US20110283732A1 - Refrigerator - Google Patents
Refrigerator Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110283732A1 US20110283732A1 US13/197,431 US201113197431A US2011283732A1 US 20110283732 A1 US20110283732 A1 US 20110283732A1 US 201113197431 A US201113197431 A US 201113197431A US 2011283732 A1 US2011283732 A1 US 2011283732A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- refrigerating chamber
- ice
- cold air
- container
- refrigerator
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 claims description 29
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 claims description 29
- 238000005338 heat storage Methods 0.000 abstract description 12
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 15
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011232 storage material Substances 0.000 description 3
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000251468 Actinopterygii Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019441 ethanol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013372 meat Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910000028 potassium bicarbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000015497 potassium bicarbonate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011736 potassium bicarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- TYJJADVDDVDEDZ-UHFFFAOYSA-M potassium hydrogencarbonate Chemical compound [K+].OC([O-])=O TYJJADVDDVDEDZ-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 229940086066 potassium hydrogencarbonate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 235000013311 vegetables Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
- F25C5/18—Storing ice
- F25C5/182—Ice bins therefor
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
- F25C2400/00—Auxiliary features or devices for producing, working or handling ice
- F25C2400/10—Refrigerator units
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/062—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation along the inside of doors
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
- F25D2317/066—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air supply
- F25D2317/0666—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation characterised by the air supply from the freezer
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a structure for allowing ice, which is received in an ice-storing device provided in a refrigerating chamber door, to be in a frozen state without being melted.
- a refrigerator is an electric home appliance for storing foods in a low temperature state so that the foods can be kept in a fresh state for an extended period of time.
- a refrigerator includes a refrigerating chamber that is maintained in a temperature range of 1 to 4° C. to store foods such as vegetables in a fresh state, and a freezing chamber that is maintained at about ⁇ 18° C. to store foods such as meat or fish in a frozen state.
- refrigerators are classified into a type in which a freezing chamber is positioned above a refrigerating chamber, a type in which a freezing chamber is positioned below a refrigerating chamber, and a type in which a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber are positioned side by side.
- refrigerators may be classified into a side-by-side door refrigerator having right and left doors, and a single-side door refrigerator having upper and lower doors.
- an ice maker for making ice and an ice bank for storing the ice are provided in any one of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber.
- water stored in the ice maker is made into ice by means of a refrigerant that has passed through an evaporator, and the ice falls into and stored in the ice bank provided below the ice maker.
- the ice maker is provided in the refrigerating chamber, and the ice bank is provided at a refrigerating chamber door.
- the refrigerating chamber is kept at a temperature above zero, the ice stored in the ice bank may be partially melted and stuck again together.
- an overload may be applied to an ice crusher provided in the ice bank. More specifically, in a case where an overload is applied to the ice crusher, parts such as a motor for operating the ice crusher or a blade for crushing ice may be damaged. As a result, there is a disadvantage in that the life span of the ice bank is shortened, resulting in additional repair or replacement costs.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator, wherein ice stored in an ice bank provided at a refrigerating chamber door is kept in a frozen state without being melted.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator, wherein ice stored in an ice bank is prevented from being melted and stuck together so that an ice crusher for crushing the ice is not damaged.
- a refrigerator comprises a main body including a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, a door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber, a container provided in the door to store ice therein, a cold heat storage member provided at an entire or partial portion of the container; and a cold air duct provided in the main body to discharge cold air directly to the container.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the refrigerator according to the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of an ice bank of the refrigerator according to the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the ice bank of the refrigerator according to the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the refrigerator according to the present invention.
- the refrigerator of the present invention will be described by way of example in connection with a bottom-freezer type refrigerator in which a refrigerating chamber is provided at an upper portion and a freezing chamber is provided at a lower portion.
- the refrigerator 10 of the present invention includes a main body 11 having a refrigerating chamber 15 and a freezing chamber 16 provided therein, refrigerating chamber doors 12 for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber 15 , and a freezing chamber door 13 for opening or closing the freezing chamber 16 .
- the refrigerating chamber 15 and the freezing chamber 16 are partitioned by means of a barrier 111 .
- the refrigerator 10 further includes a compressor 32 provided at a lower portion of the main body 11 to compress a refrigerant, an evaporator 31 disposed at a rear portion of the main body 11 to generate cold air, and a blower fan 30 for causing the cold air generated by the evaporator 31 to be supplied into the refrigerating chamber 15 and the freezing chamber 16 .
- the refrigerator 10 further includes a freezing duct 17 for supplying the cold air blown by the blower fan 30 to the freezing chamber 16 , a refrigeration duct 18 for supplying the cold air to the refrigerating chamber 15 , an ice maker 20 provided on a ceiling of the refrigerating chamber 15 , and an ice bank 21 for storing ice made by the ice maker 20 .
- the freezing duct 17 is provided with a plurality of cold air holes, and the cold air is discharged into the freezing chamber 16 through the cold air holes.
- the evaporator 31 and the blower fan 30 may be provided in a separate space in the main body 11 and a freezing duct 17 connected to the freezing chamber 16 may be separately provided.
- the refrigeration duct 18 extends from a space where the evaporator 31 is accommodated, and is then connected to the refrigerating chamber 15 through the barrier 111 .
- the refrigeration duct 18 may be branched off from the freezing duct 17 .
- the refrigerating chamber doors 12 are generally provided as side-by-side doors, and the freezing chamber door 13 is generally in the form of a drawer-type door.
- the freezing chamber door 13 may also be provided in the form of side-by-side doors.
- ice made by the ice maker 20 provided on the ceiling of the refrigerating chamber 15 is separated by an ejector (not shown) and then falls into the ice bank 21 .
- a guide extending from the ice maker 20 or the ice bank 21 may be provided such that the ice separated from the ice maker 20 can safely fall into the ice bank 21 .
- the ice bank 21 has an upper face in the form of an opening, and the opening of the ice bank 21 is positioned below the ice maker 20 when the refrigerating chamber doors 12 are closed.
- ice may be made by supplying cold air directly to the ice maker 20 or by providing an additional refrigerant conduit to the ice maker.
- the ice bank 21 is provided in the refrigerating chamber 15 or the refrigerating chamber door 12 , there may be a phenomenon by which ice stored in the ice bank is melted and stuck together since the refrigerating chamber 15 is kept at a temperature above zero.
- the refrigeration duct 18 communicates with the space where the evaporator 31 is accommodated, and then extends upward along a wall of the refrigerating chamber 15 and to the ceiling of the refrigerating chamber 15 . Then, an end of the refrigeration duct 18 extends to a front portion of the refrigerating chamber 15 and is positioned above the container 211 of the ice bank 21 . Thus, cold air flowing along the refrigeration duct 18 is discharged forward, and a portion of the discharged cold air falls into the container 211 , and the remainder of the cold air circulates in the refrigerating chamber 15 .
- the refrigeration duct 18 extends to the front portion of the refrigerating chamber 15 and the cold air discharged from the refrigeration duct 18 is discharged downward, it is possible to obtain an air curtain effect.
- FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.
- the refrigeration duct 18 for allowing cold air to be discharged toward the ice bank 21 is characterized by extending forward along a bottom surface of a shelf 112 . Since the other constitutions of this embodiment are substantially identical with those of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
- the refrigeration duct 18 extends from the space where the evaporator 31 is accommodated, and is then connected to the refrigerating chamber 15 through the barrier 111 . More specifically, the refrigeration duct 18 extends upward along a rear surface of the refrigerating chamber 15 and then extends forward along the bottom surface of the shelf 112 . In addition, discharge ports provided at an end of the refrigeration duct 18 are positioned above the ice bank 21 . Thus, a portion of the cold air discharged from the refrigeration duct 18 is discharged toward the ice bank 21 , and the remainder of the cold air circulates in the refrigerating chamber 15 .
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of an ice bank of the refrigerator according to the present invention
- FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the ice bank of the refrigerator according to the present invention.
- the ice bank 21 of the present invention includes a cylindrical container 211 with an open upper portion, a cold heat storage member 60 surrounding the container 211 , an auger 212 provided at an inner lower portion of the container 211 to guide ice downward, a crusher 213 integrally connected to a lower end of the auger 212 to crush ice, a motor 214 for driving the crusher 213 , and a shaft 215 for connecting the motor 214 to the crusher 213 so as to transmit a rotational force of the motor.
- the ice maker 20 is provided at a side of the ceiling of the refrigerating chamber 15 . Specifically, the ice maker 20 is positioned above the ice bank 21 such that ice discharged from the ice maker 20 can fall into the container 211 .
- any kind of ice maker can be used as the ice maker 20 , a detailed description of the structure thereof will be omitted.
- cold heat storage member 60 is illustrated to surround an outer peripheral surface of the container 211 as a preferred embodiment, it is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the cold heat storage member 60 may be disposed to surround an inner peripheral surface of the container 211 or to be embedded in the container 211 .
- a liquid cold heat storage material that is generally used in the art may be employed. That is, a cold heat storage material in which potassium hydrogen carbonate and ethyl alcohol are mixed may be used. It should be noted that the cold heat storage material is not limited to particular materials.
- the cold heat storage member 60 surrounds the container 211 , the cold air discharged from the refrigeration duct 18 is stored in the cold heat storage member 60 .
- ice stored in the container 211 can be kept in a frozen state without being melted.
- the refrigerator of the present invention constructed as above, even though an ice bank for storing ice is provided in a refrigerating chamber door, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon by which ice is melted and stuck together.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a structure for allowing ice, which is received in an ice-storing device provided in a refrigerating chamber door, to be in a frozen state without being melted. The refrigerator of the present invention comprises a main body including at least a refrigerating chamber, a door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber, a container provided in the door to store ice therein, and a cold heat storage member surrounding the container. According to the refrigerator of the present invention constructed as above, even though an ice bank for storing ice is provided in a refrigerating chamber door, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon by which ice is melted and stuck together.
Description
- This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/969,042, filed Jan. 3, 2008, which claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Application 60/883,320, filed Jan. 3, 2007, the subject matters of which are incorporated herein by reference. - 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a structure for allowing ice, which is received in an ice-storing device provided in a refrigerating chamber door, to be in a frozen state without being melted.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Generally, a refrigerator is an electric home appliance for storing foods in a low temperature state so that the foods can be kept in a fresh state for an extended period of time.
- Specifically, a refrigerator includes a refrigerating chamber that is maintained in a temperature range of 1 to 4° C. to store foods such as vegetables in a fresh state, and a freezing chamber that is maintained at about −18° C. to store foods such as meat or fish in a frozen state.
- In addition, refrigerators are classified into a type in which a freezing chamber is positioned above a refrigerating chamber, a type in which a freezing chamber is positioned below a refrigerating chamber, and a type in which a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber are positioned side by side.
- Alternatively, refrigerators may be classified into a side-by-side door refrigerator having right and left doors, and a single-side door refrigerator having upper and lower doors.
- Meanwhile, an ice maker for making ice and an ice bank for storing the ice are provided in any one of the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber.
- Specifically, in a case where the ice maker and the ice bank are provided in the freezing chamber, water stored in the ice maker is made into ice by means of a refrigerant that has passed through an evaporator, and the ice falls into and stored in the ice bank provided below the ice maker.
- Meanwhile, in some refrigerators, the ice maker is provided in the refrigerating chamber, and the ice bank is provided at a refrigerating chamber door. In this case, since the refrigerating chamber is kept at a temperature above zero, the ice stored in the ice bank may be partially melted and stuck again together.
- Specifically, in a case where ice is melted and stuck together, there is a problem in that an overload may be applied to an ice crusher provided in the ice bank. More specifically, in a case where an overload is applied to the ice crusher, parts such as a motor for operating the ice crusher or a blade for crushing ice may be damaged. As a result, there is a disadvantage in that the life span of the ice bank is shortened, resulting in additional repair or replacement costs.
- The present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator, wherein ice stored in an ice bank provided at a refrigerating chamber door is kept in a frozen state without being melted.
- Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator, wherein ice stored in an ice bank is prevented from being melted and stuck together so that an ice crusher for crushing the ice is not damaged.
- A refrigerator according to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the objects comprises a main body including at least a refrigerating chamber, a door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber, a container provided in the door to store ice therein, and a cold heat storage member surrounding the container.
- A refrigerator according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a main body including a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, a door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber, a container provided in the door to store ice therein, a cold heat storage member provided at an entire or partial portion of the container; and a cold air duct provided in the main body to discharge cold air directly to the container.
- With the structure described above, there is an advantage in that ice stored in the ice bank provided at the refrigerating chamber door can be kept in a frozen state without being melted.
- The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
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FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the refrigerator according to the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of an ice bank of the refrigerator according to the present invention; and -
FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the ice bank of the refrigerator according to the present invention. - Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and retrograde embodiments or other embodiments included in the scope of the present invention can be easily conceived by adding, changing or eliminating other components.
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FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to the present invention, andFIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing the refrigerator according to the present invention. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , the refrigerator of the present invention will be described by way of example in connection with a bottom-freezer type refrigerator in which a refrigerating chamber is provided at an upper portion and a freezing chamber is provided at a lower portion. - The
refrigerator 10 of the present invention includes amain body 11 having a refrigeratingchamber 15 and afreezing chamber 16 provided therein, refrigeratingchamber doors 12 for opening or closing the refrigeratingchamber 15, and afreezing chamber door 13 for opening or closing thefreezing chamber 16. Specifically, the refrigeratingchamber 15 and thefreezing chamber 16 are partitioned by means of abarrier 111. - In addition, the
refrigerator 10 further includes acompressor 32 provided at a lower portion of themain body 11 to compress a refrigerant, anevaporator 31 disposed at a rear portion of themain body 11 to generate cold air, and ablower fan 30 for causing the cold air generated by theevaporator 31 to be supplied into the refrigeratingchamber 15 and thefreezing chamber 16. - Moreover, the
refrigerator 10 further includes afreezing duct 17 for supplying the cold air blown by theblower fan 30 to thefreezing chamber 16, arefrigeration duct 18 for supplying the cold air to the refrigeratingchamber 15, anice maker 20 provided on a ceiling of the refrigeratingchamber 15, and anice bank 21 for storing ice made by theice maker 20. - Specifically, the
freezing duct 17 is provided with a plurality of cold air holes, and the cold air is discharged into thefreezing chamber 16 through the cold air holes. Here, in addition to the structure in which theevaporator 31 and theblower fan 30 are disposed in thefreezing duct 17, theevaporator 31 and theblower fan 30 may be provided in a separate space in themain body 11 and afreezing duct 17 connected to thefreezing chamber 16 may be separately provided. - Furthermore, the
refrigeration duct 18 extends from a space where theevaporator 31 is accommodated, and is then connected to the refrigeratingchamber 15 through thebarrier 111. Here, in addition to the structure in which therefrigeration duct 18 communicates directly with the space with theevaporator 31 accommodated therein, it should be noted that therefrigeration duct 18 may be branched off from thefreezing duct 17. - As shown in the figures, the refrigerating
chamber doors 12 are generally provided as side-by-side doors, and thefreezing chamber door 13 is generally in the form of a drawer-type door. However, thefreezing chamber door 13 may also be provided in the form of side-by-side doors. - With the structure described above, ice made by the
ice maker 20 provided on the ceiling of the refrigeratingchamber 15 is separated by an ejector (not shown) and then falls into theice bank 21. Here, a guide extending from theice maker 20 or theice bank 21 may be provided such that the ice separated from theice maker 20 can safely fall into theice bank 21. - Specifically, the
ice bank 21 has an upper face in the form of an opening, and the opening of theice bank 21 is positioned below theice maker 20 when the refrigeratingchamber doors 12 are closed. In addition, ice may be made by supplying cold air directly to theice maker 20 or by providing an additional refrigerant conduit to the ice maker. - Meanwhile, in a case where the
ice bank 21 is provided in the refrigeratingchamber 15 or the refrigeratingchamber door 12, there may be a phenomenon by which ice stored in the ice bank is melted and stuck together since the refrigeratingchamber 15 is kept at a temperature above zero. - To solve this problem, it is necessary to always maintain the interior of the
ice bank 21 at a temperature below zero so that ice is not melted. - Meanwhile, the
refrigeration duct 18 communicates with the space where theevaporator 31 is accommodated, and then extends upward along a wall of the refrigeratingchamber 15 and to the ceiling of the refrigeratingchamber 15. Then, an end of therefrigeration duct 18 extends to a front portion of the refrigeratingchamber 15 and is positioned above thecontainer 211 of theice bank 21. Thus, cold air flowing along therefrigeration duct 18 is discharged forward, and a portion of the discharged cold air falls into thecontainer 211, and the remainder of the cold air circulates in the refrigeratingchamber 15. - With this structure, at least a portion of cold air, which has been cooled to a lower temperature while passing through the
evaporator 31, is discharged directly into thecontainer 211, thereby effectively preventing a phenomenon by which ice accommodated in thecontainer 211 is melted and stuck together. - Further, since the
refrigeration duct 18 extends to the front portion of the refrigeratingchamber 15 and the cold air discharged from therefrigeration duct 18 is discharged downward, it is possible to obtain an air curtain effect. -
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention. - Referring to
FIG. 3 , therefrigeration duct 18 for allowing cold air to be discharged toward theice bank 21 is characterized by extending forward along a bottom surface of ashelf 112. Since the other constitutions of this embodiment are substantially identical with those of the embodiment shown inFIG. 2 , detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. - Specifically, the
refrigeration duct 18 extends from the space where theevaporator 31 is accommodated, and is then connected to the refrigeratingchamber 15 through thebarrier 111. More specifically, therefrigeration duct 18 extends upward along a rear surface of the refrigeratingchamber 15 and then extends forward along the bottom surface of theshelf 112. In addition, discharge ports provided at an end of therefrigeration duct 18 are positioned above theice bank 21. Thus, a portion of the cold air discharged from therefrigeration duct 18 is discharged toward theice bank 21, and the remainder of the cold air circulates in the refrigeratingchamber 15. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the structure of an ice bank of the refrigerator according to the present invention, andFIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the ice bank of the refrigerator according to the present invention. - Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5 , theice bank 21 of the present invention includes acylindrical container 211 with an open upper portion, a coldheat storage member 60 surrounding thecontainer 211, anauger 212 provided at an inner lower portion of thecontainer 211 to guide ice downward, acrusher 213 integrally connected to a lower end of theauger 212 to crush ice, amotor 214 for driving thecrusher 213, and ashaft 215 for connecting themotor 214 to thecrusher 213 so as to transmit a rotational force of the motor. - Furthermore, the
ice maker 20 is provided at a side of the ceiling of the refrigeratingchamber 15. Specifically, theice maker 20 is positioned above theice bank 21 such that ice discharged from theice maker 20 can fall into thecontainer 211. - Here, since any kind of ice maker can be used as the
ice maker 20, a detailed description of the structure thereof will be omitted. - Although the cold
heat storage member 60 is illustrated to surround an outer peripheral surface of thecontainer 211 as a preferred embodiment, it is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the coldheat storage member 60 may be disposed to surround an inner peripheral surface of thecontainer 211 or to be embedded in thecontainer 211. - As for the material of the cold
heat storage member 60, a liquid cold heat storage material that is generally used in the art may be employed. That is, a cold heat storage material in which potassium hydrogen carbonate and ethyl alcohol are mixed may be used. It should be noted that the cold heat storage material is not limited to particular materials. - Since the cold
heat storage member 60 surrounds thecontainer 211, the cold air discharged from therefrigeration duct 18 is stored in the coldheat storage member 60. Thus, ice stored in thecontainer 211 can be kept in a frozen state without being melted. - According to the refrigerator of the present invention constructed as above, even though an ice bank for storing ice is provided in a refrigerating chamber door, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon by which ice is melted and stuck together.
- Further, since ice is not melted and stuck together, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon by which an overload is applied to an ice crusher provided in the ice bank.
- In addition, since an overload is not applied to the ice crusher, components such as a motor for driving the ice crusher or a blade for crushing ice are not damaged. Thus, the life span of the ice bank is extended and additional repair and replacement costs are not required.
Claims (16)
1. A refrigerator, comprising:
a main body including at least a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber disposed under the refrigerating chamber;
a first refrigerating chamber door and a second refrigerating chamber door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber;
an ice maker disposed within the refrigerating chamber so as to be located behind the first refrigerating chamber door;
an container mounted on the first refrigerating chamber door to supply ice from the ice maker and to be exposed to an inside of the refrigerating chamber;
a dispenser disposed in the first refrigerating chamber door to dispense the ice received in the container;
an evaporator disposed within the freezing chamber to supply cold air; and
a cold air flow passage for supplying the cold air from the freezing chamber to the container in order to maintain the ice in the container in a frozen state, and the cold air flow passage to extend along a ceiling of the refrigerating chamber.
2. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cold air flow passage comprises a duct member having a discharge port positioned above an opening of the container.
3. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ice maker is disposed adjacent to the cold air flow passage.
4. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the container has an opening at an upper portion, and at least a portion of the cold air discharged from the cold air flow passage is discharged to the opening of the container.
5. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 4 , wherein a remaining portion of the cold air discharged from the cold air flow passage is discharged into the refrigerating chamber.
6. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the dispenser includes an opening through which the ice is supplied to an outside of the first refrigerating chamber door.
7. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a portion of the cold air discharged from the cold air flow passage is supplied to the ice maker.
8. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 1 , further comprises an auger rotatably provided in the container to guide the ice of the container.
9. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 9 , further comprises a motor to rotate the auger.
10. A refrigerator, comprising:
a main body including at least a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber disposed under the refrigerating chamber;
a first refrigerating chamber door and a second refrigerating chamber door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber;
an ice maker disposed within the refrigerating chamber so as to be located behind the first refrigerating chamber door;
a container mounted on the first refrigerating chamber door to supply ice from the ice maker, wherein an inside of the container communicates with the inside of the refrigerating chamber;
a dispenser disposed in the first refrigerating chamber door to dispense the ice received in the container;
an evaporator disposed within the freezing chamber to supply cold air; and
a cold air flow passage for supplying the cold air from the freezing chamber to the container in order to maintain the ice in the container in a frozen state, and the cold air flow passage to extend along a ceiling of the refrigerating chamber.
11. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the cold air flow passage comprises a duct member having a discharge port positioned above an opening of the container.
12. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the ice maker is disposed adjacent to the cold air flow passage.
13. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the container has an opening at an upper portion, and at least a portion of the cold air discharged from the cold air flow passage is discharged to the opening of the container.
14. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 10 , wherein a portion of the cold air discharged from the cold air flow passage is supplied to the ice maker.
15. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 10 , further comprises an auger rotatably provided in the container to guide the ice of the container.
16. The refrigerator as claimed in claim 15 , further comprises a motor to rotate the auger.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/197,431 US20110283732A1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2011-08-03 | Refrigerator |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US88332007P | 2007-01-03 | 2007-01-03 | |
US11/969,042 US8161766B2 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2008-01-03 | Refrigerator ice bin with thermal storage member |
US13/197,431 US20110283732A1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2011-08-03 | Refrigerator |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/969,042 Continuation US8161766B2 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2008-01-03 | Refrigerator ice bin with thermal storage member |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20110283732A1 true US20110283732A1 (en) | 2011-11-24 |
Family
ID=39582040
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/969,042 Expired - Fee Related US8161766B2 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2008-01-03 | Refrigerator ice bin with thermal storage member |
US13/197,431 Abandoned US20110283732A1 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2011-08-03 | Refrigerator |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/969,042 Expired - Fee Related US8161766B2 (en) | 2007-01-03 | 2008-01-03 | Refrigerator ice bin with thermal storage member |
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US (2) | US8161766B2 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9557089B2 (en) | 2013-08-28 | 2017-01-31 | Whirlpool Corporation | Stir stick and breaker walls for an ice container |
CN106918173A (en) * | 2017-02-13 | 2017-07-04 | 合肥华凌股份有限公司 | Ice bank, ice cube anti-freezing method and refrigerator that a kind of anti-ice cube freezes |
US10712074B2 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2020-07-14 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with tandem evaporators |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR100826716B1 (en) * | 2006-12-28 | 2008-04-30 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
US8474283B2 (en) * | 2009-01-15 | 2013-07-02 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerator |
US20110232317A1 (en) * | 2010-03-25 | 2011-09-29 | Whirlpool Corporation | Insulation front of ice storage compartment |
US9127871B2 (en) * | 2011-06-22 | 2015-09-08 | Whirlpool Corporation | Ice making, transferring, storing and dispensing system for a refrigerator |
CN102331138B (en) * | 2011-09-22 | 2013-11-06 | 海信容声(广东)冰箱有限公司 | Refrigerator air channel structure capable of synchronously adjusting refrigeration and freezing |
KR101892755B1 (en) * | 2012-05-16 | 2018-08-28 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
US10648724B2 (en) | 2016-09-06 | 2020-05-12 | Whirlpool Corporation | Cold plate shelf assembly for a refrigerator |
KR102365546B1 (en) * | 2018-04-20 | 2022-02-21 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
Citations (2)
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US2717505A (en) * | 1952-12-10 | 1955-09-13 | Servel Inc | Ice receptacle and drip tray |
US20050061018A1 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2005-03-24 | Kim Seong Jae | Refrigerator with an icemaker |
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US6062037A (en) * | 1997-05-29 | 2000-05-16 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Refrigerated air supply apparatus for refrigerator |
US6425259B2 (en) * | 1998-12-28 | 2002-07-30 | Whirlpool Corporation | Removable ice bucket for an ice maker |
TW522213B (en) * | 2000-07-21 | 2003-03-01 | Fujitsu General Ltd | Electric refrigerator |
US6761041B2 (en) * | 2002-09-06 | 2004-07-13 | Henry Roth | Thermal energy storage system |
US7188479B2 (en) * | 2004-10-26 | 2007-03-13 | Whirlpool Corporation | Ice and water dispenser on refrigerator compartment door |
-
2008
- 2008-01-03 US US11/969,042 patent/US8161766B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2011
- 2011-08-03 US US13/197,431 patent/US20110283732A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2717505A (en) * | 1952-12-10 | 1955-09-13 | Servel Inc | Ice receptacle and drip tray |
US20050061018A1 (en) * | 2003-09-19 | 2005-03-24 | Kim Seong Jae | Refrigerator with an icemaker |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9557089B2 (en) | 2013-08-28 | 2017-01-31 | Whirlpool Corporation | Stir stick and breaker walls for an ice container |
US10508853B2 (en) | 2013-08-28 | 2019-12-17 | Whirlpool Corporation | Stir stick and breaker walls for an ice container |
CN106918173A (en) * | 2017-02-13 | 2017-07-04 | 合肥华凌股份有限公司 | Ice bank, ice cube anti-freezing method and refrigerator that a kind of anti-ice cube freezes |
US10712074B2 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2020-07-14 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with tandem evaporators |
US11493256B2 (en) | 2017-06-30 | 2022-11-08 | Midea Group Co., Ltd. | Refrigerator with tandem evaporators |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US8161766B2 (en) | 2012-04-24 |
US20080156024A1 (en) | 2008-07-03 |
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