ICE MAKING UNIT AND REFRIGERATOR HAVING THE SAME

Abstract

An ice making unit includes an ice making chamber having an ice making area and an ice storing area, an ice tray installed within the ice making area and rotatable by a driving force transferred from the exterior, a driving module fixed in an inner wall of the ice making chamber and configured to provide the driving force, and a control module disposed outside the ice making chamber and configured to control the driving module. Also, a refrigerator with the ice making unit is provided. Therefore, the ice making area and the ice storing area of the ice making chamber can be increased.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0067588, filed on Jul. 13, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This specification relates to a refrigerator, and particularly, to an ice making unit capable of extending an ice making area and an ice storing area of an ice making chamber, and a refrigerator having the same.

2. Background of the Invention

In general, a refrigerator is an apparatus for freshly keeping foods in a cool or frozen state. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body having a cooling chamber and a refrigeration cycle system for providing cold air in the cooling chamber. The refrigeration cycle system is configured as a vapor compression-type refrigeration cycle system, which includes a compressor for compressing a refrigerant, a condenser for condensing the refrigerant by heat emission, an expansion apparatus for decompressing and expanding the refrigerant, and an evaporator for evaporating the refrigerant by absorbing latent heat.

A part of the refrigerator is occupied by a dispenser, which allows a user to pick up ice pieces made within the refrigerator without opening a door, and an ice maker.

The ice maker is installed at an inner wall of a refrigerator door, and may be classified into a heating type of heating generated ice pieces for separation (removal), and a twist type of downwardly rotating an ice tray filled with made ice pieces therein for separation.

The heating type ice maker includes an ice tray having cells for containing water, an ejector located near the ice tray for taking out ice that has been formed inside the ice tray, a driving module for driving the ejector and a control module for controlling the driving module.

Also, the twist type ice maker includes an ice tray, a rotation driving module for rotating the ice tray, and a control module for controlling the rotation driving module.

For an in-door type refrigerator, those related art ice makers are installed in an ice making chamber having an ice making area formed inside the door and an ice storing area formed below the ice making area.

The ice making area of the ice making chamber is occupied by a control body including the driving module of those ice makers and the control module for controlling the driving module, which causes a decrease of a space of the ice making area.

Typically, an ice making capacity (daily ice making quantity) and an ice storing capacity (the maximum ice storing quantity in an ice bucket) are main performance indexes of the refrigerator, and depend on an ice maker and an area size of an ice making chamber, in which the ice maker is installed.

Consequently, as aforesaid, when the ice maker having the control box is installed in the ice making chamber with a limited space, the ice making area is reduced by the size of the control box, which causes limitation to the size of the cell formed in the ice tray and accordingly reduces the ice making capacity lower than a predetermined quantity. Hence, the size of the ice bucket for storing ice pieces, namely, the size of the ice making area may be restricted, resulting in the lack of ice pieces stored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, to address the problems of the related art, an aspect of the detailed description is to provide an ice making unit capable of increasing an ice making capacity and an ice storing capacity by virtue of a compact structure, and a refrigerator having the same.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of this specification, as embodied and broadly described herein, an ice making unit may include an ice making chamber having an ice making area and an ice storing area, an ice tray installed within the ice making area and rotatable by a driving force transferred from the exterior, a driving module fixed in an inner wall of the ice making chamber and configured to provide the driving force, and a control module disposed outside the ice making chamber and configured to control the driving module.

Here, preferably, the driving module may be fixed in the inner wall of the ice making chamber where the ice making area is located.

Preferably, the driving module may include a motor part configured to generate a driving force, and a gear part having a plurality of gears disposed between the motor part and the ice tray to allow transferring of the driving force.

Preferably, the motor part and the gear part may be independently separated from each other and orthogonally connected to each other.

Preferably, the motor part and the gear part may be integrally formed with each other.

Preferably, the driving module may be partially laid (inserted, buried) within the inner wall of the ice making chamber.

Preferably, the whole area of the driving module excluding a shaft portion connected to the ice tray may be laid within the inner wall of the ice making chamber.

In accordance with another aspect of this specification, a refrigerator may include a main body having a refrigeration area, a door rotatably disposed at one side of the main body and configured to open or close the refrigeration area, an ice making chamber located inside the door, and having an ice making area and an ice storing area located below the ice making area, the ice making chamber having an ice tray installed within the ice making area and rotatable by a driving force provided from the exterior, and a driving unit fixed in an inner wall of the ice making chamber and configured to provide the driving force by receiving a control signal from the exterior of the main body or the door.

Preferably, the driving unit may include a driving module fixed in the inner wall of the ice making chamber and configured to provide the driving force, and a control module disposed outside the ice making chamber and configured to control the driving module by transmitting a control signal to the driving module.

Preferably, the driving module may be fixed in the inner wall of the ice making chamber where the ice making area is located.

Preferably, the driving module may include a motor part configured to generate a driving force, and a gear part having a plurality of gears disposed between the motor part and the ice tray to allow transferring of the driving force.

Preferably, the motor part and the gear part may be independently separated from each other and orthogonally connected to each other.

Preferably, the motor part and the gear part may be integrally formed with each other.

Preferably, the driving module may be partially laid within the inner wall of the ice making chamber.

Preferably, the whole area of the driving module excluding a shaft portion connected to the ice tray may be laid within the inner wall of the ice making chamber.

Preferably, the control module may be electrically connected to the driving module, and located at one of an upper end of the door, at a lower portion of the door at a preset position below the ice making chamber, and an upper end of the main body.

Further scope of applicability of the present application will become more apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a refrigerator having an ice making unit in accordance with this specification;

FIG. 2A is a partial sectional view showing that a first fixing groove is formed at an ice making chamber of the refrigerator;

FIG. 2B is a partial sectional view showing that a separation type driving module is mounted in the first fixing groove of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a partial sectional view showing that a second fixing groove is formed at the ice making chamber;

FIG. 3B is a partial sectional view showing that a separation type driving module is mounted in the second fixing groove of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a partial sectional view showing that a third fixing groove is formed at the ice making chamber;

FIG. 4B is a partial sectional view showing that a separation type driving module is mounted in the third fixing groove of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a partial sectional view showing that another first fixing groove is formed at the ice making chamber;

FIG. 5B is a partial sectional view showing that an integral driving module is mounted in the another first fixing groove of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a partial sectional view showing that another second fixing groove is formed at the ice making chamber;

FIG. 6B is a partial sectional view showing that an integral driving module is mounted in the another second fixing groove of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a partial sectional view showing that another third fixing groove is formed at the ice making chamber;

FIG. 7B is a partial sectional view showing that an integral driving module is mounted in the another third fixing groove of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of an opening and closing cover for opening or closing the first and second fixing grooves;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view of another type of opening and closing cover for opening or closing the another first and second fixing grooves; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a monitoring module for monitoring a control module according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of a refrigerator having an ice making unit according to the exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components will be provided with the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a refrigerator showing various installation positions where a control module is to be located outside an ice making chamber in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to this specification may be divided into an upper region A and a lower region B by a barrier 110. Here, the lower region B may be a freezing region in which a refrigeration cycle system (not shown) for generating cold air required for freezing is installed, and the upper region A may be a refrigeration region for storing foods or the like at an appropriate temperature by receiving the generated cold air from the freezing region B via a passage (not shown) such as a duct.

One side of the main body 100 may be shown having an upper door 200 and a lower door 120. The upper door 200 may be coupled to the main body 100 by hinges so as to allow opening or closing of the refrigeration region A, and the lower door 120 may be configured as a tray (or drawer) type for opening or closing of the freezing region B.

Here, an ice making unit according to this specification may include an ice making chamber 300 formed on an inner wall of the upper door 120, and a driving unit for supplying a driving force (power) to rotate an ice tray 310 installed in the ice making chamber 300. The driving unit may include a driving module 400, 400′ (see FIGS. 1 to 7B) and a control module 500, 501, 502, 503. Here, the driving module may be implemented as a separation type 400 and an integral type 400′ (see FIG. 5B) to be explained later. The control module may be installed at plural positions of the main body 100 and/or the upper door 200. Detailed description of the installation positions will be given later.

The ice making chamber 300 may include an ice making area a for making ice using the cold air provided from the freezing region B, and an ice storing area b located below the ice making area a for storing the made ice.

The ice making area a may be shown having an ice tray 310 having cells, in which water supplied from the exterior is filled in a predetermined shape, a guide duct 320 for guiding cold air provided from the freezing region B into the ice tray 310, and a driving module 400, 400′ for rotating the ice tray 310.

The ice storing area b may be shown having an ice bucket 600 for storing ice pieces dropped from the rotated ice tray 310. A dispenser 700 may be installed to communicate with the ice bucket 600, and configured to allow the made ice to be picked up outside the upper door 200.

Here, the driving unit, as described above, may include the driving module 400 (see FIG. 1) fixed in an inner wall of the ice making chamber 300 at the inner wall of the upper door 200 for rotating the ice tray 310, and a control module 500 (when installed at an upper end of the main body 100) located outside the ice making chamber 300 for controlling operations of the driving module 400.

The driving module 400 may include a motor part 410 for generating a driving force (rotational force) by receiving an electric signal from the control module 500, and a gear part 420 for transferring the driving force from the motor part 410 to a shaft 311 of the ice tray 310.

The motor part 410 and the gear part 420 may be formed as either a separation type (see FIGS. 1 to 4B) or an integral type (see FIGS. 5A to 7B).

Hereinafter, description will be made of the former (i.e., when the motor and the gear are separately formed).

The motor part 410 and the gear part 420 may be aligned to form a shape like “” or “” with their edges so as to enable a power transfer. That is, although not shown, a motor shaft of the motor part 410 may be connected to the gear part 420 having a plurality of gears for switching a power transfer direction, and the gear part 420 may be connected to the ice tray 310 via the shaft 311.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the motor part 410 may be partially inserted into an upper wall of the ice making chamber 300, which is formed on the inner wall (surface) of the upper door 200, and the gear part 420 may be partially inserted into a side wall of the ice making chamber 300.

That is, an upper corner of the ice making chamber 300 may be shown having a first fixing groove 331, in which the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 whose edges are coupled to each other are simultaneously inserted. The first fixing groove 331 may have a shape like “” or “.” The first fixing groove 331 may have a space A1 and a depth D1 enough to partially insert the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 therein, and the other portions of the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 may be exposed to the outside of the first fixing groove 331 (i.e., exposed in the ice making chamber 300.

Here, the ice tray 310, which is connected to the gear part 420 via the shaft 311, may be located below the motor part 410, and the gear part 420 may be located at one side of the ice tray 310.

Hence, the ice making area a of the ice making chamber 300 may be increased as large as the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 being moved horizontally (to the left in the drawing) and vertically (upwardly in the drawing) to be inserted in the first fixing groove 331.

In addition, the size of the ice tray 310 may be increased by the increased ice making area a. Accordingly, the number of cells 310a formed in the ice tray 310 can be increased, resulting in an increase in the quantity of water filled in the cells 310a.

As the ice tray 310 is increased in size, the daily ice making capacity can be increased, thereby improving an ice making speed.

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the motor part 410 may be inserted into an upper wall of the ice making chamber 300, which is formed on the inner wall of the upper door 200, such that one surface of the motor part 410 can be exposed to the ice making chamber 300. The gear part 420 may be inserted into the side wall of the ice making chamber 300 such that one surface thereof can be exposed to the ice making chamber 300.

An upper corner inside the ice making chamber 300 may be shown having a second fixing groove 332. The second fixing groove 332 may have a space A2 and a depth D2 enough to embrace thicknesses of the motor part 410 and the gear part 420.

Accordingly, circumferences and inner surfaces of the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 may be enclosed by the second fixing groove 332, and outer surfaces of the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 may be exposed to the ice making area a of the ice making chamber 300.

Hence, the ice making area a of the ice making chamber 300 may be increased as large as the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 being moved horizontally (to the left in the drawing) and vertically (upwardly in the drawing) to be inserted in the second fixing groove 332, which is formed at the wall of the ice making chamber 300 and enough to embrace the thicknesses of the motor part 410 and the gear part 420.

In addition, the size of the ice tray 310 may be increased by the increased ice making area a. Accordingly, the number of cells 310a formed in the ice tray 310 can be increased, resulting in an increase in the quantity of water filled in the cells 310a.

As the ice tray 310 is increased in size, the daily ice making capacity can be increased, thereby improving an ice making speed.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the motor part 410 may be fixed to an upper wall of the ice making chamber 300 in a state of being laid (inserted, buried) in the upper door 200, and the gear part 420 may be fixed to the side wall of the ice making chamber 300 in a state of being laid in the upper door 200. Here, a shaft portion formed at the gear part 420 to be coupled to the shaft 311 of the ice tray 310 may be exposed by an exposure hole 341.

An upper corner inside the ice making chamber 300 may be shown having a third fixing groove 333. The third fixing groove 333 may have a space A3 and a depth D3 enough to embrace the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 therein.

Accordingly, the whole portions of the motor part 410 and the gear part 420, excluding the shaft portion of the gear part 420 connected to the shaft 311 of the ice tray 310, may be laid in the inner wall of the ice making chamber 300, so the corresponding portions may not be exposed to the ice making area a of the ice making chamber 300.

Hence, the ice making area a of the ice making chamber 300 may be increased as large as the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 being moved horizontally (to the left in the drawing) and vertically (upwardly in the drawing) to be inserted in the third fixing groove 333, which is formed at the wall of the ice making chamber and enough to lay the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 therein.

In addition, the size of the ice tray 310 may be increased by the increased ice making area a. Accordingly, the number of cells 310a formed in the ice tray 310 can be increased, resulting in an increase in the quantity of water filled in the cells 310a.

As the ice tray 310 is increased in size, the daily ice making capacity can be increased, thereby improving an ice making speed.

Furthermore, an opening and closing cover 340 for opening or closing the third fixing groove 333 may further be disposed at the inner wall of the ice making chamber 300. The opening and closing cover 340 may be larger than the third fixing groove 333. The third fixing groove 333 may include a stepped portion(s) C at an edge(s) thereof for receiving the opening and closing cover 340. The stepped portion C may be as deep as the thickness of the opening and closing cover 340. Here, when the opening and closing cover 340 closes the third fixing groove 333, it may be preferable that an outer surface of the opening and closing cover 340 is substantially flush with the inner wall of the ice making chamber 300.

Here, an outer circumference of the opening and closing cover 340 may cover the third fixing groove 333 by being suspended at the stepped portion C of the third fixing groove 333. The opening and closing cover 340 may be coupled to the stepped portions C by bolts B. Therefore, the opening and closing cover 340 may be detachable from the third fixing groove 333.

Thus, as the third fixing groove 333 can be open or closed by using the opening and closing cover 340, the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 embraced in the third fixing groove 333 can be selectively exposed to the exterior. Accordingly, with the selective opening or closing of the third fixing groove 333, when an abnormal situation occurs in the motor part 410 and the gear part 420, the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 can be drawn out to be repaired, reattached or replaced with new elements.

Hereinafter, description will be made of an example of the latter (i.e., when the motor part and the gear part are integrally formed) with reference to FIGS. 5A to 7B.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a motor part 410′ may be disposed in series with a gear part 420′ to be integral with each other, thereby enabling a power transfer.

The motor part 410′ may be inserted into an inner wall of the ice making chamber 300 formed on an inner wall of the upper door 200, and the gear part 420′ may be partially inserted into the side wall of the ice making chamber 300 with being coupled to the motor part 410′ in series.

That is, an inner wall of the ice making chamber 300 may be shown having a first fixing groove 331′, in which the motor part 410′ and the gear part 420′ integrally coupled to each other are inserted. The first fixing groove 331′ may have a space A1′ and a depth DI enough to embrace the whole motor part 410′ and a part of the gear part 420′. The rest portion of the gear part 420′ may be exposed to the outside of the first fixing groove 331′ (i.e., exposed in the ice making chamber 300).

Here, the motor part 410′ and the gear part 420′ may be integrally connected to each other. The gear part 420′ may be located at a side of the ice tray 310 with being connected to the ice tray 310 via the shaft 311.

Hence, the ice making area a of the ice making chamber 300 may be increased as large as the motor part 410′ and the gear part 420′ being moved horizontally (to the left in the drawing) for insertion in the first fixing groove 331′.

In addition, the size of the ice tray 310 may be increased by the increased ice making area a. Accordingly, the number of cells 310a formed in the ice tray 310 can be increased, resulting in an increase in the quantity of water filled in the cells 310a.

As the ice tray 310 is increased in size, the daily ice making capacity can be increased, thereby improving an ice making speed.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the motor part 410′ may be laid in a side wall of the ice making chamber 300. The gear part 420′ may be partially inserted in the side wall of the ice making chamber 300 in a serially connected state with the motor part 410′, so one side of the gear part 420′ may be exposed in the ice making chamber 300.

The side wall of the ice making chamber 300 may be shown having a second fixing groove 332′. The second fixing groove 332′ may have a space A2′ and a depth D2′ enough to embrace the thickness of the motor part 410′ and a partial thickness of the gear part 420′.

Accordingly, the motor part 410′ may be laid in the second fixing groove 332′, and the part of the gear part 420′ may be inserted in the second fixing groove 332′. An outer portion of the gear part 420′ may be exposed in the ice making area a of the ice making chamber 300.

Hence, the ice making area a of the ice making chamber 300 may be increased as large as the motor part 410′ and the gear part 420′ being moved horizontally (to the left in the drawing) for insertion in the second fixing groove 332′.

In addition, the size of the ice tray 310 may be increased by the increased ice making area a. Accordingly, the number of cells 310a formed in the ice tray 310 can be increased, resulting in an increase in the quantity of water filled in the cells 310a.

As the ice tray 310 is increased in size, the daily ice making capacity can be increased, thereby improving an ice making speed.

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the motor part 410′ may be fixed to an upper wall of the ice making chamber 300 in a state of being laid in the upper door 200, and the gear part 420′ may be fixed into the side wall of the ice making chamber 300 in a serially connected state with the motor part 410′. Here, a shaft portion formed at the gear part 420′ to be coupled to the ice tray 310 via the shaft 311 may be exposed by an exposure hole 351.

An inner wall of the ice making chamber 300 may be shown having a third fixing groove 333′. The third fixing groove 333′ may have a space A3′ and a depth D3′ enough to embrace the motor part 410′ and the gear part 420′ therein.

Accordingly, the whole portions of the motor part 410′ and the gear part 420′, excluding the shaft portion of the gear part 420′ connected to the shaft 311 of the ice tray 310, can be laid in the inner wall of the ice making chamber 300, whereby those laid portions may not be exposed in the ice making area a of the ice making chamber 300.

Hence, the ice making area a of the ice making chamber 300 may be increased as large as the motor part 410′ and the gear part 420′ being moved horizontally (to the left in the drawing) for insertion in the third fixing groove 333′.

In addition, the size of the ice tray 310 may be increased by the increased ice making area a. Accordingly, the number of cells 310a formed in the ice tray 310 can be increased, resulting in an increase in the quantity of water filled in the cells 310a.

As the ice tray 310 is increased in size, the daily ice making capacity can be increased, thereby improving an ice making speed.

Furthermore, an opening and closing cover 350 for opening or closing the third fixing groove 333′ may further be disposed at the inner wall of the ice making chamber 300. Here, when the opening and closing cover 350 closes the third fixing groove 333′, it may be preferable that an outer surface of the opening and closing cover 350 is substantially flush with the inner wall of the ice making chamber 300.

Here, an outer circumference of the opening and closing cover 350 may cover the third fixing groove 333′ by being suspended at the stepped portion(s) C formed at the edge(s) of the third fixing groove 333′. The opening and closing cover 350 may be coupled to the stepped portions C of the third fixing groove 333′ by bolts B. Therefore, the opening and closing cover 350 may be detachable from the third fixing groove 333′.

Thus, as the third fixing groove 333′ can be open or closed by using the opening and closing cover 350, the motor part 410′ and the gear part 420′ laid in the third fixing groove 333′ can be selectively exposed to the exterior. Accordingly, with the selective opening or closing of the third fixing groove 333′, when an abnormal situation occurs in the motor part 410′ and the gear part 420′, the motor part 410′ and the gear part 420′ can be drawn out to be repaired, reattached or replaced with new elements.

The foregoing embodiment has illustrated that in the both cases of the separation type of the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 and the integral type thereof, the corresponding driving module 400, 400′ can be partially fixed or completely laid in the inner wall of the ice making chamber 300, so as to ensure the more increased ice making area a of the ice making chamber 300.

In the meantime, FIG. 8 shows that when the motor part 410 and the gear part 420 are formed as the separation type, an opening and closing cover 340′ may further be installed to open or close, in a rotating manner, the first fixing groove 331 (second fixing groove 332), in which the driving module 400 is fixedly inserted.

That is, the opening and closing cover 340′ may be rectangularly bent to open or close the first fixing groove 331 (second fixing groove 332), and one end thereof may be hinge-coupled to a hinge end H1, which is formed on a wall of the ice making chamber 300 at one side of the first fixing groove 331 (second fixing groove 332). Accordingly, the opening and closing cover 340′ may open or close the first fixing groove 331 (second fixing groove 332) in the rotating manner centering on the hinge end H1.

Magnets 342 and 301 having opposite polarities to generate an attraction may be installed respectively at the other end of the opening and closing cover 340′ and the stepped portion C formed at the edge(s) of the first fixing groove 331 (second fixing groove 332) where the other end of the opening and closing cover 340′ is suspended.

Accordingly, when the first fixing groove 331 (second fixing groove 332) is covered by the opening and closing cover 340′, the other end of the opening and closing cover 340′ may be adhered (attached) onto the stepped portion C with generating a preset attraction due to the magnets 301 and 342 having the different polarities.

FIG. 9 shows that when the motor part 410′ and the gear part 420′ are formed as a separation type, an opening and closing cover 350′ may further be installed to open or close, in a rotating manner, the first fixing groove 331′ (second fixing groove 332′), in which the driving module 400′ is fixedly inserted.

That is, the opening and closing cover 350′ may be formed in a shape of plate, for example, a shape of rectangular plate, to open or close the first fixing groove 331′ (second fixing groove 332′). One end of the opening and closing cover 350′ may be hinge-coupled to a hinge end H2, which is formed on a wall of the ice making chamber 300 at one side of the first or second fixing groove 331′, 332′. Accordingly, the opening and closing cover 350′ may open or close the first fixing groove 331′ (second fixing groove 332′) in the rotating manner centering on the hinge end H2.

Magnets 352 and 301 having opposite polarities to generate an attraction may be installed respectively at the other end of the opening and closing cover 350′ and the stepped portion C formed at the edge(s) of the first fixing groove 331′ (second fixing groove 332′) where the other end of the opening and closing cover 350′ is suspended.

Accordingly, when the first fixing groove 331′ (second fixing groove 332′) is closed with the opening and closing cover 350′, the other end of the opening and closing cover 340′ may be adhered (attached) onto the stepped portion C with generating a preset attraction due to the magnets 301 and 352 having the different polarities.

As aforesaid, it has been described that the opening and closing cover 350′ is open or closed in the rotating manner with being connected to the wall of the ice making chamber 300 by the hinge, and the other end of the opening and closing cover 350′ is adhered to the wall of the ice making chamber 300 by the attraction between the magnets 301 and 352.

Alternatively, the other end of the opening and closing cover 350′ may be coupled to the stepped portion C in a hooking manner as well as using of the magnets 301 and 352.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 1, the ice making unit may include the control module 500, 501, 502, 503 for running the driving module 400, 400′ by transmitting an electric signal to the driving module 400, 400′.

The control module 500, 501, 502, 503 may be electrically connected to the driving module 400, 400′ via a signal line. Four installation positions of the control module 500, 501, 502, 503 will be exemplarily described hereinafter.

First, the control module 501 may be installed at an upper end of the upper door 200. Here, a signal line 512 may be laid in the upper door 200 to allow the control module 501, which is installed at the upper end of the upper door 200, to be electrically connected to the driving module 400. The signal line 512 may preferably be less than 1 m in length.

Second, the control module 500 may be installed at an upper end of the main body 100 having the refrigeration area A. Here, a signal line 511 may be laid in the upper door 200 and extend into a wall of the main body 100 via a hinge portion 210, which connects the main body 100 and the upper door 200 to each other by a hinge, thereby electrically connecting the driving module 400 to the control module 500. Also, the signal line 511 may preferably be less than 1 m in length. The control module 500 may alternatively be laid within the main body at the upper end of the main body 100.

Third, the control module 503 may be installed at a side wall of the main body 100. Here, a signal line 513 may be laid in the upper door 200 and extend into the side wall of the main body 100 via the hinge portion 210, which connects the main body 100 to the upper door 200 by the hinge, thereby electrically connecting the driving module 400 to the control module 503. Also, the signal line 513 may preferably be less than 1 m in length.

Fourth, the control module 502 may be installed at a lower portion of the upper door 200. Here, the lower portion of the upper door 200 may preferably be lower than the dispenser 700.

Here, the signal line 514 may extend to the lower portion of the upper door 200 with being laid in the upper door 200, thereby electrically connecting the driving module 400 to the control module 502. Here, the signal line 514 may preferably be less than 1 m in length.

As such, the control module 500, 501, 502, 503 may be installed at the upper end of the main body, the upper and lower ends of the upper door 200 or the side of the main body 100, so as to be isolated from the ice making chamber 300, whereby the ice making area of the ice making chamber 300 can be avoided from being occupied by the installation of the control module, thereby ensuing a sufficient ice making space within the ice making chamber 300.

Also, the configuration of this specification has limited the signal line 511, 512, 513, 514, which electrically connects the driving module 400 to the control module 500, 501, 502, 503 installed outside the ice making chamber 300, to be less than 1 m in length.

When the electric signal line is formed longer than 1 to 2 m in length, it may cause signal noise between a hall IC, which determines whether or not the ice tray 310 within the ice making chamber 300 is rotated and whether or not an ejector runs, and a micom within the control module, thereby interrupting a normal signal transfer.

Therefore, the control module 500, 501, 502, 503 may preferably be installed at a position where the signal line is less than 1 m in length.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 10, the ice making unit may further include a monitoring module.

The embodiment has illustrates that the installation position of the control module is limited to four limited positions. Alternatively, the four cases of control modules 500, 501, 502 and 503 may all be installed.

In this case, one driving module 400, 400′ may be electrically connected to the four control modules 500, 501, 502 and 503 via the corresponding signal lines 511, 512, 513 and 514, and a switch 800 for allowing one of the signal lines 511, 512, 513 and 514 to transfer an electric signal may preferably further be installed in the ice making unit. Therefore, the switch 800 may select one of the four signal lines 511, 512, 513 and 514 so as to electrically connect the driving module 400, 400′ to the thusly-selected control module 500 (e.g., based on FIG. 10).

Also, the ice making unit may further include a monitoring module 900 for monitoring whether or not the plurality of control modules 500, 501, 502 and 503 operate in a normal state. For example, the monitoring module 900 may be a module for determining whether or not an operation voltage generated upon running each of the control modules 500, 501, 502 and 503 is a normal voltage.

Accordingly, the monitoring module 900 can sort normal control modules and abnormal control modules. Also, the monitoring module 900 may be connected to the switch 800 to control switching of the switch 800, by which a normal control module can be run.

Consequently, with the configuration of allowing determination as to whether or not each of the control modules 500, 501, 502 and 503 for control of the driving module 400, 400′ is in a normal state, the use of the normally running control module can be allowed, whereby the driving module 400, 400′ can always be run in a normal state.

The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ice making unit comprising:

an ice making chamber having an ice making area and an ice storing area;

an ice tray installed within the ice making area and rotatable by a driving force transferred from the exterior;

a driving module fixed in an inner wall of the ice making chamber and configured to provide the driving force; and

a control module disposed outside the ice making chamber and configured to control the driving module.

2. The ice making unit of claim 1, wherein the driving module is fixed in the inner wall of the ice making chamber where the ice making area is located.

3. The ice making unit of claim 1, wherein the driving module comprises a motor part configured to generate a driving force, and a gear part having a plurality of gears disposed between the motor part and the ice tray to allow transferring of the driving force.

4. The ice making unit of claim 3, wherein the motor part and the gear part are independent of each other and orthogonally connected to each other.

5. The ice making unit of claim 3, wherein the motor part and the gear part are integrally formed with each other.

6. The ice making unit of claim 3, wherein the driving module is partially laid within the inner wall of the ice making chamber.

7. The ice making unit of claim 3, wherein the whole area of the driving module excluding a shaft portion connected to the ice tray is laid within the inner wall of the ice making chamber.

8. A refrigerator comprising:

a main body having a refrigeration area;

a door rotatably disposed at one side of the main body and configured to open or close the refrigeration area;

an ice making chamber located inside the door, and having an ice making area and an ice storing area located below the ice making area, the ice making chamber having an ice tray installed within the ice making area and rotatable by a driving force provided from the exterior; and

a driving unit fixed in an inner wall of the ice making chamber and configured to provide the driving force by receiving a control signal from the exterior of the main body or the door.

9. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the driving unit comprises a driving module fixed in the inner wall of the ice making chamber and configured to provide the driving force, and a control module disposed outside the ice making chamber and configured to control the driving module by transmitting a control signal to the driving module.

10. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the driving module is fixed in the inner wall of the ice making chamber where the ice making area is located.

11. The ice refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the driving module comprises a motor part configured to generate a driving force, and a gear part having a plurality of gears disposed between the motor part and the ice tray to allow transferring of the driving force.

12. The ice refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the motor part and the gear part are independently separated from each other and orthogonally connected to each other.

13. The ice refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the motor part and the gear part are integrally formed with each other.

14. The ice refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the driving module is partially laid within the inner wall of the ice making chamber.

15. The ice refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the whole area of the driving module excluding a shaft portion connected to the ice tray is laid within the inner wall of the ice making chamber.

16. The refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the control module is electrically connected to the driving module,

wherein the control module is located at one of an upper end of the door, at a lower portion of the door at a preset position below the ice making chamber, and an upper end of the main body.