KR20240082515A - Ice maker and refrigerator including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ice maker in which heat exchange is performed with a heat exchange unit including at least one of a cooling unit and a heater unit, a control box, an ice tray extending to one side of the control box and having an ice-making groove, and the ice maker disposed on one side of the ice tray. A heat exchange unit, a drain plate coupled to the control box and receiving and discharging moisture falling from the ice tray, generates an air flow on one side of the ice tray, is located inside the control box, and is discharged from one end of the ice tray. An ice maker including a circulation fan that allows air to flow into the ice chamber, wherein the circulation fan blows the air to the heat exchange unit to effect heat exchange, and a refrigerator including the same.

Description

Ice maker and refrigerator including the same {ICE MAKER AND REFRIGERATOR INCLUDING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same.

In general, a refrigerator is a device that stores food at low temperatures to prevent food deterioration at room temperature. Recently, products equipped with refrigerator ice makers that provide ice to users separately from food have been released.

An ice maker for a refrigerator includes an ice tray with a plurality of ice-making grooves for automatically receiving water and making ice of a certain size, and an ice bank provided at the bottom of the ice tray to store ice moved by a moving motor.

Here, there may be two methods for moving the ice made in the ice tray. The ice tray itself is twisted using the above-described moving motor to separate the ice made from the ice making groove, and then the ice below it is separated. A twist type is used to drop the ice into a bank, and a moving heater is used to apply a certain amount of moving heat to an ice tray made of metal, thereby separating the ice from the ice-making groove and rotating a separate ice ejector. This is the type of heater that is pushed to one side of the tray and dropped into the ice bank at the bottom.

In general, such ice makers are structured so that when ice making is completed, ice is loaded into a container so that it can be withdrawn and used when necessary. Accordingly, there is a need to form a cold airflow so that the ice in the ice maker is maintained below a certain temperature.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2013-0078532

The present invention was developed to solve the above-mentioned technical problem, and provides an ice maker that can improve heat exchange efficiency and provide excellent ice-making effect by improving the flow path of cold air flowing in the ice maker, and a refrigerator including the same. The purpose is to do so.

One embodiment of the ice maker according to the present invention is an ice maker in which heat exchange is performed with a heat exchange unit including at least one of a cooling unit and a heater unit,

control box;

an ice tray extending to one side of the control box and having an ice-making groove;

The heat exchanger disposed on one side of the ice tray;

a drain plate coupled to the control box and receiving and discharging moisture falling from the ice tray; and

It includes a circulation fan that generates air flow on one side of the ice tray, is located inside the control box, and causes air to flow into the ice-making chamber from one end of the ice tray,

The circulation fan may include a structure that blows the air to the heat exchange unit to effect heat exchange.

In one example of the present invention, the circulation fan may include a structure disposed at a predetermined inclination with respect to the ground to suck in the air.

In one example of the present invention, the circulation fan may include a structure formed in a downward direction where the ice tray is disposed.

In one example of the present invention, the circulation fan may include a structure having an inclination ranging from 0 to 90 degrees directly downward.

In one example of the present invention, the control box may include a structure in which a hole is formed to allow air moved by the circulation fan to flow.

In one example of the present invention, the circulation fan may include a structure that directly sucks cold air from an ice box disposed below the ice tray.

In one example of the present invention, the drain plate further includes a thawing heater to prevent freezing on the surface,

The thaw heater may include one or more of PET (Polyethylene), PI (Polyimide), stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon.

In one example of the present invention, the control box may include a structure connected to a full ice lever operated by cam rotation.

In one example of the present invention, the full ice lever may include a structure controlled by whether or not an infrared sensor is detected.

In one example of the present invention, the cooling unit may include a structure that is disposed while being inserted into an ice tray.

In one example of the present invention, the heater unit may include a planar heater.

In one example of the present invention, the heater unit and the cooling unit may include a structure arranged in a horizontal direction.

Additionally, the present invention provides a refrigerator including the ice maker.

The ice maker and the refrigerator including the same according to the present invention have the effect of improving heat exchange efficiency and providing excellent ice making effect by improving the flow path of cold air flowing within the ice maker.

1 is a diagram showing a refrigerator equipped with an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a schematic diagram of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement shape of a circulation fan within the control box of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 to 8 are cross-sectional views of ice makers according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. When adding reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that identical components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. Additionally, when describing embodiments of the present invention, if detailed descriptions of related known configurations or functions are judged to impede understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.

In describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the component is not limited by the term. Additionally, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and unless clearly defined in the present application, should not be interpreted in an idealized or excessively formal sense. No.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing a refrigerator equipped with an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an ice maker 100.

The refrigerator 1 may include a cabinet forming a storage compartment with an open front, and at least one door 8 or 9 that opens and closes the open front of the storage compartment.

The storage compartment may include at least one of a refrigerator compartment for storing food in a refrigerated state and a freezer compartment for storing food in a frozen state. The refrigerator 1 of this embodiment is illustrated as including both the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, and the refrigerating compartment may be provided above the freezing compartment.

The doors 8 and 9 may include a refrigerator compartment door 8 that opens and closes the refrigerator compartment, and a freezer compartment door 9 that opens and closes the freezer compartment. There are two refrigerator compartment doors (8) arranged to the left and right of each other. The left refrigerator compartment door (8) can open and close the left side, which is part of the refrigerator compartment, and the right refrigerator compartment door (8) can open and close the right side, which is the remaining portion of the refrigerator compartment. You can.

The ice maker 100 may be installed in at least one of the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. The refrigerator 1 of this embodiment may have an ice maker 100 installed in the upper left corner of the refrigerator compartment.

The ice maker 100 can receive ice-making water from the refrigerator 1, and can manufacture the ice by turning the ice-making water into ice using cold air supplied to the storage compartment from the refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator 1. .

This ice maker 100 includes a case 10, a control box 20, a circulation fan 200, a flow path cover 320 with an opening 310, an ice tray 102, and a drain plate (not shown). Consists of. As it is shown in FIG. 2 as an example for explanation in this embodiment, it is not limited, and the storage unit through which the ice is moved after the ice is manufactured, and the auger motor and screw installed in the storage unit, and the ice tray 102 The configuration of the water supply unit that supplies ice-making water is not shown.

In the ice maker 100 according to the present invention, a circulation fan 200 is located on the control box 20 side. In particular, the circulation fan 200 is formed at the lower end of one side of the control box 20, and is formed in various directions with a predetermined inclination, which will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings below.

The air in the ice-making chamber 100 may be circulated by driving the circulation fan 200. The air in the ice making room 100 may be at a temperature lower than room temperature through heat exchange. The low-temperature air moves around the ice tray 102 and can lower the temperature of the ice tray 102, and due to the lowered temperature of the ice tray 102, the ice-making water provided to the ice tray 102 is in an ice state. It can be. Of course, the cooling unit 120 may be placed in contact with the ice tray 102. The cooling unit 120 may be a pipe through which refrigerant can flow. By placing the pipe in contact with the ice tray 102, the ice tray 102 can be maintained at a sub-zero temperature or cooled to a sub-zero temperature.

Meanwhile, the cooled ice-making water turns into ice, and the ice can turn into ice. For moving, the ice tray 102 may be twisted or rotated by an ejector (not shown). In this embodiment, the ice tray 102 may be made of metal and moved by rotation of the ejector. Of course, it may be a material containing polypropylene.

An ice box 2, which will be described later, may be installed in the storage compartment of the refrigerator 1. The ice box 2 may be placed below the ice maker 100. The ice box 2 may be formed in a cylindrical shape with an open top. Ice made in the ice maker 100 may be transferred from the ice maker 100 to the ice box 2, and may be accommodated and stored in the ice box 2.

An auger may be placed within the ice box (2). The auger may be installed in the ice box 2 to be rotatable in the circumferential direction. Both ends of the auger may be rotatably coupled to both sides of the ice box 2, respectively. A spiral groove may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the auger. When the auger rotates, it can transfer ice stored in the ice box (2) to the outside of the ice box (2) through the spiral groove. The auger can be rotated by the driving force of an auger motor installed on one side of the ice box (2).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of a circulation fan within the control box of an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to these drawings, the ice maker 100 according to the present invention has a heat exchanger including at least one of a cooling unit and a heater unit, and the ice maker 100 in which heat exchange is performed includes a control box 20 and a control box 20. An ice tray 102 extending from one side, a cooling unit 120 disposed on one side of the ice tray, a drain plate 400 formed by heat exchange of the heat exchange unit to receive falling moisture and flow it to one side, and an ice tray 102. ) generates an air flow (WD) on one side and includes a circulation fan 200 located on one side of the control box 20, and the circulation fan 200 blows the air to the cooling unit 120 It may include a structure that allows heat exchange to occur.

That is, the blower fan 200 of the ice maker 100 according to the present invention draws air from one side by the blower motor and blows it in the direction of the ice tray 102 to effect heat exchange by the cooling unit 120. Heat exchange efficiency can be improved.

Alternatively, the ice maker 100, in which heat exchange is performed with a heat exchanger including at least one of a cooling unit and a heater unit, includes a control box 20, an ice tray 102 extending from one side of the control box 20, and the ice tray. The cooling unit 120 disposed on one side, the drain plate formed by heat exchange of the heat exchange unit to receive falling moisture and flow it to one side, generate air flow (WD) on one side of the ice tray 102, and control box ( 20), the circulation fan 200 located on one side and the air flow (WD) generated by the circulation fan 200 are directional, and moisture can be discharged so that the falling moisture can be transferred to the drain plate. It is configured to include a flow path cover (not shown) provided with an opening (not shown) that is at least partially perforated.

A plurality of openings may be provided, and when the circulation fan 200 operates, air flow may be promoted due to a pressure difference, and moisture generated due to a temperature difference may be collected to discharge water droplets that fall to the drain plate. there is. In order to drain water droplets, a portion of the channel cover may become wet, and when the circulation fan 200 operates, the wet portion may be dried by the flow of air.

On the control box 20 side, the circulation fan 200 is positioned to be inclined downward with respect to the ground, and the air flow (WD) generated from the circulation fan 200 is configured to naturally circulate through the circulation fan 200. The air flow WD may be operated so that the circulation fan 200 is formed in an outer direction of the ice maker 100. That is, by rotating the circulation fan 200 inclined to the control box 20, the cold air flowing in the ice maker 100 is effectively sucked into the control box 20 where the circulation fan 200 is formed. , the cold air passing through the bottom of the ice tray 102 along the flow path cover may be discharged to one side through the circulation fan 200 and returned to the inside of the ice maker 100 to be circulated. This air flow (WD) causes internal circulation in the ice-making room and moves low-temperature cold air to the ice tray 102 through heat exchange, thereby increasing ice-making efficiency.

Here, in the drawing presented in the present invention, the circulation fan 200 is formed with a downward inclination of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the ground, but the structure is not limited to this and can have various angles of inclination as long as the circulation efficiency can be improved. Of course, it can be configured.

According to the present invention, conventionally, the circulation fan 200 is disposed on the outside of the ice tray 102, that is, on the other side of the ice tray 102 on which the control box 20 is formed on one side, to prevent the ice generated in the ice maker 100. While heat exchange is accomplished by blowing air, the circulation fan 200 according to the present invention is formed to protrude on one side and slope downward, thereby maximizing circulation efficiency, optimizing the cold air flow path, and optimizing the air intake space. It is characterized by a structure that was formed to secure .

Furthermore, the circulation fan 200 according to the present invention is formed to be inclined downward at a predetermined angle, thereby preventing the inflow of water droplets into the control box 20 due to falling water droplets formed on the fan grill portion (not shown) of the circulation fan 200. can be prevented.

Meanwhile, the heat exchange unit may include one or more of a heater unit (not shown) and a cooling unit 120, and at least one of them may be inserted into the ice tray 102. For insertion placement, it may be inserted and injection molded during manufacturing of the ice tray 102.

The drain plate may include ribs extending toward the ice tray 102. The rib may press the channel cover toward the ice tray 102. This pressure can be applied to a predetermined height by arranging the ribs at a pressurizing position, and the channel cover can be configured to elastically support the ice tray 102 by the predetermined height. Here, the ice tray 102 may be elastically supported directly, or indirectly supported through a heat exchanger with the heat exchanger interposed therebetween.

In another example, the drain plate may include a rib extending toward the ice tray 102, and the heat exchanger may be pressed by the rib to come into close contact with the ice tray 102. That is, the heat exchange unit may be pressurized by the rib extending from the drain plate. The rib extending from the drain plate may extend toward the ice tray 102 through the flow path cover. The extended penetration may be achieved through an opening formed in the flow path cover. One or more such openings may be provided.

Additionally, the heater unit may be a planar heater. Heat can be transferred through surface contact with the bottom surface of the planar heater and the ice tray 102, and ice transfer can be achieved through the heat transfer. The ice maker may further include another heater. Moisture generated during repeated heating and cooling may condense on the bottom of the ice tray 102 and fall downward, and the fallen water droplets may reach the drain plate. Water droplets that reach the drain plate may freeze due to the internal environment of the ice-making room. If the ice accumulates, the purpose of drainage may be lost, so heat from the heater can be transferred to a location where there is a possibility of freezing. The heater is a thawing heater (not shown) and can be located inside the drain plate for thawing.

The drain plate further includes the thaw heater to prevent freezing on the surface, and the thaw heater and the heater unit may be electrically connected in one or more of series and parallel. This heater unit and the thaw heater may be electrically connected to each other, and may be connected through one or more of series and parallel methods. This is because a plurality of each of the heater unit and the thawing heater may be provided.

The control box 20 may be connected to a full ice lever (not shown) operated by cam rotation. In this case, the ice-making process can be mechanically linked because the operation of the ice-making lever is involved during the operation of one cycle. Additionally, the full ice lever can be controlled by detection by an infrared sensor. In the case of being controlled by whether or not the infrared sensor is detected, the operation may be induced periodically or may be selectively determined by a combination of conditions such as detection time of the full ice lever in the infrared sensor area.

5 to 8 schematically show cross-sectional views of ice makers according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Refer to these drawings, but description of parts that overlap with the above-described embodiments will be omitted. Compared to the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the circulation fan 200 may be formed on the lower surface of the control box 20, that is, in the direction toward the ground. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the circulation fan 200 may be stored in the control box 20 and formed on the front or left side, and may be formed in a direction perpendicular to the ground. . Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the circulation fan 200 may be formed on the lower surface of the control box 20, that is, in the direction toward the ground.

Above, an embodiment of an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same according to the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is natural that various modifications and equivalent implementations can be made by those skilled in the art. will be. Therefore, the true scope of rights of the present invention will be determined by the claims described later.

1: refrigerator
2: Ice box
10: Case
20: Control box
100: Ice maker
102: Ice tray
120: cooling unit
200: circulation fan

Claims (13)

In an ice maker in which heat exchange is performed with a heat exchange unit including at least one of a cooling unit and a heater unit,
control box;
an ice tray extending to one side of the control box and having an ice-making groove;
The heat exchanger disposed on one side of the ice tray;
a drain plate coupled to the control box and receiving and discharging moisture falling from the ice tray; and
It includes a circulation fan that generates air flow on one side of the ice tray, is located inside the control box, and causes air to flow into the ice-making chamber from one end of the ice tray,
The ice maker includes a structure in which the circulation fan blows the air to the heat exchange unit to effect heat exchange.
According to claim 1,
The ice maker includes a structure in which the circulation fan is disposed at a predetermined inclination with respect to the ground to suck in the air.
According to claim 1,
The ice maker includes a structure in which the circulation fan is formed in a downward direction where the ice tray is disposed.
According to claim 3,
The ice maker includes a structure in which the circulation fan has an inclination ranging from 0 to 90 degrees directly downward.
According to claim 1,
The ice maker includes a structure in which an aperture is formed in the control box to allow air moved by the circulation fan to flow.
According to claim 1,
The ice maker includes a structure in which the circulation fan directly sucks cold air from an ice box disposed below the ice tray.
According to claim 1,
The drain plate further includes a thawing heater to prevent freezing on the surface,
The ice maker includes one or more of PET (Polyethylene), PI (Polyimide), stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon.
According to claim 1,
The control box is an ice maker including a structure connected to an ice full lever operated by cam rotation.
According to claim 8,
The ice making lever includes a structure controlled by whether or not an infrared sensor is detected.
According to claim 1,
The ice maker includes a structure in which the cooling unit is inserted into an ice tray.
According to claim 1,
An ice maker wherein the heater unit includes a planar heater.
According to claim 1,
An ice maker, wherein the heater unit and the cooling unit are arranged in a horizontal direction.
A refrigerator comprising an ice maker according to any one of claims 1 to 12.