KR20230010049A - Ice maker and refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

An ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a tray body formed of a flexible material including, on an inner surface, a chamber wall for defining a plurality of chambers; a supporter including a chamber accommodating part formed to be recessed to accommodate at least part of the chamber wall; and an ice-making heater provided on the outer surface of the chamber wall and supplying heat into the plurality of chambers in an ice-making process. The ice-making heater is installed on the chamber accommodating part. The supporter includes a heater accommodating groove formed to be recessed to accommodate the ice-making heater. At least part of the ice-making heater is arranged to envelop at least part of the chamber wall and is in contact with the chamber wall. Therefore, provided is an ice maker capable of generating ice that is transparent and has a spherical shape.

Description

Ice maker and refrigerator {Ice maker and refrigerator}

This specification relates to ice makers and refrigerators.

In general, a refrigerator is a home appliance that allows low-temperature storage of food in an internal storage space shielded by a door.

The refrigerator may cool the inside of the storage space using cold air, thereby storing stored food in a refrigerated or frozen state.

Usually, an ice maker for making ice is provided inside the refrigerator.

The ice maker is configured to make ice by accommodating water supplied from a water supply source or a water tank in a tray.

In addition, the ice maker is configured to separate the ice that has been made from the ice tray in a heating method or a twisting method.

In this way, the ice maker that automatically supplies and separates water is formed to open upward and scoops up the molded ice.

Ice made in the ice maker having such a structure has at least one flat surface, such as a crescent shape or a cubic shape.

On the other hand, when the ice is formed in a spherical shape, it may be more convenient to use the ice, and a different feeling of use may be provided to the user. In addition, even when storing the ice that has been made, it is possible to minimize the sticking of the ice by minimizing the area where the ice is in contact with each other.

Prior Document 1, Korea Patent Registration No. 10-1850918, has an ice maker.

The ice maker of Prior Document 1 includes an upper tray in which a plurality of hemispherical upper cells are arranged and a pair of link guides extending upward from both side ends, and a plurality of hemispherical lower cells are arranged, and the upper tray is arranged. It includes a lower tray rotatably connected to the tray, and an ice heater for heating the upper tray.

In addition, the ice maker includes a lower ejecting pin for separating ice attached to the lower tray during the ice icing process.

The lower tray includes a tray body in which a plurality of lower cells are formed, a lower frame in which a tray body seating portion is formed to allow the tray body to be seated, and an upper frame in which the tray body and the lower frame are fixed to a bottom surface.

In the case of Prior Art 1, ice having a shape similar to a sphere can be produced, but since the ice is frozen from each of the upper cell and the lower cell, air bubbles exist in the finished ice, making the ice opaque.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-269172, which is Prior Document 2, discloses an ice maker.

The ice-making apparatus of Prior Art 2 includes an ice-making dish and a heater for heating a bottom of water supplied to the ice-making dish.

The ice-making dish includes a plurality of ice-making blocks, and the heater is in contact with one side and bottom of the ice-making blocks.

During the ice-making process, heat from the heater is transferred to one side and the bottom of the ice-making block. Therefore, solidification proceeds on the surface side and convection occurs in the water, so that transparent ice can be created.

By the way, in the case of Prior Document 2, since the ice tray is surrounded by an insulating part in a state in which the heater is in contact with the ice tray, the technology using the heater of Prior Document 2 is applied to Prior Document 1, which is a type in which the lower tray is rotated Hard to do.

Even if the heater of Prior Document 2 is installed in the lower cell of the lower tray of Prior Document 1, there is a concern that the heater may interfere with the lower ejecting pin during the rotation of the lower tray.

In addition, in the case of Prior Document 2, since the heater extends in a straight line and contacts the plurality of ice-making blocks, the contact area between the heater and the ice-making block is small, so that heat from the heater takes a long time to be transferred to the ice-making block.

In addition, in the case of Prior Document 2, when the heater is in contact with one side surface and the bottom surface of the ice-making block, and about 2/3 of the water in the ice-making block is solidified, the heating amount of the heater is increased to suppress the increase in the solidification rate. .

However, according to Prior Document 2, not only is the transparency per height not uniform in the spherical ice, but the heating amount of the heater is increased simply when the volume of water is reduced, so that the ice has uniform transparency according to the shape of the ice. Ice is difficult to create.

The present embodiment provides an ice maker capable of generating transparent and spherical ice.

The present embodiment provides an ice maker capable of evenly transferring heat from a heater for generating transparent ice to the lower tray.

The present embodiment provides an ice maker in which the transparency of the spherical ice produced is uniform for each height.

The present embodiment provides an ice maker in which transparency between a plurality of ice chambers is uniform.

The present embodiment provides an ice maker in which ice to be produced is prevented from being connected to each other.

The present embodiment provides an ice maker in which an electric wire connected to a heater for generating transparent ice is prevented from being disconnected while the lower tray rotates.

This embodiment provides a refrigerator including the ice maker described above.

An ice maker according to one aspect includes an upper tray having an upper chamber that is part of an ice chamber, a lower tray having a lower chamber that is another part of the ice chamber, and a lower heater that provides heat to the lower tray during an ice making process. and the ice chamber may be formed in a spherical shape. Therefore, transparent spherical ice can be produced by the ice maker.

The lower heater may include a lower round portion that is horizontally rounded to surround the ice chamber so that heat from the lower heater is smoothly transferred to the lower chamber.

The upper tray may include a plurality of upper chamber walls defining a plurality of upper chambers so that the ice maker can produce a plurality of ices simultaneously;

The lower tray may include a plurality of lower chamber walls defining a plurality of lower chambers. A plurality of independent ice chambers may be defined by the plurality of lower chambers and the plurality of upper chambers.

In order to smoothly transfer heat from the lower heater to the plurality of ice chambers, the lower heater includes a plurality of lower round parts that are horizontally rounded to surround the walls of the plurality of lower chambers and a straight line part connecting the plurality of round parts. can include

An output of the lower heater may be varied according to a mass per unit height of water in the ice chamber so that transparency of ice generated in the ice chamber is uniform according to height.

For example, the output of the lower heater may be adjusted in a pattern in which an initial output decreases and then increases again.

The plurality of ice chambers may be arranged in a first direction. The plurality of lower round parts may include a plurality of first round parts corresponding to ice chambers positioned at both ends among the plurality of ice chambers. At least one of the plurality of first round portions may include an extension portion that is convex outward in a radial direction.

The ice maker according to the present embodiment may further include a lower supporter installed with the lower heater and configured to support the lower tray above the lower heater.

The lower supporter may include a plurality of chamber accommodating portions for accommodating walls of the plurality of lower chambers, and heater accommodating grooves recessed downward in each of the plurality of chamber accommodating portions to accommodate the lower heaters.

A diameter of the lower heater may be greater than a recessed depth of the heater receiving groove so that a contact area between the lower heater and the wall of each lower chamber is increased.

The lower supporter may include an inner wall and an outer wall defining the heater accommodating groove. A diameter of the lower heater may be greater than a height of the inner wall.

In this embodiment, the lower supporter extends from any one of the plurality of chamber accommodating parts and extends in a direction intersecting a first guide groove accommodating the lower heater and the first guide groove, and the lower heater It may include a second guide groove for guiding the wire connected to.

The lower tray and the lower supporter may rotate relative to the upper tray. The lower supporter is rotatable with respect to a central axis of rotation, and the second guide groove may extend in a direction parallel to the central axis of rotation so as to prevent disconnection of the wire.

A refrigerator according to another aspect includes a cabinet provided with a freezing chamber; and an ice maker generating ice by using cold air for cooling the freezer compartment.

The ice maker includes an upper tray having a plurality of upper chamber walls defining a plurality of upper chambers; a lower tray having a plurality of lower chamber walls defining a plurality of lower chambers, wherein the plurality of upper chambers and the plurality of lower chambers together define a plurality of independent ice chambers; and a lower heater positioned around the lower tray to provide heat to the lower tray.

A vertical overlapping area of each ice chamber positioned at both ends among the plurality of ice chambers and the lower heater may be greater than a vertical overlapping area of each ice chamber positioned between the ice chambers at both ends and the lower heater.

A contact area between each lower chamber wall positioned at both ends of the plurality of lower chamber walls and the lower heater may be greater than a contact area between each lower chamber wall positioned between the lower chamber walls at both ends and the lower heater.

An ice maker according to another aspect includes an upper tray having a plurality of upper chamber walls defining a plurality of upper chambers; a lower tray having a plurality of lower chamber walls defining a plurality of lower chambers, wherein the plurality of upper chambers and the plurality of lower chambers together define a plurality of independent ice chambers; and a lower heater positioned around the lower tray and providing heat to the lower tray during an ice making process.

The lower heater may include a plurality of lower round portions that are horizontally rounded to surround the plurality of lower chamber walls, and a straight line portion connecting the plurality of lower round portions.

The plurality of ice chambers may be arranged in a first direction, and the plurality of lower round parts may include first round parts corresponding to at least one of ice chambers positioned at both ends among the plurality of ice chambers.

The first round portion may include an extension portion that is convex outward in a radial direction.

The extension part may have a convex shape in the first direction.

The first round part may be connected to a pair of straight parts, and a distance between the pair of straight parts may be smaller than twice a radius of curvature of the first round part.

A distance between the pair of straight parts may be greater than a radius of curvature of the first round part.

The length of the first round portion may be longer than the length of each straight line portion.

The plurality of lower round parts may include second round parts corresponding to ice chambers positioned between ice chambers positioned at both ends among the plurality of ice chambers.

A pair of second round parts may be disposed to surround one lower chamber wall.

The pair of second round parts may be spaced apart in a second direction crossing the first direction. Each of the second round parts may be connected to straight parts on both sides.

The ice maker may further include a lower supporter supporting the lower tray and having a heater receiving groove in which the lower heater is installed.

The lower supporter may include a protrusion for fixing a position of the extension part.

The heater accommodating groove may include an extension accommodating groove disposed to surround the protrusion.

The lower supporter may include a plurality of chamber accommodating portions for accommodating walls of the plurality of lower chambers, and heater accommodating grooves recessed downward in each of the plurality of chamber accommodating portions to accommodate the lower heaters.

A diameter of the lower heater may be greater than a recessed depth of the heater receiving groove.

The lower supporter may include an inner wall and an outer wall defining the heater accommodating groove. A diameter of the lower heater may be greater than a height of the inner wall.

A separation preventing protrusion may be provided on one of the inner wall and the outer wall to prevent separation of the lower heater.

The departure prevention protrusion may protrude from one of the inner wall and the outer wall toward the other one. The protruding length of the separation preventing protrusion may be formed to be less than 1/2 of a distance between the inner wall and the outer wall.

A through-opening through which a portion of the received heater is positioned may be provided in the heater accommodating groove.

The lower supporter may include a first guide groove extending from any one of the plurality of chamber accommodating parts and accommodating the lower heater, and extending in a direction crossing the first guide groove and guiding an electric wire connected to the lower heater. It may include a second guide groove to do.

The lower supporter is rotatable about a central axis of rotation, and the second guide groove may extend in a direction parallel to the central axis of rotation.

A power input end and a power output end of the lower heater may be positioned in the first guide groove. A first connector to which the power input terminal and the power output terminal are connected and a second connector to which the wire is connected and connected to the first connector may be positioned in the second guide groove.

The ice maker may further include a lower ejector configured to pressurize the walls of the plurality of lower chambers. The lower supporter may include a plurality of lower openings through which the lower ejector passes. Each of the lower round portions may be disposed to surround each of the lower openings.

An ice maker according to another aspect includes an upper tray forming a plurality of upper chambers having a hemispherical shape; The lower tray may include a plurality of lower chambers having a hemispherical shape, and a lower tray in which spherical ice is generated by the lower chambers and the upper chamber.

The ice maker according to the present embodiment may further include a heater for applying heat to the lower chamber so that ice to be produced becomes transparent. The heater may operate during the ice making process. When the heater operates, ice may be sequentially generated in the upper chamber.

For example, the heater may be coupled to a lower supporter supporting the lower tray.

The lower supporter may include a heater coupling part to which the heater is coupled.

The lower supporter may include a plurality of chamber accommodating portions for accommodating the plurality of lower chambers. The heater coupling part may include a heater accommodating groove recessed in the plurality of chamber accommodating parts.

A diameter of the heater may be greater than a recessed depth of the heater receiving groove. Thus, the heater may be in contact with the lower tray.

The heater accommodating groove may include a plurality of lower round parts disposed to surround each lower chamber, and a straight line part connecting the plurality of lower round parts.

The heater is a wire-type heater, and when the heater is accommodated in the plurality of lower round portions of the heater accommodating groove, it may be bent in a shape corresponding to the plurality of lower round portions.

The heater coupling part may include an inner wall and an outer wall for forming the heater accommodating groove. The heater may be accommodated between an inner wall and an outer wall, and a separation preventing projection may be provided on one of the inner wall and the outer wall to prevent separation of the heater.

The departure prevention protrusion may protrude from one of the inner wall and the outer wall toward the other one. The protruding length of the separation preventing protrusion may be formed to be less than 1/2 of a distance between the inner wall and the outer wall.

A through-opening through which a portion of the received heater is positioned may be provided in the heater accommodating groove.

In this embodiment, the lower tray body may include a heater contact portion protruding to contact the heater. A lower surface of the heater contact portion is flat, and the heater may be in contact with the lower surface.

In a state in which the heater is in contact with the lower tray, the heater may be positioned lower than a midpoint of a height of the lower chamber.

The lower supporter extends from one of the plurality of lower chambers, extends in a direction crossing a first guide groove in which the heater is accommodated, and guides a wire connected to the heater. A second guide groove may be included.

The lower supporter is rotatable about a central axis of rotation, and the second guide groove may extend in a direction parallel to the central axis of rotation.

A power input end and a power output end of the heater may be positioned in the first guide groove. The power input terminal and the power output terminal may be connected to a first connector. A second connector to which a wire is connected may be connected to the first connector.

The first connector and the second connector may be located in the second guide groove.

The plurality of lower chambers may be arranged in a line, and another lower chamber positioned furthest from the one lower chamber among the plurality of lower chambers may further include a bypass receiving groove extending from the heater receiving groove.

A refrigerator according to another aspect includes a cabinet provided with a freezing chamber; a housing provided in the freezing chamber; and an ice maker installed in the housing, wherein the ice maker includes: an upper tray forming a plurality of hemispherical upper chambers; a lower tray forming a plurality of hemispherical lower chambers and generating spherical ice by the plurality of lower chambers and the plurality of upper chambers; a lower supporter supporting the lower tray and having a heater coupling part; and a heater coupled to the heater coupling part of the lower supporter and capable of providing heat to the plurality of lower chambers.

According to the proposed invention, spherical ice can be created by the upper tray and the lower tray. In addition, since the lower heater operates to provide heat to the lower tray during the ice-making process, ice is generated from the upper side of the upper chamber among the entire ice chamber by the heat supplied to the lower chamber, and bubbles are moved to the lowermost side during the ice-making process. move Therefore, since bubbles in the formed spherical ice exist only in a portion of the finally formed ice, the ice becomes transparent as a whole.

In addition, since the lower heater includes a round portion surrounding at least a portion of the circumference of the plurality of lower chambers, heat may be evenly transferred to the plurality of lower chambers.

Also, in the ice making process, by varying the output of the lower heater in consideration of the mass per unit height of water in the ice chamber, there is an advantage in that the transparency of the ice produced is uniform for each unit height.

In addition, as the lower heaters are arranged to transfer more heat from the lower heaters to the ice chambers positioned at both ends of the plurality of ice chambers, transparency between the plurality of ice chambers may be uniform.

In addition, since the ice making speed of the plurality of ice chambers is substantially the same, it is possible to prevent the ice produced from being connected to each other.

In addition, as the wires are arranged so that torsional force acts on the wires connected to the lower heater during the rotation of the lower tray, concerns about disconnection of the wires can be eliminated.

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a view showing a state in which the door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 is opened;
3 and 4 are perspective views of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an exploded perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of an upper case according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is a lower perspective view of the upper case according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an upper perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present invention;
9 is a lower perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present invention;
10 is a side view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present invention;
11 is an upper perspective view of an upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention;
12 is a lower perspective view of an upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention;
13 is an enlarged view of a heater coupling part in the upper case of FIG. 6;
14 is a view showing a state in which a heater is coupled to the upper case of FIG. 6;
15 is a view showing the arrangement of wires connected to the heater in the upper case;
16 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of the upper assembly;
17 is a perspective view of a lower assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;
18 is an upper perspective view of a lower case according to an embodiment of the present invention;
19 is a lower perspective view of a lower case according to an embodiment of the present invention;
20 is an upper perspective view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention;
21 and 22 are perspective views of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.
23 is a side view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention;
24 is an upper perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention;
25 is a lower perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention;
26 is a cross-sectional view taken along DD of FIG. 17 to show an assembled lower assembly;
27 is a plan view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention.
28 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lower heater is coupled to the lower supporter of FIG. 27;
29 is a view showing a state in which a wire connected to a lower heater passes through an upper case in a state in which the lower assembly is coupled to the upper assembly;
30 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lower heater is installed in the lower supporter.
31 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;
32 is a view showing a state in which ice generation is completed in the drawing of FIG. 31;
33 is a cross-sectional view taken along BB of FIG. 3 in a water supply state;
34 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3 in an ice-making state;
35 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3 in an ice-making completed state;
36 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3 in an initial state of ice separation;
37 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3 in an ice-breaking state;

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components have the same numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing an embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function hinders understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Also, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used to describe components of an embodiment of the present invention. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the corresponding component is not limited by the term. When an element is described as being “connected,” “coupled to,” or “connected” to another element, that element may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but there may be another element between the elements. It should be understood that may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a door of the refrigerator of FIG. 1 being opened.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a cabinet 2 forming a storage space and a door opening and closing the storage space.

In detail, the cabinet 2 may form a storage space partitioned vertically by barriers, a refrigerating compartment 3 may be formed at an upper portion, and a freezing compartment 4 may be formed at a lower portion.

Storage members such as drawers, shelves, and baskets may be provided inside the refrigerating chamber 3 and the freezing chamber 4 .

The door may include a refrigerating compartment door 5 for shielding the refrigerating compartment 3 and a freezing compartment door 6 for shielding the freezing compartment 4 .

The refrigerating compartment door 5 is composed of a pair of left and right doors, and can be opened and closed by rotation. The freezer compartment door 6 may be configured to be drawn in and out in a drawer type.

Of course, the arrangement of the refrigerating compartment 3 and the freezing compartment 4 and the shape of the door may vary depending on the type of refrigerator, and the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various types of refrigerators. For example, the freezing chamber 4 and the refrigerating chamber 3 are disposed left and right, but the freezing chamber 4 may be positioned above the refrigerating chamber 3 .

An ice maker 100 may be provided in the freezing chamber 4 . The ice maker 100 can make spherical ice by making ice from supplied water.

An ice bin 102 may be further provided below the ice maker 100 to store the ice after it is separated from the ice maker 100 .

The ice maker 100 and the ice bin 102 may be mounted inside the freezing chamber 4 while being accommodated in a separate housing 101 .

A user may obtain ice by opening the freezer compartment door 6 and approaching the ice bin 102 .

As another example, the refrigerator compartment door 5 may be provided with a dispenser 7 for dispensing purified water or ice from the outside.

The ice produced in the ice maker 100 or the ice produced in the ice maker 100 and stored in the ice bin 102 is transported to the dispenser 7 by a conveying means, and the user can use the ice in the dispenser 7 can be obtained

Alternatively, the ice maker 100 may be installed in a door that opens and closes a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment.

Hereinafter, the ice maker will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

3 and 4 are perspective views of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 to 5 , the ice maker 100 may include an upper assembly 110 (or upper tray assembly) and a lower assembly 200 (or lower tray assembly).

The lower assembly 200 may rotate relative to the upper assembly 110 . For example, the lower assembly 200 may be rotatably connected to the upper assembly 110 .

In a state in which the lower assembly 200 is in contact with the upper assembly 110 , spherical ice may be formed together with the upper assembly 110 .

That is, the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 form an ice chamber 111 for generating spherical ice. The ice chamber 111 is a substantially spherical chamber.

In the present invention, "a spherical shape or a hemispherical shape" is a concept that includes a shape similar to a geometrically perfect sphere or hemisphere as well as a geometrically perfect sphere or hemisphere.

The upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 may form a plurality of partitioned ice chambers 111 .

Hereinafter, the formation of three ice chambers 111 by the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 will be described as an example, and the number of ice chambers 111 is not limited.

In a state where the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 form the ice chamber 111 , water may be supplied to the ice chamber 111 through the water supply unit 190 .

The water supply part 190 is coupled to the upper assembly 110 and guides water supplied from the outside to the ice chamber 111 .

After ice is formed, the lower assembly 200 may be rotated in a forward direction. Then, the spherical ice formed between the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 may be separated from the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 200 .

The ice maker 100 may further include a driving unit 180 so that the lower assembly 200 can rotate relative to the upper assembly 110 .

The driving unit 180 may include a driving motor and a power transmitter for transmitting power of the driving motor to the lower assembly 200 . The power transmission unit may include one or more gears.

The driving motor may be a motor capable of rotating in both directions. Accordingly, bi-directional rotation of the lower assembly 200 is possible.

To separate ice from the upper assembly 110, the ice maker 100 may further include an upper ejector 300.

The upper ejector 300 may separate the ice adhering to the upper assembly 110 from the upper assembly 110 .

The upper ejector 300 may include an ejector body 310 and a plurality of upper ejecting pins 320 extending in a direction crossing the ejector body 310 .

The upper ejecting pins 320 may be provided in the same number as the ice chambers 111 .

Separation prevention protrusions 312 may be provided at both ends of the ejector body 310 to prevent separation from the connection unit 350 while being coupled with the connection unit 350 to be described later.

For example, a pair of separation prevention protrusions 312 may protrude from the ejector body 310 in opposite directions.

While the upper ejecting pin 320 passes through the upper assembly 110 and is introduced into the ice chamber 111 , ice in the ice chamber 111 may be pressurized.

The ice pressed by the upper ejecting pin 320 may be separated from the upper assembly 110 .

In addition, the ice maker 100 may further include a lower ejector 400 so that ice adhered to the lower assembly 200 can be separated.

The lower ejector 400 may pressurize the lower assembly 200 so that ice adhered to the lower assembly 200 is separated from the lower assembly 200 . The lower ejector 400 may be fixed to the upper assembly 110 as an example.

The lower ejector 400 may include an ejector body 410 and a plurality of lower ejecting pins 420 protruding from the ejector body 410 . The lower ejecting pins 420 may be provided in the same number as the ice chambers 111 .

During the rotation of the lower assembly 200 for tearing, the rotational force of the lower assembly 200 may be transmitted to the upper ejector 300 .

To this end, the ice maker 100 may further include a connection unit 350 connecting the lower assembly 200 and the upper ejector 300 . The connection unit 350 may include one or more links.

For example, when the lower assembly 200 rotates in one direction, the upper ejector 300 is lowered by the connection unit 350, and the upper ejecting pin 320 may press the ice.

On the other hand, when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in another direction, the upper ejector 300 may be raised by the connection unit 350 and returned to its original position.

Hereinafter, the upper assembly 110 and the lower assembly 120 will be described in more detail.

The upper assembly 110 may include an upper tray 150 forming a part of an ice chamber 111 for forming ice. For example, the upper tray 150 defines an upper portion of the ice chamber 111 . The upper tray 150 may be referred to as a first tray. Alternatively, the upper tray 150 may be referred to as an upper mold part.

The upper assembly 110 may further include an upper supporter 170 for fixing the position of the upper tray 150 .

For example, the upper supporter 170 may support the lower side of the upper tray 150 to limit the lower movement.

The upper assembly 1110 may further include an upper case 120 for fixing the position of the upper tray 150 .

The upper tray 150 may be positioned below the upper case 120 .

The upper case 120, the upper tray 150, and the upper supporter 170 aligned in the vertical direction as described above may be fastened by a fastening member.

That is, the upper tray 150 may be fixed to the upper case 120 through the fastening of the fastening member.

The water supply unit 190 may be fixed to the upper case 120 as an example.

The ice maker 100 may further include a temperature sensor 500 for sensing the temperature of water or ice in the ice chamber 111 .

For example, the temperature sensor 500 may indirectly sense the temperature of water or ice in the ice chamber 111 by sensing the temperature of the upper tray 150 .

The temperature sensor 500 may be mounted on the upper case 120 as an example. When the upper tray 150 is fixed to the upper case 120 , the temperature sensor 500 may contact the upper tray 150 .

Meanwhile, the lower assembly 200 may include a lower tray 250 forming another part of the ice chamber 111 for forming ice. For example, the lower tray 250 defines a lower portion of the ice chamber 111 . The lower tray 250 may be referred to as a second tray. Alternatively, the lower tray 250 may be referred to as a lower mold part.

The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower supporter 270 supporting a lower side of the lower tray 250 .

The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower case 210 at least partially covering an upper side of the lower tray 250 .

The lower case 210, the lower tray 250, and the lower supporter 270 may be fastened by a fastening member.

Meanwhile, the ice maker 100 may further include a switch 600 for turning on/off the ice maker 100. When the user operates the switch 600 in an on state, ice can be made through the ice maker 100 .

That is, when the switch 600 is turned on, an ice making process in which water is supplied to the ice maker 100 and ice is produced by cold air, and an ice shaving process in which the lower assembly 200 is rotated to flake off ice can be performed repeatedly.

On the other hand, when the switch 600 is operated in an off state, ice production through the ice maker 100 becomes impossible. The switch 600 may be provided in the upper case 120 as an example.

<Upper case>

6 is an upper perspective view of an upper case according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a lower perspective view of an upper case according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 and 7 , the upper case 120 may be fixed to the housing 101 in the freezing chamber 4 while the upper tray 150 is fixed.

The upper case 120 may include an upper plate 121 for fixing the upper tray 150 .

The upper tray 150 may be fixed to the upper plate 121 in a state in which a part of the upper tray 150 is in contact with a lower surface of the upper plate 121 .

An opening 123 through which a portion of the upper tray 150 passes may be provided in the upper plate 121 .

For example, when the upper tray 150 is fixed to the upper plate 121 in a state where the upper tray 150 is positioned below the upper plate 121, a portion of the upper tray 150 is It may protrude upward from the upper plate 121 through the opening 123 .

Alternatively, it is also possible that the upper tray 150 does not protrude upward from the upper plate 121 through the opening 123 and is exposed upward from the upper plate 121 through the opening 123. .

The upper plate 121 may include a recessed portion 122 formed by being recessed downward. The opening 123 may be formed at the bottom 122a of the depression 122 .

Accordingly, the upper tray 150 passing through the opening 123 may be positioned in the space where the depression 122 is formed.

The upper case 120 may include a heater coupling part 124 for coupling an upper heater (see 148 in FIG. 14 ) for heating the upper tray 150 for ice-leaving.

The heater coupling part 124 may be provided on the upper plate 121 as an example. The heater coupling part 124 may be located below the recessed part 122 .

The upper case 120 may further include a pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 for installing the temperature sensor 500 thereon.

The pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 are spaced apart in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7 . The pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 may face each other, and the temperature sensor 500 may be positioned between the pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 .

The pair of installation ribs 128 and 129 may be provided on the upper plate 121 .

The upper plate 121 may be provided with a plurality of slots 131 and 132 for coupling with the upper tray 150 .

A portion of the upper tray 150 may be inserted into the plurality of slots 131 and 132 .

The plurality of slots 131 and 132 include a first upper slot 131 and a second upper slot 132 positioned on the opposite side of the first upper slot 131 based on the opening 123. can do.

The opening 123 may be positioned between the first upper slot 131 and the second upper slot 132 .

The first upper slot 131 and the second upper slot 132 may be spaced apart in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7 .

Although not limited, the plurality of first upper slots 131 may be arranged spaced apart in a direction of arrow A (referred to as a first direction), which is a direction crossing the direction of arrow B (referred to as a second direction).

In addition, the plurality of second upper slots 132 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of the arrow A.

In this specification, the direction of the arrow A is the same direction as the arrangement direction of the plurality of ice chambers 111 .

The first upper slot 131 may be formed in a curved shape, for example. Accordingly, the length of the first upper slot 131 may be increased.

The second upper slot 132 may be formed in a curved shape, for example. Accordingly, the length of the second upper slot 133 may be increased.

When the length of each of the upper slots 131 and 132 is increased, the length of the protrusion (formed on the upper tray) inserted into each of the upper slots 131 and 132 can be increased, so that the upper tray 150 and the upper Coupling force of the case 120 may be increased.

A distance from the first upper slot 131 to the opening 123 may be different from a distance from the second upper slot 132 to the opening 123 . For example, a distance from the second upper slot 132 to the opening 123 may be shorter than a distance from the first upper slot 131 to the opening 123 .

When looking at each of the upper slots 131 from the opening 123 , each slot 131 may be rounded in a convex shape to the outside of the opening 123 .

The upper plate 121 may further include a sleeve 133 into which a fastening boss of the upper supporter 170 to be described later is inserted.

The sleeve 133 may be formed in a cylindrical shape and may extend upward from the upper plate 121 .

For example, a plurality of sleeves 133 may be provided on the upper plate 121 . The plurality of sleeves 133 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of the arrow A. In addition, the plurality of sleeves 133 may be arranged in multiple rows in the direction of arrow B.

Some of the plurality of sleeves 133 may be positioned between two adjacent first upper slots 131 .

Another sleeve among the plurality of sleeves 133 may be disposed between two adjacent second upper slots 132 or may be disposed to face an area between the two second upper slots 132 .

The upper case 120 may further include a plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 to enable rotation of the lower assembly 200 .

The plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 may be spaced apart from each other in a direction of an arrow A with reference to FIG. 7 . A first hinge hole 137 may be formed in each of the hinge supporters 135 and 136 .

The plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 may extend downward from the upper plate 121 , for example.

The upper case 120 may further include a vertical extension part 140 extending vertically along the circumference of the upper plate 121 . The vertical extension part 140 may extend upward from the upper plate 121 .

The vertical extension part 140 may include one or more coupling hooks 140a. The upper case 120 may be hook-coupled to the housing 101 by the coupling hook 140a.

The water supply unit 190 may be coupled to the vertical extension unit 140 .

The upper case 120 may further include a horizontal extension part 142 extending horizontally to the outside of the vertical extension part 140 .

The horizontal extension part 142 may include a screw fastening part 142a protruding outwardly to screw the upper case 120 to the housing 101 .

The upper case 120 may further include a side circumferential portion 143 . The side circumferential portion 143 may extend downward from the horizontal extension portion 142 .

The side circumference 143 may be disposed to surround the circumference of the lower assembly 200 . That is, the side circumference 143 serves to prevent the lower assembly 200 from being exposed to the outside.

A cold air hole 134 may be formed in the side projection 143 . After passing through the cold air hole 134 , the cold air for making ice flows around the plurality of ice chambers 111 . Cold air passes through the cold air hole 134 in the direction of arrow A.

In the above, it has been described that the upper case 120 is fastened to a separate housing 101 in the freezing chamber 4, but unlike this, the upper case 120 is directly fastened to the wall forming the freezing chamber 4. It is also possible.

<Upper tray>

8 is an upper perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a lower perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of an upper tray according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view.

Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10 , the upper tray 150 may be formed of a flexible material that can return to its original shape after being deformed by an external force.

For example, the upper tray 150 may be formed of a silicon material. When the upper tray 150 is made of silicon as in the present embodiment, even if the shape of the upper tray 150 is deformed by an external force during the separation process, the upper tray 150 returns to its original shape. In spite of repeated ice formation, spherical ice formation is possible.

If the upper tray 150 is made of a metal material, and an external force is applied to the upper tray 150 so that the upper tray 150 itself is deformed, the upper tray 150 no longer returns to its original shape. cannot be restored

In this case, after the shape of the upper tray 150 is deformed, spherical ice cannot be created. That is, it becomes impossible to repeatedly generate spherical ice.

On the other hand, if the upper tray 150 has a soft material that can be restored to its original shape as in the present embodiment, this problem can be solved.

In addition, when the upper tray 150 is formed of a silicon material, melting or thermal deformation of the upper tray 150 due to heat provided from an upper heater to be described later can be prevented.

The upper tray 150 may include an upper tray body 151 forming an upper chamber 152 that is a part of the ice chamber 111 .

The upper tray body 151 may define a plurality of upper chambers 152 .

For example, the plurality of upper chambers 152 may define a first upper chamber 152a, a second upper chamber 152b, and a third upper chamber 152c.

The upper tray body 151 may include three upper chamber walls 153 forming three independent upper chambers 152a, 152b, and 152c, and the three upper chamber walls 153 are formed as one body. and can be connected to each other.

The first upper chamber 152a, the second upper chamber 152b, and the third upper chamber 152c may be arranged in a line. For example, the first upper chamber 152a, the second upper chamber 152b, and the third upper chamber 152c may be arranged in a direction of an arrow A with reference to FIG. 8 . The direction of arrow A in FIG. 9 is the same as the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7 .

The upper chamber 152 may be formed in a hemispherical shape. That is, the upper part of the spherical ice may be formed by the upper chamber 152 .

An upper opening 154 may be formed on the upper side of the upper tray body 151 .

For example, three upper openings 154 may be formed in the upper tray body 151 .

Cool air may be guided to the ice chamber 111 through the upper opening 154 . In addition, water may be supplied through the upper opening 154 .

During the separation process, the upper ejector 300 may be drawn into the upper chamber 152 through the upper opening 154 .

In the process of the upper ejector 300 being introduced through the upper opening 154, the upper tray 150 has an inlet wall 155 so that deformation of the upper tray 150 on the upper opening 154 side is minimized. may be provided.

The inlet wall 155 is disposed along the circumference of the upper opening 154 and may extend upward from the upper tray body 151 .

The inlet wall 155 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. Accordingly, the upper ejector 300 may pass through the inner space of the inlet wall 155 and pass through the upper opening 154 .

One or more first connecting ribs 155a along the circumference of the inlet wall 155 to prevent deformation of the inlet wall 155 while the upper ejector 300 is introduced into the upper opening 154 may be provided.

The first connection rib 155a may connect the inlet wall 155 and the upper tray body 151 . For example, the first connection rib 155a may be integrally formed with the circumference of the inlet wall 155 and the outer surface of the upper tray body 151 .

Although not limited, a plurality of first connecting ribs 155a may be disposed along the perimeter of the inlet wall 155 .

Two inlet walls 155 corresponding to the second upper chamber 152b and the third upper chamber 152c may be connected by a second connecting rib 162 . The second connecting rib 162 also serves to prevent deformation of the inlet wall 155 .

A water supply guide 156 may be provided on an inlet wall 155 corresponding to any one of the three upper chambers 152a, 152b, and 152c.

Although not limited, the water supply guide 156 may be formed on the inlet wall 155 corresponding to the second upper chamber 152b.

The water supply guide 156 may be inclined in a direction away from the second upper chamber 152b as it goes upward from the inlet wall 155 .

The upper tray 150 may further include a first accommodating part 160 . The recessed portion 122 of the upper case 120 may be accommodated in the first accommodating portion 160 .

Since the heater coupling portion 124 is provided in the recessed portion 122 and the upper heater (see 148 in FIG. 14 ) is provided in the heater coupling portion 124, the upper heater ( 14, 148) can be understood to be accepted.

The first accommodating part 160 may be disposed in a form surrounding the upper chambers 152a, 152b, and 152c. The first accommodating part 160 may be formed as the upper surface of the upper tray body 151 is depressed downward.

The heater coupling portion 124 to which the upper heater (see 148 in FIG. 14 ) is coupled may be accommodated in the first accommodating portion 160 .

The upper tray 150 may further include a second accommodating part 161 (or referred to as a sensor accommodating part) in which the temperature sensor 500 is accommodated.

For example, the second accommodating part 161 may be provided in the upper tray body 151 . Although not limited, the second accommodating part 161 may be formed by being depressed downward from the bottom of the first accommodating part 160 .

The second accommodating part 161 may be located between two adjacent upper chambers. As an example, FIG. 8 shows the positioning between the first upper chamber 152a and the second upper chamber 152b.

Therefore, interference between the upper heater (see 148 in FIG. 14 ) accommodated in the first accommodating part 160 and the temperature sensor 500 can be prevented.

In a state where the temperature sensor 500 is accommodated in the second accommodating part 161 , the temperature sensor 500 may contact the outer surface of the upper tray body 151 .

The upper chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 may include a vertical wall 153a and a curved wall 153b.

The curved wall 153b may be rounded in a direction away from the upper chamber 152 as it goes upward.

The upper tray 150 may further include a horizontal extension part 164 extending in a horizontal direction around the upper tray body 151 . For example, the horizontal extension part 164 may extend along the circumference of the upper edge of the upper tray body 151 .

The horizontal extension part 164 may contact the upper case 120 and the upper supporter 170 .

For example, the lower surface 164b (or referred to as the "first surface") of the horizontal extension part 164 may come into contact with the upper supporter 170, and the upper surface 164a of the horizontal extension part 164. ) (or “second surface”) may be in contact with the upper case 120 .

At least a part of the horizontal extension part 164 may be positioned between the upper case 120 and the upper supporter 170 .

The horizontal extension part 164 may include a plurality of upper protrusions 165 and 166 to be inserted into the plurality of upper slots 131 and 132, respectively.

The plurality of upper protrusions 165 and 166 include a first upper protrusion 165 and a second upper protrusion 166 positioned on the opposite side of the first upper protrusion 165 based on the upper opening 154. ) may be included.

The first upper protrusion 165 may be inserted into the first upper slot 131 , and the second upper protrusion 166 may be inserted into the second upper slot 132 .

The first upper protrusion 165 and the second upper protrusion 166 may protrude upward from the upper surface 164a of the horizontal extension part 164 .

The first upper protrusion 165 and the second upper protrusion 166 may be spaced apart in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 9 . The direction of arrow B in FIG. 9 is the same as the direction of arrow B in FIG. 7 .

Although not limited, the plurality of first upper protrusions 165 may be arranged spaced apart in the direction of the arrow A.

In addition, the plurality of second upper protrusions 166 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow A.

For example, the first upper protrusion 165 may be formed in a curved shape. Also, the second upper protrusion 166 may be formed in a curved shape, for example.

In the present embodiment, each of the upper protrusions 165 and 166 not only allows the upper tray 150 and the upper case 120 to be coupled, but also prevents the horizontal extension part 264 from being deformed during the ice making or thawing process. prevent that

At this time, when the upper protrusions 165 and 165 are formed in a curved shape, the distance between the upper protrusions 165 and 165 and the upper chamber 152 in the longitudinal direction is the same or substantially similar to that of the horizontal extension part 264 ) can be effectively prevented.

For example, deformation of the horizontal extension part 264 in the horizontal direction is minimized, so that the extension of the horizontal extension part 264 and plastic deformation may be prevented. If the horizontal extension part 264 is plastically deformed, since the upper tray body cannot be positioned in the right position during ice making, the ice does not have a spherical shape.

The horizontal extension part 164 may further include a plurality of lower protrusions 167 and 168 . The plurality of lower protrusions 167 and 168 may be inserted into lower slots of the upper supporter 170 to be described later.

The plurality of lower protrusions 167 and 168 include a first lower protrusion 167 and a second lower protrusion 168 positioned on the opposite side of the second lower protrusion 167 based on the upper chamber 152. can include

The first lower protrusion 167 and the second lower protrusion 168 may protrude upward from the lower surface 164b of the horizontal extension part 164 .

The first lower protrusion 167 may be located on the opposite side of the first upper protrusion 165 based on the horizontal extension part 164 . The second lower protrusion 168 may be located on the opposite side of the second upper protrusion 166 based on the horizontal extension part 164 .

The first lower protrusion 167 may be spaced apart from the vertical wall 153a of the upper tray body 151 . The second lower protrusion 168 may be spaced apart from the curved wall 153b of the upper tray body 151 .

The plurality of lower protrusions 167 and 168 may also be formed in a curved shape. As the protrusions 165, 166, 167, and 168 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces 164a and 164b of the horizontal extension part 164, horizontal deformation of the horizontal extension part 164 can be effectively prevented. there is.

A through hole 169 through which a fastening boss of the upper supporter 170 to be described later passes may be provided in the horizontal extension part 164 .

For example, a plurality of through holes 169 may be provided in the horizontal extension part 164 .

Some of the plurality of through holes 169 may be located between two adjacent first upper projections 165 or two adjacent first lower projections 167 .

Among the plurality of through holes 169 , another through hole may be disposed between two adjacent second lower protrusions 168 or may be disposed to face an area between the two second lower protrusions 168 .

<Upper Supporter>

11 is an upper perspective view of an upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a lower perspective view of an upper supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , the upper supporter 170 may include a supporter plate 171 contacting the upper tray 150 .

For example, the upper surface of the supporter plate 171 may contact the lower surface 164b of the horizontal extension part 164 of the upper tray 150 .

A plate opening 172 through which the upper tray body 151 passes may be provided in the supporter plate 171 .

A circumferential wall 174 formed by being bent upward may be provided at an edge of the supporter plate 171 . For example, the circumferential wall 174 may contact at least a portion of the circumference of the side of the horizontal extension part 164 .

An upper surface of the circumferential wall 174 may contact a lower surface of the upper plate 121 .

The supporter plate 171 may include a plurality of lower slots 176 and 177 .

The plurality of lower slots 176 and 177 include a first lower slot 176 into which the first lower protrusion 167 is inserted and a second lower slot 177 into which the second lower protrusion 168 is inserted. can include

A plurality of first lower slots 176 may be spaced apart from the support plate 171 in the direction of arrow A. In addition, a plurality of second lower slots 177 may be spaced apart from the support plate 171 in the direction of arrow A.

The supporter plate 171 may further include a plurality of fastening bosses 175 . The plurality of fastening bosses 175 may protrude upward from an upper surface of the supporter plate 171 .

Each fastening boss 175 may be inserted into the sleeve 133 of the upper case 120 through the through hole 169 of the horizontal extension part 164 .

In a state in which the fastening boss 175 is drawn into the sleeve 133, the upper surface of the fastening boss 175 may be positioned at the same level as or lower than the upper surface of the sleeve 133.

The fastening member fastened to the fastening boss 175 may be, for example, a bolt (B1 in FIG. 3). The bolt B1 may include a body portion and a head portion having a larger diameter than the body portion. The bolt B1 may be fastened to the fastening boss 175 above the fastening boss 175 .

In the process of fastening the body of the bolt B1 to the fastening boss 175, the head part contacts the upper surface of the sleeve 133, or the head part contacts the upper surface of the sleeve 133 and the fastening boss 175. When contacting the upper surface of the upper assembly 110 may be completed.

The upper supporter 170 may further include a plurality of unit guides 181 and 182 for guiding the connection unit 350 connected to the upper ejector 300 .

The plurality of unit guides 181 and 182 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. 12, for example.

The unit guides 181 and 182 may extend upward from an upper surface of the support plate 171 . Each of the unit guides 181 and 182 may be connected to the circumferential wall 174 .

Each of the unit guides 181 and 182 may include a guide slot 183 extending in a vertical direction.

The connection unit 350 is connected to the ejector body 310 in a state where both ends of the ejector body 310 of the upper ejector 300 pass through the guide slot 183 .

Therefore, when rotational force is transferred to the ejector body 310 by the connection unit 350 during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, the ejector body 310 moves up and down along the guide slot 183. can

<Upper heater combination structure>

13 is an enlarged view of a heater coupling part in the upper case of FIG. 6, FIG. 14 is a view showing a state in which a heater is coupled to the upper case of FIG. 6, and FIG. It is a drawing showing

13 to 15 , the heater coupling part 124 may include a heater accommodating groove 124a for accommodating the upper heater 148 .

For example, the heater accommodating groove 124a may be formed as a part of the lower surface of the recessed portion 122 of the upper case 120 is recessed upward.

The heater receiving groove 124a may extend along the circumference of the opening 123 of the upper case 120 .

The upper heater 148 may be, for example, a wire-type heater. Therefore, the upper heater 148 can be bent, and the upper heater 148 can be accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a by bending it according to the shape of the heater receiving groove 124a.

The upper heater 148 may be a DC heater supplied with DC power. The upper heater 148 may be turned on for ice separation.

When the heat of the upper heater 148 is transferred to the upper tray 150 , ice may be separated from the surface (inner surface) of the upper tray 150 .

If the upper tray 150 is made of a metal material and the heat of the upper heater 148 is stronger, after the upper heater 148 is turned off, it is heated by the upper heater 148 in ice. The damaged part adheres to the surface of the upper tray 150 again, resulting in opaque phenomenon.

That is, an opaque band corresponding to the upper heater is formed around the ice.

However, in this embodiment, as a DC heater having a low output is used and the upper tray 150 is formed of a silicon material, the amount of heat transferred to the upper tray 150 is reduced, and the upper tray 150 Its own thermal conductivity also decreases.

Therefore, since heat is not concentrated on a localized portion of the ice and a small amount of heat is gradually applied to the ice, the formation of an opaque band around the ice can be prevented while the ice is effectively separated from the upper tray.

The upper heater 148 surrounds the plurality of upper chambers 152 so that the heat of the upper heater 148 can be evenly transferred to each of the plurality of upper chambers 152 of the upper tray 150. can be placed.

The upper heater 148 may contact the circumference of each of the plurality of upper chamber walls 153 respectively forming the plurality of upper chambers 152 . In this case, the upper heater 148 may be positioned lower than the upper opening 154 .

Since the heater accommodating groove 124a is depressed in the recessed portion 122, the heater accommodating groove 124a may be defined by an outer wall 124b and an inner wall 124c.

In a state where the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 124a, the diameter of the upper heater 148 is determined so that the upper heater 148 can protrude outward from the heater coupling part 124. It may be formed larger than the depth of the heater receiving groove 124a.

Since a part of the upper heater 148 protrudes outward from the heater receiving groove 124a in a state where the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a, the upper heater 148 is installed in the upper tray. (150) can be contacted.

At least one of the outer wall 124b and the inner wall 124c is provided with a separation preventing protrusion 124d to prevent the upper heater 148 accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a from falling out of the heater receiving groove 124a. It can be.

FIG. 13 shows, for example, that the inner wall 124c is provided with a plurality of separation prevention protrusions 124d.

The separation prevention protrusion 124d may protrude from an end of the inner wall 124c toward the outer wall 124b.

At this time, the upper heater 148 is prevented from easily falling out of the heater receiving groove 124a even though the upper heater 148 is not prevented from being inserted by the detachment prevention projection 124d, the detachment prevention projection ( The protrusion length of 124d) may be less than 1/2 of the distance between the outer wall 124b and the inner wall 124c.

As shown in FIG. 14 , in a state where the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a, the upper heater 148 may be divided into an upper round part 148c and a straight part 148d.

That is, the heater accommodating groove 124a includes an upper round portion and a straight portion, and the upper heater 148 has an upper round portion 148c and a straight portion corresponding to the upper round portion and the straight portion of the heater accommodating groove 124a. It can be divided into a straight part (148d).

The upper round portion 148c is a portion disposed along the circumference of the upper chamber 152 and is bent to be rounded in a horizontal direction.

The straight portion 148d connects the upper round portion 148c corresponding to each upper chamber 152 .

Since the upper heater 148 is positioned lower than the upper opening 154 , a line connecting two spaced apart points of the upper round portion may pass through the upper chamber 152 .

Since the upper round part 148c of the upper heater 148 is highly likely to fall out of the heater receiving groove 124a, the separation prevention protrusion 124d may be disposed to contact the round part 148c. .

A through opening 124e may be provided on a bottom surface of the heater receiving groove 124a. When the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 124a, a part of the upper heater 148 may be located in the through opening 124e. For example, the through opening 124e may be located at a portion facing the separation prevention protrusion 124d.

When the upper heater 148 is bent to be horizontally rounded, the tension of the upper heater 148 increases, so there is a risk of disconnection and a high risk of the upper heater 148 falling out of the heater receiving groove 124a.

However, in the case of forming the through opening 124e in the heater receiving groove 124a as in the present embodiment, a part of the upper heater 148 may be positioned in the through opening 124e, so that the upper heater ( 148), it is possible to prevent the upper heater from falling out of the heater accommodating groove 124a.

As shown in FIG. 15 , the power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148b of the upper heater 148 may pass through the heater passage hole 125 formed in the upper case 120 in a state in which they are arranged side by side. .

Since the upper heater 148 is accommodated at the lower side of the upper case 120, the power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148b of the upper heater 148 extend upward to cover the heater passage hole 125. can pass

The power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148b passing through the heater passage hole 125 may be connected to one first connector 129a.

A second connector 129c to which two wires 129d connected to correspond to the power input terminal 148a and the power output terminal 148b may be connected to the first connector 129a.

A first guide part 126 for guiding the upper heater 148, the first connector 129a, the second connector 129c, and the wire 129d is provided on the upper plate 121 of the upper case 120. may be provided.

15 illustrates, for example, that the first guide part 126 guides the first connector 129a.

The first guide part 126 extends upward from the upper surface of the upper plate 121, and the upper end may be bent in a horizontal direction.

Accordingly, the upper bent portion of the first guide part 126 restricts the upward movement of the first connector 126 .

After the wire 129d is bent in a substantially “U” shape to prevent interference with surrounding structures, it may be drawn out of the upper case 120 .

Since the wire 129d is extended in a bent state more than once, the upper case 120 may further include wire guides 127 and 128 for fixing the position of the wire 129d.

The electric wire guides 127 and 128 may include a first guide 127 and a second guide 128 disposed apart from each other in a horizontal direction. The first guide 127 and the second guide 128 may be bent in a direction corresponding to the bending direction of the electric wire 129d so as to minimize damage to the electric wire 129d being bent.

That is, each of the first guide 127 and the second guide 128 may include a curved portion.

One of the first guide 127 and the second guide 128 is used to limit the upward movement of the electric wire 129d located between the first guide 127 and the second guide 128. This may include an upper guide 127a extending toward the other guide.

16 is a cross-sectional view showing an assembled state of the upper assembly.

Referring to FIG. 16 , the upper case 120, the upper tray 150, and the upper supporter 170 are connected in a state in which the upper heater 148 is coupled to the heater coupling part 124 of the upper case 120. can be combined with each other.

The first upper protrusion 165 of the upper tray 150 is inserted into the first upper slot 131 of the upper case 120 . In addition, the second upper protrusion 166 of the upper tray 150 is inserted into the second upper slot 132 of the upper case 120 .

Then, the first lower protrusion 167 of the upper tray 150 is inserted into the first lower slot 176 of the upper supporter 170, and the second lower protrusion 168 of the upper tray It is inserted into the second lower slot 177 of the upper supporter 170.

Then, the fastening boss 175 of the upper supporter 170 passes through the through hole 169 of the upper tray 150 and is accommodated in the sleeve 133 of the upper case 120 . In this state, the bolt B1 may be fastened to the fastening boss 175 from above the fastening boss 175 .

In a state in which the bolt B1 is fastened to the fastening boss 175, the head of the bolt B1 is positioned higher than the upper plate 121.

On the other hand, since the hinge supporters 135 and 136 are positioned lower than the upper plate 121, the upper assembly 110 or the connection unit 350 is attached to the bolt B1 while the lower assembly 200 is rotated. Interference with the head of the can be prevented.

In the process of assembling the upper assembly 110, the plurality of unit guides 181 and 182 of the upper supporter 170 have through openings located on both sides of the upper plate 121 in the upper case 120 (Fig. It protrudes upward of the upper plate 121 through 139a and 139b of 6).

The upper ejector 300 passes through the guide slots 183 of the unit guides 181 and 182 protruding upward from the upper plate 121 as described above.

Therefore, the upper ejector 300 descends from the upper side of the upper plate 121 and is introduced into the upper chamber 152 so that the ice in the upper chamber 152 is removed from the upper tray 150. to separate from

When the upper assembly 110 is assembled, the heater coupling part 124 to which the upper heater 148 is coupled is accommodated in the first accommodating part 160 of the upper tray 150 .

In a state where the heater coupling part 124 is accommodated in the first accommodating part 160 , the upper heater 148 contacts the bottom surface 160a of the first accommodating part 160 .

As in the present embodiment, when the upper heater 148 is accommodated in the recessed heater coupling part 124 and contacts the upper tray body 151, the heat of the upper heater 148 is applied to the upper tray body. Transfer to parts other than (151) can be minimized.

At least a part of the upper heater 148 may be disposed to overlap the upper chamber 152 in a vertical direction so that heat of the upper heater 148 is smoothly transferred to the upper chamber 152 .

In this embodiment, the upper round portion 148c of the upper heater 148 may overlap the upper chamber 152 in a vertical direction.

That is, the maximum distance between two points of the upper round part 148c positioned opposite to the upper chamber 152 is smaller than the diameter of the upper chamber 152 .

<Lower case>

17 is a perspective view of a lower assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 18 is an upper perspective view of a lower case according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 is a lower part of the lower case according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view.

Referring to FIGS. 17 to 19 , the lower assembly 200 may include a lower tray 250 .

The lower tray 250 may form the ice chamber 111 together with the upper tray 150 .

The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower supporter 270 supporting the lower tray 250 . In a state in which the lower tray 250 is seated on the lower supporter 270, the lower supporter 270 and the lower tray 250 may be rotated together.

The lower assembly 200 may further include a lower case 210 for fixing the position of the lower tray 250 .

The lower case 210 may wrap around the lower tray 250 , and the lower supporter 270 may support the lower tray 250 .

The connection unit 350 may be coupled to the lower supporter 270 .

The connection unit 350 is connected to a first link 352 for rotating the lower supporter 270 by receiving power from the driving unit 180 and is connected to the lower supporter 270. ) may include a second link 356 for transmitting rotational force of the lower supporter 270 to the upper ejector 300 when the rotation of the supporter 270 is performed.

The first link 352 and the lower supporter 270 may be connected by an elastic member 360 . The elastic member 360 may be, for example, a coil spring.

One end of the elastic member 360 is connected to the first link 352 and the other end is connected to the lower supporter 270 .

The elastic member 360 provides elastic force to the lower supporter 270 so that the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 remain in contact with each other.

In this embodiment, a first link 352 and a second link 356 may be positioned on both sides of the lower supporter 270, respectively.

One of the two first links 352 is connected to the driving unit 180 to receive rotational force from the driving unit 180 .

The two first links 352 may be connected by a connecting shaft (370 in FIG. 5).

A hole 358 through which the ejector body 310 of the upper ejector 300 may pass may be formed at an upper end of the second link 356 .

The lower case 210 may include a lower plate 211 for fixing the lower tray 250 .

A part of the lower tray 250 may be fixed to the lower surface of the lower plate 211 while being in contact with it.

An opening 212 through which a portion of the lower tray 250 passes may be provided in the lower plate 211 .

For example, when the lower tray 250 is fixed to the lower plate 211 in a state where the lower tray 250 is positioned below the lower plate 211, a portion of the lower tray 250 is It may protrude upward from the lower plate 211 through the opening 212 .

The lower case 210 may further include a circumferential wall 214 (or a cover wall) surrounding the lower tray 250 passing through the lower plate 211 .

The circumferential wall 214 may include a vertical wall 214a and a curved wall 215 .

The vertical wall 214a is a wall vertically extending upward from the lower plate 211 . The curved wall 215 is a wall that is rounded so as to move away from the opening 212 in an upward direction from the lower plate 211 .

The vertical wall 214a may include a first coupling slit 214b to be coupled with the lower tray 250 . The first coupling slit 214b may be formed as an upper end of the vertical wall 214a is depressed downward.

The curved wall 215 may include a second coupling slit 215a to be coupled with the lower tray 250 .

The second coupling slit 215a may be formed as an upper end of the curved wall 215 is depressed downward.

The lower case 210 may further include a first fastening boss 216 and a second fastening boss 217 .

The first fastening boss 216 may protrude downward from the lower surface of the lower plate 211 . For example, a plurality of first fastening bosses 216 may protrude downward from the lower plate 211 .

The plurality of first fastening bosses 216 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow A with reference to FIG. 18 .

The second fastening boss 217 may protrude downward from the lower surface of the lower plate 211 . For example, a plurality of second fastening bosses 217 may protrude from the lower plate 211 . The plurality of first fastening bosses 217 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow A with reference to FIG. 18 .

The first fastening boss 216 and the second fastening boss 217 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow B.

In this embodiment, the length of the first fastening boss 216 and the length of the second fastening boss 217 may be formed differently. For example, the length of the second fastening boss 217 may be longer than that of the first fastening boss 216 .

The first fastening member may be fastened to the first fastening boss 216 at an upper side of the first fastening boss 216 . On the other hand, the second fastening member may be fastened to the second fastening boss 217 at a lower side of the second fastening boss 217 .

In the process of fastening the first fastening member to the first fastening boss 216, the curved wall 215 has grooves 215b to prevent movement of the fastening member so that the first fastening member does not interfere with the curved wall 215. ) is provided.

The lower case 210 may further include a slot 218 for coupling with the lower tray 250 .

A portion of the lower tray 250 may be inserted into the slot 218 . The slot 218 may be positioned adjacent to the vertical wall 214a.

For example, a plurality of slots 218 may be disposed spaced apart in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 18 . Each of the slots 218 may be formed in a curved shape.

The lower case 210 may further include an accommodation groove 218a into which a portion of the lower tray 250 is inserted. The receiving groove 218a may be formed as a part of the lower plate 211 is depressed toward the curved wall 215 .

The lower case 210 may further include an extension wall 219 contacting a portion of the side circumference of the lower plate 212 in a state of being coupled to the lower tray 250 . The extension wall 219 may extend in a straight line in the direction of arrow A.

<Lower tray>

20 is an upper perspective view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 21 and 22 are lower perspective views of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a lower tray according to an embodiment of the present invention. A side view of the lower tray.

20 to 23 , the lower tray 250 may be formed of a flexible material that can return to its original shape after being deformed by an external force.

For example, the lower tray 250 may be formed of a silicon material. When the lower tray 250 is formed of a silicon material as in the present embodiment, even if the shape of the lower tray 250 is deformed due to an external force being applied to the lower tray 250 during the separation process, the lower tray 250 is again It can return to its original form. Accordingly, it is possible to generate ice in a spherical shape despite repetitive ice formation.

If the lower tray 250 is made of a metal material and an external force is applied to the lower tray 250 so that the lower tray 250 itself is deformed, the lower tray 250 no longer returns to its original shape. cannot be restored

In this case, after the shape of the lower tray 250 is deformed, spherical ice cannot be formed. That is, it becomes impossible to repeatedly generate spherical ice.

On the other hand, if the lower tray 250 has a soft material that can be restored to its original shape as in the present embodiment, this problem can be solved.

In addition, when the lower tray 250 is formed of a silicon material, melting or thermal deformation of the lower tray 250 due to heat provided from a lower heater to be described later can be prevented.

The lower tray 250 may include a lower tray body 251 forming a lower chamber 252 that is a part of the ice chamber 111 .

The lower tray body 251 may define a plurality of lower chambers 252 .

For example, the plurality of lower chambers 252 may include a first lower chamber 252a, a second lower chamber 252b, and a third lower chamber 252c.

The lower tray body 251 may include three lower chamber walls 252d forming three independent lower chambers 252a, 252b, and 252c, and the three lower chamber walls 252d are formed as one body. This may form the lower tray body 251.

The first lower chamber 252a, the second lower chamber 252b, and the third lower chamber 152c may be arranged in a line. For example, the first lower chamber 252a, the second lower chamber 252b, and the third lower chamber 152c may be arranged in a direction of an arrow A with reference to FIG. 20 .

The lower chamber 252 may be formed in a hemispherical shape or a shape similar to a hemisphere. That is, the lower portion of the spherical ice may be formed by the lower chamber 252 .

The lower tray 250 may further include a first extension part 253 extending in a horizontal direction from an upper edge of the lower tray body 251 . The first extension part 253 may be continuously formed along the circumference of the lower tray body 251 .

The lower tray 250 may further include a circumferential wall 260 extending upward from an upper surface of the first extension part 253 .

The lower surface of the upper tray body 151 may contact the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 .

The circumferential wall 260 may surround the upper tray body 151 seated on the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 . The upper surface 251e may also be referred to as an end surface of the lower tray body 251 .

The circumferential wall 260 includes a first wall 260a surrounding the vertical wall 153a of the upper tray body 151 and a second wall 260a surrounding the curved wall 153b of the upper tray body 151. It may include a wall 260b.

The first wall 260a is a vertical wall extending vertically from the upper surface of the first extension part 253 . The second wall 260b is a curved wall formed in a shape corresponding to the upper tray body 151 . That is, the second wall 260b may be rounded in a direction away from the lower chamber 252 as it goes upward from the first extension part 253 .

The lower tray 250 may further include a second extension part 254 extending horizontally from the circumferential wall 260 .

The second extension part 254 may be positioned higher than the first extension part 253 . Thus, the first extension part 253 and the second extension part 254 form a step difference.

The second extension part 254 may include a first upper protrusion 255 to be inserted into the slot 218 of the lower case 210 . The first upper protrusion 255 may be spaced apart from the circumferential wall 260 in a horizontal direction.

For example, the first upper protrusion 255 may protrude upward from an upper surface of the second extension part 254 at a position adjacent to the first wall 260a.

Although not limited, the plurality of first upper protrusions 255 may be spaced apart in the direction of arrow A with reference to FIG. 20 . For example, the first upper protrusion 255 may extend in a curved shape.

The second extension part 254 may further include a first lower protrusion 257 to be inserted into a protruding groove of the lower supporter 270 to be described later. The first lower protrusion 257 may protrude downward from a lower surface of the second extension part 254 .

Although not limited, the plurality of first lower protrusions 257 may be spaced apart in the direction of arrow A.

The first upper protrusion 255 and the first lower protrusion 257 may be located on opposite sides of the second extension part 254 based on the top and bottom. At least a portion of the first upper protrusion 255 may overlap the second lower protrusion 257 in a vertical direction.

A plurality of through holes 256 may be formed in the second extension part 254 .

The plurality of through holes 256 include a first through hole 256a through which the first fastening boss 216 of the lower case 210 passes, and a second fastening boss 217 of the lower case 210. It may include a second through hole 256b for passing through.

For example, the plurality of first through holes 256a may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 20 .

In addition, the plurality of second through holes 256b may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 20 .

The plurality of first through holes 256a and the plurality of second through holes 256b may be positioned on opposite sides of the lower chamber 252 .

Some of the plurality of second through holes 256b may be located between two adjacent first upper protrusions 255 . Also, some of the plurality of second through holes 256b may be positioned between the two first lower protrusions 257 .

The second extension part 254 may further include a second upper protrusion 258 . The second upper protrusion 258 may be located on the opposite side of the first upper protrusion 255 based on the lower chamber 252 .

The second upper protrusion 258 may be spaced apart from the circumferential wall 260 in a horizontal direction. For example, the second upper protrusion 258 may protrude upward from an upper surface of the second extension part 254 at a position adjacent to the second wall 260b.

Although not limited, a plurality of second upper protrusions 258 may be arranged spaced apart in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 20 .

The second upper protrusion 258 may be accommodated in the receiving groove 218a of the lower case 210 . In a state where the second upper protrusion 258 is accommodated in the receiving groove 218a, the second upper protrusion 258 may contact the curved wall 215 of the lower case 210.

The circumferential wall 260 of the lower tray 250 may include a first coupling protrusion 262 for coupling with the lower case 210 .

The first coupling protrusion 262 may protrude from the first wall 260a of the circumferential wall 260 in a horizontal direction. The first coupling protrusion 262 may be located on an upper side portion of the first wall 260a.

The first coupling protrusion 262 may include a neck portion 262a whose diameter is reduced compared to other portions. The neck portion 262a may be inserted into the first coupling slit 214b formed in the circumferential wall 214 of the lower case 210 .

The circumferential wall 260 of the lower tray 250 may further include a second coupling protrusion 260c for coupling with the lower case 210 .

The second coupling protrusion 260c may protrude from the second wall 260b of the circumferential wall 260 in a horizontal direction. The second coupling protrusion 260c may be inserted into a second coupling slit 215a formed in the circumferential wall 214 of the lower case 210 .

The second extension part 254 may further include a second lower protrusion 266 . The second lower protrusion 266 may be located on the opposite side of the second lower protrusion 257 based on the lower chamber 252 .

The second lower protrusion 266 may protrude downward from a lower surface of the second extension part 254 . For example, the second lower protrusion 266 may extend in a straight line shape.

Some of the plurality of first through holes 256a may be located between the second lower protrusion 266 and the lower chamber 252 .

The second lower protrusion 266 may be accommodated in a guide groove formed in the lower supporter 270 to be described later.

The second extension part 254 may further include a side limiting part 264 . The side limiting part 264 restricts movement of the lower tray 250 in a horizontal direction while being coupled to the lower case 210 and the lower supporter 270 .

The side limiting part 264 protrudes from the second extension part 254 to the side, and the upper and lower length of the side limiting part 264 is greater than the thickness of the second extension part 254 . For example, a part of the side limiting part 264 is positioned higher than the upper surface of the second extension part 254, and the other part is positioned lower than the lower surface of the second extension part 254.

Accordingly, a part of the side limiting part 264 may contact the side surface of the lower case 210 and another part may contact the side surface of the lower supporter 270 .

<Lower Supporter>

24 is an upper perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 25 is a lower perspective view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 26 is a view for showing a lower assembly assembled state. It is a cross-sectional view taken along D-D of 17.

24 to 26 , the lower supporter 270 may include a supporter body 271 supporting the lower tray 250 .

The supporter body 271 may include three chamber accommodating parts 272 for accommodating the three chamber walls 252d of the lower tray 250 . The chamber accommodating part 272 may be formed in a hemispherical shape.

The supporter body 271 may include a lower opening 274 through which the lower ejector 400 passes during the separation process. For example, three lower openings 274 may be provided in the supporter body 271 to correspond to the three chamber accommodating portions 272 .

A reinforcing rib 275 for reinforcing the steel beam may be provided along the circumference of the lower opening 274 .

Also, two chamber accommodating parts 272 adjacent to each other among the three chamber accommodating parts 272 may be connected by a connecting rib 273 . The connection rib 273 may reinforce the strength of the chamber accommodating part 272 .

The lower supporter 270 may further include a first extension wall 285 extending horizontally from an upper end of the supporter body 271 .

The lower supporter 270 may further include a second extension wall 286 formed to be stepped from the first extension wall 285 at the edge of the first extension wall 285 .

An upper surface of the second extension wall 286 may be positioned higher than the first extension wall 285 .

The first extension part 253 of the lower tray 250 may be seated on the upper surface 271a of the supporter body 271, and the second extension wall 286 is the first extension part 253 of the lower tray 250. It may surround the side of the extension part 253 . In this case, the second extension wall 286 may contact a side surface of the first extension part 253 of the lower tray 250 .

The lower supporter 270 may further include a protrusion groove 287 for accommodating the first lower protrusion 257 of the lower tray 250 .

The protruding groove 287 may extend in a curved shape. The protruding groove 287 may be formed, for example, in the second extension wall 286 .

The lower supporter 270 may further include a first fastening groove 286a into which the first fastening member B2 penetrating the first fastening boss 216 of the upper case 210 is fastened.

For example, the first fastening groove 286a may be provided in the second extension wall 286 .

A plurality of first fastening grooves 286a may be spaced apart from the second extension wall 286 in the direction of arrow A. Some of the plurality of first fastening grooves 286a may be positioned between two adjacent protrusion grooves 287 .

The lower supporter 270 may further include a boss through-hole 286b through which the second fastening boss 217 of the upper case 210 passes.

For example, the boss through-hole 286b may be provided in the second extension wall 286 . The second extension wall 286 may include a sleeve 286c surrounding the second fastening boss 217 passing through the boss through-hole 286b. The sleeve 286c may be formed in a cylindrical shape with an open bottom.

The first fastening member B2 may be fastened to the first fastening groove 286a after penetrating the first fastening boss 216 above the lower case 210 .

The second fastening member B3 may be fastened to the second fastening boss 217 below the lower supporter 270 .

The lower end of the sleeve 286c may be positioned at the same height as the lower end of the second fastening boss 217 or lower than the lower end of the second fastening boss 217 .

Therefore, during the fastening process of the second fastening member B3, the head of the second fastening member B3 comes into contact with the second fastening boss 217 and the lower surface of the sleeve 286c or the lower surface of the sleeve 286c. can come into contact with the underside.

The lower supporter 270 may further include an outer wall 280 disposed to surround the lower tray body 251 while being spaced apart from the outside of the lower tray body 251 .

For example, the outer wall 280 may extend downward along the edge of the second extension wall 286 .

The lower supporter 270 may further include a plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 connected to each of the hinge supporters 135 and 136 of the upper case 210 .

The plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 may be spaced apart from each other in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 24 . Each of the hinge bodies 281 and 282 may further include a second hinge hole 281a.

The shaft connection part 353 of the first link 352 may pass through the second hinge hole 281 . The connection shaft 370 may be connected to the shaft connection part 353 .

The distance between the plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 is smaller than the distance between the plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 . Accordingly, the plurality of hinge bodies 281 and 282 may be positioned between the plurality of hinge supporters 135 and 136 .

The lower supporter 270 may further include a coupling shaft 283 to which the second link 356 is rotatably connected. The coupling shaft 383 may be provided on both sides of the outer wall 280 , respectively.

The lower supporter 270 may further include an elastic member coupling part 284 to which the elastic member 360 is coupled. The elastic member coupling part 284 may form a space in which a portion of the elastic member 360 can be accommodated. As the elastic member 360 is accommodated in the elastic member coupling part 284, interference of the elastic member 360 with surrounding structures can be prevented.

The elastic member coupling part 284 may include a hooking part 284a for hooking the lower end of the elastic member 370 .

<Combined structure of lower heater>

27 is a plan view of a lower supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a state in which a lower heater is coupled to the lower supporter of FIG. 27, and FIG. 29 is a state in which the lower assembly is coupled to the upper assembly This is a diagram showing the state where the wire connected to the lower heater passes through the upper case. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the lower heater is installed in the lower supporter.

27 to 30 , the ice maker 100 of this embodiment may further include a lower heater 296 for applying heat to the lower tray 250 during ice making.

The lower heater 296 provides heat to the lower chamber 252 during the ice making process so that ice starts to freeze in the ice chamber 111 from the upper side.

In addition, as the lower heater 296 generates heat during the ice making process, bubbles in the ice chamber 111 move downward during the ice making process, so that when ice making is completed, the remaining portion of the spherical ice except for the lowermost part is transparent. it can be done That is, according to the present embodiment, substantially transparent spherical ice may be generated.

The lower heater 296 may be, for example, a wire type heater.

For example, the lower heater 296 may be positioned between the lower tray 250 and the lower supporter 270 .

The lower heater 296 may be installed in the lower supporter 270, for example. The lower heater 296 may contact the lower tray 250 to provide heat to the lower chamber 252 .

For example, the lower heater 296 may contact the lower tray body 251 . The lower heater 296 may be disposed to surround the three chamber walls 252d of the lower tray body 251 .

The lower supporter 270 may further include a heater coupling part 290 to which the lower heater 296 is coupled.

The heater coupling part 290 may include a heater accommodating groove 291 recessed downward in the chamber accommodating part 272 of the lower tray body 251 .

The heater coupler 290 may include an inner wall 291a and an outer wall 291b by the depression of the heater receiving groove 291 .

The inner wall 291a may be formed in a ring shape, for example, and the outer wall 291b may be disposed to surround the inner wall 291a.

When the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291, the lower heater 296 may surround at least a portion of the inner wall 291a.

The lower opening 274 may be located in a region formed by the inner wall 291a. Accordingly, when the chamber wall 252d of the lower tray 250 is accommodated in the chamber accommodating portion 272, the chamber wall 252d may contact the upper surface of the inner wall 291a. The upper surface of the inner wall 291a is a rounded surface corresponding to the hemispherical chamber wall 252d.

In a state where the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291, the diameter of the lower heater 296 is set so that a part of the lower heater 296 protrudes out of the heater receiving groove 291. It may be formed larger than the depression depth of the heater accommodating groove 291 .

Accordingly, it may also be described that the lower tray 250 is supported on the upper side of the lower heater 296 .

A diameter of the lower heater 296 may be greater than a height of the inner wall 291a. When the diameter of the lower heater 296 is greater than the height of the inner wall 291a, the lower tray 250 is supported by the lower heater 296 in a state in which the lower tray 250 is supported by the lower supporter 270. is pressed so that the contact area between the lower heater 296 and the lower tray 250 may be increased. For example, the diameter of the lower heater 296 may be larger than that of the inner wall 291a by 0.5 mm or more. Therefore, 0.5 mm or more of the lower heater 296 may be pressurized by the lower tray 250 .

To prevent the lower heater 296 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291 from falling out of the heater accommodating groove 291, at least one of the outer wall 291b and the inner wall 291a is provided with a separation preventing protrusion 291c. may be provided.

27 shows that the separation prevention protrusion 291c is provided on the inner wall 291a.

Since the diameter of the inner wall 291a is smaller than the diameter of the chamber accommodating part 272, the lower heater 296 moves along the surface of the chamber accommodating part 272 during the assembly process of the lower heater 296. while being accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291.

That is, the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291 from above the outer wall 291a toward the inner wall 291a. Therefore, the separation preventing protrusion 291c is formed on the inner wall 291a so as not to interfere with the separation preventing protrusion 291c while the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291. desirable.

The departure prevention protrusion 291c may protrude from an upper end of the inner wall 291a toward the outer wall 291b.

The protruding length of the separation prevention protrusion 291c may be formed to be less than 1/2 of the distance between the outer wall 291b and the inner wall 291a.

As shown in FIG. 28 , in a state where the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater receiving groove 291, the lower heater 296 may be divided into a lower round part 296a and a straight part 296b.

The round part 296a is a part disposed along the circumference of the lower chamber 252 and is a part bent to be round in a horizontal direction. For example, the lower round portion 296a may surround the lower opening 274 from a radially outer side of the lower opening 274 .

The straight portion 296b connects the lower round portion 296a corresponding to each lower chamber 252 .

The plurality of ice chambers may be arranged in a first direction (direction of arrow A), and the straight portion 296b may extend in a direction parallel to the first direction.

The lower round part 184c may include first round parts 296a1 and 296a2 corresponding to the first and third upper chambers 252a and 252c on both outermost sides of the plurality of lower chambers 252. .

The first round parts 296a1 and 296a2 may be connected by a pair of straight parts 296b. That is, straight portions 296b may be connected to both ends of the first round portions 296a1 and 296a2, respectively.

The lengths of the first round portions 296a1 and 296a2 are longer than each of the straight portions 296b.

A pair of straight parts 296b connected to both ends of the first round parts 296a1 and 296a2 may be substantially parallel.

The distance R4 between the pair of straight portions 296b is less than twice (2*R3) the radius of curvature of the first round portions 296a1 and 296a2.

As the distance R4 between the pair of straight parts 296b increases, the length of each straight part 296b itself increases, while the length of the first round parts 296c and 296d decreases. ) Overall, the length of the lower heater 296 is reduced.

When the length of the lower heater 296 is reduced, the amount of heat transferred to the lower chamber 252 by the lower heater 296 is reduced.

In addition, when the distance R4 between the pair of straight parts 296b is increased, the distance between the straight part 296b and the lower chamber 252 is increased so that the row of straight parts 296b is formed in the lower chamber 252. The time to reach chamber 252 is increased.

However, according to the present embodiment, since the distance R4 between the pair of straight parts 296b is smaller than twice the radius of curvature of the first round parts 296a1 and 296a2, the pair of straight parts ( 296b) and the lower chamber 252 is reduced so that the heat of the straight portion 296b can be quickly transferred to the lower chamber 252.

A distance R4 between the pair of straight portions 296b may be equal to or greater than a radius of curvature R3 of the first round portions 296a1 and 296d.

As the distance R4 between the pair of straight portions 296b decreases, the amount of bending increases at the boundary between the straight portion 296b and the first round portions 296a1 and 296a2, which increases the risk of disconnection and increases the risk of disconnection. Heat may be unnecessarily concentrated between the two lower chambers 252 that do.

However, if the distance R4 between the pair of straight parts 296b is equal to or greater than the radius of curvature R3 of the first round parts 296a1 and 296a2 as in the present embodiment, the above problem can be prevented. can

The lower round part 296a may further include a second round part 296a3 corresponding to the second lower chamber 252b.

For example, the pair of second round parts 296a3 may be horizontally spaced apart from each other. The pair of second round parts 296a3 may be spaced apart in a second direction (arrow B direction).

The reason is that each of the second round parts 296a3 must be connected to the first round parts 296a1 and 296a2 by straight parts 296b on both sides.

The length of the second round part 296a3 may be shorter than the lengths of the first round parts 296a1 and 296a2.

Among the lower heaters 296, since the lower round part 296a is highly likely to fall out of the heater receiving groove 291, the separation prevention protrusion 291c may be disposed to contact the lower round part 296a. .

A through opening 291d may be provided on a bottom surface of the heater accommodating groove 291 . When the lower heater 296 is accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291, a part of the lower heater 296 may be located in the through opening 291d. For example, the through-opening 291d may be located at a portion facing the separation prevention protrusion 291c.

When the lower heater 296 is bent to be rounded in the horizontal direction, the tension of the upper heater 296 increases, so there is a risk of disconnection, and the lower heater 296 is likely to fall out of the heater receiving groove 291. .

However, when the through opening 291d is formed in the heater receiving groove 291 as in the present embodiment, a part of the lower heater 296 may be positioned in the through opening 291d, so that the lower heater ( 296), it is possible to prevent the lower heater 296 from falling out of the heater accommodating groove 291.

The lower supporter 270 includes a first guide groove 293 for guiding the power input end 296c and power output end 296d of the lower heater 296 accommodated in the heater accommodating groove 291 and the first guide. A second guide groove 294 extending in a direction crossing the groove 293 may be included.

For example, the first guide groove 293 may extend in the direction of arrow B from the heater receiving groove 291 .

The second guide groove 294 may extend in the direction of arrow A from an end of the first guide groove 293 . In this embodiment, the arrow A direction is parallel to the extension direction of the central axis of rotation (C1) of the lower assembly (200).

Referring to FIG. 28 , the first guide groove 293 may extend from any one of the left and right chamber accommodating parts except for the central part of the three chamber accommodating parts.

As an example, FIG. 28 shows that the first guide groove 293 extends from the chamber accommodating part located on the left side among the three chamber accommodating parts.

As shown in FIG. 28 , the power input terminal 296c and the power output terminal 296d of the lower heater 296 may be accommodated in the first guide groove 293 in a state in which they are arranged side by side.

The power input terminal 296c and the power output terminal 296d of the lower heater 296 may be connected to one first connector 297a.

A second connector 297b to which two electric wires 298 connected to correspond to the power input terminal 296c and the power output terminal 296d may be connected to the first connector 297a.

In this embodiment, in a state in which the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are connected, the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are accommodated in the second guide groove 294. .

The electric wire 298 connected to the second connector 297b is led out of the lower supporter 270 through the lead-out slot 295 formed in the lower supporter 270 at the end of the second guide groove 294. do.

According to this embodiment, since the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are accommodated in the second guide groove 294, when the assembly of the lower assembly 200 is completed, the first connector 297a ) and the second connector 297b are not exposed to the outside.

In this way, when the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are not exposed to the outside, the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are rotated during the rotation of the lower assembly 200. Interference with surrounding structures can be prevented, and separation of the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b can be prevented.

In addition, since the first connector 297a and the second connector 297b are accommodated in the second guide groove 294, a part of the wire 298 is located in the second guide groove 294, The other part is positioned outside the lower supporter 270 by the drawing slot 295 .

At this time, since the second guide groove 294 extends in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1 of the lower assembly 200, a part of the wire 298 also extends in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis C1. is extended

Another part of the electric wire 298 extends from the outside of the lower supporter 270 in a direction crossing the central axis of rotation C1.

According to the disposition of the wire 298, almost no tensile force acts on the wire 298 during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, but a torsion force acts on the wire 298.

Compared to the case where the tensile force acts on the wire 298, the possibility that the wire 298 is disconnected is very small when the torsional force acts.

In the present embodiment, the position of the lower heater 296 remains fixed during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, and torsion force acts on the wire 298, so that the lower heater 296 Damage can be prevented, and disconnection of the wire 298 can be prevented.

At least one of the first guide groove 293 and the second guide groove 294 may be provided with a separation prevention protrusion 293a to prevent the lower heater 296 or electric wire 298 accommodated therein from falling out. there is.

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 28 , the plurality of ice chambers 111 may be arranged in the direction of arrow A.

Also, cold air may pass through the cold air hole 134 in the direction of arrow A.

Some of the cold air passing through the cold air hole 134 flows in a straight line and then flows downward through the second through opening 139b of the upper case 120 .

On the other hand, some of the cold air passing through the cold air hole 134 flows toward the upper tray 150 and the other portion flows downward through the first through opening 139a.

As a result, among the cold air passing through the cold air hole 134, the amount of cold air flowing in the horizontal direction along the upper plate 121 flows downward through the upper plate 121 through the through openings 139a and 139b. The amount of cold air is high.

In the present embodiment, since the plurality of ice chambers 111 are arranged in a row, when the amount of cold air below the horizontal plate 121 is equal to or greater than the amount of cold air above the horizontal plate 121, In the plurality of ice chambers 111, the amount of heat transfer between the ice chambers 111 at both ends and the cold air is greater than the amount of heat transfer between the ice chamber 111 and the cold air at the central portion. This is because the cold air first transfers heat with the cold air in the ice chambers 111 at both ends, and then the cold air flows toward the central portion.

In this case, the speed of ice production in the ice chambers 111 positioned at both ends among the plurality of ice chambers 111 is faster.

Water expands in the process of phase change into ice, and when the speed of ice formation at both ends of the plurality of ice chambers 111 is high, the expansive force of water acts toward the ice chamber 111 at the central portion.

Then, water in the ice chambers at both ends moves between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 to the ice chambers at the center, so that the shapes of ice generated in the plurality of ice chambers 111 are not uniform. There is a disadvantage that the completed ice is connected to each other.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the lower heater 296 may be disposed so that the ice making speed in the plurality of ice chambers 111 is substantially the same.

For example, the heat amount of lower heaters provided to the ice chambers positioned at both ends among the plurality of ice chambers 111 is greater than the heat amount of the lower heaters provided to the ice chambers positioned between the ice chambers at both ends. The ice making speed in the ice chamber 111 may be substantially the same.

For example, the upper and lower overlapping areas of each ice chamber positioned at both ends among the plurality of ice chambers 111 and the lower heater 296 may be formed between each ice chamber positioned between the ice chambers at both ends and the lower heater 296 . ) may be greater than the overlapping area in the vertical direction of

The contact area between each lower chamber wall 252d located at both ends among the plurality of lower chamber walls 252d and the lower heater 296 is between each lower chamber wall 252d located between the lower chamber walls at both ends and the lower chamber wall 252d located at both ends of the plurality of lower chamber walls 252d. It may be larger than the contact area of the lower heater 296 .

For example, among the lower round portions 296a, the first round portions 296a1 and 296a2 may include extension portions 296e and 296f that are outwardly convex in a radial direction.

The extension portions 296e and 296f may have a convex shape in a first direction (arrow A direction).

To accommodate the extensions 296e and 296f, the heater accommodating groove 291 may further include an extension accommodating groove 292.

The extension portion accommodating groove 292 may extend to be convex outward from a portion of the heater accommodating groove 291 where the first round portions 296a1 and 296a2 are accommodated.

The extension portion accommodating groove 292 extends outward from a portion of the heater accommodating groove 291 where the first round portions 296a1 and 296a2 are accommodated, is bent, and then connected to the heater accommodating groove 291 again. can be placed in the form

When the extensions 296e and 296f are additionally accommodated in the extensions accommodating groove 292, a contact area between the lower chamber wall positioned at both ends of the lower tray 250 and the lower heater 296 can be increased. there is.

Accordingly, protrusions 292a and 292b for fixing the position of the lower heater 296 accommodated in the extension receiving groove 292 may be additionally provided in the chamber accommodating portion 272 at both ends.

The extension receiving groove 292 may be disposed to surround the protrusions 292a and 292b.

The bottom of the extension accommodating groove 292 may be located at the same level as or higher than the bottom of the heater accommodating groove 291 .

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 29 , in a state in which the lower assembly 200 is coupled to the upper case 120 of the upper assembly 110, the wire 298 drawn out of the lower supporter 270 is It may pass through the wire through slot 138 formed in the upper case 120 and extend upward of the upper case 120 .

A guide 139 for limiting the movement of the wire 298 penetrating the wire through slot 138 may be provided in the wire through slot 138 . The limiting guide 139 is formed in a shape bent a number of times, and the electric wire 298 may be positioned in an area where the limiting guide is formed.

31 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 3 , and FIG. 32 is a view showing a state in which ice generation is completed in the drawing of FIG. 31 .

31 shows a state in which the upper tray and the lower tray are in contact.

First, referring to FIG. 31 , as the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 contact each other in a vertical direction, the ice chamber 111 is completed.

The lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151 is in contact with the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 .

At this time, in a state where the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 is in contact with the lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151, the elastic force of the elastic member 360 is applied to the lower supporter 270 all.

The elastic force of the elastic member 360 is applied to the lower tray 250 by the lower supporter 270 so that the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 has a lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151. ) is pressurized.

Accordingly, in a state in which the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 is in contact with the lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151, each surface is pressed against each other to improve adhesion.

As such, when the adhesion between the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 and the lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151 is increased, there is no gap between the two surfaces, so that after ice making is completed, spherical ice is formed. Formation of a thin strip of ice along the circumference can be prevented.

The first extension part 253 of the lower tray 250 is seated on the upper surface 271a of the supporter body 271 of the lower supporter 270 . The second extension wall 286 of the lower supporter 270 is in contact with the side surface of the first extension part 253 of the lower tray 250 .

The second extension 254 of the lower tray 250 may be seated on the second extension wall 286 of the lower supporter 270 .

In a state where the lower surface 151a of the upper tray body 151 is seated on the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251, the upper tray body 151 is attached to the circumferential wall 260 of the lower tray 250. can be accommodated in the inner space of

At this time, the vertical wall 153a of the upper tray body 151 is disposed to face the vertical wall 260a of the lower tray 250, and the curved wall 153b of the upper tray body 151 is disposed to face the lower tray body 151. It is disposed to face the curved wall 260b of the tray 250 .

The outer surface of the upper chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the circumferential wall 260 of the lower tray 250 . That is, a space is formed between the outer surface of the upper chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 and the inner surface of the circumferential wall 260 of the lower tray 250 .

The water supplied through the water supply unit 180 is accommodated in the ice chamber 111, and when a larger amount of water is supplied than the volume of the ice chamber 111, the water that is not accommodated in the ice chamber 111 Water is located in the space between the outer surface of the upper chamber wall 153 of the upper tray body 151 and the inner surface of the circumferential wall 260 of the lower tray 250 .

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if a larger amount of water than the volume of the ice chamber 111 is supplied, water can be prevented from overflowing from the ice maker 100 .

Meanwhile, a heater contact portion 251a for increasing a contact area with the lower heater 296 may be further provided on the lower tray body 251 .

The heater contact portion 251a may protrude from a lower surface of the lower tray body 251 . For example, the heater contact portion 251a may be formed in a ring shape on the lower surface of the lower tray body 251 . A lower surface of the heater contact portion 251a may be flat.

The heater contact portion 251a may be formed at a position corresponding to the heater receiving groove 291 .

The lower tray body 251 may further include a convex portion 251b having a lower portion convex upward. That is, the convex portion 251b may be disposed to be convex toward the inside of the ice chamber 111 .

A recessed portion 251c is formed below the convex portion 251b such that the thickness of the convex portion 251b is substantially the same as that of other portions of the lower tray body 251 .

In this specification, "substantially the same" is a concept that includes completely the same and non-identical but similar to the extent that there is little difference.

The convex portion 251b may be arranged to face the lower opening 274 of the lower supporter 270 in a vertical direction.

The lower opening 274 may be positioned vertically below the lower chamber 252 . That is, the lower opening 274 may be positioned vertically below the convex portion 251b.

A diameter D1 of the convex portion 251b may be smaller than a diameter D2 of the lower opening 274 .

When cold air is supplied to the ice chamber 111 while water is supplied to the ice chamber 111, the liquid water is phase-changed into solid ice. At this time, in the process of phase change of water into ice, the water is expanded, and the expansion force of the water is transmitted to the upper tray body 151 and the lower tray body 251, respectively.

In the case of this embodiment, the other part of the lower tray body 251 is surrounded by the supporter body 271, but the part corresponding to the lower opening 274 of the support body 271 (hereinafter referred to as the "corresponding part") ) are not enclosed.

If the lower tray body 251 is formed in a perfect hemispherical shape, when the expansive force of the water is applied to a corresponding portion of the lower tray body 251 corresponding to the lower opening 274, the lower tray body A corresponding portion of 251 is deformed toward the lower opening 274 side.

In this case, before ice is formed, the water supplied to the ice chamber 111 exists in a spherical shape, but after ice is formed, the water supplied to the ice chamber 111 is formed in a spherical shape by deformation of the corresponding part of the lower tray body 251. Additional ice in the form of a protrusion is created as much as the space created by the deformation of the corresponding part in the ice.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 251b is formed on the lower tray body 251 in consideration of the deformation of the lower tray body 251 so as to approximate the shape of a perfect sphere of ice that has been made.

In this embodiment, the water supplied to the ice chamber 111 does not have a spherical shape before ice is formed, but the convex portion 251b of the lower tray body 251 is formed after the ice is completely formed. Since it is deformed toward the lower opening 274, spherical ice may be created.

In this embodiment, since the diameter D1 of the convex portion 251b is smaller than the diameter D2 of the lower opening 274, the convex portion 251b is deformed to the inside of the lower opening 274. can be located

Meanwhile, in FIG. 31 , a line passing through the center of the ice chamber 111 in a vertical direction may be referred to as a vertical center line C3. For example, the vertical center line C3 may pass through the upper opening 154 and the lower opening 274 .

In addition, a line passing through a contact surface between the lower surface 151a of the upper tray 151 and the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 in the ice chamber 111 is based on the height of the ice chamber 111. It can be defined as a horizontal centerline with

In this embodiment, in order to prevent the lower heater 296 from interfering with the lower ejector 400 during the separation process, at least a portion of the lower heater 296 may be disposed to surround the vertical center line C3. .

Among the lower round parts 296a of the lower heater 296, the distance D4 between two points positioned on opposite sides of the vertical center line C3 or the diameter of the lower round part 296a is the lower opening 274 ) It may be formed larger than the diameter (D2) of.

The distance D4 between two points of the lower round part 296a of the lower heater 296 located opposite to the vertical center line C3 is smaller than the diameter D7 of the ice chamber 111. can

In the present embodiment, the lower heater 296 should be located close to the lowermost side of the lower tray 250 so that the ice freezes the last at the lower side of the lower chamber 252 and bubbles are formed at the lowermost side of the lower chamber 252. can gather in

Accordingly, the lower heater 296 may be positioned closer to the lower opening 274 than the horizontal center line or the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 .

Also, the lower heater 296 may be located closer to the vertical center line C3 than the upper surface 251e of the lower tray body 251 .

For example, an inner wall 291a of the heater coupler 290 may be formed along the circumference of the lower opening 274 .

Accordingly, the lower heater 296 may be horizontally spaced apart from the lower opening 274 by the thickness of the inner wall 291a.

The center of the ice chamber 111 may be disposed at the same location as or close to the intersection of the horizontal center line and the vertical center line C3.

An angle between a connection line connecting the center of the ice chamber 111 and the lower heater 296 and the vertical center line C3 may be 45 degrees or less. Preferably, an angle between the connection line and the vertical center line C3 may be 30 degrees or less.

The distance D4 between two points of the lower round part 296a of the lower heater 296 located opposite to the vertical center line C3 is smaller than the diameter D7 of the ice chamber 111. can

In the ice making position, at least a portion of the lower heater 296 may be located closer to the vertical center line C3 than the upper heater 148 .

In order to minimize an area deformed in the lower tray 250 during the ice making process, the diameter of the lower opening 274 may be smaller than the radius of the ice chamber 274 .

For example, an area of a portion of the supporter body 271 that contacts the lower chamber wall 272d is greater than an area of a portion that does not contact the lower chamber wall 272d.

In the present embodiment, as the contact area between the lower tray 250 and the supporter body 271 increases, most of the lower tray 250 remains rigid with limited deformation during the ice making process. As a result, spherical ice can be created. On the other hand, in the ice-ice process, the shape is deformed by the pressure of the lower ejector 400, so that the ice can be easily separated from the lower tray 250.

When the lower tray 250 is pressed by the lower ejector 400 , the lower tray 250 is deformed so that the lower tray 250 is separated from the lower heater 296 .

When the pressing force applied to the lower tray 250 is removed, since the lower tray 250 is made of a soft material, it can return to its original shape. (296).

The lower round part 296a of the lower heater 296 may be disposed to surround the lower opening 274 at a radially outer side of the lower opening 274 .

33 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3 in a water supply state, and FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3 in an ice-making state.

35 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 3 in an ice-making completed state, FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 3 in an initial state of ice-making, and FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. It is one section.

Referring to FIGS. 33 to 37 , first, the lower assembly 200 is rotated to a water supply position.

At the water supply position of the lower assembly 200 , the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 .

Although not limited, the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 may be located at the same or similar height as the center of rotation C2 of the lower assembly 200 .

In this embodiment, the direction in which the lower assembly 200 is rotated (counterclockwise direction in reference to the drawing) for the purpose of tearing is referred to as a forward direction, and the opposite direction (clockwise direction) is referred to as a reverse direction.

Although not limited, an angle formed between the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 at the water supply position of the lower assembly 200 may be approximately 8 degrees or less.

In this embodiment, the water supply position may also be referred to as an open position.

In this state, water supplied from the outside is guided by the water supply unit 190 and supplied to the ice chamber 111 .

At this time, water is supplied to the ice chamber 111 through one upper opening among the plurality of upper openings 154 of the upper tray 150 .

In a state in which water is supplied, a portion of the supplied water may fill the lower chamber 252, and another portion of the supplied water may fill a space between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250.

For example, the volume of the upper chamber 152 and the volume of the space between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 may be the same. Then, water between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 may completely fill the upper tray 150 . Of course, the volume of the upper chamber 152 may be greater than the volume of the space between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250 .

In this embodiment, there is no channel for mutual communication between the three lower chambers 252 in the lower tray 250 .

As such, even if there is no channel for water movement in the lower tray 250, since the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 is spaced apart from the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150, a specific water supply process is performed. When the lower chamber is filled with water, the water may flow to other lower chambers along the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 .

Accordingly, each of the plurality of lower chambers 252 of the lower tray 250 may be filled with water.

In addition, in the case of the present embodiment, since there is no channel in the lower tray 250 for communication between the lower chambers 252, it is possible to prevent additional ice in the form of a protrusion from being present around the ice after the completion of ice generation. .

When the water supply is completed, the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the reverse direction as shown in FIG. 34 . When the lower assembly 200 rotates in the reverse direction, the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 comes closer to the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 .

Then, the water between the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 is divided and distributed into each of the plurality of upper chambers 152 .

When the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 are in complete contact with each other, the upper chamber 152 is filled with water.

A position of the lower assembly 200 in a state in which the upper surface 251e of the lower tray 250 and the lower surface 151e of the upper tray 150 are in contact with each other may be referred to as an ice making position.

In this embodiment, the ice making position may also be referred to as a closed position.

Ice making starts when the lower assembly 200 is moved to the ice making position.

During ice making, since the pressing force of water is smaller than the force for deforming the convex portion 251b of the lower tray 250, the convex portion 251b maintains its original shape without being deformed.

When ice making starts, the lower heater 296 is turned on. When the lower heater 296 is turned on, heat from the lower heater 296 is transferred to the lower tray 250 .

Accordingly, when ice making is performed while the lower heater 296 is turned on, ice is formed from the uppermost side in the ice chamber 111 .

That is, water in the ice chamber 111 is changed into ice from the upper opening 154 side. Since ice is generated from the upper side in the ice chamber 111, bubbles in the ice chamber 111 move downward.

In this embodiment, the output of the lower heater 296 may vary according to the mass per unit height of the water in the ice chamber 111 .

When the heating amount of the lower heater 296 is the same, since the mass per unit height of water in the ice chamber 111 is different, the speed at which ice is produced per unit height may be different.

For example, when the mass per unit height of water is small, the rate of ice formation is high, whereas when the mass per unit height of water is high, the rate of ice formation is slow.

When the rate at which ice is generated per unit height of water is not constant, the transparency of ice may vary according to unit height. In particular, when the ice generation rate is high, bubbles may not move from the ice to the water side, and the ice may contain bubbles, resulting in low transparency.

Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the output of the lower heater 296 may be controlled to vary according to the mass per unit height of the water in the ice chamber 111 .

When the ice chamber 111 is formed in a spherical shape, the mass per unit height of water increases from the upper side to the lower side, reaches a maximum at the boundary between the upper tray 150 and the lower tray 250, and decreases again toward the lower side. .

Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the output of the lower heater 296 may decrease at the initial output and then increase again.

In the process of generating ice from the upper side to the lower side in the ice chamber 111 , the ice comes into contact with the upper surface of the block portion 251b of the lower tray 250 .

If ice is continuously produced in this state, the block portion 251b is pressurized and deformed as shown in FIG. 36 , and when ice making is completed, spherical ice may be formed.

A control unit (not shown) may determine whether ice making is completed based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 500 .

When ice making is completed or before ice making, the lower heater 296 may be turned off.

When the ice making is completed, the upper heater 148 is first turned on to remove the ice. When the upper heater 148 is turned on, heat from the upper heater 148 is transferred to the upper tray 150 so that ice may be separated from the surface (inner surface) of the upper tray 150 .

When the upper heater 148 is operated for a set time, the upper heater 148 is turned off and the driving unit 180 is operated so that the lower assembly 200 can be rotated in the forward direction.

As shown in FIG. 36 , when the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the forward direction, the lower tray 250 is separated from the upper tray 150 .

The rotational force of the lower assembly 200 is transmitted to the upper ejector 300 by the connection unit 350 . Then, the upper ejector 300 is lowered by the unit guides 181 and 182 and the upper ejecting pin 320 is inserted into the upper chamber 152 through the upper opening 154 .

During the separation process, the ice may be separated from the upper tray 250 before the upper ejecting pin 320 presses the ice. That is, ice may be separated from the surface of the upper tray 150 by the heat of the upper heater 148 .

In this case, the ice may be rotated together with the lower assembly 200 while being supported by the lower tray 250 .

Alternatively, there may be cases in which ice is not separated from the surface of the upper tray 150 even when heat from the upper heater 148 is applied to the upper tray 150 .

Accordingly, when the lower assembly 200 rotates in the forward direction, the ice may be separated from the lower tray 250 while being in close contact with the upper tray 150 .

In this state, during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, the upper ejecting pin 320 passing through the upper opening 154 presses the ice that is in close contact with the upper tray 150, so that the ice is removed from the upper tray 150. It can be separated from the upper tray 150 . The ice separated from the upper tray 150 may be supported by the lower tray 250 again.

When ice is rotated together with the lower assembly 200 in a state supported by the lower tray 250, even if no external force is applied to the lower tray 250, the ice moves along the lower tray 250 due to its own weight. can be separated from

If, during the rotation of the lower assembly 200, the lower tray 250 is pressed by the lower ejector 400, even if the ice is not separated from the lower tray 250 by its own weight, as shown in FIG. It can be separated from the lower tray 250.

Specifically, while the lower assembly 200 rotates, the lower tray 250 comes into contact with the lower ejecting pin 420 .

When the lower assembly 200 is continuously rotated in the forward direction, the lower ejecting pin 420 presses the lower tray 250 so that the lower tray 250 is deformed, and the lower ejecting pin ( The pressing force of 420 is transmitted to the ice, so that the ice may be separated from the surface of the lower tray 250 . The ice separated from the surface of the lower tray 250 may fall downward and be stored in the ice bin 102 .

After the ice is separated from the lower tray 250, the lower assembly 200 is rotated in the reverse direction by the driving unit 180 again.

When the lower ejecting pin 420 is separated from the lower tray 250 while the lower assembly 200 rotates in the reverse direction, the deformed lower tray may be restored to its original shape.

During the reverse rotation of the lower assembly 200, rotational force is transmitted to the upper ejector 300 by the connecting unit 350, so that the upper ejector 300 rises, and the upper ejecting pin 320 It falls out of the upper chamber 152.

When the lower assembly 200 reaches the water supply position, the driving unit 180 is stopped and water supply is started again.

100: ice maker 110: upper assembly
120: upper case 150: upper tray
170: upper supporter 200: lower assembly
210: lower case 250: lower tray
270: lower supporter

Claims (21)

A tray body formed of a flexible material and including a chamber wall defining a plurality of chambers on an inner surface;
a supporter including a chamber accommodating portion recessed to accommodate at least a portion of the chamber wall; and
An ice-making heater provided on an outer surface of the chamber wall and supplying heat to the inside of the plurality of chambers during an ice-making process;
The ice-making heater is installed in the chamber accommodating part,
The supporter includes a heater receiving groove recessed to accommodate the ice-making heater,
At least a portion of the ice making heater is disposed to surround at least a portion of the chamber wall, and is in contact with the chamber wall.
The method of claim 1, wherein the heater receiving groove
An ice maker comprising: a first accommodating groove accommodating a portion of the ice-making heater that contacts the chamber wall; and a second accommodating groove accommodating a portion of the ice-making heater that does not contact the chamber wall.
The method of claim 1, wherein the ice-making heater
and a plurality of round parts surrounding at least a portion of a circumference of each of the plurality of chambers.
The method of claim 3, wherein the ice-making heater
The ice maker further comprises a connecting portion connecting the plurality of round portions to each other.
The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of round parts
and a plurality of first round parts surrounding parts of the circumferences of the chambers positioned at both ends of the chambers.
The method of claim 5, wherein the connecting portion
An ice maker comprising a plurality of straight parts connected to each of the plurality of first round parts and having a straight line shape.
According to claim 1,
The ice maker wherein a diameter of the ice-making heater is greater than a depth of the heater receiving groove.
The method of claim 1, wherein the tray body
and a heater contact portion protruding from an outer surface of the chamber wall toward the supporter or the ice-making heater to contact the ice-making heater.
The method of claim 8, wherein the heater contact portion
An ice maker formed at a position corresponding to the heater accommodating groove.
The method of claim 1, wherein the heater receiving groove
Including an inner wall formed in a ring shape and an outer wall disposed to surround the inner wall,
The ice maker of claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the ice-making heater is greater than a height of the inner wall.
According to claim 1,
The plurality of chambers are arranged in a line, a first chamber disposed at the outermost side of one side, a third chamber disposed at the outermost side of the other side, and a second chamber disposed between the first chamber and the third chamber. including,
The ice maker of claim 1 , wherein a contact area between the first chamber and the ice heater is greater than a contact area between the second chamber and the ice heater.
a first tray assembly including a first tray forming a plurality of first chambers and a first supporter supporting the first tray;
a second tray assembly including a second tray forming a plurality of second chambers; and
A first heater for heating the first tray during the ice making process;
the first tray includes chamber walls defining the plurality of first chambers;
The first supporter includes a chamber accommodating portion accommodating the chamber wall, and a heater accommodating groove recessed and accommodating the first heater,
The first heater is disposed to surround a wall of the chamber and contacts the wall of the chamber.
The method of claim 12, wherein the first heater,
a plurality of round parts surrounding at least a portion of the circumference of each of the plurality of first chambers; and
An ice maker comprising a connecting portion connecting the plurality of round portions to each other.
According to claim 12,
The first heater has a diameter greater than a depth of the heater receiving groove.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first tray
and a heater contact portion protruding from an outer surface of the first chamber wall toward the first supporter or the first heater to contact the first heater.
According to claim 12,
In a closed position where the first tray and the second tray are in contact with each other, the plurality of first chambers and the plurality of second chambers form a plurality of ice chambers for forming ice.
The method of claim 12, wherein the first heater,
An ice maker positioned closer to a line passing through the center of the contact surface than a contact surface of the first tray that is in contact with the second tray.
According to claim 12,
Further comprising a second heater in contact with the second tray to heat the second tray,
In the closed position where the first tray and the second tray are in contact with each other, the first heater is closer than the second heater to a line passing through the center of the contact surface, which is a surface where the first tray and the second tray are in contact with each other. Ice maker located.
According to claim 12,
At least one of the first tray and the second tray is formed of a flexible material or silicon.
According to claim 12,
The plurality of first chambers are arranged in a line, and the contact area between each of the 1-1 chambers located on the outer side of both sides of the plurality of first chambers and the first heater is, among the plurality of first chambers, An ice maker larger than a contact area between a 1-2 chamber located between the 1-1 chambers and the first heater.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first tray assembly
The ice maker moves relative to the second tray assembly between a closed position where the first and second trays are in contact with each other and an open position where the first and second trays are spaced apart from each other.

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