; And a rotation guide which rotates in association with the rotation of the ice tray about the frame while being in close contact with the inner surface of the cover to guide the rotation of the ice tray. Included.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention comprises a frame provided on the inside of the refrigerator door for opening and closing the cold room by rotating the other end about one end; An ice making tray rotatably coupled to the frame and storing drinking water for making ice therein; And a water overflow prevention jaw provided at an edge portion of the upper surface of the ice making tray adjacent to the tardin of the door which rotates to open and close the cold compartment to prevent the drinking water stored in the ice making tray from overflowing. This includes.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is a frame provided on the inside of the refrigerator door for opening and closing the cold room by rotating the other end about one end; An ice making tray rotatably coupled to the frame, the drinking water for making ice therein, and having a rectangular cross section; And a portion of the upper edge portion of the ice making tray extending upward relative to another portion of the upper surface of the ice making tray to prevent the overflow of drinking water stored in the ice making tray; This includes.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is a frame provided on the inside of the refrigerator door for opening and closing the cold room by rotating the other end about one end; An ice making tray rotatably coupled to the frame, the drinking water for making ice therein, and having a rectangular cross section; And a water overflow of the upper surface of the ice making tray, which is provided at a corner of the upper surface of the ice making tray having a relatively large amount of impact due to the centrifugal force during the opening and closing of the cold compartment. Bumps; This includes.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides a cooling chamber; A door for selectively opening and closing the cold compartment; And an ice making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15 installed on the rear surface of the door. Included.

According to the refrigerator and the ice maker of the refrigerator according to the present invention, there is an advantage that the phenomenon of overflow of water supplied to the ice maker is prevented.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and other embodiments included within the scope of other inventive inventions or the scope of the present invention can be easily made by adding, changing, or deleting other elements. I can suggest.

1 is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which an ice maker is mounted on a door of a refrigerator according to the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an ice making apparatus 10 according to the present invention is provided at one side of an inside of a refrigerator door 1. In addition, an ice bank 2 is provided below the ice making apparatus 10 so that the ice produced by the ice making apparatus 10 falls and is stored.

In detail, the door 1 on which the ice making device 10 is mounted may be a freezing compartment door or a refrigerating compartment door, and it is advantageously mounted inside the freezing compartment door.

Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the ice making apparatus 10 mounted in the door 1 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is an external perspective view of an ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ice making apparatus 10 according to the present invention includes an ice making tray 12 in which ice is manufactured, and a frame 11 for rotatably supporting the ice making tray 12.

In detail, the frame 11 is fixedly mounted on the inner circumferential surface of the door 1, and the ice making tray 12 is rotatably mounted to the frame 11. When the ice is completed, the ice tray 12 rotates at a predetermined angle. When the ice tray 12 is rotated by a predetermined angle, one edge thereof is caught by the frame 11, and the ice tray 12 is twisted about the rotation axis. By this torsion process, the ice formed in the ice making tray 12 is separated and falls into the ice bank 2.

In more detail, the frame 11 has a tray cover 111 for preventing the overflow of the water stored in the ice making tray 12 and a torsion that is recessed to a predetermined depth at one side edge to cause a twist of the ice making tray 12. Induction groove 112 is included. In addition, a control box 13 is mounted at one edge of the frame 11, and a motor for rotating the ice tray 12 and a controller for driving the motor are provided in the control box 13. In addition, a hole having a predetermined size is formed on an upper surface of the tray cover 111, and water for ice making is supplied through the hole.

By the above configuration, water is supplied through the hole formed in the tray cover 111, and ice is formed when a predetermined time elapses. When the ice production is completed, the motor is rotated by the control unit provided in the control box 13. As the motor rotates, the ice making tray 12 rotates. One edge of the ice tray 12 is caught by the torsion guide groove 112, and when the ice tray 12 is further rotated in this state, the ice tray 12 is twisted. In the torsion process, the ice formed in the ice tray 12 is separated and falls into the ice bank 2.

3 is an external perspective view showing an ice tray of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 3, the ice tray 12 of the ice making apparatus according to the present invention comprises a plurality of ice cubes 121 having a predetermined size and depth, the water overflow prevention jaw 122 extending to the upper side edge portion, Rotating shaft 124 extending on the side edge and a rotating guide 123 extending to the upper edge portion of the surface on which the rotating shaft 124 is formed.

In detail, the ice cube 121 is a depression for manufacturing ice, and water falling through the hole of the tray cover 111 is stored in the ice cube 121 and frozen.

In addition, the water overflow prevention jaw 122 extends from the upper surface of the ice making tray 12 to a predetermined height so that the water stored in the ice cube 121 overflows due to the centrifugal force generated during the opening and closing of the door 1. To prevent them. In addition, the water overflow prevention jaw 122 may be extended at the same height, or both ends thereof may extend higher than the center portion. This is caused by the centrifugal force generated during the rotation of the door 1, the water stored in the ice cube 121 is drawn to the corner portion of the ice tray 12, so that the corner portion is formed higher than the center portion It is.

More specifically , remind Overflow Bump 122  It may be formed at the four top edges of the ice tray 12 having a rectangular cross section. This is the ice making Tre Regardless of the direction in which the teeth 12 are installed, Overflow Bump 122  This is to enable the function. Therefore, substantially Of door (1)  One of the four corners of the ice making tray 12 having the greatest impact amount by the centrifugal force during rotation, and / or the corner of the ice making tray 122 which is symmetrical with the center point of the ice making tray 122 symmetrical thereto. Remind to the other one Overflow Bump 122  It may be provided.

In addition, the rotation guide 123 is formed in a semicircular shape that is curved at a predetermined curvature. In detail, when the ice making tray 12 rotates about the rotating shaft 124, the rotating guide 123 rotates in close contact with an inner circumferential surface of the tray cover 111. Therefore, the rotation guide 123 not only guides the rotation of the ice making tray 12, but also simultaneously performs a function of a bump preventing the water stored in the ice making tray 12 from overflowing.

In addition, a motor is mounted at one end of the rotating shaft 124, and the other end is inserted through the frame 11 so that the ice tray 12 is supported by the frame 11.

Figure 4 is a first embodiment showing a water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention, Figure 5 is an operating state diagram showing the operation of the water overflow prevention structure according to the first embodiment.

4 and 5, in order to prevent water overflow of the ice making apparatus 10 according to the present invention, a sealing member 113 is attached to one side lower end of the tray cover 111.

In detail, a flexible sealing member 113 such as silicon is coupled to one lower end portion of the tray cover 111, and is brought into contact with the water overflow prevention jaw 122 of the ice making tray 12 to open and close the door 1. The water stored in the ice making tray 12 is prevented from overflowing.

In more detail, the sealing member 113 is provided on the rising side when the ice making tray 12 rotates to cover the water overflow prevention jaw 122. Then, when the ice tray 12 rotates, the water overflow prevention jaw 122 pushes up the sealing member 113. As the ice making tray 12 rotates and the water overflow preventing jaw 122 leaves the sealing member 113, the sealing member 113 returns to its original position. Here, the sealing member 113 is preferably extended so as to extend in the direction toward the inside of the tray cover 111 as shown. Then, after the ice is separated from the ice making tray 12, the sealing member 113 is pushed down while the ice making tray 12 is rotated back to its original position. When the ice tray 12 is completely returned to its original position, the sealing member 113 is in a state of covering the upper surface of the water overflow prevention jaw 122, so that water stored in the ice tray 12 does not overflow. Will not.

Figure 6 is a second embodiment showing a water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention, Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II 'of Figure 6, Figure 8 is a second embodiment This is an operational state diagram showing the operation of the water overflow prevention structure accordingly.

6 to 8, in the water overflow prevention structure according to the second embodiment of the present invention, an elastic member such as a spring is provided between an outer circumferential surface of one end of the tray cover 111 and an inner circumferential surface of the frame 11. The end of the water overflow prevention jaw 122 and the tray cover 111 of the ice making tray 12 may be in close contact with each other. And, the end of the tray cover 111 opposite the portion on which the elastic member is mounted is characterized in that the leakage preventing groove 114 is provided.

In detail, at one end of the tray cover 11 according to the present invention, a leakage preventing groove 114 is formed to insert an end of the water overflow prevention jaw 122 of the ice making tray 12. In addition, an elastic member 114 is mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the other end of the tray cover 11 to press the tray cover 11.

In more detail, the elastic member 14 is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the tray cover 111 on the rising side when the ice making tray 12 rotates. Then, the water overflow prevention jaw 122 of the side on which the elastic member 14 is mounted is in close contact with the inner circumferential surface of the tray cover 111.

Here, the elastic member 14 is applicable to not only a spring having a shape as shown in FIG. 6, but also a spring having a spring shape as shown in FIG. 7. That is, it is revealed that all kinds of elastic members interposed between the frame 11 and the tray cover 111 and in which elastic force acts in the direction pushing the tray cover 111 are applicable. In addition, the shape of the elastic member 114 in FIG. 7 is different from that of the elastic member 114 in FIG. 6, for the purpose of understanding the idea presented in the present disclosure.

Meanwhile, while the ice tray 12 maintains a horizontal state, the pair of water overflow prevention jaw 122 maintains a state of being completely in contact with the leakage preventing groove 114 and the inner circumferential surface of the tray cover 111. do. Then, when the ice making tray 12 is rotated to separate ice from the completion of ice making, the lower end of the tray cover 111 pressed by the elastic member 114 is slightly opened as shown in FIG. 8. In addition, the water overflow prevention jaw of the ice making tray 12 is rotated along the inner circumferential surface of the tray cover 111. In addition, when the ice making tray 12 is reversely rotated to return to the home position, the lower end of the tray cover 111 and the water overflow prevention jaw 122 are maintained in intimate contact. Therefore, even when the door 1 is opened and closed in a state where water is stored in the ice making tray 12, water overflow does not occur.

9 is a third embodiment showing the water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention, Figure 10 is an operating state diagram showing the operation of the water overflow prevention structure according to the third embodiment.

9 and 10, the water overflow preventing structure of the ice making apparatus according to the third embodiment is characterized in that the blocking rib 115 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the tray cover 112.

In detail, the lower end of the tray cover 111 protrudes to a predetermined height, and a blocking rib 115 having a length extending from one end to the other end of the tray cover 111 is formed to overflow the water of the ice tray 12. It is characterized in that to be caught in the upper end of the bump (122). Of course, the blocking rib 115 is formed at the end of the tray cover 111 of the rising side when the ice tray 12 rotates.

As described above, the blocking rib 115 protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the tray cover 111 instead of the elastic member 114 shown in the second embodiment, thereby obtaining the same effect as when the elastic member 114 is mounted. . In addition, a leakage preventing groove 114 may be formed at the opposite end of the blocking rib 115.

By the above configuration, while the ice tray 12 rotates, the water overflow prevention jaw 122 passes over the blocking rib 115. At this time, the tray cover 111 is slightly opened to the outside as shown in FIG. The tray cover 111 is returned to its original position while the water overflow preventing jaw 122 moves away from the blocking rib 115. In addition, the water overflow prevention jaw 122 is rotated along the inner circumferential surface of the tray cover 111. In addition, when the ice making tray 12 is rotated in the reverse direction and returned to the original position, the tray cover 111 is deformed in the reverse order of the forward rotation process.

11 is a fourth embodiment showing the water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention, Figure 12 is an operational state diagram showing the operation of the water overflow prevention structure according to the fourth embodiment.

 11 and 12, the water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is characterized in that the end of the tray cover 111 and the upper end of the water overflow prevention jaw 122 is inclined contact.

In detail, when the ice tray 12 rotates, an inclined surface 123 which is inclined at a predetermined angle is formed on the upper surface of the water overflow prevention jaw 122 on the rising side. In addition, an inclined surface 116 which is inclined in the same manner is formed at a lower end of the tray cover 111 on which the inclined surface 123 is formed. In addition, when the ice tray 12 is horizontal, that is, when the ice tray 12 does not rotate, the inclined surface 123 of the overflow preventing jaw 122 and the inclined surface 116 of the tray cover 111 are disposed. The state of close contact is maintained.

In more detail, when the ice making tray 12 is rotated to separate ice, the upper end of the overflow preventing jaw 122 slides along the lower end of the tray cover 111. At the same time, the tray cover 111 slightly spreads outward, and the water overflow prevention jaw 122 rotates along the inner circumferential surface of the tray cover 111.

Here, it is apparent from the present invention that the leakage preventing groove 114 shown in the second embodiment may be formed at the end opposite to the end where the inclined surface 116 is formed. In addition, both ends of the tray cover 111 may form an inclined surface, and the corresponding end of the water overflow prevention jaw 122 may be inclined in the same manner so that the tray cover 111 is in contact with the tray cover 111.

13 is a fifth embodiment showing the water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention, Figure 14 is an operational state diagram showing the operation of the water overflow prevention structure according to the fifth embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the water overflow preventing structure of the ice making apparatus according to the fifth exemplary embodiment may have a separate free end rotatable at the end of the tray cover 111 of the rising side when the ice making tray 12 rotates. It is characterized by being coupled to.

In detail, when the ice tray 12 rotates, an end portion of the water overflow prevention jaw 122 that rises is inclined at a predetermined angle as in the fourth embodiment. In addition, the free end 117 is rotatably coupled by the elastic member 15 to the tray cover 111 in contact with the inclined water overflow prevention jaw 122. In addition, the lower end of the free end 117 is formed to be inclined in the same manner as the water overflow prevention jaw 122. In the state where the ice making tray 12 does not rotate, the water overflow prevention jaw 122 is maintained in close contact with the free end 117.

In more detail, in the state where the ice making tray 12 does not rotate, the free end 117 is maintained at the end of the tray cover 111 by the elastic force of the elastic member 15.

On the other hand, when the rotation of the ice tray 12 is started, the free end 117 is opened to the outside as shown in FIG. In addition, the water overflow prevention jaw 122 is rotated along the inner circumferential surface of the tray cover 111. The free end 117 is returned to its original position by the elastic force of the elastic member 15 at the moment when the water overflow preventing jaw 122 is spaced apart from the free end 117. In the process of returning the ice tray 12 back to its original position, the free end 117 is opened in the reverse order to that performed in the forward rotation of the ice tray 12, and then returned to the original position. . Of course, a leakage preventing groove 114 may be formed at a lower end of the tray cover 111 opposite to the free end 117.

By the above configuration, even when the door 1 is opened and closed in a state where water is stored in the ice making tray 12, the overflow of water is prevented by the free end 117, and the ice making tray 12 is stably rotated. It has the effect of making it work.

According to the ice making apparatus of the refrigerator according to the present invention having the above configuration, the ice making apparatus is mounted on the door, thereby increasing the internal volume of the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment, thereby keeping more food.

In addition, the ice making apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a water overflow prevention structure, there is an effect that the phenomenon of overflowing the water supplied to the ice making apparatus in the process of opening and closing the door is prevented.

In addition, since the water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the present invention performs the function of guiding the rotation of the ice tray at the same time, there is an advantage that the rotation of the ice tray for ice separation is stable.

1 is a partial perspective view showing a state in which the ice making apparatus is mounted on the door of the refrigerator in the spirit of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an external perspective view of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an external perspective view showing an ice tray of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a first embodiment showing a water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention.

5 is an operating state diagram showing the operation of the water overflow prevention structure according to the first embodiment.

Figure 6 is a second embodiment showing a water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention.

7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 6.

8 is an operational state diagram showing the operation of the water overflow prevention structure according to the second embodiment.

Figure 9 is a third embodiment showing a water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention.

10 is an operating state diagram showing the operation of the water overflow prevention structure according to the third embodiment.

Figure 11 is a fourth embodiment showing a water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention.

12 is an operating state diagram showing the operation of the water overflow prevention structure according to the fourth embodiment.

Figure 13 is a fifth embodiment showing a water overflow prevention structure of the ice making apparatus according to the spirit of the present invention.

14 is an operational state diagram showing the operation of the water overflow prevention structure according to the fifth embodiment.

Claims (16)

A frame provided on an inner side of the refrigerator door for opening and closing the cold compartment; An ice making tray rotatably coupled to the frame; A cover provided in the frame to prevent overflow of water stored in the ice making tray; And A rotation guide guiding rotation of the ice tray by rotating in conjunction with rotation of the ice tray with respect to the frame while being in close contact with the inner surface of the cover; Ice making apparatus is included. The method of claim 1, And the ice making tray rotates inside the cover. The method of claim 1, At least one lower end of the cover is in contact with an upper end of the ice tray. The method of claim 1, Ice making apparatus further comprises a water overflow bump extending on the upper surface of the ice tray. The method of claim 4, wherein The water overflow prevention jaw is ice making device, characterized in that at least both ends extend to a height higher than the central portion. The method of claim 1, And the cover is curved at a predetermined curvature, and an edge portion of the ice tray is rotated along an inner circumferential surface of the cover. The method of claim 1, The ice making apparatus, characterized in that the cover is fixed to the frame, or integrally ejected with the frame. The method of claim 1, The ice making apparatus, characterized in that the cover can be unfolded during the rotation of the ice tray. The method of claim 1, The rotation guide is an ice making device is formed in a disk shape corresponding to the trajectory formed by the ice tray by rotation. The method of claim 1, The rotation guide is an ice making device that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the ice tray in close contact with the inner surface of the cover. A frame provided on the inside of the refrigerator door for opening and closing the cold compartment by rotating the other end about one end; An ice making tray rotatably coupled to the frame and storing drinking water for making ice therein; And A water overflow prevention jaw provided at an edge portion of the upper surface of the ice making tray adjacent to the tardin of the door which rotates to open and close the cold compartment to prevent the drinking water stored in the ice making tray from overflowing; Ice making apparatus is included. A frame provided on the inside of the refrigerator door for opening and closing the cold compartment by rotating the other end about one end; An ice making tray rotatably coupled to the frame, the drinking water for making ice therein, and having a rectangular cross section; And A portion of the upper edge portion of the ice making tray extending upward relative to another portion of the upper surface of the ice making tray to prevent the overflow of drinking water stored in the ice making tray; Ice making apparatus is included. A frame provided on the inside of the refrigerator door for opening and closing the cold compartment by rotating the other end about one end; An ice making tray rotatably coupled to the frame, the drinking water for making ice therein, and having a rectangular cross section; And Of the upper surface of the ice making tray, the door is provided in the upper corner portion of the upper surface of the ice tray with a relatively large amount of impact due to the centrifugal force in the process of opening and closing the cold compartment to prevent the overflow of drinking water stored in the ice making tray ; Ice making apparatus is included. The method of claim 13, The water overflow preventing jaw is provided on the upper edges of the two ice trays which are symmetrical with respect to the center point of the cross-section of the ice tray among the top edges of the four ice trays. The method of claim 13, The water overflow prevention jaw, ice making apparatus, characterized in that the upper edge of the ice tray is formed extending relatively upward relative to the rest of the upper surface of the ice tray. A main body provided with a cold room; A door for selectively opening and closing the cold compartment; And The ice making apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15 installed on the rear surface of the door; Refrigerator included.

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