REFRIGERATOR

A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment door, an ice bank mounted on the refrigerating compartment door, and a dispenser disposed under the ice bank. The refrigerator also includes an ice maker provided in the freezing compartment, a transfer member connected to the ice maker and configured to transfer ice made in the ice maker to the ice bank, and an ice chute connecting an outlet of the transfer member to the ice bank. The ice chute defines an ice transfer passage between the transfer member and the ice bank. The refrigerator further includes a stopper disposed on a discharge end of the ice chute and configured to block discharge of ice from the ice chute in a state in which the refrigerating compartment door is opened.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0062528 (filed on Jun. 12, 2012), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND

In general, refrigerators are home appliances for storing foods at a low temperature in an inner storage space covered by a door. That is, since such a refrigerator cools the inside of a storage space by using cool air generated through heat-exchange with a refrigerant circulating a refrigeration cycle, foods stored in the storage space may be stored in an state that slows spoilage.

Also, an ice maker for making ice may be provided inside the refrigerator. The ice maker is configured so that water supplied from a water supply source or a water tank is accommodated into an ice tray to make ice pieces. Also, a dispenser for dispensing purified water or ice made in the ice maker to the outside may be provided in the refrigerating compartment door.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment door configured to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerating compartment, and an ice bank mounted on the refrigerating compartment door and configured to store ice therein. The refrigerator also includes a dispenser disposed under the ice bank and configured to dispense ice stored in the ice bank and an ice maker provided in the freezing compartment and configured to make ice. The refrigerator further includes a transfer member connected to the ice maker and configured to transfer ice made in the ice maker to the ice bank and an ice chute connecting an outlet of the transfer member to the ice bank. The ice chute defines an ice transfer passage between the transfer member and the ice bank. In addition, the refrigerator includes a stopper disposed on a discharge end of the ice chute and configured to block discharge of ice from the ice chute in a state in which the refrigerating compartment door is opened.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the stopper may have a shape that covers the discharge end of the ice chute and may have a plurality of flaps defined by a plurality of cutoff lines that are arranged radially from a center of the stopper. In this example, the stopper may apply resistance to ice passing through the stopper and may bend to enable ice pushed with a sufficient amount of force to discharge. The stopper may be made of a flexible material that restores to its original position after ice passes therethrough. The stopper may be made of a silicon material. A cool air hole may be defined in a center of the stopper. The cool air hole may have a diameter that is less than a diameter of an ice piece that passes through the stopper.

In some implementations, the stopper may include a damper configured to rotate to open and close at least a portion of the discharge end of the ice chute. In these implementations, a rotation shaft of the damper may be disposed above the discharge end of the ice chute and the damper may apply resistance to ice passing through the stopper, may rotate to enable ice pushed with a sufficient amount of force to discharge through the stopper, and may return to its original position by a self-weight thereof after the ice passes therethrough.

In some examples, a spring may be coupled to a rotation shaft of the damper. In these examples, the damper may apply resistance to ice passing through the stopper, may rotate to enable ice pushed with a sufficient amount of force to discharge through the stopper, and may return to its original position by a restoring force of the spring after the ice passes therethrough.

In addition, the refrigerator may include a support member connecting the discharge end of the ice chute to the stopper and the stopper may be coupled to the support member. The stopper may be coupled to the discharge end of the ice chute. The stopper may be coupled to a sidewall of the refrigerating compartment corresponding to the discharge end of the ice chute.

In some implementations, the ice maker may be configured to make spherical ice pieces. In these implementations, the ice maker may include an upper tray comprising a first recess part recessed in a hemispherical shape and a lower tray comprising a second recess part recessed in a hemispherical shape. The upper tray and the lower tray may be arranged such that the first recess part is recessed away from the lower tray and the second recess part is recessed away from the upper tray.

In another aspect, a refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a freezing compartment therein, the cabinet having an open side. The refrigerator also includes a door configured to open and close to expose and cover at least a portion of the open side of the cabinet and an ice bank disposed on a back surface of the door and configured to store ice. The refrigerator further includes an ice maker disposed within the cabinet and configured to make ice, a transfer member connected to the ice maker and configured to transfer ice made in the ice maker to the ice bank, and an ice chute connecting an outlet of the transfer member to the ice bank. The ice chute defines an ice transfer passage between the transfer member and the ice bank. In addition, the refrigerator includes a stopper disposed on a discharge end of the ice chute and configured to interfere with discharge of ice from the ice chute.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. For example, the stopper may include a front part disposed on the discharge end of the ice chute and a plurality of flaps defined by radial cuts made to the front part of the stopper. In this example, the plurality of flaps may bend toward an inside of the ice bank based on the transfer member transferring an ice piece to the ice bank through the stopper.

The stopper may be detachably coupled to the discharge end of the ice chute. At least a portion of the stopper may be disposed within the ice bank in a state in which the door covers the open side of the cabinet.

In some implementations, the ice maker may be configured to make spherical ice pieces. In these implementations, the ice maker may include an upper tray comprising a first recess part recessed in a hemispherical shape and a lower tray comprising a second recess part recessed in a hemispherical shape. The upper tray and the lower tray may be arranged such that the first recess part is recessed away from the lower tray and the second recess part is recessed away from the upper tray.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example refrigerator.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example cool air circulation state within the inside of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 and an ice making compartment in the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example refrigerator with a door opened.

FIG. 4 is a perspective of an example ice bank with a door opened.

FIG. 5 is a partially perspective view illustrating the inside of an example freezing compartment.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an example ice maker.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the entire structure of an example ice transfer device.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating an example ice transfer state through the example ice transfer device.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example stopper.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an operation of the example stopper.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another example stopper.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another example stopper.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an example refrigerator. FIG. 2 is illustrates an example cool air circulation state within the inside of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 and an example ice making compartment in the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a refrigerator 1 includes a cabinet 10 defining a storage space and doors 20 and 30 mounted on the cabinet 10. An outer appearance of the refrigerator 1 may be defined by the cabinet 10 and the doors 20 and 30.

The storage space within the cabinet 10 is vertically partitioned by a barrier 11. A refrigerating compartment 12 is defined in the partitioned upper side, and a freezing compartment 13 is defined in the partitioned lower side.

The doors 20 and 30 include a refrigerating compartment door 20 for opening or closing the refrigerating compartment 12 and a freezing compartment door 30 for opening or closing the freezing compartment 13.

The refrigerating compartment door 20 includes a plurality of doors disposed on left and right sides thereof. The plurality of doors include a first refrigerating compartment door 21, and a second refrigerating compartment door 22 disposed at a right side of the first refrigerating compartment door 21. The first refrigerating compartment door 21 and the second refrigerating compartment door 22 are independently rotated with respect to each other.

The freezing compartment door 30 may be provided as a slidably accessible door. The freezing compartment door 30 includes a plurality of doors that are vertically disposed. The freezing compartment door 30 may be provided as one door as needed.

A dispenser 23 for dispensing water or ice is disposed in one of the first refrigerating compartment door 21 and the second refrigerating compartment door 22. For example, a structure in which the dispenser 23 is disposed in the first refrigerating compartment door 21 is illustrated in FIG. 1.

An ice making compartment 40 for making and storing ice is defined in the first refrigerating compartment door 21. The ice making compartment 40 is provided as an independent insulation space. The ice making compartment 40 may be opened or closed by an ice making compartment door 41. An ice maker for making ice may be provided within the ice making compartment 40. Also, components for storing made ice or dispensing the made ice through the dispenser 23 may be provided in the ice making compartment 40.

A cool air inlet 42 and a cool air outlet 43 which communicate with a cool air duct 50 disposed in the cabinet 10 when the first refrigerating compartment door 21 is closed are provided in one surface of the ice making compartment 40. Cool air introduced into the cool air inlet 42 cools the inside of the ice making compartment 40 to make ice. Then, the heat-exchanged cool air is discharged to the outside of the ice making compartment 40 through the cool air outlet 43.

A heat exchange chamber 14 partitioned from the freezing compartment 13 is defined in a rear side of the freezing compartment 13. An evaporator is provided in the heat exchange chamber 14. Cool air generated in the evaporator may be supplied into the freezing compartment 13, the refrigerating compartment 12, and the ice making compartment 40 to cool the inside of each of the freezing compartment 13, the refrigerating compartment 12, and the ice making compartment 40.

Also, the cool air duct 50 for supplying cool air into the ice making compartment 40 and recovering the cool air from the ice making compartment 40 is disposed in a side wall of the cabinet 10. The cool air duct 50 extends from a side of the freezing compartment 13 to an upper portion of the refrigerating compartment 12. When the first refrigerating compartment door 21 is closed, the cool air duct 50 communicates with the cool air inlet 42 and the cool air outlet 43. Also, the cool air duct 50 communicates with the heat exchange chamber 14 and the freezing compartment 13.

Thus, cool air within the heat exchange chamber 14 is introduced into the ice making compartment 40 through a supply passage 51 of the cool air duct 50. Also, cool air within the ice making compartment 40 is recovered into the freezing compartment 13 through a recovery passage 52 of the cool air duct 50. Ice is made and stored within the ice making compartment 40 by continuous circulation of the cool air through the cool air duct 50.

In the refrigerator having the above-described structure, making and storage of ice is performed within the ice making compartment 40 provided in the refrigerating compartment 20, which increases a volume of the refrigerating compartment door 20. Thus, an accommodation space defined in a back surface of the refrigerating compartment door 20 may be reduced.

Also, since cool air for making ice is supplied up to the ice making compartment, power consumption may be increased.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example refrigerator with a door opened, FIG. 4 illustrates an example ice bank with a door opened, and FIG. 5 illustrates the inside of an example freezing compartment.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, a refrigerator 100 includes a cabinet 110 and a door. Here, the cabinet 110 and the door define an outer appearance of the refrigerator 100. The inside of the cabinet 110 is partitioned by a barrier 111. That is, a refrigerating compartment 112 is defined at an upper side, and a freezing compartment 113 is defined at a lower side.

An ice maker 200 for making ice and an ice transfer device 300 for transferring the made ice into an ice bank 140 may be provided within the freezing compartment 113. Also, an ice chute 340 and a cool air duct 350 of the ice transfer device 300 have openings 341 and 351, respectively, defined in a sidewall of the refrigerating compartment 112. The opening 341 of the ice chute 340 may be called a “discharge end 341” because ice is discharged into the ice bank 140 from the ice chute 340 through the opening 341 of the ice chute 340.

The door includes a refrigerating compartment door 120 for covering the refrigerating compartment 112 and a freezing compartment door 130 for covering the freezing compartment 113. The refrigerating compartment door 120 includes a first refrigerating compartment door 121 and a second refrigerating compartment door 122 which are rotated to open or close the refrigerating compartment 112. Also, the freezing compartment door 130 may be slidably withdrawn in front and rear directions to open or close the freezing compartment 113.

A dispenser 123 may be provided in a front surface of the first refrigerating compartment door 121. Purified water and ice made in the ice maker 200 may be dispensed to the outside through the dispenser 123.

The ice bank 140 is provided in a back surface of the refrigerating compartment door 120. The ice bank 140 provides a space for storing ice transferred by the ice transfer device 300. Also, the ice bank 140 may be openable by the first refrigerating compartment door 121. The ice bank 140 defines an insulation space. Also, when the first refrigerating compartment door 121 is closed, the ice bank 140 is connected to the ice chute 340 and the cool air duct 350 to allow ice to be supplied and cool air to be circulated. The ice bank 140 communicates with the dispenser 123. Thus, when the dispenser 123 is manipulated, ice stored in the ice bank 140 may be dispensed. Also, a separate case 142 for accommodating ice may be provided within the ice bank 140. Further, an auger 143 configured to smoothly transfer ice and a blade for crushing ice to dispense ice pieces may be further provided within the ice bank 140.

Also, the ice bank 140 protrudes to contact an inner sidewall of the refrigerating compartment 112 when the first refrigerating compartment door 121 is closed. An air hole 144 and an ice inlet hole 145 may be further defined in a sidewall of the ice bank 140 corresponding to the openings 341 and 351 of the ice chute 340 and the cool air duct 350 which are disposed in the inner sidewall of the refrigerating compartment 112. Thus, when the first refrigerating compartment door 121 is closed, the made ice and the cool air for maintaining the ice may be supplied into the ice bank 140.

A stopper (see reference numeral 400 of FIG. 9) is disposed on a side of the opening 341 of the ice chute 340. The stopper 400 may be a member for interfering with the ice transferred from the opening 341 of the ice chute 340 into the ice inlet hole 145. The ice transferred between the opening 341 of the ice chute 340 and the ice inlet hole 145 may stay between the stopper 400 and the ice chute 340 by the interference of the stopper 400. Thus, the stopper 400 may prevent the ice from dropping down on the floor when the first refrigerating compartment door 121 is opened.

A withdrawable drawer, the ice maker 200, and the ice transfer device 300 may be disposed inside the freezing compartment 113.

The ice maker 200 is configured to make ice by using water supplied from the water supply source. The ice maker 200 may be disposed in a left upper side of the freezing compartment 113. The ice maker 200 is fixedly mounted on a bottom surface of the barrier 111. The ice made in the ice maker 200 may drop down and fall into a housing 310 of the ice transfer device 300.

Also, the ice transfer device 300 for supplying the ice made in the ice maker 200 into the ice bank 140 may be disposed under the ice maker 200. That is, the positions of the ice maker 200 and the ice transfer device 300 may be determined by the position of the ice bank 140. Here, the ice maker 200 and the ice transfer device 300 may be disposed in a left upper side of the freezing compartment 113 so that each of the ice maker 200 and the ice transfer device 300 and the ice bank 140 disposed in the first refrigerating compartment door 121 have the shortest distance therebetween.

The ice transfer device 300 may be disposed under the ice maker 200 and fixedly mounted on a sidewall of the freezing compartment 113. A transfer member 320 for transferring ice may be disposed within the housing 310. The housing 310 may be connected to the ice chute 340 to transfer the made ice into the ice bank 140 through the ice chute 340. Also, the cool air around the ice transferred along the ice chute 340 may be recovered into (or supplied from) the freezing compartment 113.

The cool air duct 350 is disposed on a side of the ice transfer device 300. The cool air duct 350 is configured to supply (or recover) the cool air of the freezing compartment 113 into the ice bank 140. An entrance of the cool air duct may be exposed to the inside of the freezing compartment 113, and a blower fan 353 (see FIG. 7) may be disposed on a side of the cool air duct 350.

When the blower fan 353 is rotated forwardly, the cool air of the freezing compartment 113 may be supplied into the ice bank 140 through the cool air duct 350, and the cool air supplied into the ice bank 140 may be recovered into the freezing compartment 113 through the ice chute 340. On the other hand, when the blower fan 353 is rotated reversely, the cool air of the freezing compartment 113 may be supplied into the ice bank 140 through the ice chute 340, and the cool air supplied into the ice bank 140 may be recovered into the freezing compartment 113 through the cool air duct 350. That is to say, one of the ice chute 340 and the cool air duct 350 may serve as a “cool air supply duct” for supplying cool air into the ice bank 140, and the other one of the ice chute 340 and the cool air duct 350 may serve as a “cool air recovery duct” for recovering cool air of the ice bank 140 into the freezing compartment 113.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example ice maker. Referring to FIG. 6, the ice maker 200 is mounted on an ice maker bracket (see reference numeral 250 of FIG. 7) disposed on the barrier 111. Also, the ice maker 200 includes an upper plate tray 210 defining an upper appearance thereof, a lower plate tray 220 defining a lower appearance thereof, a motor assembly for operating one of the upper plate tray 210 and the lower plate tray 220, and an ejecting unit for separating ice made on the upper or lower plate tray 210 or 220.

For instance, the lower plate tray 220 has an approximately square shape when viewed from an upper side. Also, the lower plate tray 220 has a recess part 225, which is recessed downward, having a hemispherical shape so that a lower portion of an ice having a spherical or globular shape is made. The lower plate tray 220 may be formed of a metal material. As necessary, at least one portion of the lower plate tray 120 may be formed of an elastically deformable material. In some examples, only a portion of the lower plate tray 220 may be formed of an elastic material.

The lower plate tray 220 may include a tray case 221 defining an outer appearance thereof, a tray body 223 mounted on the tray case 221 to define the recess part 225 providing a space in which an ice is made, and a tray cover 226 fixing and mounting the tray body 223 to the tray case 221.

The tray case 221 may have a square frame shape. Also, the tray case 221 may further extend upward and downward along a circumference thereof. Also, a seat part 221a punched in a circular shape is disposed within the tray case 221. The seat part 221a may have a shape corresponding to that of the recess part 225 of the tray body 223. Also, the seat part 221a has a rounded inner side surface so that the recess part 225 having the hemispherical shape is stably seated thereon. The seat part 221a may be provided in plurality to correspond to the position and shape of the recess part 225. Thus, the plurality of seat parts 221a may be successively arranged in a line and connected to each other.

Also, the upper plate tray 210 and the motor assembly 240 are coupled to a rear side of the tray case 221. Also, a lower plate tray connection part 222 is disposed on the rear side of the tray case 221 so that the tray case 221 is rotatably mounted.

Also, an elastic member mounting part 221b for mounting the elastic member 231 providing an elastic force to maintain a closed state of the lower plate tray 220 may be further disposed on a side surface of the tray case 221.

The tray body 223 may be formed of an elastically deformable flexible material. The tray body 223 is seated on the tray case 221. The tray body 223 includes a plane part 224 having a shape corresponding to that of the tray body 223 and the recess part 225 recessed from the plane part 224.

The plane part 224 has a plate shape with a predetermined thickness. Also, the plane part 224 may have a shape to correspond to that of a top surface of the tray case 221 so that the plane part 224 is accommodated into the tray case 221. Also, the recess part 225 may have the hemispherical shape to define a lower shell providing a space in which an ice piece is made. Alternatively, the recess part 225 may have a shape corresponding to that of a recess part 225 of the upper plate tray 210. Thus, when the upper plate tray 210 and the lower plate tray 220 are closed, the shell providing a space having a globular or spherical shape may be defined.

The recess part 225 may pass through the seat part 221a of the tray case 221 to protrude downward. Thus, the recess part 225 may be pushed by the ejecting unit when the lower plate tray 220 is rotated. As a result, an ice within the recess part 225 may be separated to the outside.

Also, a lower protrusion protruding upward is disposed around the recess part 225. When the upper plate tray 210 and the lower plate tray 220 are closed with respect to each other, the lower protrusion may overlap an upper protrusion of the upper plate tray 210 to prevent water from leaking.

The tray cover 226 may be disposed above the tray body 223 to fix the tray body 223 to the tray case 221. A screw or rivet may be coupled to the tray cover 226. The screw or rivet successively passes through the tray cover 226, the tray body 223, and the tray case 221 to assemble the lower plate tray 220.

A punched part 226a having a shape corresponding to that of an opened top surface of the recess part 225 defined in the tray body 223 is defined in the tray cover 225. The punched part 226a may have a shape in which a plurality of circular shapes successively that overlap each other. Thus, when the lower plate tray 220 is completely assembled, the recess part 225 is exposed through the punched part 226a, and the lower protrusion is disposed inside the punched part 226a.

The upper plate tray 210 defines an upper appearance of the ice maker 200. The upper plate tray 210 may include a mounting part 211 for mounting the ice maker 200 and a tray part 212 for making ice.

In detail, the mounting part 211 is configured to mount the ice maker 200 inside the freezing compartment 113. The mounting part 212 may extend in a vertical direction perpendicular to that of the tray part 212. Thus, the mounting part 211 may surface-contact the freezing compartment 113 to maintain a stably mounted state thereof.

Also, the tray part 212 may have a shape corresponding to that of the lower plate tray 220. The tray part 212 may include a plurality of recess parts 213 each being recessed upward and having a hemispherical shape. The plurality of recess parts 213 are successively arranged in a line. When the upper plate tray 210 and the lower plate tray 220 are closed, the recess part 225 of the lower plate tray 220 and the recess part 213 of the upper plate tray 210 are coupled to match each other in shape to define the shell which provides an ice making space having a globular or spherical shape. The recess part 213 of the upper plate tray 210 may have a hemispherical shape corresponding to that of the lower plate tray 220.

A shaft coupling part 211a to which the lower plate tray connection part 222 is shaft-coupled may be further disposed on a rear side of the tray part 212. The shaft coupling part 211a extends downward from both sides of a bottom surface of the tray part 212 and is shaft-coupled to the lower plate tray connection part 222. Thus, the lower plate tray 220 is shaft-coupled to the upper plate tray 210 and is rotatably mounted on the upper plate tray 220. That is, the lower plate tray 220 may be rotatably opened or closed by the rotation of the motor assembly 240.

The upper plate tray 210 may be formed entirely of a metal material. Thus, the upper plate tray 210 may be configured to quickly freeze water within the shell. Also, a heater for heating the upper plate tray 210 to separate ice from the upper plate tray 210 may be further disposed on the upper plate tray 210. Also, a water supply tube for supplying water into a water supply part 214 of the upper plate tray 210 may be disposed above the upper plate tray 210.

The recess part 213 of the upper plate tray 210 may be formed of an elastic material, like the recess part 210 of the lower plate tray 220, so that ice pieces are easily separated.

A rotating arm 230 and the elastic member 231 are disposed on a side of the lower plate tray 220. The rotating arm 230 may be provided for the tension of the elastic member 231. The rotating arm 230 may be rotatably mounted on the lower plate tray 220.

The rotating arm 230 has one end shaft-coupled to the lower plate tray connection part 222. Thus, even though the lower plate tray 220 is in a closed state, the rotating arm 230 may be further rotated to allow the elastic member 231 to be tensioned. Also, the elastic member 231 is mounted between the rotating arm 230 and the elastic member mounting part 221b. The elastic member 231 may include a tension spring. Thus, the rotating arm 230 may be further rotated in a counterclockwise direction in the state where the lower plate tray 220 is closed to allow the elastic member 231 to be tensioned. As a result, the lower plate tray 220 may be closely attached to the upper plate tray 210 by the elastic force of the elastic member 231 to prevent water from leaking during ice-making.

The motor assembly 240 may be disposed on a side of the upper and lower plate trays 210 and 220 and include a motor. Also, the motor assembly may include a plurality of gears that are combined with each other to adjust the rotation of the lower plate tray 220.

FIG. 7 illustrates the entire structure of an example ice transfer device. FIG. 8 illustrates an example ice transfer state through the ice transfer device shown in FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the ice transfer device 300 is disposed in the freezing compartment 113 and connected to the ice bank 140 via the freezing compartment 113, the refrigerating compartment 112, and the first refrigerating compartment door 121 to supply ice made in the ice maker 200 into the ice bank 140.

The ice transfer device 300 may be mounted within an inner case 115 defining an inner surface of the cabinet 110 and be exposed to the inside of the refrigerator. Here, the ice transfer device 300 may be mounted on a member such as a separate bracket coupled to the inner case 115. Also, at least one portion of the ice transfer device 300 may be buried in an insulation material that is disposed between an outer case 114 and the inner case 115 of the cabinet 110 to provide insulation properties.

The ice transfer device 300 includes the housing 310 in which ice pieces transferred from the ice maker 200 are supplied, the transfer member 320 disposed within the housing 310 to transfer the ice within the housing 310, a driving unit 330 for rotating the transfer member 320, and the ice chute 340 for guiding the ice within the housing 310 up to the dispenser 123.

The housing 310 is disposed under the ice maker 200. Also, the housing 310 provides a space for accommodating ice and the transfer member 320 therein. The housing 310 is opened upward to accommodate ice supplied from the ice maker 200.

Here, an upper portion of the housing 310 is disposed under the ice maker 200 and exposed to the inside the freezing compartment 113. Also, a lower portion of the housing 310 in which the transfer member 320 is accommodated may be buried in the insulation material between the outer case 114 and the inner case 115.

Also, the transfer member 320 is disposed within the housing 310. The transfer member 320 may have a gear or impeller shape. The transfer member 320 may be configured to accommodate the made globular or spherical ice pieces into a space between a plurality of protrusions 321 disposed thereon.

Here, the entire transfer member 320 may be accommodated in the housing 310. A rotation shaft of the transfer member 320 passes though the housing 310 and is exposed to the outside of the housing 310. Also, the driving unit 330 is connected to the rotation shaft of the transfer member 320 to provide a power for rotating the transfer member 320.

The driving unit 330 may be configured to provide a power for rotating the transfer member 320. The driving unit 330 includes a driving motor for providing a rotation power and a gear assembly rotated by the driving motor. The gear assembly may be provided in plurality. Also, a plurality of gears may be combined with each other to control a rotation rate of the transfer member 320.

The ice chute 340 guides the ice pieces made in the ice maker 200 into the ice bank 140, and simultaneously, guides cool air circulating between the freezing compartment 113 and the ice bank 140. The ice chute 340 extends from a side of the housing 310 up to the first refrigerating compartment door 121 on which the ice bank 140 is mounted. Thus, the ice chute 340 may have a hollow tube shape so that a globular or spherical ice piece is transferred therethrough. When the ice chute 340 has a cylindrical shape, the ice chute 340 may have an inner diameter corresponding to that of the globular or spherical ice piece or slightly greater than that of the made globular or spherical ice piece. Thus, the made ice pieces may be successively transferred in a line. However, the shape of the ice chute 340 is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and thus the ice chute may have various shapes.

The ice chute 340 may extend to pass through the barrier 111. Also, the ice chute 340 may be mounted so that the chute 340 is exposed to the outside of the freezing compartment 113 and the refrigerating compartment 112. Here, an insulation member may be further provided outside the ice chute 340 to prevent the refrigerating compartment 112 from being heat-exchanged with the ice chute 340.

The ice chute 340 may be disposed between the outer case 114 and the inner case 115. That is, the ice chute 340 may be disposed within a sidewall of the cabinet 110 corresponding to the first refrigerating compartment door 121. Here, the ice chute 340 may be thermally insulated by an insulation member within the cabinet 110 and not be exposed to the inside of the refrigerator.

The ice chute 340 may extend up to an inner sidewall of the refrigerating compartment 112 corresponding to a position of the ice bank 140. Also, the opening 341 opened in the inner wall of the refrigerating compartment 112 is defined in an upper end of the ice chute 340.

Thus, when the first refrigerating compartment door 121 is closed, the ice bank 140 and the ice chute 340 may communicate with each other. Thus, ice pieces may move along the ice chute 340 by the rotation of the transfer member 320 and supplied into the ice bank 140.

The cool air duct 350 together with the ice chute 340 may be configured so that the cool air within the freezing compartment is circulated into the ice bank 140. The cool air duct 350 is disposed along the refrigerating compartment 112 at a side of the freezing compartment 113. Also, the cool air duct 350 may be buried within the cabinet 100, like the ice chute 340. The cool air duct 350 communicates with the ice bank 140 in the state where the first refrigerating compartment door 121 is closed to supply (or recover) cool air.

When the refrigerator 100 is operating, cool air generated in the evaporator may be supplied into the ice maker 200 that is disposed inside the freezing compartment 113. A globular or spherical ice piece may be made inside the ice maker 200 using water supplied into the ice maker 200. When the ice piece is completely made, the ice piece drops down by the heater provided in the ice maker 200 or a component for separating the ice.

An upwardly opened entrance of the housing 310 may be defined under the ice maker 200, and thus the made globular or spherical ice piece may be supplied into the housing 310. The ice supplied through the upper side of the housing may move by the rotation of the transfer member 320.

In detail, a plurality of protrusions 321 are disposed on the transfer member 320. A space in which each of the globular or spherical ice pieces is accommodated is defined between the protrusions 321. Thus, ice pieces introduced into the housing 310 are accommodated into the space between the plurality of protrusions 321 disposed on the transfer member 320 by the rotation of the transfer member 320.

The ice pieces accommodated in the space defined in the transfer member 320 may be transferred by the rotation of the transfer member 320. Thus, the ice chute 340 may be maintained in a state where the made ice pieces fill the ice chute 340. Here, the transfer member 320 may be rotated to push the ice pieces within the ice chute 340, thereby discharging the ice pieces into the ice bank 140.

The ice pieces discharged into the ice bank 140 are stored in the ice bank 140. The ice pieces stored in the ice bank 140 may be dispensed through the dispenser 123 when the dispenser 123 is manipulated.

Also, a full ice detection device 146 may be provided in the ice bank 140. Further, a full ice detection device 312 may be additionally provided inside the housing 310. A preset amount or more of ice may be filled into the ice bank 140 and the housing 310 by the full ice detection device disposed in each of the ice bank 140 and the housing 310. Also, the operation of the ice maker 200 may be controlled by the full ice detection devices 146 and 312 until the preset amount or more of ice pieces fill the ice bank 140 and the housing 310. In this state, the transfer member 320 may be operated to supply the ice pieces into the ice bank 140.

When a user manipulates the dispenser 123 in the state where the ice bank 140 is fully filled with ice, the operation of the driving unit 330 may start. When the transfer member 320 is rotated, the ice pieces accommodated in the space defined in the transfer member 320 may be rotated together to push the ice pieces accommodated in a lower end of the ice chute 340 upward. When the ice pieces accommodated in the lower end of the ice chute 340 are pushed upward, the ice pieces successively stacked within the ice chute 340 may be pushed at the same time to ascend upward. Also, globular or spherical ice pieces may be supplied into the ice bank 140 through the opening 341 of the ice chute 340. Then, the ice pieces may be dispensed to the outside through the dispenser 123.

Here, each of the ice pieces dispensed through the dispenser 123 may have a globular or spherical shape, and also, the user may dispense the desired number of ice pieces by manipulating the dispenser 123.

The operation of the driving unit 330 may be restricted by a door sensor for detecting an opening/closing of the refrigerating compartment door 120. That is, when the user manipulates the dispenser 123 in a state where the refrigerating compartment door 120 is opened, the driving unit 330 may not be operated to prevent ice from being dispensed.

When the first refrigerating compartment door 121 is opened, the ice pieces moving between the opening 341 of the ice chute and the ice inlet hole 145 may interfere with the stopper 400 to prevent the ice pieces from dropping down on the floor. Hereinafter, the stopper 400 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example stopper, and FIG. 10 illustrates an example operation of the example stopper. In detail, FIG. 9 illustrates the stopper 400 in a state where the refrigerating compartment door is opened, and FIG. 10 illustrates an operation of the stopper 400 in a state where the refrigerating compartment door is closed.

The stopper 400 is disposed on a side of the opening 341 to interfere with the movement of the ice pieces from the ice chute 340 into the ice bank 140.

In detail, the stopper 400 may include a front part 410 and a circumferential part 420 surrounding the front part 410.

The front part 410 may include a flap 411 extending from the outside of the front part 410 toward a center of the front part 410 and a cool air hole 412 defined in a central portion of the front part 410.

The flap 411 may be a portion to which a force in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the ice is applied. The flap 411 may be provided in plurality. The plurality of flaps 411 may be radially disposed along an outer circumference of the front part 410. Thus, due to the above-described structure, the stopper 400 may stably prevent the ice pieces from being separated.

The stopper 400 may be formed of a flexible material so that the stopper is bent to apply resistance to the ice pieces when the ice pieces are discharged and restored in its original position after the ice pieces pass therethrough. Particularly, the stopper 400 may be formed of a silicon material having superior heat resistance, cold resistance, water resistance, and electrical insulation.

The front part 410, the circumferential part 420, and the flap 411 of the stopper 400 may be integrated with each other. The flap 411 may be simply manufactured by cutting a portion of the front part 410 by a predetermined length. In this case, since it is unnecessary to separately manufacture the front part 410, the circumferential part 420, and the flap 411, it may have advantages in manufacturing processes and costs.

The refrigerator 100 may further include a support member 500 connecting the discharge end 341 of the ice chute 340 to the stopper 400. The support member 500 may include an outer wall 510 protruding and extending toward a front surface of the inner case 115 and a first coupling part 520 disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the outer wall 510. The stopper 400 may be coupled to the first coupling part 520. The stopper 400 may include a second coupling part disposed along the circumferential part 420.

One of the first and second coupling parts may protrude, and the other one may be inserted. The stopper 400 and the support member 500 may be detachably provided by the first and second coupling parts. Thus, when the stopper 400 is contaminated or not able to function normally due to loss of the flexibility as a use time elapses, the stopper 400 may be washed or replaced after being separated. In some implementations, the stopper 400 and the support member 500 may be integrated with each other.

The stopper 400 may be directly fixed or detachably coupled to the discharge end 341 of the ice chute. For example, the stopper 400 may be coupled to an outer circumferential surface, an inner circumferential surface, or an end of the discharge end 341. Also, the stopper 400 may be fixedly or detachably coupled to a sidewall of the refrigerating compartment 112 corresponding to the discharge end 341 of the ice chute.

A first ice I1 disposed at the uppermost portion of the ice chute 400 and a second ice I2 just after being discharged from the opening 341 of the ice chute 400 are illustrated in FIG. 10. An ice moving from a state of the first ice I1 to a state of the second ice I2 may not be seated on the ice bank 140 to drop onto the floor when the refrigerating compartment door 120 is opened. However, the stopper 400 may prevent ice pieces from dropping onto the floor.

First, in a state where the refrigerating compartment door 120 is closed, an operation of the stopper 400 will be described. When an external force is not applied to the flap 411, the flap 411 may be maintained in a certain state. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the flap 411 may be maintained in a state in which the flap 411 is disposed on the same plane as that of the front part 410. When the movement of ice starts, the ice may cause deformation of the flap 411. When the ice moves in a right direction with respect to FIG. 10, the flap 411 is bent in a right direction. That is to say, the flap 411 is bent toward the inside of the ice bank 140. Since the flap 411 is formed of a flexible material, the flap 411 is bent to apply resistance to the ice when the ice is discharged via the stopper and then restored in its original position after the ice passes therethrough. Thus, when the ice moves from the state of the first ice I1 to the state of the second ice I2, it may prevent the ice from exiting the ice chute 340. If the ice further moves past the state of the second ice I2, the flap 411 may bend further so that the ice passes through the flap 411. Thus, the ice may exit the stopper 400. Also, since the ice exiting the stopper 410 is in a state in which the ice enters into an inner space of the ice bank 140, the ice may be stably stated in the ice bank 140.

Next, in a state where the refrigerating compartment door 120 is opened, an operation of the stopper 400 will be described. When the refrigerating compartment door 120 is opened, an operation of the driving unit 330 for transferring ice is stopped. An ice exiting the state of the second ice I2 is seated in the ice bank 140. Also, an ice before exiting the state of the second ice I2, for example, the ice pieces in the states of the first and second ices I1 and I2 may be stably fixed between the stopper 400 and the ice chute 340 by a force applied to the ice pieces from the flap 411, as described above.

If the stopper 400 is not provided, an ice in the state of the second ice I2 may drop down on the floor. Also, an ice in the state of the first ice I1 may exit the ice chute 340 to drop down on the floor when a slight external force is applied to the refrigerator 100 or an internal vibration occurs in the refrigerator 100. Thus, the ice pieces from the state of the first ice I1 to the state of the second ice I2 may not drop down out of the refrigerator and may be stably transferred into the ice bank 140.

FIG. 11 illustrates another example stopper 400.

Referring to FIG. 11, a stopper 400 is disposed above an opening 341. The stopper 400 includes a damper 414 for interfering with movement of an ice piece and a rotation shaft 415 for rotatably coupling the damper 414 with respect to the opening 341.

The damper 414 may have a shape substantially corresponding to that of the opening 341. The damper 414 may have a size to cover only a portion of the opening 341. This is done so that cool air flowing through an ice chute 340 may be smoothly circulated. Although the damper 414 has a semicircular shape in FIG. 11, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Also, the damper 414 may be provided in plurality.

The rotation shaft 415 may be a portion at which the damper 414 is coupled to an inner case 115. The rotation shaft 415 is disposed above the damper 414. The damper 414 may be vertically rotated with respect to the rotation shaft 415.

The damper 414 may apply a force to an ice in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the ice. However, the damper 414 may return to a position for covering the opening 341 by the self-weight of the damper 414. When the ice moves in a right direction with respect to FIG. 11, the damper 414 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction. Here, a force for returning in a clockwise direction by the self-weight is applied to the damper 414. Thus, the damper 414 applies a force in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the ice with respect to the ice.

Since the force applied to the ice by the damper 414 is due to gravity, a material for forming the damper 414 is not limited to a flexible material.

FIG. 12 illustrates yet another example stopper 400.

Referring to FIG. 12, a stopper 400 is disposed on a side of an opening 341. For example, the stopper 400 may be disposed at a lower side of the opening 341 as shown in FIG. 12. The stopper 400 may include a damper 414 for interfering with movement of an ice piece, a rotation shaft 415 provided on a side of the damper 414, and a spring 416 provided on a side of the rotation shaft 415.

The spring 416 may be a member that provides an elastic force so that the damper 414 is maintained at a position for covering the opening 341. For example, the spring 416 may be provided as a torsion spring.

The damper 414 may apply a force to an ice in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the ice. However, the damper 414 may return to a position for covering the opening 341 by the elastic force of the spring 416. When the ice moves in a right direction with respect to FIG. 12, the damper 414 is rotated in a clockwise direction. Here, a force for returning in a counterclockwise direction by the elastic force of the spring 416 is applied to the damper 414. Also, the damper 414 applies a force in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the ice with respect to the ice.

Since the force applied to the ice by the damper 414 is due to the elastic force, a material for forming the damper 414 is not limited to a flexible material.

In the refrigerator described above, the ice maker may be disposed in the freezing compartment to omit a separate space for providing the ice maker. Thus, the convenience for dispensing ice may be maintained, and also, a space for storing may be expanded in the back surface of the refrigerating compartment door. Thus, the storage capacity of the refrigerator may be expanded while maintaining the convenience of use.

Also, since ice is made in the freezing compartment, ice making efficiency may be improved.

Also, even though the refrigerating compartment door is opened while the ice is transferred from the freezing compartment into the ice bank disposed in the refrigerating compartment door, the stopper may prevent the ice from dropping down. Thus, waste of ice may be prevented, and the convenience of use may be improved.

Particularly, since the stopper uses a simple mechanical structure without using the control of an additional sensor or motor, it may have an advantage in cost. Also, when the ice maker is broken down, the ice maker may be easily replaced and repaired.

Although implementations have been described with reference to a number of illustrative examples thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and implementations can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements and fall within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment;
a refrigerating compartment door configured to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerating compartment;
an ice bank mounted on the refrigerating compartment door and configured to store ice therein;
a dispenser disposed under the ice bank and configured to dispense ice stored in the ice bank;
an ice maker provided in the freezing compartment and configured to make ice;
a transfer member connected to the ice maker and configured to transfer ice made in the ice maker to the ice bank;
an ice chute connecting an outlet of the transfer member to the ice bank, the ice chute defining an ice transfer passage between the transfer member and the ice bank; and
a stopper disposed on a discharge end of the ice chute and configured to block discharge of ice from the ice chute in a state in which the refrigerating compartment door is opened.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the stopper has a shape that covers the discharge end of the ice chute and has a plurality of flaps defined by a plurality of cutoff lines that are arranged radially from a center of the stopper.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the stopper applies resistance to ice passing through the stopper and bends to enable ice pushed with a sufficient amount of force to discharge and the stopper is made of a flexible material that restores to its original position after ice passes therethrough.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the stopper is made of a silicon material.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein a cool air hole is defined in a center of the stopper, the cool air hole having a diameter that is less than a diameter of an ice piece that passes through the stopper.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the stopper comprises a damper configured to rotate to open and close at least a portion of the discharge end of the ice chute.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein a rotation shaft of the damper is disposed above the discharge end of the ice chute, and

the damper applies resistance to ice passing through the stopper and rotates to enable ice pushed with a sufficient amount of force to discharge through the stopper and the stopper returns to its original position by a self-weight thereof after the ice passes therethrough.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 6, further comprising a spring coupled to a rotation shaft of the damper,

wherein the damper applies resistance to ice passing through the stopper and rotates to enable ice pushed with a sufficient amount of force to discharge through the stopper and the stopper returns to its original position by a restoring force of the spring after the ice passes therethrough.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising a support member connecting the discharge end of the ice chute to the stopper,

wherein the stopper is coupled to the support member.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is coupled to the discharge end of the ice chute.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is coupled to a sidewall of the refrigerating compartment corresponding to the discharge end of the ice chute.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the ice maker is configured to make spherical ice pieces.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein the ice maker comprises:

an upper tray comprising a first recess part recessed in a hemispherical shape; and
a lower tray comprising a second recess part recessed in a hemispherical shape, the upper tray and the lower tray being arranged such that the first recess part is recessed away from the lower tray and the second recess part is recessed away from the upper tray.

14. A refrigerator comprising:

a cabinet defining a freezing compartment therein, the cabinet having an open side;
a door configured to open and close to expose and cover at least a portion of the open side of the cabinet;
an ice bank disposed on a back surface of the door and configured to store ice;
an ice maker disposed within the cabinet and configured to make ice;
a transfer member connected to the ice maker and configured to transfer ice made in the ice maker to the ice bank;
an ice chute connecting an outlet of the transfer member to the ice bank, the ice chute defining an ice transfer passage between the transfer member and the ice bank; and
a stopper disposed on a discharge end of the ice chute and configured to interfere with discharge of ice from the ice chute.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the stopper comprises a front part disposed on the discharge end of the ice chute, and

a plurality of flaps defined by radial cuts made to the front part of the stopper.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of flaps bend toward an inside of the ice bank based on the transfer member transferring an ice piece to the ice bank through the stopper.

17. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the stopper is detachably coupled to the discharge end of the ice chute.

18. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the stopper is disposed within the ice bank in a state in which the door covers the open side of the cabinet.

19. The refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein the ice maker is configured to make spherical ice pieces.

20. The refrigerator according to claim 19, wherein the ice maker comprises:

an upper tray comprising a first recess part recessed in a hemispherical shape; and
a lower tray comprising a second recess part recessed in a hemispherical shape, the upper tray and the lower tray being arranged such that the first recess part is recessed away from the lower tray and the second recess part is recessed away from the upper tray.
Patent History
Publication number: 20130327081
Type: Application
Filed: May 30, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 12, 2013
Inventors: Juhyun SON (Seoul), Donghoon LEE (Seoul), Wookyong LEE (Seoul), Donghoon LEE (Seoul), Dongjeong KIM (Seoul)
Application Number: 13/905,345
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: With Product Receiving And Storing Means (62/344)
International Classification: F25C 5/00 (20060101);