WO2008082194A1

WO2008082194A1 - Device for ice discharging

Info

Publication number: WO2008082194A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/006954
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kyung Han Jeong; Wook Yong Lee
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2006-12-31
Filing date: 2007-12-28
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Also published as: KR100781269B1

Abstract

An ice discharging device that is capable of providing various kinds of ice, such as lump ice, crushed ice, and shaved ice, is disclosed. The ice discharging device includes a transfer plate (150) selectively applying a centrifugal force to ice discharged from an ice bank, a grind blade (145) for shaving the ice transferred to a rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate by the centrifugal force, and a crusher (140) for crushing ice dropped from the ice bank. Consequently, the ice discharging device can provide lump ice, crushed ice, and shaved ice, according to the manipulation of a user.

Description

DEVICE FOR ICE DISCHARGING

Technical Field

[I] The present invention relates to an ice discharging device, and more particularly, to an ice discharging device that is capable of providing various kinds of ice, such as lump ice, crushed ice, and shaved ice.

Background Art

[2] A refrigerator is an apparatus that uses a refrigeration cycle to maintain the interior temperature thereof at low temperature. The refrigerator is being widely used in houses and restaurants.

[3] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a conventional refrigerator.

[4] The conventional refrigerator 1 is generally divided into a freezing compartment 2 and a refrigerating compartment 3, in which food is stored. Also, the refrigerator 1 includes a refrigeration cycle (not shown) for cooling the freezing compartment 2 and the refrigerating compartment 3 through the condensation and evaporation of a refrigerant.

[5] The freezing compartment 2 is cooled such that the interior temperature of the freezing compartment 2 is maintained at a sub-zero temperature, whereas the refrigerating compartment 3 is cooled such that the interior temperature of the refrigerating compartment 3 is maintained at a temperature of 3 or 4 degrees Celsius.

[6] In the refrigerator 1 is mounted an ice maker 10 for producing ice.

[7] The ice maker 10 is a device for producing ice. The ice, produced by the ice maker

10, is transferred to an ice bank 20, mounted below the ice maker 10 for storing the produced ice.

[8] At the outside of the refrigerator 1 is provided a dispenser 40 for allowing a user to easily take out the ice from the ice bank 20.

[9] The dispenser 40 is formed in the wall of the refrigerator 1, in a concave shape, to receive a container, such as a cup. Also, the dispenser 40 communicates with the ice bank 20 via a channel 52 sich that the dispenser 40 can dispense water or ice according to the manipulation of the user.

[10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the ice bank.

II 1] The ice bank 20 is a device that stores ice. The ice bank 20 is constricted in a structure in which the top of the ice bank 20 is open to receive ice transferred from the ice maker 10, and the ice bank 20 is provided at one side thereof with an opening 22, through which the ice is discharged. In the ice bank 20 is mounted an ice discharging device for discharging the ice from the ice bank 20 to transfer the ice to the dispenser.

[12] The ice discharging device includes a drive unit 32 and an ice transfer unit 34.

[13] The ice transfer unit 34 is arranged at the bottom of the ice bank 20 in a spiral shape. The drive unit 32, which drives the ice transfer unit 34, is coupled to one end of the ice transfer unit 34.

[14] The drive unit 32 includes a motor for rotating the ice transfer unit 34. During the rotation of the ice transfer unit 34, therefore, the ice transfer unit 34 transfers the ice stored in the ice bank 20 to the opening 22 side.

[15] At the opening 22 is mounted a crusher 40. The crusher 40 is a component for discharging the ice passing through the opening 22 either in a lump ice state or in a crushed ice state, according to the manipulation of the user.

[16] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating such a crusher.

[17] The crusher 40 includes a housing 41, mounted at the outside of the opening 22, forming the external appearance of the crusher 40 while having a space defined therein, stationary blades 42 fixedly mounted in the housing 41, and rotary blades 43 rotatably mounted in the housing 41.

[18] The rotary blades 43 are constructed to be rotated by a drive force of a motor. The housing 41 is provided at the bottom thereof with a discharge port 44, through which the ice is discharged. The crusher 40 further includes a shutter 45 for opening and closing a part of the discharge port 44 according to the selection of a user, and a solenoid for operating the shutter 45.

[19] Consequently, when the user manipulates the crusher 40 to take out lump ice 8, the shutter 45 is opened, with the result that the discharge port 44 is opened. The ice 8, introduced into the housing 41 of the crusher 40 through the opening 22, is discharged into the dispenser 50 through the opened discharge port 44, before the ice 8 is caught between the rotary blades 43 and the corresponding stationary blades 42.

[20] Also, when the user manipulates the crusher 40 to take out crushed ice, the shutter

45 is closed, with the result that the discharge port 44 is closed. Consequently, the ice 7, introduced into the housing 41 of the crusher 40 through the opening 22, cannot be discharged into the dispenser 50 through the opened discharge port 44, because the discharge port 44 is closed. The ice 7 moves with the rotation of the rotary blades 43 and is caught between the rotary blades 43 and the stationary blades 42. As a result, the ice 7 is crushed into crushed ice. The crushed ice is discharged into the dispenser 50 through the unclosed part of the discharge port 44. [21] When a user wishes to make adzuki bean sherbet at home, the user may need shaved ice, not crushed ice. However, the conventional ice discharging device supplies only lump ice and crushed ice, with the result that the user cannot obtain shaved ice through the ice discharging device. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[22] An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies on an ice discharging device that is capable of providing various kinds of ice, such as lump ice, crushed ice, and shaved ice. Technical Solution

[23] The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing an ice discharging device including an ice bank for storing ice, a drive unit constructed in a structure in which the drive unit can be rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and the rotation speed of the drive unit can be adjusted, and an ice crushing unit for selectively applying a centrifugal force to the ice discharged from the ice bank, by the operation of the drive unit, to discharge the ice in a lump ice state, a crushed ice state, or a shaved ice state.

[24] Preferably, the ice crushing unit includes a transfer plate mounted below the ice bank, sirh that the transfer plate can be rotated by the drive unit, for selectively applying a centrifugal force to the ice discharged from the ice bank to drop the ice directly downward or transfer the ice to the rotational outer circumference thereof, a housing defining a space in which the transfer plate is rotated therein, the housing having an inner circumference formed to prevent the ice, transferred to the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate, from being separated from the transfer plate due to the centrifugal force, a crusher mounted below the transfer plate for selectively crushing the ice dropped from the transfer plate or allowing the ice to pass without being crushed, and a grind blade mounted at the inner circumference of the housing, in a stricture in which a predetermined step difference is formed between the grind blade and the housing, for shaving the ice transferred to the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate.

[25] Preferably, the ice discharging device further includes a shaved ice discharge hole formed at the inner surface of the housing for allowing the ice shaved by the grind blade to be discharged to the outside therethrough.

[26] Preferably, the transfer plate drops the ice, when the transfer plate is rotated at a low speed, and the transfer plate applies a centrifugal force to the ice to transfer the ice to the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate, when the transfer plate is rotated at a high speed. [27] Preferably, the transfer plate is constricted in a structure in which at least a portion of the transfer plate has a spirally curved surface. [28] Preferably, the transfer plate is constricted in a stricture in which the end of the transfer plate constituting the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate is inclined sich that the distance between the transfer plate and a rotary shaft is gradually decreased downward. [29] Preferably, when the ice is brought into contact with the grind blade, the sum of a force acting in the direction of gravity by the own weight of the ice and a force acting by a centrifugal force is applied perpendicularly to the grind blade. [30] Preferably, when the ice is brought into contact with the grind blade, the sum of a force acting in the direction of gravity by the own weight of the ice and a force acting by a centrifugal force is preferably applied perpendicularly to the contact surface between the ice and the transfer plate 150. [31] Preferably, the crusher includes rotary blades rotatable along with the transfer plate, and stationary blades mounted in a stricture in which the stationary blades cannot be rotated. [32] Preferably, the crusher crushes ice, during the rotation of the crusher in the forward direction, and the crusher does not crush ice, during the rotation of the crusher in the reverse direction. [33] Preferably, the grind blade is mounted such that the grind blade is perpendicular to the rotation direction of the ice. [34] Preferably, the inner space of the housing is formed in the shape of a cone, and the housing is provided at the lower side thereof with a discharge port, through which ice is discharged. [35] Preferably, the grind blade is constructed in a stricture in which the step difference between the grind blade and the housing is changed depending upon the height of the grind blade. [36] Preferably, the height of ice at the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate is decided depending upon the change of the rotation speed of the transfer plate, whereby the size of the crushed ice is decided. [37] When using the ice discharging device according to the present invention, therefore, it is possible to provide shaved ice in addition to lump ice and the crushed ice. Advantageous Effects

[38] As apparent from the above description, the ice discharging device axording to the present invention has the effect of producing shaved ice as well as lump ice and the crushed ice, thereby satisfying various needs of consumers.

Brief Description of the Drawings [39] The a-companying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. [40] In the drawings:

[41] FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a conventional refrigerator;

[42] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional ice bank;

[43] FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a conventional crasher;

[44] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an ice discharging device axording to an embodiment of the present invention;

[45] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a transfer plate of FIG. 4;

[46] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating the transfer plate of FIG. 5;

[47] FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating the transfer plate of FIG. 5;

[48] FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a housing provided with a grind plate of FIG.

4; [49] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device of FIG. 4 in a lump ice mode; [50] FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device of FIG. 4 in the lump ice mode; [51] FIG. 11 is a side sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device of FIG. 4 in a crashed ice mode; [52] FIG. 12 is a plan sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device of FIG. 4 in the crashed ice mode; [53] FIG. 13 is a side sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device of FIG. 4 in a shaved ice mode; [54] FIG. 14 is a plan sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device of FIG. 4 in the shaved ice mode; [55] FIG. 15 is a sectional view illustrating relationship among forces applied to the transfer plate, the grind plate, and ice when the ice comes into contact with the grind plate axording to an embodiment of the present invention; and [56] FIG. 16 is a side sectional view illustrating an ice discharging device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[57] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[58] ^■ The embodiments of the present invention will be described based on an example of an ice discharging device being applied to a refrigerator. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, but may be applied to any apparatuses so long as the apparatuses are capable of discharging ice.

[59] Components of an ice discharging device according to the present invention identical to those of the conventional ice discharging device are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[60] First, an ice maker 10 (see FIG. 1) is mounted in a refrigerator 1 (see FIG. 1). The ice maker 10 is a component for producing ice. The ice maker 10 has a space, in which ice is produced, defined therein. The ice maker 10 may include a mechanism for transferring the produced ice out of the ice maker 10.

[61] The ice maker 10 (see FIG. 1) is generally disposed in a freezing compartment 2

(see FIG. 1) of the refrigerator 1 (see FIG. 1), in which the temperature is maintained at a sub-zero temperature. However, the ice maker 10 is not limited to be disposed at the above-described position. For example, the ice maker 10 may be mounted at the inner wall of a door 4 (see FIG. 1) to enlarge the capacity of the freezing compartment 2 (see FIG. 1) or a refrigerating compartment 3 (see Fig. 1). Alternatively, the refrigerating compartment 3 may be provided at the interior thereof with a space forming cool air of a sub-zero temperature, in which the ice maker 10 may be positioned.

[62] As shown in FIG. 4, an ice bank 120 is mounted below the ice maker 10 (see FIG.

1). The ice bank 120 is a component to which the ice, produced by the ice maker 10, is transferred such that the ice can be stored in the ice bank 120.

[63] At the outer wall of the refrigerator 1 (see Fig. 1) is mounted a dispenser 50 (see

FIG. 1) for supplying a user with the ice discharged from the ice bank 120.

[64] On the other hand, an ice crushing unit is provided to discharge ice in a lump ice state, a crushed ice state, or a shaved ice state, according to the manipulation of a user, before the ice, discharged from the ice bank 120, is discharged into the dispenser 50 (see FIG. 1).

[65] Here, the lump ice means ice discharged in an original state of the ice produced by the ice maker, the crushed ice means ice obtained by crushing the lump ice, and the shaved ice means ice obtained by shaving the lump ice, sich as ice for adzuki bean sherbet.

[66] The ice crushing unit includes a drive unit (not shown), a transfer plate 150 constricted to be rotated by the drive unit (not shown) for selectively rotating ice, a housing 130 defining a space in which the transfer plate 150 is rotated, a crusher 140 mounted at the bottom of the housing 130, and a grind blade 145 mounted at the inner circumference of the housing 130.

[67] The housing 130 is mounted below the ice bank 120. The housing 130 is provided at the top thereof with an ice introduction hole 132, through which the ice from the ice bank 120 is introduced from the housing 130. The housing 130 is also provided with a shutter 138 for selectively opening and closing the ice introduction hole 132.

[68] Also, the housing 130 defines a space having a conic inner circumferential surface therein. The housing 130 may be provided at the center of the lower side thereof with a discharge port 134, through which ice is discharged. In this case, the inner space of the housing 130 is preferably formed in the shape of a cone the diameter of which is gradually decreased downward.

[69] The drive unit (not shown) is a component for generating a rotary force. Preferably, the drive unit can be rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and the rotation speed of the drive unit can be adjusted.

[70] The drive unit (not shown) may include a motor constricted such that the motor can be rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and the rotation speed of the motor can be adjusted. When a unidirectional motor the rotation speed of which is not adjusted is used, the unidirectional motor may be combined with an apparatus constructed such that the apparatus can be rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and the rotation speed of the apparatus can be adjusted.

[71] Also, the above-described drive unit (not shown) can be constricted in various strictures and embodied by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without difficulty. In this embodiment, therefore, the stricture of the drive unit will not be described in detail, and the drive unit is omitted from the drawings.

[72] The transfer plate 150 is rotated by the drive force of the drive unit (not shown).

The transfer plate 150 is mounted in the conical space of the housing 130. The transfer plate 150 is constructed in a stricture in which the distance between the transfer plate 150 and a rotary shaft is gradually decreased downward to correspond to the shape of the inner space of the housing 130.

[73] As shown in FIGs. 5 to 7, the above-described transfer plate 150 is a component for selectively applying a centrifugal force to ice, introduced into the housing 130, to drop the ice directly downward or transfer the ice to the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate 150.

[74] The rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate 150 means the outer end of the rotating transfer plate 150. When the transfer plate 150 is rotated, with the result that a centrifugal force is applied to the ice, the ice is moved to a position where the ice is brought into contact with the outer end of the transfer plate 150 and the inner circumferential surface of the housing 130 by the centrifugal force, with the result that the ice is rotated along the inner circumferential surface of the housing 130.

[75] Also, the transfer plate 150 is preferably constructed in a structure in which the transfer plate 150 protrudes toward the bottom of the transfer plate 150 in the shape of a spiral to apply a force to the ice such that the ice can be moved upward, and therefore, the ice, dropped into the housing through the ice introduction hole, can be smoothly transferred to the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate 150.

[76] The grind blade 145 is mounted at the inner circumference of the housing 130. The grind blade 145 is a component for grinding the ice, rotating at the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate 150 by the transfer plate 150, to produce shaved ice.

[77] As shown in FIGs. 4 and 8, the grind blade 145 is mounted at the inner circumference of the housing 130, in a structure in which a predetermined step difference is formed vertically between the grind blade 145 and the inner circumference of the housing 130, such that the grind blade 145 is perpendicular to the rotation direction of the ice. Also, a shaved ice discharge port 134 is preferably formed along the grind blade 145 at the position of the inner circumference of the housing 130 where the grind blade 145 is mounted, such that the shaved ice can be dropped into the shaved ice discharge port 134.

[78] Here, the outer end of the transfer plate 150 constituting the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate 150 is preferably formed in the shape of a curve such that a force can be applied to the ice rotating at the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate 150 such that the ice can be pressed toward the inner circumference of the housing 130.

[79] More preferably, when the ice 108 is brought into contact with the grind blade 145, as shown in FIG. 15, the sum (F) of a force (mg) acting in the direction of gravity by the own weight of the ice 108 and a force (ω) acting in the lateral direction by a centrifugal force is applied perpendicularly to the contact surface between the ice 108 and the transfer plate 150. [80] Also, when the ice is brought into contact with the grind blade 145, the sum (F) of a force (mg) acting in the direction of gravity by the own weight of the ice 108 and a force (ω) acting in the lateral direction by a centrifugal force is preferably applied perpendicularly to the grind blade 145.

[81] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the discharge port 134, through which ice is discharged, is formed at the center of the lower side of the housing 130. Preferably, the discharge port 134 is formed approximately in the shape of a cylinder.

[82] The crusher 140 is mounted in the cylindrical discharge port 134 for selectively crushing ice into crushed ice.

[83] The crusher 140 may include stationary blades 142, which are not rotatable, and rotary blades 143, which are rotatable.

[84] Preferably, the rotary blades 143 are rotated by the drive unit (not shown), which serves to drive the transfer plate 150.

[85] Saw teeth for crushing ice are preferably formed at one side of each stationary blade 142 and one side of each rotary blade 143 which are opposite to each other. Consequently, ice is crushed during the rotation of the crusher in the forward direction, whereas ice is discharged, while not being crushed, during the rotation of the crusher in the reverse direction.

[86] Hereinafter, the operation of the ice discharging device according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[87] The ice discharging device according to the present invention is operated in three modes, i.e., a lump ice mode in which ice is discharged from the ice bank 120 in a lump ice state while not being crashed or shaved, a crashed ice mode in which ice is crashed and the crashed ice is discharged, and a shaved ice mode in which ice is shaved and the shaved ice is discharged.

[88] First, the operation of the ice discharging device in the lump ice mode will be described.

[89] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device in the lump ice mode, and FIG. 10 is a plan sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device in the lump ice mode.

[90] First, when the ice discharging device is operated in the lump ice mod, the drive unit rotates the transfer plate 150 and the rotary blades 143 of the crasher 140 at a low speed in the reverse direction.

[91] As a result, a centrifugal force is not applied to ice 108, introduced into the housing

130 through the ice introduction hole 132, because the transfer plate 150 is rotated at the low speed, and therefore, the ice 108 drops into the discharge port 134 below.

[92] At this time, the crusher 140, mounted in the discharge port 134, is rotated in the reverse direction by the drive unit. Because the saw teeth, for crushing the ice, are formed at the opposite sides of the rotary blades 143 and the stationary blades 142 of the crusher 140 during the rotation of the crusher 140 in the forward direction, the ice 108 is not crushed by the crusher 140, and moves downward through the discharge port 134 in the lump ice state.

[93] Next, the operation of the ice discharging device in the crushed ice mode will be described.

[94] FIG. 11 is a side sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device in the crushed ice mode, and FIG. 12 is a plan sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device in the crushed ice mode.

[95] When the ice discharging device is operated in the crushed ice mode, the drive unit rotates the transfer plate 150 and the rotary blades 143 of the crusher 140 at a low speed in the forward direction.

[96] As a result, a centrifugal force is not applied to ice 108, introduced into the housing

[97] At this time, because the rotary blades 143 of the crusher 140, mounted in the discharge port 134, are rotated in the forward direction, the ice 108 is caught between the rotary blades 143 and the corresponding stationary blades 142, and therefore, the ice is crushed into crushed ice, and then the crushed ice is discharged.

[98] Finally, the operation of the ice discharging device in the shaved ice mode will be described.

[99] FIG. 13 is a side sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device in the shaved ice mode, and FIG. 14 is a plan sectional view illustrating the operation of the ice discharging device in the shaved ice mode.

[100] When the ice discharging device is operated in the shaved ice mode, the drive unit rotates the transfer plate 150 and the rotary blades 143 of the crusher 140 at a high speed.

[101] At this time, the drive direction of the drive unit is decided depending upon the blade direction of the grind blade 145.

[102] Ice 108, introduced into the housing 130 through the ice introduction hole 132, does not drop by a centrifugal force applied to the ice, because the transfer plate 150 is rotated at the high speed. The ice 108 is transferred to the rotational outer cir- cumference of the transfer plate 150, and is then brought into contact with the outer end of the transfer plate 150 and the inner circumference of the housing 130.

[103] The grind blade 145 is mounted at the inner circumference of the housing 130. Consequently, the ice 108 comes across the grind blade 145 during the movement of the ice 108 along the inner circumference of the housing 130. As a result, the ice 108 is shaved by the grind blade 145. The shaved ice is discharged to the outside through the shaved ice discharge hole 136, formed at the inner circumference of the housing 130.

[104] Consequently, a user can obtain shaved ice in addition to lump ice and crushed ice.

[105] Hereinafter, an ice discharging device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[106] Before the description, it should be noted that components of this embodiment which will not be described hereinafter are identical to those of the previous embodiment.

[107] FIG. 16 is a side sectional view illustrating an ice discharging device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[108] First, the ice discharging device according to this embodiment includes a housing

230. The housing 230 is preferably disposed below the ice bank 120, in the similar manner as the previous embodiment.

[109] Also, the housing 230 defines a space having a conic inner circumferential surface therein. The housing 130 may be provided at the center of the lower side thereof with a discharge port 234, through which ice is discharged. In this case, the inner spase of the housing 230 is preferably formed in the shape of a cone the diameter of which is gradually decreased downward. Preferably, the housing 230 has a vertical length greater than that of the previous embodiment.

[110] The ice discharging device further includes a drive unit (not shown). The drive unit

(not shown) is a component for generating a rotary force. Unlike the previous embodiment, the drive unit of this embodiment is preferably constricted in a structure in which the rotation direction of the drive unit is not needed to be changed, but the rotation speed of the drive unit is needed to be adjusted.

[Ill] Also, the ice discharging device further includes a transfer plate 240. The transfer plate 240 is similar to that of the previous embodiment. However, the transfer plate 240 of this embodiment has a vertical length greater than that of the previous embodiment such that the vertical length of the transfer plate 240 corresponds to that of the housing.

[112] A grind blade 245 is mounted at the inner circumference of the housing 230. In the similar manner as the previous embodiment, the grind blade 245 is mounted at the inner circumference of the housing 230, in a stricture in which a predetermined step difference is formed vertically between the grind blade 245 and the inner circumference of the housing 230, such that the grind blade 245 is perpendicular to the rotation direction of the ice 208. Also, a shaved ice discharge hole 136 (see FIG. 8) is preferably formed along the grind blade 245 at the position of the inner circumference of the housing 230 where the grind blade 245 is mounted, such that the shaved ice 208 can be dropped into the shaved ice discharge hole 136.

[113] However, the grind blade 245 of this embodiment is preferably formed such that a step difference 250 between the grind blade 245 and the inner circumference of the housing 230 is changed depending upon the vertical position of the inner circumference of the housing 230, unlike the grind blade 145 of the previous embodiment.

[114] Specifically, the step difference 250 may be gradually increased toward the bottom of the inner circumference of the housing 230. On the other hand, the step difference 250 may be gradually increased toward the top of the bottom of the inner circumference of the housing 230.

[115] The reason why the vertical lengths of the housing 230 and the transfer plate 240 are greater than those of the previous embodiment is that it is more advantageous to increase the step difference 250 between the grind blade 245 and the inner circumference of the housing 230 when the vertical length of the grind blade 245 is increased.

[116] In the ice discharging device of this embodiment, a crusher may not be mounted below the discharge port 234, unlike the previous embodiment.

[117] Hereinafter, the operation of the ice discharging device axording to this embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[118] According to this embodiment, the ice discharging device is operated in a lump ice mode and in a shaved ice mode.

[119] First, in the lump ice mode, the transfer plate 240 is rotated at a low speed or is not rotated at all. As a result, a centrifugal force, generated by the transfer plate 240, is not applied to ice 208, introduced into the housing 230. Consequently, the ice 208 drops and is discharged through the discharge port 234 in a lump ice state.

[120] In the shaved ice mode, the transfer plate 240 is rotated. Consequently, a centrifugal force is applied to the ice 208, introduced into the housing 230, with the result that the ice is transferred to the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate 240. [121] When the rotation speed of the transfer plate 240 is increased, the centrifugal force, applied to the ice 208, also increases. Also, the housing 230 is constructed in a conical structure in which the inner circumference of the housing 230 gradually increases toward the top of the housing 230. Consequently, the ice 208 moves upward along the inner circumference of the housing 230. On the other hand, when the rotation speed of the transfer plate 240 is decreased, the centrifugal force, applied to the ice 208, also decreases. Consequently, the ice 208 moves downward along the inner circumference of the housing 230.

[122] That is, it is possible to adjust the height of the ice 208 in the housing 203 using the above-described method. The step difference 250 between the grind blade 245 and the inner circumference of the housing 230 is changed depending upon the height of the grind blade 245, and therefore, the size of the shaved ice is decided depending upon the position (height) of the ice in the housing 230.

[123] Consequently, it is possible to adjust the position of the ice 208 by adjusting the rotation speed of the transfer plate 240, and therefore, it is possible to adjust the size of the shaved ice without the provision of an additional crusher below the discharge port 234.

[124] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[125] Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Industrial Applicability

[126] The ice discharging device according to the present invention includes an ice crushing unit that is capable of crushing ice into crushed ice and shaved ice in addition to lump ice. Consequently, the present invention has an industrial applicability satisfying various needs of consumers.

Claims

[1] An ice discharging device comprising: an ice bank for storing ice; a drive unit constructed in a stricture in which the drive unit can be rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction, and the rotation speed of the drive unit can be adjusted; and an ice crushing unit for selectively applying a centrifugal force to the ice discharged from the ice bank, by the operation of the drive unit, to discharge the ice in a lump ice state, a crushed ice state, or a shaved ice state.

[2] The ice discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the ice crushing unit comprises: a transfer plate mounted below the ice bank, sich that the transfer plate can be rotated by the drive unit, for selectively applying a centrifugal force to the ice discharged from the ice bank to drop the ice directly downward or transfer the ice to the rotational outer circumference thereof; a housing defining a space in which the transfer plate is rotated therein, the housing having an inner circumference formed to prevent the ice, transferred to the rotational outer drcumference of the transfer plate, from being separated from the transfer plate due to the centrifugal force; a crusher mounted below the transfer plate for selectively crushing the ice dropped from the transfer plate or allowing the ice to pass without being crushed; and a grind blade mounted at the inner circumference of the housing, in a structure in which a predetermined step difference is formed between the grind blade and the housing, for shaving the ice transferred to the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate.

[3] The ice discharging device according to claim 2, further comprising: a shaved ice discharge hole formed at the inner surface of the housing for allowing the ice shaved by the grind blade to be discharged to the outside therethrough.

[4] The ice discharging device according to claim 2, wherein the transfer plate drops the ice, when the transfer plate is rotated at a low speed, and the transfer plate applies a centrifugal force to the ice to transfer the ice to the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate, when the transfer plate is rotated at a high speed. [5] The ice discharging device according to claim 2, wherein the transfer plate is constricted in a structure in which at least a portion of the transfer plate has a spirally curved surface. [6] The ice discharging device according to claim 2, wherein the transfer plate is constricted in a stricture in which the end of the transfer plate constituting the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate is inclined sirh that the distance between the transfer plate and a rotary shaft is gradually decreased downward. [7] The ice discharging device according to claim 2, wherein, when the ice is brought into contact with the grind blade, the sum of a force acting in the direction of gravity by the own weight of the ice and a force acting by a centrifugal force is applied perpendicularly to the grind blade. [8] The ice discharging device according to claim 2, wherein, when the ice is brought into contact with the grind blade, the sum of a force acting in the direction of gravity by the own weight of the ice and a force acting by a centrifugal force is preferably applied perpendicularly to the contact surface between the ice and the transfer plate 150. [9] The ice discharging device according to claim 2, wherein the crusher includes rotary blades rotatable along with the transfer plate, and stationary blades mounted in a stricture in which the stationary blades cannot be rotated. [10] The ice discharging device according to claim 9, wherein the crusher crushes ice, during the rotation of the crusher in the forward direction, and the crusher does not crush ice, during the rotation of the crusher in the reverse direction. [11] The ice discharging device according to claim 2, wherein the grind blade is mounted sich that the grind blade is perpendicular to the rotation direction of the ice. [12] The ice discharging device according to claim 2, wherein the inner space of the housing is formed in the shape of a cone. [13] The ice discharging device according to claim 2, wherein the housing is provided at the lower side thereof with a discharge port, through which ice is discharged. [14] The ice discharging device according to claim 2, wherein the grind blade is constricted in a stricture in which the step difference between the grind blade and the housing is changed depending upon the height of the grind blade. [15] The ice discharging device according to claim 14, wherein the height of ice at the rotational outer circumference of the transfer plate is decided depending upon the change of the rotation speed of the transfer plate, whereby the size of the crushed ice is decided.