KR20240084524A - Ice maker and Refrigerator having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes an upper tray having cells forming part of a space where ice is frozen; a lower tray provided at a lower portion of the upper tray and including cells that combine with cells of the upper tray to form a space in which ice is frozen; and a heater disposed on the upper tray or the lower tray, wherein the heater is driven while cold air is supplied to freeze ice.

Description

Ice maker and refrigerator including the same {Ice maker and Refrigerator having the same}

The present invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same, and more specifically, to an ice maker capable of providing spherical transparent ice and a refrigerator including the same.

Ice produced using an ice maker used in a typical refrigerator is frozen in such a way that it freezes from all sides. Therefore, air is trapped inside the ice, and because the freezing speed is fast, opaque ice is created. To make transparent ice, there is also a method of making ice grow in one direction by flowing water from top to bottom or spraying water from bottom to top. However, because ice must be made at sub-zero temperatures inside the refrigerator, water cannot be spilled or sprinkled.

Therefore, a method that allows ice to grow in one direction must be used, but it needs to be implemented more efficiently.

The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and the present invention provides an ice maker capable of providing transparent and spherical ice and a refrigerator including the same.

In order to achieve the above object, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ice maker that installs a heater at the bottom of a tray when producing transparent ice, and a refrigerator including the same. Heat can be supplied to multiple cells in a tray using one heater. At this time, the shape of the heater can be changed to correspond to the shape of the bottom surface of the cell of the tray, thereby increasing the area where the heater is in contact with the tray. In addition, by maintaining the heat supplied to a plurality of cells equally, the contact area between each cell and the heater can be made the same so that the rate of ice formation in each cell can be uniform.

Additionally, depending on the cell shape (spherical, cube) of the lower tray, the heaters can be arranged in an approximate 8 shape and attached to the heater case. While interference between the heater and the lower pusher can be avoided, the area where the heater can contact the lower tray can be increased.

When heating the bottom of multiple cells with one heater, the ice-making speed deviation depending on the heating amount can be reduced by designing the contact length between the heater and the tray to be the same. Since the lower tray is deformed by the lower pusher during the moving process, the heater can be fixed to the lower heater case.

Additionally, this embodiment uses a heater when producing ice, and is provided on the upper or lower side of the tray to allow the ice to grow upward or downward. In particular, if a heater is mounted at the bottom of the tray to guide the freezing direction of ice downward, it is also possible to install the heater integrally in the tray.

Additionally, in one embodiment of the present invention, a structure can be provided to prevent the ice from being crushed when spherical ice is made. In particular, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the lower part of the ice from becoming convex due to volume expansion of the ice during the ice creation process.

The present invention includes an upper tray having cells forming part of a space where ice is frozen; a lower tray provided at a lower portion of the upper tray and including cells that combine with cells of the upper tray to form a space in which ice is frozen; a heater disposed on the lower tray; and a lower heater case to which the heater is coupled, wherein the heater case is movably coupled to the lower tray.

The heater is coupled to be exposed to the upper surface of the lower tray, so that even if the lower tray is moved, the lower tray and the heater can be continuously contacted.

When the water in the cell freezes and expands, the lower heater case can be moved away from the lower tray.

An opening may be formed in the heater case, and a portion of the cell may be exposed to the outside through the opening.

It is possible to include a lower tray case that fixes the lower tray, and a spring that adjusts the gap between the heater case and the lower tray case.

The lower tray case and the heater case are coupled by bolts, and the spring can be inserted into the bolt.

One end of the spring may be supported by the heater case, and the other end of the spring may be supported by the bolt.

The present invention includes an upper tray having cells forming part of a space where ice is frozen; a lower tray provided at a lower portion of the upper tray and including cells that combine with cells of the upper tray to form a space in which ice is frozen; and a heater disposed on the upper tray or the lower tray, wherein the heater is driven while cold air is supplied to freeze ice.

The heater may be integrally formed by being embedded in the upper tray or the lower tray.

The heater is provided in the upper tray, and ice can grow from the bottom to the top.

The heater is provided in the lower tray, and ice can grow from top to bottom.

It is possible for ice to be produced in the cell and for the heater to be driven when separating the ice from the tray.

The heater may be provided only on either the upper tray or the lower tray.

The present invention includes an upper tray having a plurality of cells forming part of a space where ice is frozen; a lower tray provided at a lower portion of the upper tray and including cells that combine with a plurality of cells of the upper tray to form a space in which ice is frozen; and a heater disposed adjacent to the lower tray, wherein the heaters are connected as one and supply heat to a plurality of cells.

It may further include a lower heater case to which the heater is coupled, and the heater case may be disposed below the lower tray.

The heater may be arranged above the lower tray so that part of it is exposed to the outside, and the exposed part is arranged to be in contact with the lower tray.

The heater may have curved parts arranged in a curved shape and straight parts arranged in a straight line alternately arranged.

It may further include a lower pusher protruding upward, and the heater may not be disposed in the center of the cell so as not to interfere with the lower pusher.

The heater may be disposed along the lower outer peripheral surface of the cell.

If the lower pusher deforms the lower tray, it is possible for the heater to not contact the lower tray.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, while installing the heater at the bottom of the lower tray, the lower tray and the heater can be in contact with a large area while avoiding interference with the lower pusher. Therefore, the contact area increases, enabling energy savings due to improved efficiency, and helps improve ice quality by preventing the temperature of the ice maker from rising due to excessive heating.

Additionally, when heating the bottom of multiple cells with one heater, the length of contact between the heater and the tray can be designed to be the same, thereby reducing the deviation in ice-making speed depending on the heating amount and reducing the deviation in the transparency of the ice produced. can do.

In addition, a fixing guide is provided to fix the heater to the lower tray, so that even when the lower pusher presses the lower tray and the contact between the heater and the lower tray is broken, the heater can continue to be fixed to the lower heater case. Heating deviation can be reduced because the heater is not removed from the lower heater case even during repeated ice making/moving processes.

Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, freezing can be implemented consistently either upward or downward by forming a heater that heats the top or bottom of the tray. Therefore, the air in the water is discharged to the outside as ice is created, and transparent ice can be produced.

Additionally, by inserting the heater integrally into the upper or lower tray, all surfaces of the heater are in contact with the tray, thereby increasing the contact area. Therefore, contact thermal efficiency can be improved. In this case, since the heater is not installed in the upper or lower heater case, there is no risk of the heater being removed from the heater case through the de-icing/moving process, and material costs can be reduced by omitting the heater case if necessary.

In particular, when a heater is integrated into the upper tray to guide the freezing direction of ice from the bottom to the top, the heater can be used together for moving and de-icing, and material costs are reduced because one heater is used rather than multiple heaters. It can be reduced.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a specific lower portion of the spherical-shaped ice from becoming convex as it freezes, thereby providing the user with spherical-shaped ice. In particular, it allows ice to maintain its overall spherical shape even in the process of changing from water to ice and increasing volume due to density changes.

1 is a diagram showing a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a refrigerator equipped with an ice maker.
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a front view showing an ice maker.
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ice maker.
Figures 6 to 11 are diagrams showing some components of an ice maker combined.
Figures 12 and 13 are diagrams explaining the process of supplying water to the ice maker.
Figure 14 is a diagram explaining the process of moving ice from an ice maker.
15 is a control block diagram according to one embodiment.
Figure 16 is a diagram explaining the arrangement of a heater according to one embodiment.
17 is a schematic diagram illustrating the arrangement of a heater according to one embodiment.
18 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a heater according to another embodiment.
19 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a heater according to another embodiment.
20 is a diagram explaining the arrangement of a heater according to another embodiment.
21 is a diagram explaining the operation of a heater frame according to an embodiment.
Figure 22 is a diagram explaining the operation of a heater frame according to another embodiment.
Figure 23 is a diagram explaining the operation of a heater frame according to another embodiment.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention that can specifically realize the above object will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

In this process, the size or shape of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation. Additionally, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may vary depending on the intention or custom of the user or operator. Definitions of these terms should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a refrigerator equipped with an ice maker.

As shown in FIG. 1(a), the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of doors 10, 20, and 30 that open and close the storage compartment. The doors 10, 20, and 30 include doors 10 and 20 that open and close the storage compartment by rotating and a door 30 that opens and closes the storage compartment by sliding.

Figure 1(b) is a cross-sectional view seen from the rear of the refrigerator, where the refrigerator cabinet 14 may include a refrigerating chamber 18 and a freezing chamber 32. The refrigerating compartment 14 is located at the top, and the freezer compartment 32 is located at the bottom, so that each storage compartment can be opened and closed individually by each door. Unlike the present embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to a refrigerator in which a freezer compartment is placed at the top and a refrigerator compartment is placed at the bottom.

The freezer compartment 32 can be divided into an upper space and a lower space, and the lower space is equipped with a drawer 40 that can be drawn in and out of the space. Although the freezer compartment 32 can be opened and closed by a single door 30, it can be divided into two spaces.

An ice maker 200 capable of producing ice may be provided in the upper space of the freezer compartment 32. An ice bucket 600 may be provided at a lower portion of the ice maker 200 into which ice produced by the ice maker 200 is dropped and stored. The user can take out the ice bucket 600 and use the ice stored in the ice bucket 600. The ice bucket 600 may be mounted on the upper side of the horizontal wall dividing the upper space and the lower space of the freezer compartment 32.

Referring to FIG. 2, the cabinet 14 is provided with a tuft 50 that supplies cold air to the ice maker 200. The duct 50 cools the ice maker 200 by discharging cold air supplied from an evaporator where the refrigerant compressed by the compressor is evaporated. Ice may be created inside the ice maker 200 by cold air supplied to the ice maker 200.

In Figure 2, the right side may be the rear of the refrigerator, and the left side may be the front of the refrigerator, that is, the part where the door is installed. At this time, the duct 50 is disposed at the rear of the cabinet 14 and can discharge cold air toward the front of the cabinet 14. The ice maker 200 is disposed in front of the duct 50.

The discharge port of the duct 50 is located on the ceiling of the freezer 32, making it possible to discharge cold air to the upper side of the ice maker 200.

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an ice maker according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a front view showing the ice maker, and Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ice maker.

FIGS. 3A and 4A are diagrams showing the bracket 220 that secures the ice maker 200 to the freezer compartment 32, and FIGS. 3B and 4B are diagrams showing the bracket 220 removed. Each component of the ice maker 200 is provided inside or outside the bracket 220, so that the ice maker 200 can form one assembly. Accordingly, the ice maker 200 can be installed on the ceiling of the freezer compartment 32.

A peel cup 240 is installed on the upper inner surface of the bracket 200. The peel cup 240 is provided with openings on the upper and lower sides, respectively, and guides the water supplied to the upper side of the peel cup 240 to the lower side of the peel cup 240. The upper opening of the peel cup 240 is larger than the lower opening, which may limit the discharge range of water guided downward through the pill cup 240.

A water supply pipe through which water is supplied is installed on the upper side of the pill cup 240, so that water can be supplied to the pill cup 240 and moved to the lower part. The peel cup 240 prevents water discharged from the water supply pipe from falling from a high position, thereby preventing water from splashing. Since the pill cup 240 is disposed below the water supply pipe, water is guided to the pill cup 240 without splashing, and the amount of water splashing can be reduced even if it moves downward due to the lowered height.

The ice maker 200 includes an upper tray 320 and a lower tray 380. The upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 may include a plurality of cells in which a plurality of ice can be generated. When the cells provided in the upper tray 320 and the cells provided in the lower tray 380 overlap, they form a spherical shape, and when water is supplied and cooled, spherical ice can be created.

The upper tray 320 is provided with openings on the upper and lower sides so that water falling from the upper side of the upper tray 320 can move downward.

An upper tray cover 340 is provided below the upper tray 320. The upper tray cover 340 has openings formed to correspond to each cell shape of the upper tray 320 and can be coupled to the lower side of the upper tray 320.

The upper tray case 300 is coupled to the upper side of the upper tray 320, so that the upper appearance of the upper tray 320 can be maintained. An upper heater case 280 is provided in the upper tray case 300. The heater case 280 is equipped with a heater to supply heat to the upper part of the ice maker 200. The heater may be embedded in the heater case 280 or installed on one side.

The upper tray case 300 is provided with a guide groove 302 that is inclined on the upper side and extends vertically on the lower side. The guide groove 302 may be provided inside a member extending upwardly of the tray case 300.

The guide protrusion 262 of the upper pusher 260 is inserted into the guide groove 302, so that the guide protrusion 262 can be guided along the guide groove 302. The upper pusher 260 is provided with an extension portion 264 extending equal to the number of cells in the upper tray 320, and can push ice located in each cell.

The guide protrusion 262 of the upper pusher 260 is coupled to the pusher link 500. At this time, the guide protrusion 262 is rotatably coupled to the pusher link 500, so that when the pusher link 500 moves, the upper pusher 260 can also move along the guide groove 302.

A lower tray cover 360 is provided on the upper side of the lower tray 380 to maintain the appearance of the lower tray 380. The lower tray 380 has a shape that protrudes upward to separate a plurality of cells forming a space where individual ice can be created, and the lower tray cover 360 can cover the cells that protrude upward. there is.

A lower tray case 400 is provided at the lower part of the lower tray 380, so that the cell shape protruding from the lower part of the lower tray 380 can be maintained. A spring 402 is provided on one side of the lower tray case 400.

A lower tray heater case 420 is provided below the lower tray case 400. A heater is provided in the lower tray heater case 420 to supply heat to the lower part of the ice maker 200.

The ice maker 200 is equipped with a motor unit 480 that provides rotational force.

A through hole 282 is formed in an extension portion extending downward on one side of the upper tray case 300. A through hole 404 is formed in an extension portion extending to one side of the lower tray case 400. A shaft 440 penetrating both the through hole 282 and the through hole 404 is provided, and rotary arms 460 are provided at both ends of the shaft 440, respectively. The shaft 440 can be rotated by receiving rotational force from the motor unit 480.

One end of the rotary arm 460 is connected to one end of the spring 402, so that when the spring 402 is tensioned, the position of the rotary arm 460 can be moved to the initial value by a restoring force.

In the motor unit 480, a motor and a plurality of gears may be coupled to each other.

The full ice detection lever 520 is connected to the motor unit 480, so that the full ice detection lever 520 can be rotated by the rotational force provided by the motor unit 480.

The full ice detection lever 520 has an overall 'ㄷ' shape and may include a vertically extending portion at both ends and a horizontally disposed portion connecting the two vertically extending portions. Of the two vertically extending parts, one is coupled to the motor unit 480 and the other is coupled to the bracket 220, so that the full ice detection lever 520 is rotated and connected to the ice bucket 600. Stored ice can be detected.

A lower pusher 540 is provided on the inner lower side of the bracket 220. The lower pusher 540 is provided with a coupling piece 542 coupled to the bracket 220 and a plurality of extension parts 544 installed on the coupling piece 542. The plurality of extension parts 544 are provided to equal the number of cells provided in the lower tray 380, so that ice generated in the cells of the lower tray 380 is separated from the lower tray 380. It performs the function of pushing things to become possible.

The upper tray case 300 and the lower tray case 400 are rotatably coupled to each other with respect to the shaft 440, and can be arranged so that the angle changes around the shaft 440.

The upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are each made of a material that is easily deformable, such as silicon, and are momentarily deformed when pressed by each pusher, so that the generated ice can be easily separated from the tray. .

Figures 6 to 11 are diagrams showing a state in which some components of an ice maker are combined.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the bracket 220, the peel cup 240, and the lower pusher 540 are coupled. The lower pusher 540 is installed on the inner surface of the bracket 220, and the extension of the lower pusher 540 is disposed so that the direction in which it extends from the coupling piece 542 is not vertical but is inclined downward.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the upper heater case 280 and the upper tray case 300 are combined.

The upper heater case 280 may be arranged so that its horizontal surface is spaced downward from the lower side of the upper tray case 300. The upper heater case 280 and the upper tray case 300 have openings corresponding to each cell of the upper tray 320 to allow water to pass through the upper side, and the shape of each opening is different from each other. It is possible to form a shape corresponding to the cell.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the upper tray case 300, the upper tray 320, and the upper tray cover 340 are combined.

The tray cover 340 is disposed between the upper tray 320 and the upper tray case 300.

The upper tray case 300, the upper tray 320, and the tray cover 340 are combined as one module, so that the upper tray case 300, the upper tray 320, and the tray cover 340 ) is disposed on the shaft 440 so that it can rotate together like a single member.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the lower tray 380, the lower tray cover 360, and the lower tray case 400 are combined.

With the lower tray 380 in between, the lower tray cover 360 is disposed on the upper side, and the lower tray case 400 is disposed on the lower side.

Each cell of the lower tray 380 has a hemispherical shape to form the bottom of a spherical ice cube.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the lower tray cover 360, lower tray 380, lower tray case 400, and lower heater case 420 are combined.

The lower heater case 420 is disposed on the lower surface of the lower tray case and can fix a heater that supplies heat to the lower tray 380.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state in which FIGS. 8 and 10 are combined and the rotary arm 460, shaft 440, and pusher link 500 are combined.

One end of the rotary arm 460 is coupled to the shaft 440, and the other end is coupled to the spring 402. One end of the pusher link 500 is coupled to the upper pusher 260, and the other end is arranged to rotate with respect to the shaft 440.

Figures 12 and 13 are diagrams explaining the process of supplying water to the ice maker.

FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining the process of supplying water while looking at the ice maker from the side, and FIG. 13 is a diagram explaining the process of supplying water while looking at the ice maker from the front.

As shown in FIG. 12A , the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are placed apart from each other, and then the lower tray 380 is rotated toward the upper tray 320 as shown in FIG. 12B . At this time, although the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 partially overlap, the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are not completely engaged, so the inner space does not have a spherical shape.

As shown in Figure 12c, water is supplied into the tray through the fill cup 240. Since the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are not completely engaged, some of the water flows out of the upper tray 320. However, since the lower tray 380 has a portion formed to surround the upper side of the upper tray 320 to be spaced apart, water does not overflow the lower tray 380.

Figure 13 is a diagram specifically explaining Figure 12c, and the state changes in the order of Figures 13a and 13b.

As shown in FIG. 12C, when water is supplied to the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 through the fill cup 240, the fill cup 240 is disposed biased to one side of the tray.

That is, the upper tray 320 is provided with a plurality of cells 322, 324, and 326 for producing a plurality of independent ice. The lower tray 380 is also provided with a plurality of cells 382, 384, and 386 for producing a plurality of independent ice. One spherical ice may be created by combining the cells placed on the upper tray 320 and the cells placed on the lower tray 380.

In FIG. 13, the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are not completely joined as in 12c, but the front sides are separated so that the water filled in each cell can move between cells.

As shown in FIG. 13A, when water is supplied to the upper side of the cells 322 and 382 located on the left, the water moves inside the cells 322 and 382. At this time, if the water overflows the cell 382 located on the lower side, the water may move to the cells 384 and 486 located on the left. Since the plurality of cells are not completely isolated from each other, when the water level within the cell rises above a certain level, the water moves to the surrounding cells, filling each cell with water.

When a certain amount of water is supplied from the water supply valve disposed in the water supply pipe provided outside the ice maker 200, the flow path can be closed to prevent water from being supplied to the ice maker 200 any more.

Figure 14 is a diagram explaining the process of moving ice from an ice maker.

Referring to FIG. 14, when the lower tray 380 in FIG. 12C is further rotated counterclockwise based on the drawing, the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 have a spherical cell as shown in FIG. 14A. It can be arranged to form a shape. The lower tray 380 and the upper tray 320 can be completely combined and arranged so that water is separated into each cell.

When cold air is supplied for a predetermined period of time in the state shown in FIG. 14A, ice is created in the cells of the tray. While water is changed into ice by cold air, the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 are engaged with each other, as shown in FIG. 14A, and the water is maintained in a non-moving state.

When ice is created in the cells of the tray, the upper tray 320 is stopped and the lower tray 380 is rotated clockwise, as shown in FIG. 14B.

At this time, because the ice has its own weight, it may fall from the upper tray 320. In this case, as the upper pusher 260 descends on the upper tray 320, ice can be prevented from sticking to the upper tray 320.

Since the lower tray 380 supports the lower portion of the ice, the ice remains mounted on the lower tray 380 even if the lower tray 380 moves clockwise. As shown in FIG. 14B, ice may remain on the lower tray 380 even when the lower tray 380 is rotated beyond the vertical angle.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower pusher 540 deforms the bottom of the lower tray 380, and as the lower tray 380 is deformed, the adhesive force between the ice and the lower tray 380 is weakened, so that the ice is transferred to the lower tray 380. It may fall from the tray 380.

The ice may then fall into the ice bucket 600, although not shown in FIG. 14 .

Figure 15 is a control block diagram according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, an embodiment of the present invention includes a tray temperature sensor 700 that measures the temperature of the upper tray 320 or the lower tray 380.

The temperature measured by the tray temperature sensor 700 is transmitted to the control unit 800.

The control unit 800 can control the motor unit 520 to rotate the motor in the motor unit 520.

The control unit 800 may control the water supply valve 740, which opens and closes the water flow path supplied to the ice maker 200, to supply water to the ice maker 200 or stop the supply.

When the motor unit 520 operates, the lower tray 380 or the full ice detection lever 520 may be rotated.

A first heater 430 is provided in the lower heater case 420. The first heater 430 is disposed in the lower heater case 420 and can supply heat. Since the first heater 430 is disposed at the bottom of the tray, it may refer to a lower heater.

A second heater 290 is provided in the upper heater case 280. The second heater 290 is disposed in the upper heater case 280 and can supply heat. Since the second heater 290 is disposed at the top of the tray, it may refer to an upper heater.

Power is supplied to the first heater 430 and the second heater 290 according to a command from the control unit 800, so that heat can be generated.

Figure 16 is a diagram explaining the arrangement of a heater according to one embodiment.

Figure 16 is a view of the lower tray viewed from below to show the state in which the second heater is disposed on the lower tray and the lower tray case. Specifically, FIG. 16A is a diagram showing the state in which the second heater is applied to the lower tray for freezing cube-shaped ice, and FIG. 16B is a diagram showing the state in which the second heater is applied to the lower tray for freezing spherical-shaped ice. am.

The lower tray that freezes cube-shaped ice has each cell (322, 324, 326) having a cube-shaped shape, while the lower tray that freezes spherical-shaped ice has each cell (322, 324, 326). It has a spherical shape.

The first heater 430 supplies heat to each of a plurality of cells and is composed of one member.

That is, when power is applied to the first heater 430 by the control unit 800, all of the heat generated by the first heater 430 can be supplied to each cell. That is, in Figure 16, one heater is arranged to supply heat to a plurality of cells.

The first heater 430 is composed of one wire, and heat can be generated by applying current from other parts of the refrigerator or an external power source through two terminals.

Figure 17 is a schematic diagram explaining the arrangement of a heater according to one embodiment.

In Figure 17a, a seating groove 421 is provided in the heater case to fix the heater, and in Figure 17b, a seating groove 421 and a fixing guide 429 are provided together in the heater case to fix the heater.

In the process of moving the formed ice, the lower tray 380 may be rotated. When the lower tray 380 is rotated more than a certain angle, the lower tray 380 is pressed by the lower pusher 540 and deformed, so that ice may be separated from the lower tray 380.

At this time, when the lower pusher 540 deforms the lower tray 380, the first heater 430 may be separated from the lower tray 380. That is, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the first heater 430 is fixed to the seating groove 421 of the lower heater case 420 and is only in contact with the lower tray 380. Even if the lower tray 380 is deformed when the lower pusher 540 pushes the lower tray 380 upward, the first heater 430 remains fixed to the lower heater case 420. , the first heater 430 does not undergo deformation.

In particular, in the embodiment according to FIG. 17B, a fixing guide 429 is provided for fixing the first heater 430 to the lower heater case 420, so that the first heater 430 is connected to the lower heater case 420. It can be fixed to .

Therefore, even in a situation where the lower pusher 540 rises through the through hole formed in the lower heater case 420 and presses the lower tray 380, not only the lower heater case 420 but also the first heater 430 ), no deformation occurs.

In the lower heater case 420, each cell is pressed by the lower pusher 540, and a through hole is formed corresponding to the central portion of each cell so that ice formed in the cell can be discharged from the cell. . The number of through holes may be equal to the number of cells. Additionally, the number of through holes may be equal to the number of extensions 544 of the lower pusher 540. Additionally, it is possible to arrange a plurality of through holes to form one large through hole.

Figure 18 is a diagram explaining the arrangement of a heater according to another embodiment.

When the heater is arranged as shown in FIG. 16, that is, when the first heater 430 is arranged in a U-shape, the contact length between the first heater 430 and the lower tray 380 located on one plane is the entire Since it corresponds to a portion (approximately 35%) of the length of the first heater 430, the area for supplying heat to the lower tray 380 is not large. Therefore, energy efficiency is lowered by reducing the efficiency of the heater heated during ice making, and it can cause the problem of only increasing the temperature around the ice maker.

Additionally, heating variations may occur between each cell. The contact lengths of the cells 322, 324, and 326 of the lower tray 380 with the heater are different. Therefore, there is a difference in the amount of heat delivered from the first heater 430 in each cell, and there is bound to be a difference in the growth of ice in each cell. Therefore, if the speed at which ice is created in the tray is adjusted based on the cell through which heat is transferred to the maximum, the ice-making speed slows down, causing a problem in that the amount of ice provided to the user decreases compared to the same time period. On the other hand, the ice-making speed can be increased by adjusting the speed at which ice is created based on the cell through which heat is transferred to the minimum. However, when the ice-making speed increases, air is trapped in the ice in some cells, so there is a high possibility that the produced ice will be opaque rather than transparent.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the first heater 430 is arranged in approximately an 8 shape according to the shape of the bottom surface of the plurality of cells 322, 324, and 326 formed in the lower tray 380.

The first heater 430 includes a straight portion 432 and a curved portion 434. The first heater 430 includes the straight portions 432 and the curved portions 434 alternately, and the first heater 430 may be arranged symmetrically around the center of the cell.

The curved portion 434 of the first heater 430 is arranged to partially surround the lower end of one cell 322, 324, and 326, so that heat can be provided to each cell.

Compared to the embodiment according to FIG. 16, the embodiment according to FIG. 18 can supply heat to each cell equally. Since the contact area of the first heater 430 in each cell is large, more heat can be supplied to the cell, and energy efficiency can be improved by reducing the amount of heat emitted to the outside of the first heater 430. there is. Therefore, the bottom ice-making direction can be efficiently implemented by applying the bottom heater for transparent ice ice-making.

For reference, the inventor confirmed that the heat transfer efficiency was 35% by arranging the heater in the form shown in FIG. 16b, but that the heat transfer efficiency increased to approximately 63% by arranging the heater in the form shown in FIG. 17b. Therefore, compared to FIG. 16B, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17B, more heat generated from the heater can be transferred to each cell of the lower tray when the same power is supplied to the heater.

The curved portion 434 of the first heater 430 partially surrounds the lower ends of the plurality of cells 322, 324, and 326, and the heat generated from the first heater 430 is directed to the lower ends of each cell. The lower part of the ice can be heated through this. While ice is being created, cold air is supplied from the upper side of the tray, and heat is supplied from the lower side of the tray by the first heater 430. Therefore, the upper side of the tray is relatively high temperature, and the lower side of the tray is relatively low temperature, so the ice formed in the cells of the tray is first formed on the upper side, and as time passes, the ice can grow in a downward direction. there is.

Figure 19 is a diagram explaining the arrangement of a heater according to another embodiment.

FIG. 19A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the first heater 430 is installed on the lower tray 380 provided with a cell for generating cubic-shaped ice, and FIG. 19B is a diagram representing a state in which the first heater 430 is provided with a cell for generating spherical-shaped ice. This is a diagram expressing the state in which the first heater 430 is installed in the lower tray 380.

The portions where the first heater 430 is in contact with each cell 322, 324, and 326 can be divided into L1, L2, and L3, respectively. That is, the length of the heater where the first heater 430 is in contact with the cell 322 is L1, the length of the heater where the first heater 430 is in contact with the cell 324 is L2, and the length of the heater where the first heater 430 is in contact with the cell 324 is L2. The length of the heater 430 in contact with the cell 326 may be referred to as L3. That is, by making L1, L2, and L3 all the same, the length of contact of the first heater 430 with each cell can be the same. Accordingly, the heating deviation can be reduced by implementing a length at which the first heater 430 can transfer heat to the cell.

In this way, the same amount of heat can be provided to each cell from one heater, which can increase the clear ice making speed and reduce the deviation of ice transparency.

The first heater 430 may be arranged differently in some cells than in other cells.

In FIG. 19A, when placing the first heater 430, a curved portion 434 that is longer than that of other cells is disposed in the portion corresponding to the cell 322, and a curved portion of a modified shape is formed in the cell 324. 434 can be provided, and in the cell 326, it is possible to arrange the curved portion 434 on only one side. If the first heaters 430 are arranged to have the same length so that they can supply heat in contact with each cell, it is possible to modify them into other shapes.

In FIG. 19B, when arranging the first heater 430, the curved portion 434 and the straight portion 432 may be equally disposed in the portions corresponding to the cells 322 and 324. When the first heater 430 is placed in the cell 326, the curved portion 434 can be arranged to be longer than that of other cells, so that heat can be supplied to all cells with one heater.

Figure 20 is a diagram explaining the arrangement of a heater according to another embodiment.

In this embodiment, the first heater 430 is placed integrally with the lower tray 380. The first heater 430 is arranged to enter the inside of the member forming the lower tray 380.

When the lower pusher 540 deforms the lower tray 380 for moving, the center of the lower pusher 540 is placed at a predetermined distance (L) from the pressed portion to prevent damage to the first heater 430. It is possible for the first heater 430 to be placed at a distance of ). Accordingly, when the lower pusher 540 raises the lower tray 380 upward, even if the lower tray 380 is deformed, the first heater 430 can be prevented from being broken or damaged.

Since the first heater 430 is provided in the lower tray 380, heat generated by the first heater 430 can be efficiently transferred to the lower tray 380. Ice contacts the upper side of the lower tray 380. Since the first heater 430 is installed in a way that it is embedded in the lower tray 380, the first heater 430 and the ice are placed close to each other. It can be. Additionally, because the first heater 430 is integrated with the lower tray 380, heat generated by the first heater 430 can be prevented from being discharged in other directions without passing through the lower tray 380. Therefore, the heat of the first heater 430 can be used efficiently. That is, even if the first heater 430 emits less heat, it can achieve the effect of emitting as much heat as in other embodiments, thereby improving energy efficiency. In addition, since the heat generated by the first heater 430 is concentrated in the lower tray 380 and a large amount can be transferred to the ice, the temperature increase in other members other than the lower tray 380 is reduced. , energy efficiency can be improved.

It is also possible for the second heater 290 to be formed integrally with the upper tray 320 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 20. The second heater 290 is not used when making ice, and can only be used for moving after ice making is completed. In this case, the heat generated by the second heater 290 is concentrated on the upper tray 320, so that a large amount of ice can be transferred to the surface in contact with the upper tray 320. Therefore, the second heater 290 efficiently transfers heat to the ice, and reliability can be improved when the ice is separated from the upper tray 320. In addition, since the heat generated from the second heater 290 does not pass through the upper tray 320 and does not heat other members, the second heater 290 does not heat other members other than the upper tray 320. By reducing the amount of increase, energy efficiency can be improved when using the second heater 290.

The materials of the upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 may vary. One of the two trays may be made of a material with relatively higher thermal conductivity than the other, or may be made of a material with the same thermal conductivity. Additionally, one of the two trays may be made of a metallic material and the other may be made of a non-metallic material, or both trays may be made of a metallic material or a non-metallic material. The upper tray 320 and the lower tray 380 may each be made of aluminum, a metallic material, or may be made of silicon, a non-metallic material. Of course, it is also possible for one of the two trays to be made of aluminum while the other is made of silicon.

Unlike the above-described embodiment, in the modified embodiment, it is possible to include only one of the first heater 430 or the second heater 290. That is, when the first heater 430 is provided, the second heater 290 is not provided, and when the second heater 290 is provided, the first heater 430 is not provided. do.

At this time, in the case where only the first heater 430 is provided, only the first heater 430 can be driven while cold air is being supplied during ice making. Therefore, the temperature of the lower side of the tray is higher than that of the upper side due to the first heater 430 provided on the lower side. Therefore, ice can initially be created at the top and grow downward, allowing ice to grow in one direction.

When discharging ice from the tray, the first heater 430 is driven to heat the surface where the ice is in contact with the tray, and some of the ice is melted to discharge the ice from the tray. In this example, ice making and ice removal can be implemented using only the first heater 430, without the second heater 290.

On the other hand, when only the second heater 290 is provided, only the second heater 290 can be driven while cold air is being supplied during ice making. Therefore, the temperature of the upper side of the tray is higher than that of the lower side due to the second heater 290 provided on the upper side. Therefore, ice can initially be created on the lower side and grow upward, allowing ice to grow in one direction.

When discharging ice from the tray, the second heater 430 is driven to heat the surface where the ice is in contact with the tray, melt some of the ice, and discharge the ice from the tray. In this example, ice making and ice removal can be implemented using only the second heater 290, without the first heater 430.

Figure 21 is a diagram explaining the operation of a heater frame according to one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 21, a portion of the lower tray 380 having a hemispherical cell 382 is mounted on the upper side of the lower tray case 400. Meanwhile, a portion of the cells 382 of the lower tray 380 are mounted on the lower heater case 420. That is, one cell among the plurality of cells of the lower tray 380 is supported by the lower tray case and the lower heater case, and its center is not supported by a separate structure. That is, an opening is formed in the central portion of the lower heater case 430, so that the cell 382 of the lower tray 380 is exposed as is. This part is an opening formed to press the lower tray 380 while being penetrated by the lower pusher 540 when moving.

The outer part of the spherical shape of the cell 382 is fixed to the lower tray case 400, the inner part is fixed by the lower heater case 420, and the central part of the spherical shape inside is a separate structure. This is not placed.

The plurality of cells 382, 384, and 386 of the lower tray 380 are all formed in the same manner, with the central portion exposed to the outside without being supported by a separate structure. Therefore, for convenience, the explanation is limited to one cell 382, but the same information applies to the remaining cells 384 and 386.

When water freezes and becomes ice, its volume expands. In this embodiment, after water supply to the tray is completed, additional water is supplied or water is not discharged until the water is completely frozen. In particular, when ice freezes from the upper side and grows downward, the central portion of the cell 382, which is not supported by a separate structure on the lower side, may protrude convexly downward, causing deformation of the spherical shape. In particular, if the lower tray 380 forming the cell 382 is made of a material such as silicon that can be deformed, the deformation of the spherical shape may occur more significantly.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the lower heater case 420 is provided to be movable by compression or tension of the spring 412, so that the spherical shape can be maintained. That is, as the lower heater case 420 is moved by the spring 412, water is converted into ice and the volume expands, and the applied force is distributed overall, so that the spherical shape is not deformed locally.

The lower heater case 420 is fixed to the lower tray case 400 by a bolt 410. The bolt 410 is provided with a spring 412, so that the lower heater case 420 can be moved from the lower tray case 400.

When the cell is filled with water, the spring 412 has its original length as shown in FIG. 21a, but in the process of converting water into ice, the spring 412 is compressed as shown in FIG. 21b, and the lower heater case ( 420) may be moved downward. Accordingly, the central portion of the cell 382 expands convexly downward, thereby preventing the generation of deformed spherical ice with a lower portion protruding from the spherical shape.

Even if the lower heater case 420 is moved downward, the first heater 430 and the cell 382 of the lower tray 380 are maintained in contact, so that the heat generated from the first heater 430 is maintained. Heat may be continuously transferred to the lower tray 380. Therefore, during the process of making ice, because the contact between the heater and the tray is maintained, an environment where the temperature is low on the upper side and high on the lower side is maintained, allowing the ice to continuously grow in a downward direction.

As the inside of the cell 382 changes from water to ice, the volume of ice increases. Accordingly, the force pushing outward from the inside of the cell 382 increases, and as the spring 412 is compressed, the internal volume of the cell 382 may increase. At this time, since the cell 382 corresponds to a part of the lower tray 380, it is made of silicon and can be deformed in shape to a certain level. Therefore, as the volume increases, the direction in which force is applied can be spread throughout the inner circumferential surface of the cell 382, so that the spherical shape can be maintained.

Meanwhile, since the portion of the bolt 410 coupled to the lower tray case 400 is coupled with a screw thread, the bolt 410 is immovably fixed to the lower tray case 400.

A coupling groove is formed in the lower heater case 420, and the bolt 410 is disposed in the coupling groove. The spring 412 is inserted into one end of the coupling groove and one end of the bolt 410. That is, the spring 412 is supported by the coupling groove and the bolt 410, and when an external force is applied, the spring 412 is compressed, and when the external force is removed, the spring 412 is restored to its original length. The spring 412 may be a compression spring.

For reference, the cell 382 has a flat shape at the lower center, but is transformed into a spherical shape when the ice expands, thereby securing additional space according to the expansion of the ice. Of course, the lower part of the cell 382 is not flat and has a spherical shape as shown in FIG. 21b, but when it is converted to ice and expands in volume, the lower heater case 420 is moved downward. possible.

Figure 22 is a diagram explaining the operation of a heater frame according to another embodiment.

Unlike the above-described embodiment, Figure 22 has a different structure in which the lower heater case 420 can be moved from the lower tray case 400 during the process of ice growing in the cell 382. That is, the spring 414 is disposed between one end of the lower tray case 400 and the lower heater case 420. When the spring 414 is compressed, the lower heater case 420 may move downward with respect to the lower tray case 400.

The lower tray case 400 protrudes downward and is provided with a protrusion having a flange at the end. One end of the spring 414 is supported on the flange, and the other end is seated by the lower heater case 420, so that if no additional external force is applied, the lower heater case 420 is separated from the lower tray case 400. It can be combined to prevent it from moving downward.

Unlike in FIG. 22A, when the internal volume of the cell is turned on as ice grows inside the cell, the spherical shape of the ice may be maintained as the cell pushes the lower heater case 420 downward, as shown in FIG. 22B.

Since the remaining structure is the same as that described in FIG. 21, description of overlapping content will be omitted.

23 is a diagram explaining the operation of a heater frame according to another embodiment.

Unlike the above-described embodiment, Figure 23 has a different structure in which the lower heater case 420 can be moved from the lower tray case 400 during the process of ice growing in the cell 382. That is, the spring 416 is disposed between the coupling groove of the lower tray case 400 and the coupling groove formed in the lower heater case 420. When the spring 416 is tensioned, the lower heater case 420 may move in a downward direction with respect to the lower tray case 400.

Unlike in FIG. 23A, when the internal volume of the cell is turned on as ice grows inside the cell, the cell pushes the lower heater case 420 downward as shown in FIG. 23B, thereby maintaining the spherical shape of the ice.

The spring 416 may be a tension spring that is tensioned when an external force is applied and compressed to its initial length when no external force is applied.

Since the remaining structure is the same as that described in FIG. 21, description of overlapping content will be omitted.

The embodiments described in FIGS. 21 to 23 are not limited to spherical ice. Since water expands in volume when it changes phase into ice, space is secured for ice to grow during the process of changing into ice, and the desired shape of ice can be manufactured without deforming specific areas.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and as can be seen from the appended claims, modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and such modifications fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (15)

a tray having cells forming part of a space in which ice is frozen;
a heater to provide heat to the space; and
Including a heater case in which the heater is installed,
The heater case includes a first through hole and a second through hole,
The heater is,
a first curved portion around which the first through hole is disposed;
a second curved portion disposed around the second through hole; and
An ice maker comprising a straight portion disposed between the first curved portion and the second curved portion. According to claim 1,
The straight portion is a portion with a larger radius of curvature than the first curved portion, or
The ice maker wherein the straight portion has a larger radius of curvature than the second curved portion. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a pusher for separating the ice from the space,
The heater is an ice maker disposed at a predetermined distance from the portion of the tray pressed by the center of the pusher. According to claim 1,
Further comprising a pusher for separating the ice from the space,
The heater is an ice maker disposed at a predetermined distance from the portion of the cell pressed by the center of the pusher. According to claim 5,
The first portion surrounds at least a portion of the through hole. According to claim 5,
The first portion surrounds at least a portion of the through hole. According to claim 5,
The through hole includes a first through hole and a second through hole,
The heater includes a first part disposed around the first through hole and a second part disposed around the second through hole. According to claim 7,
The heater includes a third part disposed between the first part and the second part,
The third part has a larger radius of curvature than the first part, or
The third part is an ice maker where the radius of curvature is larger than that of the second part. According to claim 5,
The heater is an ice maker that provides heat to the space during the ice making process. According to claim 5,
The tray is,
a first tray including a first cell forming part of a space in which the ice is frozen; and
a second tray comprising a second cell forming another portion of the space in which the ice is frozen;
The second tray is an ice maker that moves during the process of transferring the ice. According to claim 10,
Further comprising a pusher for separating the ice from the space,
The heater is an ice maker disposed at a predetermined distance from a portion of the second tray pressed by the center of the pusher. According to claim 11,
The heater and the second tray are made of a material that is easily deformable, and are deformed when pressed by the pusher. a tray having a plurality of cells forming part of a space in which ice is frozen;
a heater providing heat to the space;
Including a heater case in which the heater is installed,
The heater is,
a first portion disposed to heat some of the plurality of cells;
a second portion disposed to heat some other cells among the plurality of cells; and
comprising a third part disposed between the first part and the second part,
The third part has a larger radius of curvature than the first part, or
The third part is an ice maker where the radius of curvature is larger than that of the second part. a tray having a plurality of cells forming part of a space in which ice is frozen;
a heater providing heat to the space;
Including a heater case in which the heater is installed,
The heater is,
a first curved portion disposed to heat some cells among the plurality of cells;
An ice maker comprising a second curved portion arranged to heat other cells among the plurality of cells and having a length different from the length of the first curved portion. storeroom;
a door that opens and closes the storage compartment; and
A refrigerator including the ice maker of claim 1 or 5.