WO2016177421A1

WO2016177421A1 - Ice making apparatus and refrigerator having the same

Info

Publication number: WO2016177421A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/059969
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ahmet SERT; Dilek SUR; Akin Ozdemir; Ibrahim Yilmaz Evren; Kubilay BORA
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2015-05-06
Filing date: 2015-05-06
Publication date: 2016-11-10

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus (1) for use in a refrigerator which comprises a freezer compartment and an extendable case (2) inside the freezer compartment. The ice making apparatus (1) of the present invention comprises a main body (3) which is releasably installable into the case (2), one or more ice trays (4) which are rotatably disposed one above the other onto the main body (3) and an ejection mechanism (5) which has one or more separate levers (6) for twisting the ice tray (4) respectively. Each lever (6) has a rest position and a shifted position. The ejection mechanism (5) is configured such that the respective grip section (7) of each lever (6) is located above the upwardly facing section (8) of the main body (3) throughout the entire movement of the lever (6) from the respective rest position to the respective shifted position.

Description

ICE MAKING APPARATUS AND REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME

The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus for use in a domestic refrigerator which has at least one freezer compartment and an extendable case inside the freezer compartment.

Domestic refrigerators are commonly known in the art. A domestic refrigerator is commonly provided with one or more ice trays for making ice. The user fills the ice trays with water and subsequently places the ice trays into the freezer compartment of the domestic refrigerator. When fresh ice is formed in the ice tray, the user takes one or more than one of the ice trays out of the freezer compartment and subsequently twists each ice tray per hand so as to release the ice cubes from the pockets into a portable container for service. In general, this technique is very laborious and time consuming for the users. To improve the convenience for the user, the manufacturers of household appliances also provide domestic refrigerators with integrated ice making apparatuses which are manually operable through a lever or a rotatable knob.

WO 2011/051169 A2 discloses a refrigerator which has an ice making apparatus that is integrated into the pull-out case of the freezer compartment. This prior art ice making apparatus has a lever for twisting the ice trays.

A problem with this prior art refrigerator is that the user cannot conveniently access and operate the ice making apparatus. Another problem with this prior art refrigerator is that the ice making apparatus occupies a comparatively large surface area inside the pull-out case and thus reduces the utilizable volume.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an ice making apparatus and a refrigerator having the same which solves the aforementioned problems in a cost effective way and which is space saving and which enables an improved usability, an improved operability and an improved maintenance, including cleaning, replenishment and the like.

This objective has been achieved by the ice making apparatus as defined in claim 1 and the refrigerator as defined in claim 13. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

The ice making apparatus of the present invention comprises a main body which is releasably installable into the extendable case; one or more ice trays for making ice, wherein the ice trays are rotatably disposed one above the other onto the main body and an ejection mechanism which has one or more levers each for twisting the respective ice tray so as to eject the ice from the respective ice tray, wherein each lever has a rest position and a shifted position and wherein the ejection mechanism is configured such that the respective grip section of each lever is located above the upwardly facing section of the main body throughout the entire movement of the lever from the respective rest position to the respective shifted position.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that each lever is accessible and operable entirely from above. Thereby, the accessibility and the operability of the ice making apparatus have been improved. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the ice trays can be separately twisted. Thereby, the user is enabled to extract the ice more economically. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the ice trays are located one above the other thus in a space saving arrangement. Thereby, the surface area and the volume of the freezer case can be more effectively utilized. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the ice making apparatus can be entirely taken out of the case by virtue of the releasably installed by main body. Thereby the user can conveniently service the ice making apparatus, for instance for cleaning. The ice making apparatus is particularly advantageous when it is installed in a freezer compartment which is close to the floor as the user can access and operate the ice making apparatus conveniently from above despite of its low position.

In an embodiment, the rest positions of the levers are located side by side. In this embodiment, also the shifted positions are located side by side. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can push the levers separately or jointly. Thereby, the operability and the usability of the ice making apparatus have been further improved.

In another embodiment, the levers are arranged into slots which are formed into the upper cover of the ice making apparatus. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can push the levers securely along the slot. Thereby, the ejection mechanism can be protected from damages due to overtwisting.

In another embodiment, the slots are aligned in the width direction of the refrigerator. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can push the levers in the width direction and thus the risk that the user hits the component parts of the refrigerators with his/her hand can be eliminated or reduced as much as possible. The levers may be configured to operate from left to right or vice versa.

In another embodiment, the ice making apparatus has one or more refillable water tanks which are disposed onto the main body and fluidly connected with the respective ice trays. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can replenish the ice trays by pouring water into the water tanks.

In another embodiment, the inlet of the water tanks is accessible from above. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can easily replenish the water tanks.

In another embodiment, each water tank has a capacity which matches the capacity of the respective ice tray. In this embodiment, also the water tanks are fluidly connected with the ice trays via narrow passages which prevent a sudden evacuation of the water tanks. Thereby, the water tanks can be easily filled up to their rim with the required volume of replenishment water before any notable amount of water flows into the ice trays. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can replenish the ice trays without using a dosing container.

In another embodiment, the ice making apparatus comprises one or more containers for receiving the ejected ice. The containers can be accessed from above and lifted out of the extendable case. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can remove or put back the containers more conveniently.

In another embodiment, the ice making apparatus can be releasably installed into the freezer compartment by way of directly placing the main body onto the surface of the case. In this embodiment the ice making apparatus does not require any attachment means. In another embodiment, the case and the main body are respectively provided with attachments means which mutually cooperate. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the ice making apparatus can be more safely secured in place. Of course, the ice making apparatus of the present invention can be used in another freezer compartment which has no case.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the ice making apparatus and the refrigerator of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective view of an ice making apparatus which is releasably installed into an extendable case that is adapted for use in the freezer compartment of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 – is a schematic perspective view of the ice making apparatus of Fig. 1, prior to releasably installing it into the extendable case;

Figure 3 – is another schematic perspective view of the ice making apparatus of Fig. 1, prior to releasably installing it into the extendable case;

Figure 4 – is schematic partial perspective view of the ice making apparatus of Fig. 2;

Figure 5 – is another schematic partial perspective view of the ice making apparatus of Fig. 2;

Figure 6 – is a schematic perspective view of the main body of the ice making apparatus of Fig. 2;

Figure 7 – is another schematic perspective view of the main body of the ice making apparatus of Fig. 2;

Figure 8 – is another schematic partial perspective view of the ice making apparatus of Fig. 2;

Figure 9 – is a schematic partial rear view of the ice making apparatus of Fig. 2;

Figure 10 – is a schematic partial perspective view of the ice making apparatus of Fig. 2.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Ice making apparatus
Case
Main body
Ice tray
Ejection mechanism
Lever
Grip section
Body section
Cover
Slot
Tank

11a. Rim

12. Passage

13. Inlet

14. Lid

15. Hose

16. Container

17. Chute

18. Surface

19. Handle assembly

20. Attachment means

21. Support

22. Fulcrum

23. Guide arm

24. Guideway

25. Anchorage arm

26. Recess

27. Attachment means

28. Attachment means

29. Abutment

30. Pin

31. Aperture

32. Hook

33. Beams

34. Washer

35. Rod

36. Lug

37. Bracket

38. Handle

39. Spring element

The ice making apparatus (1) is suitable for use in a domestic refrigerator (not shown).

The domestic refrigerator comprises a freezer compartment (not shown) and a case (2) which is extendably disposed into the freezer compartment.

The ice making apparatus (1) of the present invention comprises a main body (3) which is releasably installable into the case (2), one or more ice trays (4) for making ice, wherein the ice trays (4) are rotatably disposed one above the other onto the main body (3) and an ejection mechanism (5) which has one or more levers (6) each for twisting the respective ice tray (4) so as to eject the ice from the respective ice tray (4), wherein each lever (6) has a rest position and a shifted position. The ejection mechanism (5) is configured such that the respective grip section (7) of each lever (6) is located above the upwardly facing section (8) of the main body (3) throughout the entire movement of the lever (6) from the respective rest position to the respective shifted position.

The domestic refrigerator of the present invention further comprises the ice making apparatus (1). The ice making apparatus (1) is releasably installed into the case (2).

In an embodiment, the ice making apparatus (1) comprises two ice trays (4) each for making ice. The ice trays (4) are disposed one above the other and rotatably onto the main body (3). In this embodiment, the ejection mechanism (5) has two individual levers (6) for twisting the ice trays (4) respectively so as to eject the ice from the ice trays (4) respectively. In this embodiment, the ejection mechanism (5) is configured such that the rest positions of the levers (6) are located side by side and the shifted positions of the levers (6) are also located side by side.

In another embodiment, the main body (3) comprises an upper cover (9) which defines the upwardly facing section (8) and two parallel slots (10) which are disposed into the upper cover (9) and have mutually same lengths. In this embodiment, each lever (6) protrudes upwardly through the respective slot (10).

In another embodiment, each slot (10) is aligned in the width direction of the refrigerator when the ice making apparatus (1) is installed into the case (2). In this embodiment, the rest position of each lever (6) is located on the left-hand side of the respective shifted position when the ice making apparatus (1) is installed into the case (2).

In another embodiment, the ice making apparatus (1) further comprises two separately refillable water tanks (11) each for supplying a respective ice tray (4) with water. Each water tank (11) is disposed onto the main body (3) at a level higher than the respective ice tray (4). In this embodiment, the ice making apparatus (1) further comprises two supply passages (12) each for conveying under the action of gravity the water from the respective water tank (11) to the respective ice tray (4).

In another embodiment, the ice making apparatus (1) further comprises an inlet (13) for filling each water tank (11) and a lid (14) for opening/closing the inlet (13). The lid (14) is disposed onto the upwardly facing section (8) of the main body (3).

In another embodiment, the two separately refillable water tanks (11) which are disposed side by side onto the main body (3) at the same level above the ice trays (4). In this embodiment, one of the supply passages (12) directly opens into the upper ice tray (4). And the other supply passage (12) comprises a flexible silicone hose (15) which opens into the lower ice tray (4).

In another embodiment, each refillable water tank (11) has a capacity which matches the capacity of the respective ice tray (4). In this embodiment, each supply passage (12) comprises a respective constricted section, such as a narrow inner diameter section each of which is preferably less than 10 millimeters, or more preferably less than 6 millimeters.

In another embodiment, the ice making apparatus (1) further comprises two containers (16) each for receiving the ice which is ejected from the respective ice tray (4); two chutes (17) for conveying the ejected ice from the respective ice tray (4) into the respective container (16). Each chute (17) has a downwardly sloping surface (18). In this embodiment, the ice making apparatus (1) further comprises a handle assembly (19) for jointly holding the two containers (16) and an attachment means (20) for attaching the two containers (16) to the main body (3) along the vertical direction.

In another embodiment, the ejection mechanism (5) comprises a support (21) which has two fulcrums (22) each for pivotably supporting the respective lever (6). In this embodiment, the support (21) is disposed onto the main body (3). In this embodiment, the ejection mechanism (5) further comprises two guide arms (23) each being fixed to the respective ice trays (4). In addition each guide arm (23) has a guideway (24) which slidably engages with the respective lever (6).

In the subsequent description, the operation of the ice making apparatus (1) will be briefly explained by way of example.

Each lever (6) can be pushed separately to extract the ice from the respective ice tray (4). The short lever (6) is associated with the upper ice tray (4) and rotates 90 degrees about the respective fulcrum (22) when it is pushed from the rest position to the shifted position. Whereas the long lever (4) is associated with the lower ice tray (4) and rotates 45 degrees about the respective fulcrum (22) when it is pushed from the rest position to the shifted position. Each ice tray (4) rotates 155 degrees until it hits the respective abutment (29) and gets twisted as the lever (6) is pushed to the other end of the slot (10). To extract the ice, the user holds one or both of the grip sections (7) of the respective levers (6) and pushes them from the rest position towards the shifted position along the slots (10) which have the same lengths. Thereafter, the user releases the grip section (7). The grip sections (7) return to the rest positions under the action of the spring elements (39). Thereafter the user holds the handle (38) and lifts the containers (16) out of the case (2) so as to service the ejected ice. To replenish the empty ice tray (4) with water, the user opens the lid (13) and pours water into the respective water tank (11) up to the respective rim (11a) which can be seen through the inlet (12). As the water passages (14) are relatively narrow, the water flows slowly into the ice trays (11). Thus the user can fill the water tanks (11) up to the rim (11a) with the required volume of replenishment water before any notable amount of water flows into the ice rays (4). Therefore, the user does not need to use a dosing container and can use for instance an ordinary drinking container or the like. To clean the entire ice making apparatus (1), the user lifts the main body (3) out of the case (2).

In another embodiment, the support (21) comprises three anchorage arms (25) which can be screwless locked into respective recesses (26) that are formed into the main body (3).

In another embodiment, the ice making apparatus (1) further comprises an attachment means (27) for detachably attaching the main body (3) into the case (2) along the vertical direction.

In another embodiment, the refrigerator further comprises a chilling compartment (not shown). In this embodiment, the freezer compartment is located below the chilling compartment.

In another embodiment, the refrigerator further comprises a counterpart attachment means (28) for cooperating with the attachment means (27) of the ice making apparatus (1).

In another embodiment, the main body (3) has two pin-like abutments (29) which cause twisting of the ice trays (4) when the levers (6) are moved to the shifted positions respectively.

In another embodiment, the ice trays (4) have pivoting pins (30) and the main body (3) has respective pivoting apertures (31) for supporting the respective pivoting pins (30).

In another embodiment, the chutes (17) have hooks (32) and the main body (31) has beams (33) for engaging with the hooks (32).

In another embodiment, the ejection mechanism (5) comprises washers (34) which are arranged between the ends of the levers (6) and the guideways (24).

In another embodiment, the handle assembly (19) comprises two rods (35) which are disposed onto the opposing ends of the handle (38). In this embodiment, the containers (16) comprise lugs (36) which insertably receive the rods (35). In addition, the rods (35) have threaded ends (not shown) which can be secured to the lugs (36) by means of screws (not shown). In this embodiment, the handle assembly (19) also comprises a bracket (37) which reinforces the stacked containers (16). In addition, the bracket (37) also comprises lugs (36) which insertably receive the rods (35).

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that each lever (6) is accessible and operable entirely from above. Thereby, the accessibility and the operability of the ice making apparatus (1) have been improved. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the ice trays (4) can be separately twisted. Thereby, the user is enabled to extract the ice more economically. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the ice trays (4) are located one above the other thus in a space saving arrangement. Thereby, the surface area and the volume of the freezer case (2) can be more effectively utilized. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the ice making apparatus (1) can be entirely taken out of the case (2) by virtue of the releasably installed by main body (3). Thereby the user can conveniently service the ice making apparatus (1), for instance for cleaning. The ice making apparatus (1) is particularly advantageous when it is installed in a freezer compartment that is close to the floor since the user can access and operate the ice making apparatus (1), for instance the grip sections (7) of the levers (6) conveniently from above despite of the low position of the freezer compartment. Other additional advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the aforementioned embodiments.

Claims

An ice making apparatus (1) for use in a refrigerator comprising a freezer compartment and a case (2) which is extendably disposed into the freezer compartment, the ice making apparatus (1) being characterized in that a main body (3) which is releasably installable into the case (2), one or more ice trays (4) for making ice, wherein the ice trays (4) are rotatably disposed one above the other onto the main body (3) and an ejection mechanism (5) which has one or more levers (6) each for twisting the respective ice tray (4) so as to eject the ice from the respective ice tray (4), wherein each lever (6) has a rest position and a shifted position, wherein the ejection mechanism (5) is configured such that the respective grip section (7) of each lever (6) is located above the upwardly facing section (8) of the main body (3) throughout the entire movement of the lever (6) from the respective rest position to the respective shifted position.
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that two or more ice trays (4) each for making ice, wherein the ice trays (4) are disposed one above the other and rotatably onto the main body (3) and wherein the ejection mechanism (5) has two or more individual levers (6) for twisting the ice trays (4) respectively so as to eject the ice from the ice trays (4) respectively and wherein the ejection mechanism (5) is configured such that the rest positions of the levers (6) are located side by side and wherein the shifted positions of the levers (6) are also located side by side.
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the main body (3) comprises an upper cover (9) which defines the upwardly facing section (8) and one or more parallel slots (10) which are disposed into the upper cover (9) and have same lengths, wherein the each lever (6) protrudes upwardly through the respective slot (10).
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that each slot (10) is aligned in the width direction of the refrigerator and the rest position of each lever (6) is located on the left-hand side of the corresponding shifted position when the ice making apparatus (1) is installed into the case (2).
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that one or more separately refillable water tanks (11) each for supplying the respective ice tray (4) with water, wherein each water tank (11) is disposed onto the main body (3) at a level higher than the respective ice tray (4) and one or more supply passages (12) each for conveying under the action of gravity the water from the respective water tank (11) to the respective ice tray (4).
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that an inlet (13) for filling each water tank (11) and a lid (14) for opening/closing the inlet (13), wherein the lid (14) is disposed onto the upwardly facing section (8) of the main body (3).
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that two separately refillable water tanks (11) which are disposed side by side onto the main body (3) at a same level above the ice trays (4), wherein one of the supply passages (12) directly opens into the upper ice tray (4) and the other supply passage (12) comprises a flexible hose (15) which opens into the lower ice tray (4).
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that each refillable water tank (11) has a capacity which matches the capacity of the respective ice tray (4) and each supply passage (12) comprise a respective inner diameter section which is preferably less than 10 millimeters, or more preferably less than 6 millimeters.
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that one or more containers (16) each for receiving the ice which is ejected from the respective ice tray (4); one or more chutes (17) for conveying the ejected ice from the respective ice tray (4) into the respective container (16), wherein each chute (17) has a downwardly sloping surfaces (18); a handle assembly (19) for jointly holding the one or more containers (16) and attachment means (20) for attaching the one or more containers (16) to the main body (3) along the vertical direction.
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the ejection mechanism (5) comprises a support (21) which has one or more fulcrums (22) each for pivotably supporting the respective lever (6) respectively, wherein the support (21) is disposed onto the main body (3) and one or more guide arms (23) each being fixed to the respective ice trays (4), wherein each guide arm (23) has a guideway (24) which slidably engages with the respective lever (6) respectively.
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the support (21) comprises one or more anchorage arms (25) which can be screwless locked into one or more respective recesses (26) which are formed into the main body (3).
The ice making apparatus (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that an attachment means (27) for detachably attaching the main body (3) into the case (2) along the vertical direction.
A refrigerator comprising a freezer compartment and a case (2) which is extendably disposed into the freezer compartment and characterized in that the ice making apparatus (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12.
The refrigerator according to claim 13, characterized in that a chilling compartment, wherein the freezer compartment is located below the chilling compartment.
The refrigerator according to claim 14, characterized in that a counterpart attachment means (28) for cooperating with the attachment means (27) of the ice making apparatus (1).