US20190331381A1

US20190331381A1 - Ice Maker and Refrigerator Having Same

Info

Publication number: US20190331381A1
Application number: US16/388,667
Authority: US
Inventors: Young Jun Choi
Original assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: WiniaDaewoo Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-27
Filing date: 2019-04-18
Publication date: 2019-10-31
Also published as: KR20190125122A; CN110411103A

Abstract

An ice maker and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. The refrigerator includes a main body having a storage room therein; a door on the main body, configured to open and close the storage room; and an ice maker in the storage room, wherein the ice maker includes an ice tray having an accommodation unit configured to contain water and a heat transfer unit on or coupled to a bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit; a guide unit under the ice tray, forming a path for flowing cold air; an ice bucket under the guide unit and comprising a container having a concave center portion; and a rotation unit configured to move the ice in the ice tray to the ice bucket.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

BACKGROUND

A refrigerator is an apparatus for storing food at a low temperature. The refrigerator can be configured to store the food in a frozen or refrigerated state according to the type of food to be stored. The inside of the refrigerator is cooled down by continuously supplied cold air, and the cold air is continuously generated by the heat exchange action of a refrigerant by way of a refrigeration cycle going through the process of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation. Since the cold air supplied to the inside of the refrigerator is evenly delivered inside the refrigerator owing to convection, the food inside the refrigerator can be stored at a desired temperature.
An ice maker may be provided in the refrigerator for the convenience of use. The ice maker may make ice by supplying cold air to water and storing a predetermined amount of ice. The ice maker may include an ice making tray for making ice, and an ice storage unit for storing the ice made by the ice making tray.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker that can effectively make ice, and a refrigerator having the same.
In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker that can reduce the time required for freezing water (i.e., making ice), and a refrigerator having the same.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising a main body having a storage room therein; a door on the main body, configured to open and close the storage room; and an ice maker in the storage room, wherein the ice maker includes an ice tray having an accommodation unit configured to contain water and a heat transfer unit on or coupled to the accommodation unit (e.g., a bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit); a guide unit under the ice tray, forming a path for flowing cold air; an ice bucket under the guide unit and comprising a container having a concave center portion; and a rotation unit configured to move the ice in the ice tray to the ice bucket.
The heat transfer unit may include heat transfer fins (e.g., on a bottom or lowermost surface of the heat transfer unit).
The heat transfer fins may be oriented linearly along a length of the ice tray.
The heat transfer fins may include first heat transfer fins on outermost sides of the ice tray along a width direction thereof; and second heat transfer fins between the first heat transfer fins having a width or thickness that varies according to a position along the length of the heat transfer unit.
The heat transfer unit may have a bottom side with a width that is larger than a width of a top side (e.g., of the heat transfer unit).
The heat transfer unit may have heat transfer fins on the bottom or lowermost surface thereof, wherein the heat transfer fins are sloped in a vertical direction toward the outside (e.g., of the heat transfer unit).
The heat transfer fins may have a thickness or a width gradually decreasing from a top to a bottom (e.g., of the heat transfer fins).
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker comprising an ice tray configured to contain water; a guide unit under the ice tray, forming a path for flowing cold air; an ice bucket under the guide unit and comprising a container having a concave center portion; and a rotation unit configured to move the ice in the ice tray to the ice bucket, wherein the ice tray includes an accommodation unit configured to contain the water; and a heat transfer unit on or coupled to a bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit.
The heat transfer unit may have heat transfer fins on a bottom or lowermost surface thereof (i.e., of the heat transfer unit).
The heat transfer fins may have a thickness or width that gradually decreases from a top to a bottom (e.g., of the heat transfer fins).
The heat transfer unit may have a bottom side or lowermost surface with a width that is larger than a width of a top side or uppermost surface (e.g., of the heat transfer unit).
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an ice maker which can effectively make ice and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.
In addition, an ice maker which can reduce the time for freezing water and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an exemplary ice maker suitable for the refrigerator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice maker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the ice maker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an exemplary ice tray suitable for the ice maker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view showing the ice tray of FIG. 5 from the front along the length direction;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an exemplary heat transfer unit according to one or more other embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an exemplary ice tray viewed from the front along the length direction according to yet another embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a view showing an exemplary ice tray viewed from the front along the length direction according to still another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosed embodiments may be modified in a variety of forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described below. The embodiments are provided to explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shapes of the elements in the drawing may be exaggerated to emphasize more clear descriptions.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may include a main body 10 and a door 20.
Hereinafter, the direction from the rear side to the front side of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a thickness direction, the direction from one side surface to another side surface of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a width direction, and the direction from the bottom surface to the top surface of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a height direction. The door(s) 20 are at the front of the refrigerator 1, and the icemaker 30 is adjacent to the top surface of the refrigerator 1.
The main body 10 provides and/or defines the overall external shape of the refrigerator 1. At least one storage room 11 may be inside the main body 10. The storage room(s) 11 inside the main body 10 may be partitioned by a barrier 12. The storage room(s) 11 may include a refrigeration room R and a freezer room F. For example, the refrigeration room(s) R may be at or in the upper part of the main body 10, and the freezer room(s) F may be at or in the lower part of the main body 10.
At least one door 20 is on the main body 10. The door 20 opens and closes the storage room 11. For example, the door 20 is hingedly or pivotally fixed to the main body 10 to rotate and may open and close the storage room 11 as it rotates with respect to the main body 10. The number of doors 20 may correspond to the number of partitions of the storage room 11. For example, doors 20 are provided in front of the refrigeration room(s) R and the freezer room(s) F, respectively, and may individually open and close a corresponding one of the refrigeration room(s) R and the freezer room(s) F. For example, two doors 20 may be in front of the refrigeration room R on the left and right sides. One or more shelves 21 may be on the inside surface of the door 20.
An ice maker 30 may be at or on one side of the storage room 11. For example, the ice maker 30 may be in one refrigeration room R and/or at the upper part of one of the storage rooms 11. Alternatively, the ice maker 30 may be in one door 20 or in the freezer room F.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an ice maker suitable for the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice maker of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the ice maker of FIG. 2.
Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the ice maker 30 may include a case 100, an ice making assembly 200, an ice bucket 300, a discharge unit 400 and a transfer unit 500.
The ice maker 30 may make and store ice.
Hereinafter, the direction from a cold air duct 110 to the discharge unit 400 is referred to as a first direction X, a direction perpendicular to the first direction X (e.g., a horizontal direction and/or in a plane) is referred to as a second direction Y, and the vertical direction perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as a third direction Z. In addition, a side on which the discharge unit 400 is located is referred to as a front side, and a side on which the cold air duct 110 is located is referred to as a rear side.
The external shape of the ice maker 30 may be defined in part by the case 100. The case 100 may have a preset volume and a space for accommodating constitutional components of the ice maker 30 therein. The case 100 may be fixed at a point inside the storage room 11 or inside the door 20.
The ice making assembly 200 may make ice by exchanging heat of or in the water with cold air. The ice making assembly 200 may include an ice tray 2100, a guide unit 2200, a rotation unit 2300 and a cover unit 2400.
The ice tray 2100 is configured to contain water. The water in the ice tray 2100 is solidified (e.g., becomes ice) through heat exchange with cold air. The ice tray 2100 may comprise a container having a center portion that is concave downwards (e.g., U-shaped), and a space and/or preset volume for containing water may be on or in the ice tray 2100. For example, the ice tray 2100 may comprise a multi-compartment container, each compartment being configured to hold a predetermined volume of liquid water and optionally having a convex lower surface, in which the center of each compartment has a greater depth than along the sidewalls of each compartment. The ice tray 2100 may have a preset length along the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. For example, the ice tray 2100 may be rectangular as seen from the top (e.g., in a plan view). The ice tray 2100 may comprise a thermally conductive material. For example, the ice tray 2100 may be or comprise a metallic material such as aluminum or the like.
A heater 2110 may be under the ice tray 2100. The heater 2110 may contact with the bottom surface of the ice tray 2100 at least at one point. When the ice made in the ice tray 2100 is transferred to the ice bucket 300 by the rotation unit 2300, the heater 2110 may heat the bottom surface of the ice tray 2100 so that the ice may be effectively separated from the ice tray 2100.
The guide unit 2200 may be under the ice tray 2100. The guide unit 2200 forms a path for flowing cold air onto and/or around the ice tray 2100. The cold air flowing between the guide unit 2200 and the ice tray 2100 cools down the ice tray 2100 to freeze the water in the ice tray 2100. The guide unit 2200 may have a preset length in the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. The guide unit 2200 may contact the ice tray 2100 at least at one point and may support the ice tray 2100. The rear end of the guide unit 2200 in the first direction X may communicate with the cold air duct 110 that supplies the cold air. The guide unit 2200 may be fixed to the inside surface of the case 100 or to the cold air duct 110.
The rotation unit 2300 moves the ice in the ice tray 2100 to the ice bucket 300. The rotation unit 2300 may include an ice removing shaft 2310 and a drive housing 2320. The drive housing 2320 may enclose a drive (e.g., motor) configured to rotate the ice removing shaft 2310.
As the ice removing shaft 2310 rotates, the ice in the ice tray 2100 is moved to the outside of the ice tray 2100. The ice removing shaft 2310 has a preset length and may be in a space above the ice tray 2100. The ice removing shaft 2310 may be in or along the first direction X. One or more ice removing prominences 2311 may be along the ice removing shaft 2310. The ice removing prominence(s) 2311 may extend from the outer surface of the ice removing shaft 2310 by a preset length. The ice removing prominence(s) 2311 may not contact the water in the ice tray 2100 when the rotation unit 2300 is in a standby state (i.e., not in an operational state). When the ice removing shaft 2310 rotates for transfer of the ice, the ice removing prominence(s) 2311 may push the ice out of the ice tray 2100.
A drive unit (e.g., motor) inside the drive housing 2320 provides power for rotating the ice removing shaft 2310. The drive housing 2320 may be at one side of the ice tray 2100 along or with respect to the first direction X. The drive housing 2320 may be on the opposite side of the ice removing shaft 2310 from the cold air duct 110. One end of the ice removing shaft 2310 may be inserted into the drive housing 2320 by a preset length and connected to the driving unit (e.g., motor) inside the drive housing 2320.
The cover unit 2400 may be on or over the ice tray 2100, in or along the third direction Z. The cover unit 2400 may cover all or part of the top area of the ice tray 2100. The cover unit 2400 may have a preset length in the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. The width of the cover unit 2400 may correspond to the width of the guide unit 2200 or may be larger than the width of the guide unit 2200 by a set width. Accordingly, the ice tray 2100 may be between the cold air guide unit 2200 and the cover unit 2400. The front end of the cover unit 2400 may contact the top of the drive housing 2320. The cover unit 2400 may be fixed to the inner surface of the case 2410 at least at one point.
A water supply unit 2410 may be at the rear end of the cover unit 2400. The water supply unit 2410 supplies water from an external source to the ice tray 2100. For example, a water supply hole 120 connected to a water supply pipe 121 may be at one side of the case 100. In addition, the water supply unit 2410 may be aligned with the water supply hole 120, and the water flowing through the water supply hole 120 may be supplied to the water supply unit 2410.
The ice bucket 300 is under the ice making assembly 200 and contains ice from the ice making assembly 200. The ice bucket 300 may have a preset length along the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. The ice bucket 300 may comprise a container having a center portion that is concave downwards (e.g., U-shaped), and the ice bucket 300 may include a preset volume for containing ice. As seen from the top along the third direction Z, at least part of the ice bucket 300 is positioned outside the ice tray 2100 in the width direction, and the ice supplied from the ice tray 2100 may be contained in the ice bucket 300.
The discharge unit 400 may be at an end of the ice bucket 300. The discharge unit 400 discharges the ice in the ice bucket 300 to the outside of the ice maker 30 (e.g., through the corresponding door 20; see FIG. 1). The discharge unit 400 may be coupled or connected to the front end of the ice bucket 300. The discharge unit 400 may be outside the case 100. The discharge unit 400 has a width corresponding to the case 100 in the second direction Y and a height corresponding to the case 100 in the third direction Z and may shield the case 100. The discharge unit 400 may be detachable from the case 100. Accordingly, if the user separates the discharge unit 400 from the case 100 and moves the discharge unit 400 forward (e.g., out of the corresponding storage space), the ice bucket 300 may be exposed to the outside of the case 100.
The transfer unit 500 moves the ice in the ice bucket 300 to the discharge unit 400. The transfer unit 500 includes a transfer shaft 510 and a transfer housing 520.
As the transfer shaft 510 rotates, the ice in the ice bucket 300 moves to the discharge unit 400. The transfer shaft 510 has a preset length and may be in the ice bucket 300. The transfer shaft 510 may have a length or rotational axis in or along the first direction X. For example, the transfer shaft 510 may be or comprise an auger.
The transfer housing 520 houses a motor that provides power for rotating the transfer shaft 510. The transfer housing 520 may be at one side of the ice bucker 300 in or along the first direction X. The transfer housing 520 may be on the opposite side of the ice bucket 300 from the discharge unit 400. The transfer shaft 510 is coupled or connected to the transfer housing 520 or the motor therein, and may rotate by the power provided by the motor in the transfer housing 520.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ice tray shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a view of the ice tray of FIG. 3 from the front, along the length direction.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the ice tray according to one or more embodiments of the present invention includes an accommodation unit 2101 and a heat transfer unit 2105.
The accommodation unit 2101 is configured to contain water. The accommodation unit 2101 comprises a container having a center portion with one or more concave grooves or depressions and a preset volume for containing water. The accommodation unit 2101 may have a preset length along the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. For example, the accommodation unit 2101 may have a rectangular shape as seen from the top.
The heat transfer unit 2105 is on or coupled to the bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit 2101. For example, the heat transfer unit 2105 may be on or coupled to the bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit 2101 by a coupling member (not shown) such as a bolt, a tongue-in-groove feature, an adhesive or the like. A heat transfer fluid may be in at least some areas of the interface between the heat transfer unit 2105 and the accommodation unit 2101. For example, the top surface of the heat transfer unit 2105 may correspond to the bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit 2101. For example, the bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit 2101 and the top surface of the heat transfer unit 2105 may be partially or completely planar, and the heat transfer unit 2105 may be connected to the bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit 2101 while minimizing generation of a gap between the bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit 2101 and the top surface of the heat transfer unit 2105. In addition, the bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit 2101 may have one or more convex (downward) or concave (upward) features, and the top surface of the heat transfer unit 2105 may have one or more concave (downward) or convex (upward) features matching, mating with or otherwise corresponding to the shape of the bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit 2101.
Heat transfer fins 2106 may be on the bottom or lowermost surface of the heat transfer unit 2105. The heat transfer fins 2106 may have a preset thickness or width in the second direction Y and a preset height in the third direction Z. The heat transfer fins 2106 are spaced apart from each other by a preset distance in the second direction Y, and a groove or recess in the third direction Z is between adjacent heat transfer fins 2106 on the bottom or lowermost surface of the heat transfer unit 2105. The heat transfer fins 2106 may have a preset length along the first direction X. For example, the heat transfer fins 2106 may be between the front end and the back end of the heat transfer unit 2105 with a length corresponding to the length of the heat transfer unit 2105. The heat transfer unit 2105 may be oriented linearly along the first direction X.
Heater grooves or depressions 2102 configured to house or contain the heater 2110 may be on the bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit 2101, on the top surface of the heat transfer unit 2105, or between the bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit 2101 and the top surface of the heat transfer unit 2105. The heater grooves or depressions 2102 may extend along the first direction X.
The ice tray 2100 may be manufactured by die casting or the like. The ice tray 2100 may comprise a metallic material, considering heat transfer efficiency, durability and the like. The method by which the ice tray 2100 is shaped may include the die casting or the like. It is difficult for a conventional ice tray to have a structure on the bottom or lowermost surface thereof that enhances heat transfer efficiency, while having a space for water therein. Contrarily, the ice tray 2100 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may combine the accommodation unit 2101 and the heat transfer unit 2105 after the accommodation unit 2101 and the heat transfer unit 2105 are manufactured separately. Accordingly, the ice tray 2100 may have a structure on the bottom or lowermost surface thereof that enhances heat transfer efficiency and that may reduce the time for changing liquid water to ice.
FIG. 7 is a view showing a heat transfer unit according to another embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 7, heat transfer fins 2106 b and 2107 b may be on the bottom or underside of the heat transfer unit 2105 b. The heat transfer fins 2106 b and 2107 b have a preset length in the first direction X. At least one of the heat transfer fins 2107 b may have a thickness or width (e.g., in the Z direction) that varies along the length of the heat transfer fin(s) 2107 b. For example, at least one of the heat transfer fins 2107 b may have a wave shape, a zigzag shape or the like when viewed from the side. In addition, first heat transfer fins 2106 b on the outermost sides in the second direction Y may be straight, planar and/or rectangular, and second heat transfer fins 2107 b between the first heat transfer fins 2106 b may have a width or thickness that varies according to the position along the length, like a wave shape, a zigzag shape or the like. In addition, all of the heat transfer fins 2106 b and 2107 b may have a shape (e.g., a width or thickness in or along the second direction Y or the third direction Z) that varies according to the position along the length. In addition, when the heat transfer fins 2107 b have a shape that varies according to the position in or along the length, the distance that the cold air flows along an interface with the heat transfer fins 2107 b increases, and the efficiency of heat exchange between the cold air and the ice tray 2100 can be enhanced.
FIG. 8 is a view showing another embodiment of an ice tray, viewed from the front along its length.
Referring to FIG. 8, the ice tray 2100 c includes an accommodation unit 2101 c and a heat transfer unit 2105 c.
The heat transfer unit 2105 c may have a width (e.g., in or along the second direction Y) that is larger at the bottom than at the top. For example, heat transfer fins 2106 c away from the center of the heat transfer unit 2105 c in the second direction Y may be sloped toward the outside. In addition, as the distance of the heat transfer fins 2106 c from the center of the heat transfer unit 2105 c in the second direction Y toward the outside increases, the angle and/or slope of the heat transfer fins 2106 c increases. Accordingly, the heat transfer fins 2106 c may be in an arc as seen along the length of the heat transfer unit 2105 c. At this point, the heat transfer fins 2106 c are lowest at the center of the heat transfer unit 2105 c along the second direction Y and are closer to the heat transfer unit 2105 c toward the outside. In addition, the bottoms of the heat transfer fins 2106 c may also be at the same height in the third direction Z.
The structure of the heat transfer fins 2106 c along the first direction X may be the same as or similar to the structure of the heat transfer fins 2106 of FIG. 5 or the heat transfer fins 2105 b of FIG. 7.
Since the structure of the accommodation unit 2101 c in FIG. 8 is the same as or similar to the structure of the accommodation unit 2101 of FIG. 5, repeated description is omitted.
FIG. 9 is a view showing still another embodiment of an ice tray, viewed from the front along its length.
Referring to FIG. 9, the ice tray 2100 d includes an accommodation unit 2101 d and a heat transfer unit 2105 d.
The heat transfer fins 2106 d may have a thickness or width in or along the second direction Y that may vary according to the position along the third direction Z. For example, the heat transfer fins 2106 d may have a thickness that gradually decreases from top to bottom. Accordingly, the grooves between the adjacent heat transfer fins 2106 d may be concave or have an arc shape.
The structure of the heat transfer fins 2106 d along the first direction X may be the same as or similar to the structure of the heat transfer fins 2106 of FIG. 5 or the heat transfer fins 2105 b of FIG. 7.
Since the structure of the accommodation unit 2101 d is the same as or similar to the structure of the accommodation unit 2101 of FIG. 5, repeated description is omitted.
According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an ice maker which can effectively make ice and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.
In addition, an ice maker which can reduce the time for freezing water and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.
The above detailed description provides examples of the present invention. In addition, the above description explains by showing preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention may be used in various different combinations, changes and environments. That is, the present invention may be modified or changed within the scope of the spirit of the present invention disclosed in this specification, within a scope equivalent to the disclosed contents, and/or within the scope of the technique(s) or knowledge of the prior art. The above embodiments describe the best conditions for implementing the technical spirit of the present invention, and various changes in the specific application fields and usages of the present invention also can be made. Accordingly, the detailed description of the present invention as described above shows disclosed embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the appended claims should be interpreted as also including other embodiments.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a main body having a storage room therein;

a door on the main body, configured to open and close the storage room; and

an ice maker in the storage room, wherein the ice maker includes:

an ice tray having an accommodation unit configured to contain water and a heat transfer unit on or coupled to a bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit;

a guide unit under the ice tray, forming a path for flowing cold air;

an ice bucket under the guide unit and comprising a container having a concave center portion; and

a rotation unit configured to move the ice in the ice tray to the ice bucket.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer unit has heat transfer fins on a bottom or lowermost surface thereof

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer fins are oriented linearly along a length of the ice tray.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer fins include:

first heat transfer fins on outermost sides of the ice tray; and

second heat transfer fins between the first heat transfer fins, having a width or thickness that varies according to a position along the length of the ice tray.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the heat transfer unit has a width that is larger at the bottom than at a top of the heat transfer unit.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the heat transfer unit has heat transfer fins on the bottom or lowermost surface thereof, wherein the heat transfer fins are sloped toward an outside of the heat transfer unit.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the heat transfer fins have a thickness gradually decreasing from a top to a bottom of the heat transfer unit.

8. An ice maker comprising:

an ice tray configured to contain water;

a guide unit under the ice tray, forming a path for flowing cold air;

a rotation unit configured to move the ice in the ice tray to the ice bucket, wherein the ice tray includes:

an accommodation unit configured to contain water; and

a heat transfer unit on or coupled to a bottom or lowermost surface of the accommodation unit.

9. The ice maker according to claim 8, wherein the heat transfer unit has heat transfer fins on a bottom or lowermost surface thereof

10. The ice maker according to claim 9, wherein the heat transfer fins have a thickness gradually decreasing from a top to a bottom of the heat transfer unit.

11. The ice maker according to claim 8, wherein the heat transfer unit has a width that is larger at the bottom than at a top of the heat transfer unit.

12. The ice maker according to claim 8, further comprising a heater in contact with a bottom surface of the ice tray, configured to heat the bottom surface of the ice tray.

13. The ice maker according to claim 12, wherein the heater heats the bottom surface of the ice tray when ice in the ice tray is transferred to the ice bucket by the rotation unit.

14. The ice maker according to claim 8, wherein the heat transfer fins are oriented linearly along a length of the ice tray.

15. The ice maker according to claim 14, wherein the heat transfer fins include:

first heat transfer fins on outermost sides of the ice tray; and

16. The ice maker according to claim 15, wherein the first heat transfer fins are planar and have a rectangular shape as viewed along a width of the ice tray.