WO2009057891A2

WO2009057891A2 - Ice maker and refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2009057891A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/005356
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byeong-Gyu Kang; Jae-Youl Lee; Yong-Chol Kwon; Sang-Ho Park
Original assignee: Lg Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 2007-10-30
Filing date: 2008-09-10
Publication date: 2009-05-07
Also published as: WO2009057891A3; KR20090043971A

Abstract

Present embodiments provide an ice maker. The ice maker includes a tray assembly, an ice bank, and a manipulating unit. The tray assembly includes a plurality of ice trays for making ice that are disposed horizontally side-by-side. The ice bank stores ice made in each of the ice trays. The manipulating unit separates the ice made in each of the ice trays.

Description

ICE MAKER AND REFRIGERATOR

Technical Field

[I] The present embodiments relate to an ice maker and a refrigerator. Background Art

[2] A refrigerator is an apparatus that preserves foods at low temperatures.

[3] A refrigerator defines a storage compartment, and the storage compartment may include a refrigeration compartment for preserving foods in refrigeration and a freezer compartment for preserving foods in a frozen state. [4] An ice maker is provided on the freezer compartment for supplying ice, and the ice maker includes an ice tray that is supplied with water for making ice and an ice bank into which formed ice falls and is stored in. [5] However, due to spatial restrictions in which a related art ice maker is disposed, only one ice tray is provided or the capacity of the ice tray is limited even when the ice tray is provided in plurality. [6] Also, when the ice tray is provided in plurality, it is difficult to supply water directly to the ice trays and a water supplying device must be used to automatically supply water. Moreover, the structure of the water supplying device for supplying water to the ice trays becomes complex. [7] Additionally, in order to transfer ice formed in the ice tray to the ice bank, a user must exert much force.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem [8] Embodiments provide an ice maker and a refrigerator capable of performing ice making and ice removal through a simple structure. [9] Embodiments also provide an ice maker and a refrigerator that allow automatic or manual supplying of water to an ice tray in which ice is made. [10] Embodiments further provide an ice maker and a refrigerator that allow a user to easily remove ice without opening a door.

Technical Solution

[I I] In one embodiment, an ice maker includes: a tray assembly including a plurality of ice trays for making ice that are disposed horizontally side-by-side; an ice bank for storing ice made in each of the ice trays; and a manipulating unit for separating the ice made in each of the ice trays.

[12] In another embodiment, a refrigerator apparatus includes: a main body defining a storage compartment; a refrigerator door opening and closing the storage compartment; an opening that opens at least a portion of the refrigerator door; an ice maker installed on the refrigerator door, with at least one portion disposed at the opening; and a covering door that opens and closes the opening, wherein the ice maker includes a tray assembly including a plurality of ice trays disposed horizontally side-by-side to make ice.

Advantageous Effects

[13] According to the provided embodiments, water may be automatically supplied or manually supplied by a user to an ice tray.

[14] Also, because ice trays are horizontally provided side-by-side and can be simultaneously rotated by a single operating unit, the size of the ice maker can be reduced.

[15] In addition, a user, instead of opening a refrigerator door, can access an ice maker by opening a covering door provided on the refrigerator door, and can obtain ice by exerting minimal force to manipulate a simple lever to remove ice.

[16] Furthermore, because an ice tray can be separated from the ice maker, the ice tray can be cleaned. Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator with an ice maker according to a first embodiment.

[18] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear of a freezer compartment door provided with an ice maker according to the first embodiment.

[19] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an ice maker according to the first embodiment.

[20] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the inner structure of an ice maker with its ice maker case removed, according to the first embodiment.

[21] Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of tray assemblies according to the first embodiment.

[22] Fig. 7 is a perspective bottom view showing the structure of an ice bank according to the first embodiment.

[23] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure of an ice maker according to a second embodiment.

[24] Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of an ice maker according to the second embodiment.

[25] Fig. 10 is a sectional view of Fig. 8 cut along line A-A.

Mode for the Invention

[26] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator with an ice maker according to a first embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear of a freezer compartment door provided with an ice maker according to the first embodiment. [27] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 10 for storing food within, and a freezer compartment door 11 and a refrigeration compartment door 12 pivotably installed on the front surface of the main body 10 to selectively open and close a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment, respectively, that are defined in the main body 10. Also, the main body 10 defines a partition to partition the freezer compartment and the refrigeration compartment to the left and right of one another.

[28] In embodiments below, description will be given of a side-by-side type refrigerator provide with a freezer compartment and a refrigeration compartment provided to the left and right of one another. However, the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited thereto, and may be equally applied to a top mount refrigerator with a freezer compartment provided above a refrigeration compartment, and a bottom freezer refrigerator with a freezer compartment provided below a refrigeration compartment.

[29] In detail, a home bar 20 for dispensing ice is provided on the freezer compartment door 11. Also, the home bar 20 includes an opening 21 formed to open at least a portion of the freezer compartment door 11, and a covering door 22 that selectively opens and closes the opening 21.

[30] The freezer compartment door 11 is provided with an ice maker 100 for making ice.

At least a portion of the ice maker 100 is disposed at the opening 21.

[31] Specifically, the ice maker 100 may be fixed to the freezer compartment door 11 so that its front faces the front of the freezer compartment door 11. When the covering door 22 opens the opening 21, the front of the ice maker 100 is exposed to the outside.

[32] In more detail, the ice maker 100 includes a water supplying device 120 for supplying water, a tray assembly 130 that includes an ice tray (described below) for forming ice from water supplied by the water supplying device 120, an ice bank 140 for storing formed ice removed from the tray, and an ice maker case 110 in which the water supplying device 120, the tray assembly 130, and the ice bank 140 are installed.

[33] The ice maker case 110 defines the exterior of the ice maker 100, and the water supplying device 120, the tray assembly 130, and the ice bank 140 may be slid and installed in the ice maker case 110.

[34] The water supplying device 120 may be disposed above the tray assembly 130, such that water can descend naturally into the tray assembly 130. Also, the ice bank 140 may be disposed below the tray assembly 130, such that ice formed in the tray assembly 130 can descend through gravity and be stored in the ice bank 140.

[35] However, the arranged sequence of the water supplying device 120, the tray assembly 130, and the ice bank 140 is not limited to the configurations depicted in the diagrams.

[36] An operating unit 30 is provided above the home bar 20 to display the operating state of the refrigerator, and allow a user to manipulate the operation of the refrigerator. The operating unit 30 includes a plurality of buttons 31 and a display 32.

[37] The display 32 displays the operating state of the refrigerator. The buttons 31 are for selecting functions of the refrigerator, and include buttons for selecting functions of the ice maker 100.

[38] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an ice maker according to the first embodiment, Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the inner structure of an ice maker with its ice maker case removed, according to the first embodiment, Figs. 5 and

6 are perspective views of tray assemblies according to the first embodiment, and Fig.

7 is a perspective bottom view showing the structure of an ice bank according to the first embodiment.

[39] Referring to Figs. 3 to 7, an ice maker 100 according to the present embodiment includes, as described above, an ice maker case 110, a water supplying device 120, a tray assembly 130, and an ice bank 140.

[40] In detail, the water supplying device 120 includes an inlet 122 through which water enters from outside the ice maker 100, a first supplying portion 123 and a second supplying portion 124 that supply water flowing in from the inlet 122 to the tray assembly 130, a partition 125 that partitions the first supplying portion 123 and the second supplying portion 124, and a pressing portion 121 for a user to manipulate to supply water from the water supplying device 120 to the tray assembly 130.

[41] The inlet 122 is connected to a water supply (not shown). Also, the inlet 122 may be provided with a blocking device (not shown) to block the entrance of water through the inlet 122 when water supplied to the water supplying device 120 exceeds a predetermined water level.

[42] Also, the first supplying portion 123 and the second supplying portion 124 are provided in parallel, with respect to the flow of supplied water. The first and second supplying portions 123 and 124 may be disposed below the inlet 122 to enable natural descension of water that flows in from the inlet 122.

[43] The first supplying portion 123 and the second supplying portion 124 are spatially partitioned by the partition 125, and water supplied to the first supplying portion 123 descends into a first tray 132 of the tray assembly 130, and water supplied to the second supplying portion 124 descends into a second tray 133.

[44] The first supplying portion 123 and the second supplying portion 124 may be selectively opened and closed through manipulation of the pressing portion 121. For this end, a valve assembly for selectively opening and closing the supplying portions 123 and 124 through pressing of the pressing portion 121 may be provided between the pressing portion 121 and the supplying portions 123 and 124. That is, when the pressing portion 121 is manipulated, the valve assembly opens the supplying portions 123 and 124 to allow the water stored in the supplying portions 123 and 124 to descend to the trays 132 and 133, respectively. [45] The water supplying device 120 may be fixed to the ice maker case 110, and may be installed to project outward from the ice maker case 110. [46] If the water supplying device 120 is installed to project outward from the ice maker case 110, a guide (not shown) may be formed to the inside of the ice maker case 110 to guide insertion and extrusion of the water supplying device 120. [47] Also, if the water supplying device 120 projects outward, a user can directly supply water to the water supplying device 120. [48] The tray assembly 130 includes a first tray 132 and a second tray 133 for receiving water from the supplying portions 123 and 124 to make ice. The first tray 132 and the second tray 133 may be horizontally aligned side-by-side. That is, the first tray 132 and the second tray 133 may be aligned in parallel. [49] The first tray 132 and the second tray 133 have a plurality of ribs formed to form a plurality of separated chunks of ice. [50] Also, as shown in Fig. 5, the tray assembly 130 includes a manipulating unit for removing ice formed in each tray from the respective trays 132 and 133. [51] The manipulating unit includes a lever 131 for a user to manipulate for removing the ice from the respective trays 132 and 133, and a gear assembly formed of a plurality of gears 134, 135, and 136 for transmitting the manipulating force exerted on the lever

131 to each tray 132 and 133. [52] Specifically, the gear assembly includes a first gear 134 (referred to as a "driving gear") connected to the lever 131 and rotated by manipulating the lever 131, and a second and third gear 135 and 136 (referred to as "driven gears") engaged to the first gear 134 to rotate in directions opposite to the rotating direction of the first gear 134. [53] Also, the trays 132 and 133 include a rotating shaft 137 and 138 that connect the trays 132 and 133 to the second gear 135 and the third gear 136, respectively. [54] The first tray 132 has the first rotating shaft 137 formed at either end thereof, and the second tray 133 has the second rotating shaft 138 formed at either end thereof. [55] The first rotating shaft 137 at one end of the first tray 132 is fixed at a tray supporting portion 130a, and the first rotating shaft 137 at the other end of the first tray 132 is connected to the second gear 135. [56] The second rotating shaft 138 at one end of the second tray 133 is fixed at the tray supporting portion 130a, and the second rotating shaft 138 at the other end of the second tray 133 is connected to the third gear 136.

[57] Accordingly, when the second gear 135 and the third gear 136 rotate in a predetermined direction, the rotating shafts 137 and 138 rotate in the same direction as their respective gears. Thus, each tray 132 and 133 is rotated in the same direction as the rotating shafts 137 and 138 at one end thereof, so that the ice formed in each tray 137 and 138 drops.

[58] Below, a brief description of the operation of the tray assembly 130 will be provided.

[59] First, when a user manipulates the lever 131 to rotate the lever 131 in one direction

(clockwise, for example), the first gear 134 is rotated in the same direction as that of the lever 131. [60] Then, the second gear 135 and the third gear 136 engaged to the first gear 134 are rotated in the opposite direction (counterclockwise, for example). The first rotating shaft 137 is rotated counterclockwise according to the rotation of the second gear 135, and the second rotating shaft 138 is rotated counterclockwise according to the rotation of the third gear 136.

[61] As a result of the rotations of the rotating shafts 137 and 138 at one end, the respective trays 132 and 133 are twisted counterclockwise so that ice is separated from each tray 132 and 134. [62] As opposed to Fig. 5, the ice tray may be provided in triplicate or more, so that the number of gears provided to operate may be four or more. [63] According to the present embodiment, a plurality of trays may be provided within a restricted space, and through a single manipulation, a plurality of ice chunks can be made to drop from each tray 132 and 133. [64] In an alternate embodiment, the water supplying device 120 may not be provided on the ice maker 100. In this case, a user may directly supply water after withdrawing each of the trays 132 and 133 from the ice maker case 110. Because each tray 132 and

133 is aligned horizontally side-by-side, a user can easily supply water. [65] The ice bank 140 for storing ice that drops from the trays 132 and 133 is provided below the tray assembly 130. [66] In detail, a moving guide 145 is provided below the ice bank 140 to enable the ice bank 140 to be withdrawn from the ice maker case 110. [67] The moving guide 145 is extruded from or inserted in the ice maker case 110 by sliding. Also, a protruding portion 141 is formed on at least one side of the moving guide 145 to enable the moving guide 145 to be latched to the ice maker case 110. [68] A first guide hole 112 is formed in the ice maker case 110, in which the protruding portion 141 is inserted to guide insertion and extrusion of the moving guide 145. [69] The ice bank 140 is seated above the moving guide 145. That is, the moving guide

145 supports the ice bank 140. Also, a catch protrusion 142 is formed on at least one side of the ice bank 140 to latch onto the moving guide 145. [70] A second guide hole 146 is formed in the moving guide 145, in which the catch protrusion 142 is inserted to guide insertion and withdrawal of the ice bank 140. [71] Accordingly, the ice bank 140 can be slid forward and rearward with respect to the moving guide 145.

[72] The process of inserting and withdrawing the ice bank 140 into and out of the ice maker case 110 will be described.

[73] First, when a user pulls the ice bank 140, the ice bank 140 and the moving guide 145 are withdrawn together from the ice maker case 110 to the outside. Then, when the protruding portion 141 catches on one side of the first guide hole 112 to stop the moving guide 145, the ice bank 140 slides along the moving guide 145 and is withdrawn from the ice maker case 110.

[74] Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure of an ice maker according to a second embodiment, Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of an ice maker according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 10 is a sectional view of Fig. 8 cut along line A-A.

[75] In all other aspects, the present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, except for differences in the presence of a water supplying device and the configuration of the tray assembly. Therefore, a description will be provided below of only the characterizing features of the present embodiment.

[76] Fig. 8 shows the ice maker case of the first embodiment removed.

[77] Referring to Figs. 8 to 10, an ice maker 200 according to the present embodiment includes a tray assembly 230 for forming ice, and an ice bank 240 provided below the tray assembly 230 to store ice that drops from the tray assembly 230.

[78] In detail, the tray assembly 230 includes a tray supporting portion 231 defining the exterior, a detachable portion 232 that detachably couples to the tray supporting portion 231, a third tray 233 and a fourth tray 234 that couple to the detachable portion 232, a lever 250 for a user to manipulate to separate ice, and a gear assembly configured with a plurality of gears 235, 236, and 237 that are rotated by the operation of the lever 250.

[79] In further detail, the detachable portion 232 is provided with a plurality of seating protrusions 238a for seating the detachable portion 232 on the tray supporting portion 231. Also, a seating recess 238b is formed in the tray supporting portion 231, in which the seating protrusion 238a is inserted. The detachable portion 232 has a hollow interior to accommodate the respective trays 233 and 234 therein.

[80] The respective trays 233 and 234 are horizontally aligned side-by-side and coupled to the detachable portion 232.

[81] The trays 233 and 234 are respectively provided with a rotating shaft 239 to couple the trays 233 and 234 to the detachable portion 232 and enable each tray 233 and 234 to rotate. The rotating shafts 239 project respectively from either side of each tray 233 and 234. A rotating shaft 239 at one end of each tray 233 and 234 is rotatably coupled to the detachable portion 232. [82] The rotating shafts 239 may be coupled to a first driven gear 236 and a second driven gear 237, respectively. That is, when the detachable portion 232 is seated on the tray supporting portion 231, the rotating shaft 239 may be inserted in the driven gears 236 and 237.

[83] While not shown, each driven gear 236 and 237 defines a hole in which the rotating shafts 239 may be inserted.

[84] A rotating shaft 239 at the other end of each of the trays 233 and 234 is fixed to the detachable portion 232. Accordingly, with the rotating shaft 239 at the other end fixed to the detachable portion 232, the rotating shaft 239 at the one end is rotated to twist the respective trays 233 and 234 and enable the ice in the respective trays 233 and 234 to be separated from the trays 233 and 234.

[85] Below, a description of an ice making process and an ice detaching process according to the present embodiment will be provided.

[86] First, in order to supply water to the respective trays 233 and 234, the detachable portion 232 is lifted upward to separate the detachable portion 232 from the tray supporting portion 231. Then, the third tray 233 and the fourth tray 234 are filled directly with water, after which the detachable portion 232 is re-seated on the tray supporting portion 231. Then, the seating protrusions 238a of the detachable portion 232 are inserted in the seating recesses 238b of the tray supporting portion 231.

[87] Here, each tray 233 and 234 may be supplied with water with the detachable portion

232 in a seated state, without having to separate the detachable portion 232 from the tray supporting portion 231.

[88] In order to separate ice from each tray, the lever 250 is rotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Then, a driving gear 235 connected to the lever 250 is rotated in the same direction as the rotated direction of the lever 250.

[89] Then, the first driven gear 236 and the second driven gear 237 engaged with the driving gear 235 are rotated in the direction opposite to the driving gear 235.

[90] Ultimately, through the rotation of each rotating shaft 239, each tray 233 and 234 is twisted to separate ice from each tray 233 and 234.

[91] Here, contrary to Fig. 9, the detachable portion 232 may not be provided on the tray assembly 230, and the third tray 233 and the fourth tray 234 may be directly coupled to the tray supporting portion 231.

[92] In the present embodiment, a description has been given of each tray 233 and 234 being lifted upward from the tray supporting portion 231 and separated from the tray assembly 230. Alternatively, the assembly may be configured to allow each tray 233 and 234 to be slid forward of the tray supporting portion 231 and withdrawn, and inserted through sliding rearward into the tray supporting portion 231. That is, the respective trays 233 and 234 may be coupled to be capable of sliding on the tray supporting portion 231. In this case, a guide may be provided on the tray supporting portion 231 to allow each tray 233 and 234 to be moved.

[93] The spirit and scope of the present embodiment may include the content below.

[94] To add to the second embodiment above, a water supplying device may be added above the tray assembly for automatically supplying water. The water supplying device according to the first embodiment may be applied. [95] By applying the above-described water supplying device, not only can a user make ice through automatic supplying of water, the user can also directly supply water for making ice if desired.

Claims

[I] An ice maker comprising: a tray assembly comprising a plurality of ice trays that are disposed horizontally side-by-side for making ice; an ice bank for storing ice made in each of the ice trays; and a manipulating unit for separating the ice made in each of the ice trays. [2] The ice maker according to claim 1, further comprising an ice maker case in which the tray assembly and the ice bank are movably mounted. [3] The ice maker according to claim 2, wherein the tray assembly and the ice bank are inserted in and withdrawn from the ice maker case through sliding. [4] The ice maker according to claim 2, wherein the ice maker case comprises a guiding portion for guiding movement of the tray assembly or the ice bank. [5] The ice maker according to claim 2, wherein the ice maker case comprises a moving guide movably coupled to the ice maker case to support the ice bank. [6] The ice maker according to claim 1, further comprising a water supplying device for supplying water to each of the ice trays. [7] The ice maker according to claim 6, wherein the water supplying device comprises a plurality of supplying portions for supplying water to the plurality of ice trays. [8] The ice maker according to claim 6, wherein the water supplying device comprises a pressing portion for supplying water stored in the water supplying device to the plurality of ice trays. [9] The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the tray assembly further comprises a tray supporting portion for supporting the plurality of ice trays. [10] The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the tray assembly further comprises: a tray supporting portion defining an exterior of the tray assembly; and a detachable portion detachably coupled to the tray supporting portion, and having the plurality of ice trays coupled thereto.

[I I] The ice maker according to claim 1, wherein the manipulating unit comprises: a lever; and a gear assembly transmitting a manipulating force exerted on the lever to each of the ice trays.

[12] The ice maker according to claim 11, wherein the gear assembly comprises: a driving gear connected to the lever; and a plurality of driven gears connected to a rotating shaft of each of the ice trays to receive a driving force from the driving gear. [13] A refrigerator comprising: a main body defining a storage compartment; a refrigerator door opening and closing the storage compartment; an opening that opens at least a portion of the refrigerator door; an ice maker installed on the refrigerator door, with at least one portion disposed at the opening; and a covering door that opens and closes the opening, wherein the ice maker comprises a tray assembly comprising a plurality of ice trays disposed horizontally side-by-side to make ice. [14] The ice making apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the ice maker further comprises an ice bank for storing ice made in each of the ice trays. [15] The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the ice bank and the ice trays are withdrawn and inserted to and from an outside of the refrigerator door through the opening. [16] The refrigerator according to claim 13, further comprising a water supplying device for supplying water to the plurality of ice trays, the water supplying device capable of sliding with respect to the refrigerator door. [17] The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the tray assembly comprises a tray supporting portion to which the plurality of ice trays is detachably coupled. [18] The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the tray assembly further comprises a detachable portion selectively seated on the tray supporting portion, and having the plurality of ice trays coupled thereto. [19] The refrigerator according to claim 13, further comprising: a lever for rotating the ice trays; and a gear assembly for transmitting a manipulating force exerted on the lever simultaneously to each of the ice trays. [20] The refrigerator according to claim 19, wherein the gear assembly comprises: a driving gear connected to the lever; and a plurality of driven gears respectively engaged to the driving gear to transmit a driving force received from the driving gear to each of the ice trays.