US20170314841A1 - Ice-making device and refrigerator including the same - Google Patents

Ice-making device and refrigerator including the same Download PDF

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Publication number
US20170314841A1
US20170314841A1 US15/481,363 US201715481363A US2017314841A1 US 20170314841 A1 US20170314841 A1 US 20170314841A1 US 201715481363 A US201715481363 A US 201715481363A US 2017314841 A1 US2017314841 A1 US 2017314841A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
ice
cold air
route portion
making room
guide
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Abandoned
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US15/481,363
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English (en)
Inventor
Min Bon Koo
Sung Jin Yang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
WiniaDaewoo Co Ltd
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Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corp
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Assigned to DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION reassignment DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KOO, MIN BON, YANG, SUNG JIN
Publication of US20170314841A1 publication Critical patent/US20170314841A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • 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
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • 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
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
    • F25D17/065—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators with compartments at different temperatures
    • 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
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
    • 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
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F25C1/04—Producing ice by using stationary moulds
    • 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
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • F25C1/22—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds
    • F25C1/24—Construction of moulds; Filling devices for moulds for refrigerators, e.g. freezing trays
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25C5/20—Distributing ice
    • F25C5/22—Distributing ice particularly adapted for household refrigerators
    • 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
    • F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
    • F25D11/02—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures
    • 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
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • 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
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
    • 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
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/08—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation using ducts
    • 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
    • F25D19/00—Arrangement or mounting of refrigeration units with respect to devices or objects to be refrigerated, e.g. infrared detectors
    • 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
    • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/06—Removing frost
    • 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
    • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/06—Removing frost
    • F25D21/08—Removing frost by electric heating
    • 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
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
    • 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
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
    • F25D23/028—Details
    • 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
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25D2317/061—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 through special compartments
    • 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
    • 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
    • F25D2317/063—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 with air guides

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an ice-making device and a refrigerator including the same.
  • a refrigerator is an appliance used for storing food or other times at low temperature, e.g., in a frozen state or refrigerated.
  • the interior of the refrigerator is cooled by cold air circulating therein.
  • Cold air can be continuously generated as a refrigerant recycles through compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation.
  • Cold air supplied in the refrigerator is uniformly distributed by convection.
  • a top-mount-type refrigerator has a freezer located on top of a refrigeration compartment.
  • a bottom-freezer-type refrigerator has a freezer located under the refrigeration compartment. This enables a user to conveniently access the refrigeration compartment. On the other hand, this may be inconvenient for a user to access the freezer, if the user has to bend or lower his or her body to reach, e.g., to take out ice pieces.
  • Some bottom-freezer-type refrigerators have an ice dispenser disposed in a refrigeration compartment door located at the upper side of the refrigerator. As the ice-making device is also disposed in the door of the refrigeration compartment, cooling efficiency of the ice-making device typically is unsatisfactory.
  • Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an ice-making device for a refrigerator that offers improved cooling efficiency.
  • an ice making device includes an ice-making room having an internal space; a cold air generation system configured to supply a cold air into the ice-making room; an ice maker disposed within the ice-making room and configured to produce ice; a circulation unit disposed within the ice-making room to circulate the cold air supplied into the ice-making room, wherein the circulation unit includes a fan motor configured to blow the cold air and an air guide configured to guide the cold air blown by the fan motor along a moving route.
  • the air guide may include: a first route portion configured to guide the cold air toward an inside of the ice maker; and a second route portion configured to guide the cold air toward an outside of the ice maker.
  • the first route portion may face an upper surface of the ice maker and have at least one first cold air flow hole formed on one surface of the first route portion facing the upper surface of the ice maker.
  • the second route portion may face a side surface of the ice maker and have at least one second cold air flow hole formed on one surface of the second route portion.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of an exemplary refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating the configuration of the exemplary refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 3 is a configuration view illustrating the configuration of an exemplary ice-making device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which is viewed from the interior of the refrigerator.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary cold air generation system disposed in the ice-making device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an air guide in the exemplary ice-making device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the air guide in the exemplary ice-making device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which cold air circulates through the ice-making device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the refrigerator 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 3 is a configuration view of an ice-making device 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, which is viewed from the interior of the refrigerator 1 .
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a cold air generation system 200 in the ice-making device 2 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the refrigerator 1 may include an ice-making device 2 configured to produce ice, a refrigerator main body 10 constituting an outer body, and refrigerator doors 30 disposed on a front surface of the refrigerator main body 10 and configured to selectively open and close the refrigerator main body 10 .
  • an ice-making device 2 configured to produce ice
  • a refrigerator main body 10 constituting an outer body
  • refrigerator doors 30 disposed on a front surface of the refrigerator main body 10 and configured to selectively open and close the refrigerator main body 10 .
  • a bottom-freezer-type refrigerator in which a refrigeration compartment 11 is positioned at an upper side and a freezer 12 is positioned at a lower side.
  • the present disclosure can be applied in various types of refrigerators that are well known in the art.
  • the refrigerator main body 10 may include an upper refrigeration compartment 11 and a lower freezer 12 divided by a barrier 20 .
  • the refrigerator doors 30 may selectively open and close the refrigeration compartment 11 and the freezer 12 .
  • the refrigerator doors 30 may include a refrigeration compartment door 31 configured to selectively seal the refrigeration compartment 11 and a freezer door 32 configured to selectively seal the freezer 12 .
  • the ice-making device 2 can produce ice and may be installed in the refrigerator 1 .
  • the ice-making device 2 may include, for example, an ice-making room 100 , a cold air generation system 200 , an ice maker 300 and a circulation unit 400 .
  • the ice-making room 100 includes an outer shell that defines an internal space S.
  • the ice-making room 100 may be disposed in, for example, the refrigeration compartment door 31 of the refrigerator 1 .
  • the location of the ice-making room 100 may vary in different embodiments.
  • Cold air may be supplied to the ice-making room 100 .
  • the ice-making room 100 may communicate with the cold air generation system 200 and may receive cold air from the cold air generation system 200 .
  • the ice-making room 100 may include an intake port 110 and an exhaust port 120 for cold air.
  • Cold air generated in the cold air generation system 200 may be introduced into the ice-making room 100 through the intake port 110 .
  • Cold air circulates through the interior of the ice-making room 100 and may be supplied back to the cold air generation system 200 through the exhaust port 120 and may be cooled again.
  • the intake port 110 may be positioned higher than the exhaust port 120 .
  • the cold air generation system 200 can supply cold air to the ice-making room 100 .
  • the cold air generation system 200 may be disposed in the refrigerator main body 10 , for example, in the lower sidewall of the refrigerator main body 10 .
  • the cold air generation system 200 may include, for example, a cooling duct 210 disposed in a sidewall of the refrigerator main body 10 as a cooling flow path, an evaporation coil 220 surrounding at least a portion of the cooling duct 210 to generate cold air through heat exchange with a refrigerant, a compressor 230 configured to convert the refrigerant discharged from the evaporation coil 220 to a gas phase having high temperature and high pressure, a condenser 240 configured to the gas-phase refrigerant to a liquid-phase refrigerant having high pressure, an expansion valve 250 configured to adiabatically expand and depressurize the liquid-phase refrigerant and to supply the liquid-phase refrigerant to the evaporation coil 220 , and a heater (not shown) used to defrost the cooling duct 210 .
  • a cooling duct 210 disposed in a sidewall of the refrigerator main body 10 as a cooling flow path
  • an evaporation coil 220 surrounding at least a
  • the cooling duct 210 may be selectively brought into communication with the ice-making room 100 depending on the opening or closing of the refrigerator main body 10 by the refrigerator doors 30 and may supply cold air to the ice-making room 100 . For example, if the refrigerator doors 30 are closed, the cooling duct 210 may be in communication with the ice-making room 100 and may supply cold air to the ice-making room 100 .
  • the opposite end portions of the cooling duct 210 may communicate with the ice-making room 100 .
  • a first duct hole 211 coupled to the intake port 110 of the ice-making room 100 may be disposed in one end portion of the cooling duct 210 and a second duct hole 212 coupled to the exhaust port 120 of the ice-making room 100 may be disposed in the other end portion of the cooling duct 210 .
  • the cold air passed through the first duct hole 211 may be introduced into the ice-making room 100 through the intake port 110 .
  • Cold air may be circulated through the ice-making room 100 and may be discharged through the exhaust port 120 .
  • Cold air may be introduced into the cooling duct 210 through the second duct hole 212 .
  • a water drain portion 600 may be coupled to the cooling duct 210 and can discharge water in the cooling duct 210 (e.g., generated from defrosting) to the outside.
  • the heater may include an insulation tape and surround at least a portion of the surface of the cooling duct 210 and may be configured to apply heat to the cooling duct 210 .
  • a heat exchange process using a refrigerant may take place and include compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation.
  • air in the cooling duct 210 may be cooled into cold air by exchanging heat with the refrigerant in the evaporation coil 220 .
  • the cooling flow path is long enough to cool the air into cold air.
  • air may remain in the cooling flow path for a sufficient time to be cooled into cold air which has a temperature capable of freezing water e.g., 14 degrees C. below zero or less).
  • the ice maker 300 may be disposed within the ice-making room 100 to produce ice.
  • the ice maker 300 may receive water from an external water source (not shown) and the water freezes into ice by cold air supplied into the ice-making room 100 .
  • the cold air generation system 200 and the ice maker 300 may be implemented in any other suitable configurations that are well known in art.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an air guide in the exemplary ice-making device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the air guide in the exemplary ice-making device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which cold air circulates through the ice-making device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the circulation unit 400 is configured to circulate cold air and may be disposed within the ice-making room 100 .
  • the circulation unit 400 may include a fan motor 410 configured to blow cold air supplied into the ice-making room 100 and an air guide 420 configured to guide cold air along a cold air moving route.
  • the fan motor 410 may be disposed at the front end of the intake port 110 of the ice-making room 100 .
  • the air guide 420 may be disposed at the front end of the fan motor 410 .
  • cold air supplied from the cooling duct 210 may be pushed to circulate through the ice-making room 100 .
  • the fan motor 410 may be implemented in any suitable manner that is well known in the art.
  • the air guide 420 configured to guide cold air along a cold air moving route may be disposed at the front end of the fan motor 410 .
  • the air guide 420 may guide cold air along a plurality of routes, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the ice maker 300 .
  • the air guide 420 may include, for example, a first route portion 421 configured to guide cold air toward the inside of the ice maker 300 and a second route portion 422 configured to guide cold air to the outside of the ice maker 300 .
  • the first route portion 421 may face the upper surface of the ice maker 300 .
  • At least one first cold air flow hole 421 a may be disposed on one surface of the first route portion 421 facing the upper surface of the ice maker 300 .
  • the first cold air flow hole 421 a may guide cold air toward an ice production portion (not shown) disposed inside the ice maker 300 .
  • the first cold air flow hole 421 a enables cold air having a low temperature just exited from the cooling duct 210 to be preferentially supplied to the ice maker 300 , thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the ice maker 300 .
  • the first cold air flow hole 421 a may be disposed along the longitudinal direction of the first route portion 421 .
  • a plurality of first cold air flow holes 421 a may be spaced apart from each other and disposed along the longitudinal direction of the first route portion 421 .
  • the shape and number of the first cold air flow holes 421 a may vary in different embodiments.
  • the second route portion 422 may face the side surface of the ice maker 300 .
  • At least one second cold air flow hole 422 a may be disposed at one side of the second route portion 422 .
  • the second cold air flow hole 422 a may face an ice bucket 500 disposed at the lower side of the ice maker 300 . Cold air can flow to the ice bucket 500 through the second cold air flow hole 422 a.
  • the second route portion 422 may guide cold air along a route differing from the first route portion 421 .
  • the second route portion 422 may guide cold air toward one side of the ice-making room 100 where the ice maker 300 is not disposed.
  • at least one second cold air flow hole 422 a may be disposed in the second route portion 422 .
  • the total area of the first cold air flow holes 421 a may be set larger than the total area of the second cold air flow hole 422 a.
  • the cold air may mainly flow along the first route portion 421 (see FIG. 7 ).
  • the end portion of the first route portion 421 and the end portion of the second route portion 422 may be coupled to each other.
  • the first route portion 421 and the second route portion 422 may be injection-molded into one piece.
  • the air guide 420 may have a substantially L-like shape overall.
  • the fan motor 410 may be coupled to one or both of the first route portion 421 and the second route portion 422 to blow cold air toward the air guide 420 .
  • An ice bucket 500 configured to store ice produced in the ice maker 300 may be disposed below the ice maker 300 .
  • a sensor (not shown) may be disposed in the ice bucket 500 to determine the amount of ice stored in the ice bucket 500 .
  • the ice-making device 2 includes the air guide 420 that can guide and distribute cold air. Cold air having a lowest temperature is preferentially supplied to the ice maker 300 , thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the ice-making device 2 .
  • cold air introduced into the ice-making room 100 through the intake port 110 may be delivered to the ice bucket 500 disposed under the ice maker 300 through the second route portion 422 .
  • the temperature in the ice bucket 500 may be maintained without requiring an additional cooling device or an additional cold air guide.
  • ice in the ice bucket 500 can remain frozen.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
US15/481,363 2016-04-29 2017-04-06 Ice-making device and refrigerator including the same Abandoned US20170314841A1 (en)

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KR1020160053263A KR20170123513A (ko) 2016-04-29 2016-04-29 제빙장치 및 이를 포함하는 냉장고

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US (1) US20170314841A1 (de)
EP (1) EP3239629A1 (de)
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CN (1) CN107367096A (de)

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US10047996B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2018-08-14 Whirlpool Corporation Multi-sheet spherical ice making
US10066861B2 (en) 2012-11-16 2018-09-04 Whirlpool Corporation Ice cube release and rapid freeze using fluid exchange apparatus
US10161663B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2018-12-25 Whirlpool Corporation Ice maker with rocking cold plate
US10174982B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2019-01-08 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker
US20190145683A1 (en) * 2017-11-13 2019-05-16 Whirlpool Corporation Ice-making appliance
US10605512B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-03-31 Whirlpool Corporation Method of warming a mold apparatus
US10690388B2 (en) 2014-10-23 2020-06-23 Whirlpool Corporation Method and apparatus for increasing rate of ice production in an automatic ice maker
US10788251B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-09-29 Whirlpool Corporation Twist harvest ice geometry
US10816253B2 (en) 2012-12-13 2020-10-27 Whirlpool Corporation Clear ice maker with warm air flow
US10907874B2 (en) 2018-10-22 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Ice maker downspout
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US10066861B2 (en) 2012-11-16 2018-09-04 Whirlpool Corporation Ice cube release and rapid freeze using fluid exchange apparatus
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US10907874B2 (en) 2018-10-22 2021-02-02 Whirlpool Corporation Ice maker downspout
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KR20170123513A (ko) 2017-11-08
CN107367096A (zh) 2017-11-21

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