WO2013182430A1

WO2013182430A1 - A refrigerator comprising an ice cube tray

Info

Publication number: WO2013182430A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/060621
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yigit OZSACMACI; Mehmet ERTUGRUL; Mecit Ugur DILBEROGLU; Anil CALISKAN; Ahmet DINDAR; Hur Ebuzer BUTUN; Mehmet Yucel DIKICI; Erhan Ilhan Konukseven; Gokhan Osman OZGEN; Serkan TARCIN
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2012-06-06
Filing date: 2013-05-23
Publication date: 2013-12-12
Also published as: EP2859284A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a freezing compartment (2) wherein foodstuffs to be frozen are placed, a fresh food compartment (4) situated above the freezing compartment (2), kept at a higher temperature than the freezing compartment (2), wherein foodstuffs to be cooled are placed, a fresh food compartment door (5) providing access to the items placed in the fresh food compartment (4) and a transfer unit (7) extending from the freezing compartment (2) to the fresh food compartment (4), providing the delivery of the ice cubes produced in the freezing compartment (2) to the fresh food compartment door (5).

Description

A REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING AN ICE CUBE TRAY

The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising an ice cube tray.

Freezing compartments that provide the freezing of the foods and beverages or storing thereof by freezing are generally located at the upper section of refrigerators. In freezing compartments, ice cube trays are situated that provide water to be frozen and to be used as ice cubes when desired. However, in recent years, refrigerators that have freezing compartments at the lower section are preferred since a wider inner volume is thus possible. In this type of refrigerators, the user has to bend to get the ice and this situation creates difficulty of utilization. In order to overcome this problem, in some refrigerators, some portion of the air delivered to the freezing compartment is sent to the specially insulated area formed in the fresh food compartment at the upper side and conversion of water into ice by freezing is performed in this part. However, the fresh food compartment volume, desired to be as wide as possible, becomes narrower since a considerable part of the fresh food compartment is occupied by the specially insulated area.

In the state of the art Korean Patent Document No. KR100765196, in a refrigerator wherein the freezing compartment is below, a transfer unit whereby the ice cubes are carried from the ice cube tray to the fresh food compartment is explained.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a refrigerator comprising a transfer unit whereby the ice cubes are carried easily and precisely from the freezing compartment to the fresh food compartment.

The refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a transfer unit that provides the delivery of the ice cubes produced in the freezing compartment to the fresh food compartment.

In the refrigerator of the present invention, the transfer unit comprises a worm screw shaped shaft that extends from the freezing compartment to the fresh food compartment and a carrier disposed on the shaft that carries the ice cubes from the freezing compartment to the fresh food compartment. The transfer unit operates like an elevator wherein the ice cubes are carried. By means of transferring the ice cubes to the fresh food compartment, the user does not have to open the freezing compartment door for reaching the ice cubes and energy is saved by preventing heating of the freezing compartment

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier is shaped as a triangular prism. The ice cubes are easily transferred from the carrier to the ice dispenser by means of the inclined configuration of the carrier.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the carrier has a carrier surface that is inclined so as to descend from the point where the ice cubes are retrieved to the point where they are released. By means of the carrier being in wedge form, the ice cubes move on the carrier by the effect of gravity.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises an ice dispenser disposed on the fresh food compartment door that enables the ice cubes to be reached when the fresh food compartment door is closed. By means of the ice dispenser, the ice cubes carried to the fresh food compartment can be taken without opening the door of the fresh food compartment and energy consumption is avoided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator comprises a compartment wall between the freezing compartment and the fresh food compartment in order to isolate the cold air at the lower part from the warm air at the upper part. In this embodiment, an opening is arranged on the compartment wall that provides the passage of the transfer unit between the compartments.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the transfer unit is surrounded by a tube shaped cabinet. By means of the cabinet, the noise and vibration created with the activation of the transfer unit is prevented.

In a derivative of this embodiment, a gap is arranged on the cabinet enabling the ice cubes to be taken out from the transfer unit by overlapping with the ice dispenser when the door of the fresh food compartment is closed.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the refrigerator comprises a first fixing member that closes the open lower side of the cabinet and a second fixing member that closes the open upper side thereof. Thus, heat insulation inside the cabinet is provided.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the refrigerator comprises a support rod that extends along the cabinet and which prevents the carrier from rotating together with the shaft. Thus, the carrier can move in a balanced manner.

In a derivative of this embodiment, a stopper is disposed on the carrier that determines the uppermost position of the carrier on the shaft. By means of the stopper, the ice cubes are not damaged.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the ice cubes are produced in an ice cube tray located in the freezing compartment.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the passage of the ice cubes from the ice cube tray to the transfer unit is realized by means of a transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism provides the ice cubes to be carried in the horizontal direction.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the transmission mechanism comprises a container wherein the ice cubes are collected, a transfer member shaped as a drill tip providing the movement of the ice cubes inside the container and a channel providing the passage of the ice cubes from the container into the cabinet.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the container and the carrier, that carries the ice cubes taken from the container, are at different elevations, with the carrier being at a lower position. In this embodiment, energy saving is provided during passage of the ice cubes from the transmission mechanism to the transfer unit by means of the inclined configuration of the channel.

In a derivative of this embodiment, a sensor is disposed on the channel that determines the number of the ice cubes passing through the channel. Thus, the user reaches the desired number of ice cubes and wasting of water is avoided by preventing redundant ice cubes from leaving the ice cube tray.

By means of the present invention, in refrigerators wherein the fresh food compartment is at the upper side, melting and breaking is kept at a minimum level while the ice cubes are carried from the ice cube tray to the fresh food compartment.

The model embodiments relating to a refrigerator realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 – is the front view of the refrigerator in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 – is the perspective view of the refrigerator while the door is open in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 – is another perspective view of the refrigerator while the door is open in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 – is the perspective view of the transfer unit, the first fixing member, the second fixing member and the support rod in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 – is the perspective view of the transmission mechanism and the sensor in an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Refrigerator
Freezing compartment
Ice cube tray
Fresh food compartment
Fresh food compartment door
Ice dispenser
Transfer unit
Shaft
Carrier
Cabinet
Compartment wall
Opening
First fixing member
Second fixing member
Support rod
Gap
Stopper
Transmission mechanism
Container
Transfer member
Channel
Sensor
Ice dispenser button

The refrigerator (1) comprises

a fresh food compartment (4) situated above the freezing compartment (2), kept at a higher temperature than the freezing compartment (2), wherein foodstuffs to be cooled are placed,
a fresh food compartment door (5) providing access to the items placed in the fresh food compartment (4),
a transfer unit (7) extending from the freezing compartment (2) to the fresh food compartment (4), providing the delivery of the ice cubes produced in the freezing compartment (2) to the fresh food compartment door (5).

The refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises a worm screw shaped shaft (8) that extends in the vertical direction and a carrier (9) movably mounted on the shaft (8) which provides the ice cubes to be carried (Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 4).

When the user desires to take ice cubes, the ice cubes available in the freezing compartment (2) are conveyed to the transfer unit (7). When the ice cubes are conveyed to the transfer unit (7), the carrier (9) is situated at the lower side of the shaft (8) inside the freezing compartment (2). Upon passing of the ice cubes to the carrier (9), the worm screw shaped shaft (8) actuated by the electric motor starts to rotate. The carrier (9) moves in the upwards direction as the shaft (8) rotates. When the shaft (8) completes its movement, the carrier (9) reaches the fresh food compartment (4) together with the ice cubes. At the end of the operation, the user can reach the ice cubes carried to the height of the fresh food compartment door (5) without bending.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier (9) has an inclined carrying surface. When the user desires to take the ice cubes from the fresh food compartment door (5), with effect of gravity the ice cubes are accumulated at the point of the carrier (9) closest to the fresh food compartment door (5), thus the ice cubes can be reached conveniently.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the carrier (9) has a carrying surface that is inclined so as to descend from the point where the ice cubes are loaded to the point of transfer. Thus, the ice cubes are easily loaded from the freezing compartment (2) to the transfer unit (7) and easily transferred from the transfer unit (7) to the fresh food compartment door (5).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises an ice dispenser (6) situated on the fresh food compartment door (5) which enables the ice cubes to be reached without opening the fresh food compartment door (5). At the end of the operation of carrying the ice cubes from the freezing compartment (2) to the fresh food compartment door (5), the carrier (9) becomes aligned with the ice dispenser (6) and the user can take the ice cubes from the ice dispenser (6).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a compartment wall (11) situated between the freezing compartment (2) and the fresh food compartment (4), providing heat insulation between the compartments (2, 4) and an opening (12) arranged on the compartment wall (11) through which the transfer unit (7) passes. The ice cubes can be carried from the freezing compartment (2) to the fresh food compartment (4) by means of the opening (12) (Figure 3).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises a cabinet (10), shaped as a box with top and bottom open, that extends along the transfer unit (7) so as to enclose the transfer unit (7). By means of the cabinet (10), the ice cubes can be carried without being affected by the temperature difference therebetween while passing from the freezing compartment (2) to the fresh food compartment (4).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the refrigerator (1) comprises a gap (16) arranged on the cabinet (10), that enables the ice cubes to be taken by almost aligning with the ice dispenser (6) when the fresh food compartment door (5) is closed.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the refrigerator (1) comprises a first fixing member (13) mounted to the bottom end of the shaft (8) to form the lower side of the cabinet (10) and a second fixing member (14) mounted to the top end of the shaft (8) to form the upper side of the cabinet (10). The two ends of the shaft (8) are connected to the first fixing member (13) and the second fixing member (14) and thus the shaft (8) is placed into the cabinet (10) (Figure 4).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the refrigerator (1) comprises at least one support rod (15) that extends parallel to the shaft (8) between the first fixing member (13) and the second fixing member (14) and whereon the carrier (9) is mounted. By means of the support rod (15), the carrier (9) does not rotate together with the shaft (8) but moves upward with linear motion (Figure 4).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the refrigerator (1) comprises a stopper (17) disposed on the carrying surface, that prevents the carrier (9) from contacting the second fixing member (14) during its movement on the shaft (8) in the upward direction. The stopper (17) prevents the carrier (9) from impacting the second fixing member (14) and thereby damaging of the ice cubes located on the carrier (9) (Figure 4).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises an ice cube tray (3) situated inside the freezing compartment (2) which provides the forming of the ice cubes. Thus, the ice cubes are affected less by the warm air entering into the freezing compartment (2) compared with other sections of the inner volume when the door of the freezing compartment (2) is opened.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator (1) comprises an ice dispenser button (23) disposed on the fresh food compartment door (5) that provides the transfer unit (7) to operate when pressed on. The ice dispenser button (23) provides the actuation of the system that provides the ice cubes in the ice cube tray (3) to reach the ice dispenser (6).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the refrigerator (1) comprises a transmission mechanism (18) that provides the ice cubes collected in the ice cube tray (3) to be conveyed to the transfer unit (7). The inner volume of the freezing compartment (2) can be used more flexibly with the ice cube tray (3) not being directly connected to the transfer unit (7) and the ice cubes being conveyed to the transfer unit (7) by means of the transmission mechanism (18) (Figure 5).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the transmission mechanism (18) comprises a container (19) wherein the ice cubes leaving the ice cube tray (3) fall, a drill tip shaped transfer member (20) providing the ice cubes in the container (19) to be carried in the horizontal direction and a channel (21) that provides the ice cubes to pass from the container (19) to the carrier (9). When the user presses on the ice dispenser button (23), the ice cubes are transferred from the ice cube tray (3) to the container (19). The drill tip shaped transfer members (20) actuated by the electric motor move the ice cubes towards the channel (21) by rotating. The ice cubes pass to the transfer unit (7) by means of the channel (21) and start their movement inside the transfer unit (7) (Figure 5).

In a derivative of this embodiment, the refrigerator (1) comprises the channel (21) with inclined structure, extending between the container (19) and the carrier (9), which is at a lower position vertically with respect to the container (19), during transfer of the ice cubes from the transmission mechanism (18) to the transfer unit (7). Consequently, the transfer of ice cubes from the container (19) to the carrier (9) is provided by effect of gravity and additional energy is not consumed during this operation.

In a derivative of this embodiment, the refrigerator (1) comprises a sensor (22) disposed on the channel (21) that determines the number of ice cubes passing through the channel (21). In this embodiment, the refrigerator (1) furthermore comprises a control system that enables the user to receive the desired number of ice cubes.

The refrigerator (1) of the present invention comprises a transfer unit (7) that carries the ice cubes in the freezing compartment (2) located at the lower side to the fresh food compartment (4) located at the upper side. By means of the carrier (9), the ice cubes contact the transfer unit (7) as little as possible and are prevented from being damaged.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

A refrigerator (1) comprising

- a freezing compartment (2) wherein foodstuffs to be frozen are placed,

- a fresh food compartment (4) situated above the freezing compartment (2), kept at a higher temperature than the freezing compartment (2), wherein foodstuffs to be cooled are placed,

- a fresh food compartment door (5) providing access to the items placed in the fresh food compartment (4),

- a transfer unit (7) extending from the freezing compartment (2) to the fresh food compartment (4), providing the delivery of the ice cubes produced in the freezing compartment (2) to the fresh food compartment door (5),

characterized in that the transfer unit (7) having

- a worm screw shaped shaft (8) that extends in the vertical direction and

- a carrier (9) movably mounted on the shaft (8) and which provides the ice cubes to be carried.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the carrier (9) having an inclined carrying surface.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 2, characterized in that the carrier (9) having the carrying surface that is inclined so as to descend from the point where the ice cubes are loaded to the point of transfer.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that an ice dispenser (6) situated on the fresh food compartment door (5), which enables the ice cubes to be reached without opening the fresh food compartment door (5).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that a compartment wall (11) situated between the freezing compartment (2) and the fresh food compartment (4), providing heat insulation between the compartments (2, 4) and an opening (12) arranged on the compartment wall (11) through which the transfer unit (7) passes.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that a cabinet (10), shaped as a box with top and bottom open, that extends along the transfer unit (7) so as to enclose the transfer unit (7).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 6, characterized in that a gap (16) arranged on the cabinet (10), that enables the ice cubes to be taken by almost aligning with the ice dispenser (6) when the fresh food compartment door (5) is closed.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 6 or 7, characterized in that a first fixing member (13) mounted to the bottom end of the shaft (8) to form the lower side of the cabinet (10) and a second fixing member (14) mounted to the top end of the shaft (8) to form the upper side of the cabinet (10).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 8, characterized in that at least one support rod (15) that extends parallel to the shaft (8) between the first fixing member (13) and the second fixing member (14) and whereon the carrier (9) is mounted.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 8 or 9, characterized in that a stopper (17) disposed on the carrying surface, that prevents the carrier (9) from contacting the second fixing member (14) during its movement on the shaft (8) in the upward direction.
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that an ice cube tray (3) situated inside the freezing compartment (2) which provides the forming of the ice cubes.
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 11, characterized in that a transmission mechanism (18) that provides the ice cubes accumulated in the ice cube tray (3) to be conveyed to the transfer unit (7).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 12, characterized in that the transmission mechanism (18) comprising a container (19) wherein the ice cubes leaving the ice cube tray (3) fall, a drill tip shaped transfer member (20) providing the ice cubes in the container (19) to be carried in the horizontal direction and a channel (21) that provides the ice cubes to pass from the container (19) to the carrier (9).
A refrigerator (1) as in Claim 13, characterized in that the channel (21) with inclined structure, extending between the container (19) and the carrier (9), which is at a lower position vertically with respect to the container (19) during transfer of the ice cubes from the transmission mechanism (18) to the transfer unit (7).
A refrigerator (1) as in any one of the Claims 13 or 14, characterized in that a sensor (22) disposed on the channel (21) that determines the number of ice cubes passing through the channel (21).