ICE MAKER INCLUDING FULL ICE SENSING APPARATUS

Abstract

An ice maker includes an ice tray in which divided spaces which contain ice making water are provided, an ejector which discharges ice in the ice tray, a heater which is provided at one side of the ice tray and supplies heat to the ice tray, an ice storage container which stores the ice discharged by the ejector, and an ice amount sensing apparatus which senses whether the ice storage container is full of ice. Here, a heater cover which covers the heater, is connected to the ice tray, and to which the heat of the ice tray is transferred is formed below the heater, and an ice amount sensing apparatus cover which is connected to the heater cover and covers an outside of the ice amount sensing apparatus is formed at one side of the heater cover.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2015-0060575, filed on Apr. 29, 2015, 10-2015-0114370 filed on Aug. 13, 2015, 10-2015-0126386 filed on Sep. 7, 2015, and 10-2016-0015735 filed on Feb. 11, 2016, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an ice maker including an ice amount sensing apparatus.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Generally, a refrigerator includes a body which includes a refrigerating compartment for keeping food refrigerated and a freezing compartment for keeping food frozen. In the rear of the body, a compressor which compresses a refrigerant and a heat exchanger for generating cool air are installed. The cool air generated by the heat exchanger is supplied to the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment by a fan, and the air which circulates in the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment and increases in temperature is allowed to pass through the heat exchanger and to be supplied to the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment again, thereby maintaining food stored in the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment in a constantly fresh state. Here, an ice maker for making ice is installed in the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment.

The ice maker provided in the refrigerator automatically receives water at an ice making container, checks an ice making state, and automatically separates made ice from the ice making container to be loaded in an ice storage container when ice making is completed, thereby obtaining ice without an additional operation of a user for an ice making operation, which is currently being generally used.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional ice maker. Referring to FIG. 1, an ice maker 10 includes an ejector 14 which ejects ice in an ice tray 12 and an ice amount sensing apparatus 25 which senses whether an ice storage container is full of ice stacked therein. The ejector 14 includes an ejector shaft 14-1 and an ejector pin 14-2. An ice guide 18 is formed above the ice tray 12. As shown in FIG. 1, since the ice amount sensing apparatus 25 is positioned around the ice tray 12 which generates ice, water and ice which flow from the ice tray 12 flow to the ice amount sensing apparatus 25, in which the water condensed at the ice amount sensing apparatus 25 may be at risk of being frozen by cool air. When the ice amount sensing apparatus 25 is frozen, an operation of the ice amount sensing apparatus 25 is not properly performed and it is not properly sensed whether the ice storage container is full of ice.

In addition, ice discharged by the ejector 14 may fall between an ice amount sensing apparatus cover 30 and the ice amount sensing apparatus 25. Here, the ice may get between the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 30 and the ice amount sensing apparatus 25 due to a lower shape of the ice amount sensing apparatus 25, thereby causing a malfunction of the ice amount sensing apparatus 25.

Also, when the discharged ice is engaged by an ice amount sensing lever, ice may be continuously made and discharged while the ice cannot be moved toward the ice storage container any more. In this case, since the ice amount sensing apparatus cannot sense normally whether the ice storage container is full of ice, the ice may be continuously supplied after the ice storage container is full of the ice in such a way that the ice storage container overflows with the ice.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ice maker which prevents an ice amount sensing apparatus from being frozen.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide an ice maker which prevents an ice amount sensing apparatus from being interrupted by falling of ice while operating.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ice maker which includes an ice amount sensing apparatus with improved operation reliability.

Embodiments of the present invention prevent a case in which a movement path of ice is blocked by an ice amount sensing apparatus while ice made in a freezing compartment is moved to an ice storage container.

Embodiments of the present invention also allow ice that is caught in a path in which the ice is moved by an ice amount sensing apparatus which is exposed thereto and pivoted to be moved toward an ice storage container.

Embodiments of the present invention also allow an ice amount sensing apparatus coupled with an outside of a control box and curved toward the control box not to block a movement path of ice.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a protruding portion formed in a circumferential shape or a plate shape to pivot at an ice amount sensing apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ice maker which prevents an ice amount sensing apparatus from being deformed and damaged.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ice maker capable of continuously maintaining an ice amount sensing function of an ice amount sensing apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ice maker which includes an ice amount sensing apparatus with improved operation reliability.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an ice maker for refrigerators, capable of preventing an unfrozen liquid from spattering outward or overflowing due to a movement of a door such as a hinged door of a refrigerator.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker including an ice tray in which divided spaces which contain ice making water are provided, an ejector which discharges ice in the ice tray, a heater which is provided at one side of the ice tray and supplies heat to the ice tray, an ice storage container which stores the ice discharged by the ejector, and an ice amount sensing apparatus which senses whether the ice storage container is full of ice. Here, a heater cover which covers the heater, is connected to the ice tray, and to which the heat of the ice tray is transferred is formed below the heater, and an ice amount sensing apparatus cover which is connected to the heater cover and covers an outside of the ice amount sensing apparatus is formed at one side of the heater cover.

An incised portion which provides an operational space of the ice amount sensing apparatus may be formed between the heater cover and the ice amount sensing apparatus cover.

At least one spacing rib which maintains a distance between the ice amount sensing apparatus cover and the ice amount sensing apparatus may be formed on at least one of the ice amount sensing apparatus cover and the ice amount sensing apparatus.

The ice maker may further include an ice guide formed above the ice tray. Here, at least a part of the ice sensing apparatus cover may be connected to the ice guide.

The ice amount sensing apparatus cover may include a lower protrusion which protrudes downward.

A separation-preventing structure which prevents the ice amount sensing apparatus from being separated may be formed at the ice amount sensing apparatus cover.

An engaged portion corresponding to the separation-preventing structure may be formed at one side of the ice amount sensing apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker including an ice tray which includes at least one ice making space able to contain ice making water, an ejector which discharges ice in the ice making space, a control box in which a motor connected to the ejector is provided, and an ice amount sensing apparatus which includes a rotatable arm connected to the control box and a body which is formed at one end of the arm, and senses an amount of the discharged ice. Here, at least one protruding portion which protrudes outward from the body is formed.

The protruding portion may vertically extend and may protrude more as the protruding portion extends downward.

The protruding portion may include a plate shape.

The protruding portion may include a curved surface.

The protruding portion may face an inner surface of a case located outside the ice maker, and the protruding portion and the inner surface may be located at a predetermined interval, and the predetermined interval is determined to allow the ice to pass therethrough.

The body may be formed to be curved toward the ice tray based on a vertical direction as the body extends downward.

The ice maker may further include a plurality of ice guides disposed above the ice tray. Here, a plurality of partition walls for dividing the ice making space may be formed, and a round portion with a concavely curved surface which faces each of the partition walls and is curved to each of the partition walls is formed at an inner surface of each of the ice guides.

A cross section of the concavely curved surface of the round portion may have a circular arc shape which includes a predetermined radius.

A cross section of the concavely curved surface of the round portion may have a circular arc shape which includes a different radius for each section of the plurality of ice guides.

A central axis of each of the plurality of ice guides and each of the partition walls may be located on a single plane.

The round portion may include a vertical barrier wall along a central axis of each of the ice guides.

The round portion may include a horizontal barrier wall which intersects with a central axis of each of the ice guides.

An ice contact portion on which the ice discharged by the ejector slides may be provided at an upper portion of the ice guide.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing exemplary embodiments thereof in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional ice maker;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ice-discharging operation of an ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the ice maker which illustrates a movement path of discharged ice according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6C is a front view of an ice amount sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a front view illustrating a structure of an ice amount sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of an ice maker which illustrates a movement path of discharged ice according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a front view of an ice amount sensing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8C is a side view of the ice amount sensing apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which an ice amount sensing apparatus moves maximally downward in the ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an ice maker for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of the ice maker for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ice maker for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention taken along line III-III shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ice maker for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of an ice guide of the ice maker for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view illustrating a modified example of an ejector of the ice maker for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 2 to 16, a heater and an ice maker including the same according to embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, they are merely exemplary embodiments and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the description of the embodiments, certain detailed explanations of the related art are omitted when it is deemed that they may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present invention. Also, the terms described below are defined considering functions thereof in the embodiments, which may vary with a user, an intention of an operator, or practice. Accordingly, definitions thereof will be given based on the content of the entire specification.

The technical concept of the present invention is defined by the claims. The following embodiments are used merely to efficiently explain the technical concept of the present invention to one of ordinary skilled in the art.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an ice maker 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 2, the ice maker 100 includes an ice tray 102, an ejector 104, a heater 106, and a control box (not shown).

The ice tray 102 may have an ice making space which contains water therein. A plurality of partition walls are formed in the ice tray 102 to divide the ice making space into a plurality of spaces. Here, each of the divided ice making spaces in the ice tray 102 may be formed corresponding to an ejector pin 104-2. An inner circumferential surface of the ice tray 102 may be provided in a semicircular arc having a radius corresponding to a length of the ejector pin 104-2 to allow the ejector pin 104-2 to rotate and discharge ice.

The ejector 104 may discharge ice in the ice tray 102. The ejector 104 may include an ejector shaft 104-1 connected to a motor (not shown) in the control box and a plurality of such ejector pins 104-2 formed on the ejector shaft 104-1 while being mutually spaced apart. The ejector pin 104-2 may rotate around the ejector shaft 104-1 in a certain direction, for example, counterclockwise in FIG. 2 to discharge the ice in the ice tray 102.

The heater 106 may be provided below the ice tray 102. Here, the heater 106 may be provided in surface contact with an outer circumferential surface of the ice tray 102. The heater 106 may be provided in a longitudinal direction of the ice tray 102. The heater 106 may generate heat over a certain area. The heater 106 may be formed of one of a sheath heater, a cord heater, and a sheet heater. Also, the heater 106 may have a form in which the cord heater is insulated by a sheet insulator. The heater 106 may be manufactured as a thin type. For example, a thickness of the heater 106 may be greater than 0 and be 1 mm or less. A lower limit of the thickness of the heater 106 may be adequately set at a level by one of ordinary skilled in the art according to a heating element and an insulating member which form the heater 106. The heater 106 is manufactured to be thin to reduce heat capacity of the heater 106, thereby increasing a temperature of the heater 106 to a certain degree in a short time. In this case, power consumed by the heater 106 may be reduced. The heater 106 may be, for example, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater but is not limited thereto.

The heater 106 is shown as being provided symmetrically based on a lower center of the ice tray 102 in FIG. 2 but is not limited thereto. Particularly, the heater 106 may be provided to be biased toward one side based on the center of the ice tray 102. Here, a structure of a printed circuit board in the control box may be simplified and a power interrupter and a temperature sensor (not shown) in the control box may be electrically connected to the heater 106 and mounted in the ice tray 102 while being adjacent to each other.

The control box may be provided at one side of the ice tray. The control box may be coupled with the ice tray 102 at the one side of the ice tray 102. The control box may include a controller (not shown) which controls the whole operation of the ice maker 100. Also, an ice discharging motor (not shown) which rotates the ejector 104 in a certain direction may be provided in the control box. A power supply (not shown) which supplies power to the ice discharging motor and the heater 106 may be provided in the control box.

Here, the controller may control a turning on or off operation of the heater 106, for example, according to a rotation position of the ejector 104 or an elapse of an operation time of the ejector 104. In detail, the controller may operate the heater 106 when the ice tray 102 reaches a preset ice making temperature, that is, a temperature at which ice making water in the ice tray 102 is completely frozen.

Next, the controller rotates the ejector 104 counterclockwise in FIG. 2 to start discharging the ice in the ice tray 102. The controller may turn the heater 106 off when a position of the ejector 104 passes over the heater 106. In this case, power consumed for melting ice may be reduced. Here, the controller checks a home position of the ejector 104 through a position sensor (not shown) and then calculates the number of accumulated pulse signals input from the ice discharging motor, thereby checking a current position of the ejector 104, that is, a rotation position of the ejector pin 104-2.

Here, it has been described that the controller turns the heater 106 totally on and then turns the heater 106 off when the ejector 104 passes over the heater 106. However, the controller is not limited thereto and the operation of the heater 106 may be controlled in various methods in addition thereto.

Also, here, even though it has been described that the controller controls the heater 106 according to the position of the ejector 104, the controller is not limited thereto and may control the heater 106 according to an elapsed time after the ejector 104 is rotated.

An ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be an ice amount sensing lever. The ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may include a body 125-1 and a protruding portion 125-2 which is formed below the body 125-1 and extends opposite an ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121. Accordingly, a lower portion of the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may have an L shape. Due to a structure as described above, it is possible to prevent ice which falls near the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 from interrupting an ice amount sensing operation of the ice amount sensing apparatus 125.

The ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be operated by the motor located in the control box and may sense whether an ice storage container 200 (refer to FIG. 4) is full of ice. The motor may operate the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 and the ejector 104 at the same time. That is, frozen ice in the ice tray 102 may be discharged by the ejector 104, may move along an ice guide 108 to be stacked in the ice storage container 200 and the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 connected to the ejector 104 may check whether the ice storage container 200 is full of ice. The ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be allowed to rotate by a predetermined angle due to the motor, and a descending degree of the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be determined depending on the amount of ice. The ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may sense whether the ice storage container 200 is full of ice by sensing the descending degree of the ice amount sensing apparatus 125. As a result of checking, when it is determined that the ice storage container 200 is not full of ice, that is, it is not determined to be an ice-full state, the controller may output a water supply control signal to a water supply portion (not shown) to allow the ice tray 102 to be supplied with water.

As the result of checking, when it is determined that the ice storage container 200 is full of ice, that is, it is determined to be the ice-full state, the controller may stop an operation of the water supply portion so as not to generate ice in the ice tray 102 any more.

Even while the operation of the water supply portion is stopped, the controller may periodically operate the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 to check whether the ice storage container 200 is full of ice. As the result of checking, when it is not determined to be the ice-full state, the water supply control signal may be output to the water supply portion to supply water to the ice tray 102.

A heater cover 120 which covers the heater 106 may be formed below the heater 106. The heater cover 120 may not allow the heater 106 to be exposed outward to prevent heat generated by the heater 106 from leaking. In addition, the heater cover 120 may move the heater 106 to be closer to the ice tray 102 to better transfer heat to the ice tray 102. A connecting member 120a may be formed between the heater cover 120 and the ice tray 102. The connecting member 120a may transfer some heat transferred from the heater 106 to the ice tray 102 to the heater cover 120. When frost condensed in the ice tray 102 or water falls toward the heater cover 120 due to gravity, ice may be generated at the heater cover 120 due to surrounding cool air. When ice generation continues, since the ice generated at the heater cover 120 grows toward the ice tray 102 and lowers reliability of the ice maker 100, it is necessary to prevent ice from being generated at the heater cover 120. For this, the connecting member 120a is provided between the ice tray 102 and the heater cover 120 to transfer heat to the heater cover 120, thereby preventing ice from being generated on the heater cover 120. Water present in the heater cover 120 may be collected at one side through an inclined structure and may be discharged outward.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 which is connected to the heater cover 120 and able to cover an outside of the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be formed at one side of the heater cover 120. Here, the connection between the heater cover 120 and the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 may mean the integration of the heater cover 120 and the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121. In addition, it may also mean the rigid combine between the heater cover 120 and the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 by combine means. Since the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 is connected to the heater cover 120, heat transferred to the heater cover 120 may also be transferred to the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121. Accordingly, the heat transferred to the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 may prevent freezing that may occur at the ice amount sensing apparatus 125. Accordingly, a malfunction caused by the freezing of the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be overcome.

An incised portion 123 which provides an operation space of the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be formed between the heater cover 120 and the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121. Since the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may operate by passing through the incised portion 123 even though the heater cover 120 and the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 are connected, the operation of the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 is not interrupted.

Also, at least a part of an upper portion of the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 may be connected to the ice guide 108. Accordingly, discharged ice which moves along the ice guide 108 may be prevented from falling to a space between the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 and the ice amount sensing apparatus 125.

At least one spacing rib 121a which maintains a distance between the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 and the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be formed on at least one of the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 and the ice amount sensing apparatus 125. The spacing rib 121a may maintain the distance between the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 and the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 to prevent a movement of the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 from being interrupted by the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121. The spacing rib 121a is shown as being formed at the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 in FIG. 2 but is not limited thereto.

Also, a spacing rib 125a may be formed between the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 and the ice tray 102. Through this, the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be prevented from colliding with the ice tray 102.

Also, a lower protrusion 121b which protrudes downward may be included at a bottom of the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121. The lower protrusion 121b may prevent water or ice which flows along the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 from flowing toward the ice amount sensing apparatus 125.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the ice maker 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a lower portion of the ice maker 100 is covered by the heater cover 120, and the heater cover 120 and the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121 are connected. Here, the incised portion 123 may be formed to allow the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 to operate by passing through the incised portion 123. The ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be operated according to a rotational movement of a rotating arm 126 connected to the motor in the control box.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ice-discharging operation of the ice maker 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the ice maker 100 may include the ice storage container 200 which stores discharged ice 250. The ice 250 in the ice tray 102 may be partially melted by heat generated by the heater 106 and transferred to the ice tray 102, and then the ejector 104 may operate to discharge the ice 250 in the ice tray 102. The ice 250 discharged by the rotation of the ejector 104 may fall along the ice guide 108 into the ice storage container 200. During this process, some water or ice may be attached to the ice amount sensing apparatus 125, thereby freezing the ice amount sensing apparatus 125. Here, since the heat generated by the heater 106 is transferred to the ice amount sensing apparatus cover 121, the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be prevented from being frozen. Accordingly, reliability in operation of the ice amount sensing apparatus 125 may be improved.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the ice maker may include a control box 400 and an ice amount sensing apparatus 300 in a case 50. Here, the control box 400 may be connected to an ice tray 410 and an ejector 420, may include a motor (not shown) therein, and may selectively accommodate a controller which controls the motor.

Ice 1 formed in the ice tray 410 may be removed by the ejector 420 from an ice making space. Here, the ejector 420 may be connected to the motor accommodated in the control box 400, and an ejector pin 421 may rotate around an ejector shaft. The ejector shaft may be formed in a longitudinal direction with respect to the ice tray 410 formed by accumulating a plurality of ice making spaces in the longitudinal direction in such a way that the ejector pin 421 may be positioned to allow a rotational trajectory of the ejector pin 421 to pass through the ice making space and the ice 1 may be removed by the rotating ejector pin 421. The ice 1 removed from the ice making space is moved to the ice storage container 200. Here, a path of the movement may include a space between the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 and an inner surface of the case 50.

Here, the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 may be connected to the motor, may be pivotable by a predetermined section due to torque of the motor, and may be positioned facing the inner surface of the case 50. Also, a protruding portion 340 which protrudes toward the inner surface of the case 50 may be formed at the ice amount sensing apparatus 300.

That is, the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 may include a body 330 at which a rotating portion 310 connected to the motor accommodated in the control box 400 and rotated is formed. The body 330 extends from an arm 320 including the rotating portion 310. Here, the protruding portion 340 may protrude from the body 330 at a position facing the inner surface of the case 50.

Generally, an ice amount sensing apparatus may not be exposed outward due to a cover formed from a control box. In this structure, even though the ice amount sensing apparatus pivots by a predetermined section to sense whether it is full of ice, it is difficult to move ice that may be caught between a case and an ice maker to an ice storage container through a movement of the ice amount sensing apparatus. Accordingly, the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 is exposed outward and the protruding portion 340 is formed, thereby moving the caught ice 1 to the ice storage container 200 by the movement of the ice amount sensing apparatus 300.

Meanwhile, through repetitive ice discharging processes, when the ice storage container 200 is full of ice, the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 may sense whether the ice storage container 200 is full of ice. The ice amount sensing apparatus 300 may be connected to the controller and the motor which may be provided in the control box 400, and the motor may be rotated by a predetermined angle according to a predetermined time interval or a predetermined ice discharging number by the controller. Since the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 may be moved relatively more downward as the rotation angle increases, even though the ice 1 stored in the ice storage container 200 is relatively small, a contact may occur therebetween. Accordingly, a reference of being full of ice may be determined depending on a downward movement degree of the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 by the motor.

Also, to allow the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 and the ejector 420 to independently operate, the motor may include, for example, a first motor and a second motor connected thereto, respectively.

In addition, the motor may be connected to each of the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 and the ejector 420 through a gear which may be accelerated or decelerated in the control box 400.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention, which illustrates a movement path of discharged ice. FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6C is a front view of the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 6A, when the ice 1 is caught between the inner surface of the case 50 and the protruding portion 340 and unable to be moved to the ice storage container 200 during a process of moving the ice 1, the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 may pivot by some sections to move the ice 1 to the ice storage container 200.

Here, referring to FIG. 6B, the protruding portion 340 may include a curved surface in a surface protruding outward. The curved surface may be a surface facing the inner surface of the case 50. The curved surface may function as a guide surface which guides the ice 1 to the ice storage container 200 as the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 moves when the ice 1 is stuck at an upper end and cannot be moved to the ice storage container 200 by its own weight.

Also, the protruding portion 340 may have a shape which further protrudes toward the inner surface of the case 50 as it extends downward based on a perpendicular direction. The shape of the protruding portion 340 may perform a function of sensing a height of the ice 1 stored in the ice storage container 200. In detail, when the ice 1 is discharged from the ice making space and moved to and stacked in the ice storage container 200, the ice storage container 200 may be filled as much as a certain height, which is referred to as the ice-full state. To sense the ice-full state, the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 may pivot downward to sense the height of the stacked ice 1.

Referring to FIG. 6C, to sense the height of the stacked ice 1, the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 may be moved or pivot downward until it comes into contact with the stacked ice 1. Here, as a distance that the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 is moved downward is smaller, it may be sensed that a larger amount of the ice 1 is stacked.

When a predetermined height of the ice 1 is set as an ice-full reference and it is determined as the ice-full state, processes for supplying ice making water and discharging the ice may be stopped. Here, the protruding portion 340 which protrudes more as it extends downward refers to increasing an area to be sensed by increasing an area of the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 in contact with the ice 1.

Meanwhile, when the protruding portion 340 formed at the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 is formed in a shape which protrudes more as it extends upward from a lower side, since the ice 1 cannot be sensed and the protruding portion 340 may pivot downward and pass between pieces of the ice 1 when sensing the ice-full state, the protruding portion 340 may protrude more as it extends downward from an upper portion to increase a large area of the lower side of the protruding portion 340.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an ice maker according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a front view illustrating a structure of an ice amount sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the ice maker may include an ice amount sensing apparatus 300a coupled with the control box 400, which includes a protruding portion 340a with a different shape from that of the protruding portion 340 of the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 described above. Accordingly, a difference caused by the different shapes of the protruding portions 340 and 340a will be mainly described below. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the ice amount sensing apparatus 300a will be described in detail.

The ice amount sensing apparatus 300a may be positioned facing the inner surface of the case 50, and the protruding portion 340a having a plate shape may protrude toward the inner surface. The protruding portion 340a in the plate shape may pivot around the rotating portion 310 by a predetermined section when the ice 1 is caught between the inner surface of the case 50 and an ice maker and cannot be moved to the ice storage container 200 during a process of being discharged from an ice making space of the ice tray 410 and transferred to the ice storage container 200. Through the pivoting, the caught ice 1 may be moved to the ice storage container 200 due to its own weight.

Also, when the protruding portion 340a formed at the ice amount sensing apparatus 300a is formed in a shape which protrudes more as it extends upward from a lower side, since the ice 1 cannot be sensed and the protruding portion 340a may pivot downward and pass between pieces of the ice 1 when sensing the ice-full state, the protruding portion 340a may protrude more as it extends downward from an upper portion to increase a large area of the lower side of the protruding portion 340.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of an ice maker which illustrates a movement path of discharged ice according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8B is a front view illustrating a structure of an ice amount sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8C is a front view of the ice amount sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 8A to 8C, the ice maker may include an ice amount sensing apparatus 300b coupled with the control box 400, which includes a body 330a with a different shape from that of the body 330 of the ice amount sensing apparatus 300 described above. Accordingly, a difference caused by the different shapes of the bodies 330 and 330a will be mainly described below.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the ice amount sensing apparatus 300b will be described in detail. The ice 1 discharged from the ice tray 410 may be moved to an ice storage container. A movement path of the moved ice 1 may include a space between the ice amount sensing apparatus 300b and the inner surface of the case 50. To prevent the space from being obstructed by the protruding portion 340, the body 330a may be formed to be curved toward an inside.

The inside refers to a side from the ice amount sensing apparatus 300b to the control box 400. To allow the body 330a to be curved toward the inside, the control box 400 may also be formed to be curved at a side facing the ice amount sensing apparatus 300b.

Due to the structure described above, the space between the ice amount sensing apparatus 300b and the inner surface of the case 50 through which the ice 1 may pass may be provided without being obstructed by the protruding portion 340. Also, in this case, the ice maker may be positioned to maintain the space between the inner surface of the case 50 and the ice maker to be greater than a size of the ice 1.

As shown in FIG. 8C, the protruding portion 340 is shown as being formed with a curved protruding surface in the ice amount sensing apparatus 300b. However, the ice amount sensing apparatus 300b including the curved body 330a is not limited thereto and may include a protruding portion in various shapes.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the ice maker 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a separation-preventing structure 550 may be formed at a lower cover 570 of the ice maker 100. The separation-preventing structure 550 prevents a separation of an ice amount sensing apparatus 580. The separation-preventing structure 550 may be a protruding portion formed on a side of the lower cover 570. The separation-preventing structure 550 extends in a direction perpendicular to a side of the lower cover 570, thereby holding one side of the ice amount sensing apparatus 580. Accordingly, a downward movement of the ice amount sensing apparatus 580 is interrupted, thereby preventing the ice amount sensing apparatus 580 from being separated.

An engaged portion 584 may be formed at one side of a body 583 of the ice amount sensing apparatus 580 to correspond to the separation-preventing structure 550. In detail, the engaged portion 584 may be formed at a part opposite to a part connected to an arm 582 of the body 583, that is, a part farthest from the rotation axis. Accordingly, the ice amount sensing apparatus 580 may be prevented from moving excessively downward.

Also, the separation-preventing structure 550 may be formed at a lowermost portion of the lower cover 570 of the ice maker 100. Since one end of the ice amount sensing apparatus 580 is not fixed and is movable, the ice amount sensing apparatus 580 may be deformed by an external load while moving downward. Since the separation-preventing structure 550 may withstand the external load before the external load is put on the ice amount sensing apparatus 580, the ice amount sensing apparatus 580 may be prevented from being deformed by the external load.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the ice amount sensing apparatus 580 moves maximally downward in the ice maker 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the ice amount sensing apparatus 580 moves downward by a predetermined degree, the engaged portion 584 may be engaged by the separation-preventing structure 550. The engaged portion 584 holds the separation-preventing structure 550, thereby stopping the downward movement of the ice amount sensing apparatus 580. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, even though the ice amount sensing apparatus 580 moves maximally downward, a part of the ice amount sensing apparatus 580 may be present inside a side cover 160.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the ice maker 100 for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention viewed from above. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of ice guides 642 of the ice maker 100 for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the ice maker 100 for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an ice tray 620 for forming a liquid containing space, partition walls 621 for dividing the liquid containing space of the ice tray 620 into ice spaces 622, and the ice guides 642 disposed above the ice tray 620 to guide discharged ice outward from the ice maker 100. Here, an inner surface of the ice guide 642 faces the partition wall 621 and a round portion 745 with a concavely curved surface toward the partition wall 621 is formed at the inner surface.

The ice tray 620 may receive a liquid from a water supply portion 623 provided at one side of the ice tray 620. For example, a path formed to be lower than other parts is present in the partition wall 621 dividing the liquid containing space of the ice tray 620 into the ice spaces 622, thereby supplying the liquid supplied from the one side of the ice tray 620 to an entire liquid containing space of the ice tray 620.

The respective ice spaces 622 are formed at the same intervals. Otherwise, when the ice maker 100 for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted, for example, in a door of a refrigerator which pivots around a hinge as an ejector shaft to be opened, widths of the ice spaces 622 far from the ejector shaft of the door may be formed smaller than widths of the ice spaces 622 near the ejector shaft of the door or the widths of the ice spaces 622 may be formed gradually smaller as they recede from the ejector shaft of the door. According to the configuration described above, as the ice spaces 622 recede from the hinge of the door, their pivoting radius becomes greater. Accordingly, since a smaller amount of the liquid is engaged by the ice spaces 622 on a side with greater acceleration when the door is closed or opened, a force for splashing the liquid outward from the ice maker 100 may be prevented from being increased.

Also, a water overflow preventing wall 624 which extends from an upper end of the ice tray 620 opposite an upper side of the ice tray 620 where the ice guides 642 are provided may be formed. The water overflow preventing wall 624 may also function as a mounting portion for attaching or detaching the ice maker 100 to the refrigerator.

An ejector 630 for discharging made ice may be mounted above the ice tray 620. The ejector 630, for example, may include an ejector shaft 631 rotatably connected to an upper portion of the ice tray 620 and ejector pins 632 which may extend from the ejector shaft 631, for example, in a perpendicular direction and may be disposed between the ice guides 642. One end of the ejector shaft 631 may be connected to and driven by a driving portion such as a motor disposed in a controller (not shown). When the ejector shaft 631 rotates, the ejector pins 632 may pressurize and push out ice made between the partition walls 621 of the ice tray 620 toward upper surfaces of the ice guides 642.

Also, the ejector pins 632 may have the same length. Otherwise, when the ice maker 100 for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted, for example, in a door of a refrigerator which pivots around a hinge as an ejector shaft to be opened and a door far from the ejector shaft of the door is opened, a length of the ejector pins 632 on the left side may be formed smaller than a length of the ejector pins 632 near the ejector shaft of the door or the length of the ejector pins 632 may be formed gradually smaller as the recede from the ejector shaft of the door, and a connecting portion 644 may extend longer toward the ejector pins 632 or gradually longer through ejector grooves 643 between the ice guides 642. According to the configuration described above, as the ejector pins 632 recede from the hinge of the door, their pivoting radius becomes greater. Accordingly, a larger amount of the liquid may be splashed by the ice spaces 622 on a side with greater acceleration when the door is closed or opened. However, since the length of the ejector pins 632 is shorter and the connecting portion 644 extends to the ejector groove 643 between the ice guides 642, an opened area of the ejector groove 643 becomes smaller. Accordingly, a phenomenon in which the liquid is splashed though the ejector grooves 643 outward from the ice maker 100 may be prevented.

Also, gaps between the ejector pins 632 and the ice guides 642 may be identical. Otherwise, when the ice maker 100 for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted, for example, in a door of a refrigerator which pivots around a hinge as an ejector shaft to be opened, the gap between the ejector pins 632 and the ice guides 642 far from the ejector shaft of the door may be formed smaller than the gap between the ejector pins 632 and the ice guides 642 near the ejector shaft of the door, for example, by forming a width of the ice guides 642 to be wider. Otherwise, the gap between the ejector pins 632 and the ice guides 642 may be formed gradually smaller as they recede from the ejector shaft of the door. According to the configuration described above, as the ejector pins 632 and the ice guides 642 recede from the hinge of the door, their pivoting radius becomes greater. Accordingly, the liquid may be more severely splashed by the ice spaces 622 where a greater acceleration occurs when the door is closed or opened. However, the gap between the ejector pins 632 and the ice guides 642 may be formed smaller, thereby effectively suppressing the liquid splashing outward from the ice maker 100.

Also, since a heater 650 may be disposed below or at a lower portion of the ice tray 620, for example, when the ejector 630 discharges made ice from the ice tray 620, the ice is melted to be separated from an inner surface of the ice tray 620, thereby easily discharging the ice.

The ice guides 642 provided above the ice tray 620 may be connected at one side thereof, for example, by the connecting portion 644 which may be formed along a major side portion of the ice tray 620. The connecting portion 644 may be inserted into and connected to, for example, an upper end of the major side portion of the ice tray 620. Also, a lever protecting portion 641 for protecting an ice amount lever (not shown) from ice falling through the ice guides 642 may be provided at a part of the connecting portion 644 opposite a part where the ice guides 642 are disposed. The connecting portion 644, the ice guides 642, and the lever protecting portion 641 described above may form a tray cover 640.

Also, the ice guide 642, as shown in FIG. 12, may further include a vertical barrier wall 743 which extends in an axial direction of the ice guide 642 and is disposed at the round portion 745 to prevent the liquid splashed upward along the partition wall 621 of the ice tray 620 from overflowing the partition wall 621. Here, the vertical barrier wall 743 is disposed to overlap with the partition wall 621 on a plane when the ice guide 642 is connected to an upper side of the ice tray 620, thereby more effectively preventing the splashed liquid from overflowing the partition wall 621 (refer to FIG. 13).

Also, the ice guides 642 may have the same length. Otherwise, when the ice maker 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted, for example in a door of a refrigerator which pivots around a hinge as an ejector shaft to be opened, the length of the ice guides 642 far from the ejector shaft of the door may be greater than the length of the ice guides 642 closer to the ejector shaft of the door. According to a configuration described above, as the ice guides 642 recede from the hinge of the door, their pivoting radius becomes greater. Accordingly, the liquid may be more severely splashed by the ice spaces 622 where a greater acceleration occurs when the door is closed or opened. However, the length of the ice guides 642 is greater, thereby effectively restraining the liquid from being splashed outward from the ice maker 100.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ice tray 620 of the ice maker 100 taken along line III-III shown in FIG. 11. As shown in the drawing, since an ice contact portion 744 may be formed at the upper side of the ice guide 642 to have a cross section, for example, in a triangular shape with an apex 755, it is possible to minimize friction when ice discharged from the ice tray 620 by the ejector 630 slides on the upper surface of the ice guide 642.

Also, the round portion 745 of the ice guide 642 may be formed as a concave portion in a circular arc shape with a predetermined single radius, may be formed as a concave portion in a circular arc shape with a different radius for each section, or may be formed as a concave portion in a circular arc shape with a gradually increasing radius as it extends toward the connecting portion 644 from a free end portion of the ice guide 642.

According to the configuration described above, when the ice maker 100 for refrigerators according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted, for example, inside a freezing compartment door (not shown) of a refrigerator (not shown) and there is a rotational movement such as opening or closing the freezing compartment door, as shown in FIG. 13, a liquid between the partition walls 621 of the ice tray 620 may be splashed upward along a side of the partition wall 621 as shown by an arrow. However, since the ice guide 642 is disposed facing an upper end of the partition wall 621 and includes the round portion 745 formed on the inner surface thereof, the splashed liquid may collide with the inner surface of the ice guide 642 and then may return to the liquid containing space of the ice tray 620, thereby preventing the liquid from scattering inside a freezing compartment or a floor around the refrigerator.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-section view of the ice guide 642 taken along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the ice guide 642. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a horizontal barrier wall 742 disposed closer to the free end portion than the connecting portion 644 of the ice guide 642 may be formed at the round portion 745 of the ice guide 642 to intersect with the vertical barrier wall 743. As described above, since the horizontal barrier wall 742 is formed at the inner surface of the ice guide 642, even when a liquid contained in the ice spaces 622 of the ice tray 620 is splashed in a protruding direction of the ice guide 642, the splashed liquid is blocked by the horizontal barrier wall 742, thereby more effectively preventing the liquid from scattering outward from the ice maker 100. That is, it is possible to prevent not only a liquid which flows in a longitudinal direction of the ice maker 100 and climbs the partition wall 621 but also a liquid which flows in a lateral direction of the ice maker 100 and climbs the partition wall 621 from scattering outward from the ice maker 100.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-section view of an ejector 630a according to a modified example of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the ejector 630a according to the modified example includes the ejector shaft 631, the ejector pin 632 connected to the ejector shaft 631, and an operational dam 732 provided at a free end portion of the ejector pin 632 to protrude in a rotation direction of the ejector pin 632. As described above, since the operational dam 732 is disposed at the free end portion of the ejector pin 632 in the rotation direction of the ejector pin 632, even when the liquid contained in the ice spaces 622 of the ice tray 620 overflows into the ejector groove 643 between the ice guides 642, scattering of the liquid may be blocked by the ejector pin 632 and the operational dam 732.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide an ice maker which prevents an ice amount sensing apparatus from being frozen.

Embodiments of the present invention may also provide an ice maker which prevents an ice amount sensing apparatus from being interrupted by falling of ice while operating.

Embodiments of the present invention may also provide an ice maker which includes an ice amount sensing apparatus with improved operation reliability.

Embodiments of the present invention may also prevent a case in which a movement path of ice is blocked by an ice amount sensing apparatus while ice made in a freezing compartment is moved to an ice storage container.

Embodiments of the present invention may also allow ice that is caught in a path in which the ice is moved by an ice amount sensing apparatus which is exposed thereto and pivoted to be moved toward an ice storage container.

Embodiments of the present invention may also allow an ice amount sensing apparatus coupled with an outside of a control box and curved toward the control box not to block a movement path of ice.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide a protruding portion formed in a circumferential shape or a plate shape to pivot at an ice amount sensing apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide an ice maker which prevents an ice amount sensing apparatus from being deformed and damaged.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide an ice maker capable of continuously maintaining an ice amount sensing function of an ice amount sensing apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention may also provide an ice maker which includes an ice amount sensing apparatus with improved operation reliability.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide an ice maker for refrigerators capable of preventing an unfrozen liquid from spattering outward or overflowing due to a movement of a door such as a hinged door of a refrigerator.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but should be defined by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An ice maker comprising:

an ice tray in which divided spaces which contain ice making water are provided;

an ejector which discharges ice in the ice tray;

a heater which is provided at one side of the ice tray and supplies heat to the ice tray;

an ice storage container which stores the ice discharged by the ejector; and

an ice amount sensing apparatus which senses whether the ice storage container is full of ice,

wherein a heater cover which covers the heater, is connected to the ice tray, and to which the heat of the ice tray is transferred is formed below the heater, and

wherein an ice amount sensing apparatus cover which is connected to the heater cover and covers an outside of the ice amount sensing apparatus is formed at one side of the heater cover.

2. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein an incised portion which provides an operational space of the ice amount sensing apparatus is formed between the heater cover and the ice amount sensing apparatus cover.

3. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein at least one spacing rib which maintains a distance between the ice amount sensing apparatus cover and the ice amount sensing apparatus is formed on at least one of the ice amount sensing apparatus cover and the ice amount sensing apparatus.

4. The ice maker of claim 1, further comprising an ice guide formed above the ice tray,

wherein at least a part of the ice sensing apparatus cover is connected to the ice guide.

5. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein the ice amount sensing apparatus cover comprises a lower protrusion which protrudes downward.

6. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein a separation-preventing structure which prevents the ice amount sensing apparatus from being separated is formed at the ice amount sensing apparatus cover.

7. The ice maker of claim 6, wherein an engaged portion corresponding to the separation-preventing structure is formed at one side of the ice amount sensing apparatus.

8. An ice maker comprising:

an ice tray which comprises at least one ice making space able to contain ice making water;

an ejector which discharges ice in the ice making space;

a control box in which a motor connected to the ejector is provided; and

an ice amount sensing apparatus which comprises a rotatable arm connected to the control box and a body which is formed at one end of the arm, and senses an amount of the discharged ice,

wherein at least one protruding portion which protrudes outward from the body is formed.

9. The ice maker of claim 8, wherein the protruding portion vertically extends and protrudes more as the protruding portion extends downward.

10. The ice maker of claim 9, wherein the protruding portion comprises a plate shape.

11. The ice maker of claim 9, wherein the protruding portion comprises a curved surface.

12. The ice maker of claim 8, wherein the protruding portion faces an inner surface of a case located outside the ice maker, and the protruding portion and the inner surface are located at a predetermined interval, and the predetermined interval is determined to allow the ice to pass therethrough.

13. The ice maker of claim 8, wherein the body is formed to be curved toward the ice tray based on a vertical direction as the body extends downward.

14. The ice maker of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of ice guides disposed above the ice tray,

wherein a plurality of partition walls for dividing the ice making space are formed, and

wherein a round portion with a concavely curved surface which faces each of the partition walls and is curved to each of the partition walls is formed at an inner surface of each of the ice guides.

15. The ice maker of claim 14, wherein a cross section of the concavely curved surface of the round portion has a circular arc shape which comprises a predetermined radius.

16. The ice maker of claim 14, wherein a cross section of the concavely curved surface of the round portion has a circular arc shape which comprises a different radius for each section of the plurality of ice guides.

17. The ice maker of claim 14, wherein a central axis of each of the plurality of ice guides and each of the partition walls are located on a single plane.

18. The ice maker of claim 14, wherein the round portion comprises a vertical barrier wall along a central axis of each of the ice guides.

19. The ice maker of claim 14, wherein the round portion comprises a horizontal barrier wall which intersects with a central axis of each of the ice guides.

20. The ice maker of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of ice guides includes a connection member for connecting to a cover which covers the ice amount sensing apparatus.