ICE MAKER FOR REFRIGERATOR

The present invention relates generally to an ice maker for a refrigerator appliance. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ice maker having an ice crushing part for crushing ice cubes into crushed ice, the ice cubes being moved downward from above the ice crushing part for supply thereof. In one embodiment, an ice maker is described for a refrigerator, the ice maker comprising: an ice tray secured to a tray securing part and having multiple recesses for ice making; the tray securing part operable to secure the ice tray and configured to cause the ice tray to be rotated in conjunction with a rotation thereof, such that ice formed in the recesses is discharged downward; and an ice crushing part coupled to a lower surface of the tray securing part and configured to crush ice cubes supplied by a rotation of the ice tray, thereby forming crushed ice. The ice crushing part includes a body portion, a crushing lever, an ice crushing part driver and first and second rotating bodies configured to be rotated by the ice crushing part driver.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0049726, filed Apr. 30, 2018, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an ice maker for a refrigerator appliance. More particularly, the present invention relates to an ice maker for a refrigerator appliance that supplies crushed ice.

Description of the Related Art

As is well known in the art, a refrigerator is an electrical appliance that uses refrigeration cycles to cool interior air and to store refrigerated and/or frozen food items for preventing spoilage thereof and storing the same for a long period of time.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a typical refrigerator, and the structure of the refrigerator 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1. The refrigerator 9 includes a cabinet 91 defining a storage space divided into a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, and an opening and closing part 93 (e.g., doors) positioned on a front surface of the cabinet 91 and selectively rotatably opening and closing the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment. Furthermore, a manual ice maker 95 may be provided on a side of the freezer compartment to generate and dispense ice cubes.

In the manual ice maker, when a user requires crushed ice, the user has to manually crush ice cubes by using a separate ice crushing blade after the ice cubes that have formed in recesses of an ice tray are discharged therefrom.

In such case, there is always a possibility of a injury accident caused by the ice crushing blade, and the requirement of crushing each ice cube may be inconvenient for the user.

Thus, what is needed is a manual ice maker and, more particularly, an ice maker for a refrigerator that enables ice cubes to be efficiently crushed into crushed ice and that further enables the crushed ice, or the ice cubes, to be selectively supplied according to user preference.

The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present invention, and is not intended to mean that the present invention falls within the purview of the related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a manual ice maker and, more particularly, an ice maker for a refrigerator that enables ice cubes to be efficiently crushed into crushed ice and that further enables the crushed ice, or the ice cubes, to be selectively supplied according to user preference. Embodiments of the present invention have been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and an objective of the present invention is to provide an ice maker for a refrigerator, wherein an ice crushing part is provided to crush ice cubes into crushed ice when a user rotates a crushing lever in one direction, where the ice cubes are supplied from above the ice crushing part into a distance space, through a rotation operation of first and second rotating bodies, thereby resulting in the ice cubes being crushed efficiently and safely. The distance space is defined between the rotating bodies.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an ice maker for a refrigerator, wherein the ice crushing part is readily attached to, and detached from, a tray securing part positioned thereover and an ice bank positioned thereunder. This arrangement results in the ice crushing part being selectively used or not according to user preference.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide an ice maker for a refrigerator, wherein the first and second rotating bodies are rotatable in opposite directions, preferably toward the distance space in a fahsion moving upward to downward, resulting in ice cubes being crushed efficiently and the ice cubes being properly channeled when supplied.

Still another objective of the present invention is to provide an ice maker for a refrigerator, wherein protrusions are radially disposed along outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second rotating bodies, resulting in ice cubes being crushed more efficiently.

Still a further objective of the present invention is to provide an ice maker for a refrigerator, wherein a guide portion is provided at a rear side of a housing and inclined downward, resulting in ice cubes falling from an ice tray being reliably supplied into the distance space defined between the first and second rotating bodies.

In order to achieve the above objectives, according to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker for a refrigerator, the ice maker including: an ice tray secured to a tray securing part and having multiple recesses for ice making; the tray securing part securing the ice tray and configured to cause the ice tray to be rotated in conjunction with a rotation thereof, such that ice formed in the recesses is discharged downward; and an ice crushing part coupled to a lower surface of the tray securing part and configured to crush ice cubes supplied by a rotation of the ice tray, thereby forming crushed ice.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the ice crushing part may include: a body portion having a quadrangular plate-shaped driver housing provided at a front side thereof; a crushing lever positioned on a front surface of the driver housing; an ice crushing part driver configured to cause first and/or second rotating bodies to be rotated in conjunction with a rotation of the crushing lever; and where the first and second rotating bodies are cylindrical in shape and are configured to be rotated by the ice crushing part driver.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first rotating body may be rotated in a direction opposite to a direction in which the crushing lever is rotated, and the second rotating body may be rotated in the same direction as the direction in which the crushing lever is rotated.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the tray securing part may include a quadrangular plate-shaped cover configured such that opposite sides of a lower surface thereof are formed into a quadrangular pillar shape. Also, the driver housing may include an attachment/detachment recess disposed on an upper surface thereof into a complementary shape to the opposite sides of the lower surface of the cover such that the opposite sides of the lower surface of the cover are partially inserted into the attachment/detachment recess.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the body portion may further include a guide portion provided at one side surface or each side surface of the driver housing and extending downward in an inclined fashion toward the first or second or both rotating bodies.

In another embodiment of the present invention, each of the first and second rotating bodies may have multiple protrusions radially formed along an outer circumferential surface thereof.

In another embodiment of the present invention, each of the protrusions is disposed on a surface thereof with a blade.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the guide portion may be positioned above the ice crushing part driver and may extend such that an end portion thereof does not cover a distance space defined between the first and second rotating bodies.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second rotating body may be spaced apart from the first rotating body by a predetermined distance, and the distance may be shorter than a horizontal maximum length and a vertical maximum length of each of the recesses of the ice tray.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first rotating body may be positioned at the right side while the second rotating body may be positioned at the left side (when viewed from the front), and when the crushing lever is rotated in a clockwise direction, the first and second rotating bodies may be caused to be rotated from upward to downward toward the distance space.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the ice crushing part driver may include: a central gear positioned on a rear surface of the crushing lever such that a rotational center thereof is coupled to the crushing lever, where the central gear is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the crushing lever rotated in one direction such that the central gear and the crushing lever are rotated in the same direction; a first rotary gear positioned at a first side of the central gear to engage with the central gear; a second rotary gear positioned at a second side of the central gear to engage with the central gear; and a third rotary gear positioned at a side of the second rotary gear (which is not engaged with the central gear) to engage with the second rotary gear.

In another embodiment of the present invention, each of the first to third rotary gears may be provided at a center thereof with a female screw shaft having a female thread formed on an inner surface thereof, the first rotating body may have a first insertion protrusion disposed on a front surface thereof and serving as a rotary shaft, the first insertion protrusion having a male thread formed on an outer surface thereof so as to be inserted into the female screw shaft of the first rotary gear, and the second rotating body may have a second insertion protrusion formed on a front surface thereof and serving as a rotary shaft, the second insertion protrusion having a male thread formed on an outer surface thereof and for insertion into the female screw shaft of the third rotary gear.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker may further include an ice bank storing ice supplied from above and having a coupling recess formed on an upper surface thereof into a complementary shape to opposite sides of a lower surface of either of the cover and the body portion such that the opposite sides of the lower surface of either of the cover and the body portion are partially inserted into the coupling recess, wherein the driver housing may have a predetermined-shaped bank insertion portion provided at each side of a lower surface thereof to be partially inserted into the coupling recess of the ice bank.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker for a refrigerator, the ice maker including: an ice tray secured to a tray securing part and having multiple recesses for ice making; the tray securing part securing the ice tray and configured to cause the ice tray to be rotated in conjunction with a rotation thereof, such that ice formed in the recesses is discharged downward; and an ice crushing part coupled to a lower surface of the tray securing part and configured to crush ice cubes supplied by a rotation of the ice tray, thereby forming crushed ice, wherein the ice crushing part includes: a body portion having a quadrangular plate-shaped driver housing provided at a front side thereof; a crushing lever positioned on a front surface of the driver housing; and an ice crushing part driver configured to cause first and second rotating bodies to be rotated in opposite directions when the crushing lever is rotated in one direction, where the first and second rotating bodies are positioned at a rear surface of the driver housing and extend rearward therefrom.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second rotating body may be spaced apart from the first rotating body by a predetermined distance, and the distance may be shorter than a horizontal maximum length and a vertical maximum length of each of the recesses of the ice tray.

In another embodiment of the present invention, when the crushing lever is rotated in a clockwise direction, the first and second rotating bodies may rotate in an upward to downward fashion toward the distance space.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the tray securing part may be configured such that a side of a lower surface thereof is formed into a complementary shape to a side of an upper surface of the ice crushing part, whereby the tray securing part is readily attachable to, and detachable from, the ice crushing part.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker may further include an ice bank storing the ice supplied from above and having a coupling recess formed on an upper surface thereof into the same shape as the side of the lower surface of the tray securing part such that a side of either of the tray securing part or the ice crushing part is partially inserted into the coupling recess, wherein the ice crushing part may have a bank insertion portion formed at a side of a lower surface thereof into a complementary shape to a side of the upper surface of the ice bank.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a refrigerator appliance comprising: a plurality of components for performing a refrigeration cycle; at least one compartment for storing food items therein; an opening and closing device for selectively opening and closing the compartment; and an ice maker, the ice maker comprising: an ice tray secured to a tray securing part and having a plurality of recesses for ice making; the tray securing part operable for securing the ice tray and configured to rotate the ice tray in conjunction with a rotation thereof, wherein ice formed in the recesses is discharged in a downward direction; and an ice crushing part coupled to a lower surface of the tray securing part and configured to produce crushed ice by crushing ice cubes supplied by rotation of the ice tray, wherein the ice crushing part comprises: a body portion having a quadrangular plate-shaped driver housing disposed at a front side thereof; a crushing lever positioned on a front surface of the driver housing; and an ice crushing part driver configured to rotate first and second rotating bodies in opposite directions when the crushing lever is rotated in one direction, wherein the first and second rotating bodies are positioned at a rear surface of the driver housing and extend rearward therefrom.

The present invention has the following effects with the above-described configurations.

The ice crushing part is provided to crush ice cubes into crushed ice when a user rotates the crushing lever in one direction, where the ice cubes are supplied from above the ice crushing part into the distance space, through the rotation operation of the first and second rotating bodies, resulting in the ice cubes being crushed efficiently and safely.

Furthermore, the ice crushing part is readily attached to, and detached from, the tray securing part positioned thereover and the ice bank positioned thereunder, resulting in the ice crushing part being selectively used according to user preference.

Furthermore, the first and second rotating bodies are rotatable in opposite directions, preferably toward the distance space in an upward to downward fashion, resulting in ice cubes being supplied and crushed efficiently.

Furthermore, the protrusions are radially disposed along the outer circumferential surfaces of the first and second rotating bodies, resulting in ice cubes being crushed more efficiently.

Furthermore, the guide portion is provided at the rear side of the housing and is inclined downward, resulting in ice cubes falling from the ice tray being reliability supplied into the distance space defined between the first and second rotating bodies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a typical refrigerator;

FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view showing an ice maker for a refrigerator appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice maker for the refrigerator appliance according to FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an ice tray and a tray securing part according to FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing a cover of the tray securing part according to FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an ice crushing part according to FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a reference view showing operation of an ice crushing part driver upon a clockwise rotation of a crushing lever of the ice crushing part according to FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a reference view showing operations of first and second rotating bodies upon the clockwise rotation of the crushing lever according to FIG. 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an ice bank according to FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinbelow, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present invention are presented to make complete disclosure of the present invention and help those who are ordinarily skilled in the art best understand the invention. Various changes to the following embodiments are possible and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

As used herein, the term “front” refers to a direction in which a cover 310 is provided, and the “rear” refers to a direction opposite to the front.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a typical refrigerator, FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view showing an ice maker for a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice maker for the refrigerator according to FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing an ice tray and a tray securing part according to FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a rear view showing a cover of the tray securing part according to FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an ice crushing part according to FIG. 2, FIG. 7 is a reference view showing operation of an ice crushing part driver upon a clockwise rotation of a crushing lever of the ice crushing part according to FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a reference view showing operations of first and second rotating bodies upon the clockwise rotation of the crushing lever according to FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an ice bank according to FIG. 2.

Hereinafter, an ice maker 1 for a refrigerator appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, the ice maker 1 for the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention is positioned inside of the refrigerator and is configured to form ice cubes and then crush the ice cubes to thereby form crushed ice. To this end, this embodiment of the present invention may include an ice tray 10, a tray securing part 30, an ice crushing part 50, and an ice bank 70.

Referring to FIG. 4, the ice tray 10 is secured to the tray securing part 30 (described later), and has multiple recesses 110 for ice making. For example, the multiple recesses 110 are recessed downward from an upper surface of the ice tray 10 such that water within recessed cavities defined inside the tray is frozen into ice. Furthermore, the ice tray 10 is formed into a substantially quadrangular frame, of course any suitable shape can be used. The ice tray 10 may be, for example, one of a variety of well known ice tray designs.

The ice tray 10 includes a first protrusion 130 protruding forward from a front surface thereof and a second protrusion 150 protruding rearward from a rear surface thereof. For example, the first and second protrusions 130 and 150 may have a cylindrical shape without being limited thereto. The first protrusion 130 is inserted into a tray securing recess 310a (described later) while the second protrusion 150 is inserted into an insertion hole 331 (described later), such that the ice tray 10 is secured to the tray securing part 30. Additionally, it is preferable that the first and second protrusions 130 and 150 are formed at substantially central portions of the front and rear surfaces of the ice tray 10, respectively, such that the ice tray 10 is firmly secured. Furthermore, for example, a male thread may be formed on an outer surface of each protrusion.

The ice tray 10 may include a rotational force receiving portion 170 protruding forward from the front surface thereof at a position distanced from the first protrusion 130. The rotational force receiving portion 170 may also have a cylindrical shape, for example, and is inserted into a securing rotation recess 315b (described later) such that the ice tray 10 is rotatable in one direction in conjunction with a rotation of an ice tray driver 315.

The icemaker 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention may have one ice tray 10 secured thereto, or may have two ice trays 10 secured thereto as shown in FIG. 2. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

The tray securing part 30 secures the ice tray 10 to the interior thereof and is configured to rotate the ice tray 10 in conjunction with rotation thereof, such that ice formed in the recesses 110 is discharged downwardly of the ice maker 1. To this end, the tray securing part 30 may include the cover 310 and the securing plate 330.

The cover 310 is provided at a front surface of the tray securing part 30 and has a substantially quadrangular plate shape, with the cover being configured for manipulation by a user to rotate the ice tray 10 in the tray securing part. Furthermore, the cover 310 may be configured such that a side of a lower surface thereof is formed into a complimentary shape to a side of an upper surface of either of the ice crushing part 50 or the ice bank 70 (described later), whereby the cover is attachable and detachable therefrom. For example, it is preferable that opposite sides of the lower surface of the cover 310 are formed into a quadrangular pillar shape to be inserted into a recess of a complimentary shape to a corresponding portion of either of the ice crushing part 50 or the ice bank 70, such that the cover is readily attachable and detachable therefrom. However, the shape thereof, described herein, is merely an exemplary shape and various arbitrary and suitable shapes are possible.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cover 310 has the tray securing recess 310a protruding rearward from a rear surface thereof, where the tray securing recess has a groove formed on the inside thereof, such that the first protrusion 130 is inserted into the tray securing recess. It should be noted that any number of tray securing recesses 310a may be used depending on the number of trays to be secured thereto.

The cover 310 may include a contact portion 311, an intermediate member 313, and the ice tray driver 315.

Referring to FIG. 4, the contact portion 311 is inserted into a front groove of the cover 310 and is configured for rotation in clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in accordance with a rotation manipulation by the user. To this end, the contact portion 311 may have a substantially cylindrical shape and may include a knob 311a protruding forward from a front surface thereof in a square column shape that is easily operable by hand. Thus, when the user rotates the entire body of the contact portion 311, while holding the knob 311a, the ice tray 10 rotates in one direction.

Furthermore, the contact portion 311 has a seat recess 311b disposed on a rear surface thereof has a complementary shape to a rear surface of an insertion rotation portion 313a of the intermediate member 313 (described later) such that the insertion rotation portion 313a is inserted into the seat recess. For example, the seating recess 311b is configured with a cylindrical recess disposed at a central portion thereof and a quadrangular recess disposed at each side thereof. Thus, when the contact portion 311 is rotated, the cylindrical recess causes the intermediate member 313 to be rotated smoothly while the quadrangular recesses causes the contact portion 311 to be prevented from idling.

The intermediate member 313 is configured such that a front side and a rear side thereof are engaged with the rear surface of the contact portion 311 and the ice tray driver 315, respectively, whereby a rotational force generated upon rotation of the contact portion 311 is used to rotate the ice tray driver 315 in one direction.

To this end, the intermediate member 313 may include the insertion rotation portion 313a, a vertical plate 313b, and a rotational force transmitting portion 313c.

The insertion rotation portion 313a is inserted into the seat recess 311b such that the entire intermediate member 313 is rotated in the same direction in conjunction with a rotation of the contact portion 311. As described above, the insertion rotation portion 313a has a complementary shape to the seat recess 311b and may be configured with a cylindrical protrusion protruding from a front side thereof and a quadrangular pillar disposed at each side thereof.

The vertical plate 313b is coupled to a rear side of the insertion rotation portion 313a and is preferably integrally coupled to form a plate-like configuration extending to either the left or right sides. The vertical plate 313b is a structure used for allowing the rotational force transmitting portion 313c (described later) to be positioned eccentrically to a central axis of the cover 310. For example, when the rotational force transmitting portion 313c is provided on the central axis of the cover 310, it is difficult for the ice tray driver 315 (described later) to be rotated smoothly.

The rotational force transmitting portion 313c protrudes from the rear side of the intermediate member 313 toward the ice tray 10 to rotate the entire ice tray driver 315. For example, the rotational force transmitting portion 313c may protrude rearward from a rear surface of the vertical plate 313b. Furthermore, the rotational force transmitting portion may have an extension portion 313c-1 passing through a seat slot 315a of the ice tray driver 315 and an engagement portion 313c-2 formed on a rear surface of the extension portion 313c-1 in a cylindrical shape. The engagement portion 313c-2 is configured such that a side of a front surface and an outer surface thereof come into partial close contact with an inner step 315a-1 of the seat slot 315a and an inner surface of the seat slot 315a, respectively, whereby the entire ice tray driver 315 rotates smoothly.

Referring to FIG. 5, the ice tray driver 315 is configured to directly rotate the ice tray 10 by using the generated rotational force and may include the seat slot 315a, and the tray securing recess 315b.

The seat slot 315a passes through the plate-shaped ice tray driver 315 and has the step 315a-1 disposed at a position distanced forward from a rear surface of the ice tray driver by a predetermined depth. Furthermore, the step 315a-1 is configured such that an inner surface thereof is smaller in diameter than the rotational force transmitting portion 313c, while a side thereof coming into contact with an outer surface of the rotational force transmitting portion 313c is approximately equal in diameter to the rotational force transmitting portion 313c. The seat slot 315a is formed on a substantially central axis of the ice tray driver 315, and a vertical central axis of the ice tray driver 315 is positioned at a location not corresponding to a vertical central axis of the cover 310. This makes it possible to smoothly rotate the ice tray 10.

The securing rotation recess 315b is distanced from the seat slot 315a such that the rotational force receiving portion 170 is inserted into the securing rotation recess. Accordingly, when the intermediate member 313 is rotated, the ice tray 10 having a side inserted into the securing rotation recess 315b is rotated in conjunction with a rotation thereof. The securing plate 330 conforms to an edge of the tray securing part 30, and is preferably formed in a substantially quadrangular frame shape. Furthermore, the securing plate 330 has the insertion hole 331 formed on a side thereof opposed to the cover 310 such that the second protrusion 150 is inserted thereto.

Referring to FIG. 6, the ice crushing part 50 is coupled to a lower surface of the tray securing part 30 and is configured to crush ice cubes supplied by a rotation of the ice tray 10, thereby forming crushed ice. Furthermore, the ice crushing part 50 is detachably attached to the ice maker 1 according to user preference or usage. In other words, the ice crushing part 50 is attached when crushed ice is required, and is detached when ice cubes are required. The ice crushing part 50 may include a body portion 510, a crushing lever 530, an ice crushing part driver 550, a first rotating body 570, and a second rotating body 590.

The body portion 510 defines a body of the ice crushing part 50 and has a quadrangular plate-shaped driver housing 511 disposed at a front side thereof. Furthermore, receiving recesses may be provided on a surface of the body portion that is distanced from a rear surface of the driver housing 511 such that respective sides of the first and second rotating bodies 570 and 590 (that will be described later) are partially inserted into the receiving recesses. Furthermore, the body portion may further include a guide portion 515 provided at one side surface or each side surface of the driver housing 511, and preferably may extend in an inclined fashion and downward toward the first or second or both rotating bodies 570 and 590 rather than the ice crushing part driver 550. The guide portion 515 serves to prevent ice falling from the ice tray 10 on the ice crushing part from escaping outside the distance space defined between the first and second rotating bodies 570 and 590 (described later). Accordingly, it is preferable that the guide portion 515 extend such that a rear surface-side end portion thereof does not cover the distance space defined between the first and second rotating bodies 570 and 590. The number of guide portions is not limited.

The driver housing 511 has an attachment/detachment recess 511a disposed on an upper surface thereof with a complementary shape to opposite sides of the lower surface of the cover 310 such that the opposite sides of the lower surface of the cover are partially inserted into the attachment/detachment recess. For example, the attachment/detachment recess 511a may be formed in a quadrangular groove shape. Furthermore, the driver housing 511 may have a predetermined-shaped bank insertion portion 511b provided at each side of a lower surface thereof for partial insertion into the ice bank 70 (described later). The bank insertion portion 511b may have a quadrangular pillar shape.

Referring to FIG. 7, the crushing lever 530 is positioned on a front surface of the driver housing 511 and is configured to rotate the first and/or second rotating bodies 570 and 590. The crushing lever 530 is coupled to a rotational center of a central gear 551. For example, the crushing lever 530 may be provided on a rear surface thereof, preferably a central portion of the rear surface thereof, with a male screw shaft having a male thread formed on an outer surface thereof for connection/coupling with the central gear 551. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the coupling fashion of the crushing lever 530 and the central gear 551 is not limited to the above example.

Referring to FIG. 7, the ice crushing part driver 550 is configured to cause the first and/or second rotating bodies 570 and 590 to be rotated in conjunction with a rotation of the crushing lever 530 manipulated by the user, and may include the central gear 551, a first rotary gear 553, a second rotary gear 555, and a third rotary gear 557.

The central gear 551 is positioned on the rear surface of the crushing lever 530 and is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the crushing lever 530 rotated in one direction such that the central gear and the crushing lever are rotated in the same direction. The central gear 551 may be provided at the center thereof with a female screw shaft 551a having a female thread formed on an inner surface thereof. Accordingly, a side of the crushing lever is inserted into the female screw shaft 551a.

The first rotary gear 553 is positioned at a first side of the central gear 551 to engage with the central gear 551. The first rotary gear 553 may also be provided at a center thereof with a female screw shaft 553a having a female thread formed on an inner surface thereof such that a first insertion protrusion 573 of the first rotating body 570 (described later) is inserted thereinto.

The second rotary gear 555 is positioned at a second side of the central gear 551 to engage with the central gear 551. Furthermore, a side of the second rotary gear 555 that does not engage with the central gear 551 engages with a side of the third rotary gear 557.

The third rotary gear 557 may also be provided at a center thereof with a female screw shaft 557a having a female thread formed on an inner surface thereof such that the second insertion protrusion 593 of the second rotating body 590 is inserted thereinto.

In summary, when the user rotates the crushing lever 530 in one direction, for example, in the clockwise direction, the central gear 551 thereby rotates in the clockwise direction. Then, the first rotary gear 553 and the second rotary gear 555 that are engaged with the central gear 551 rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Then, the third rotary gear 557 engaged with the second rotary gear 555 rotates in the clockwise direction.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, the first rotating body 570 having a cylindrical shape is configured to rotate in a direction opposite to the direction in which the crushing lever 510 is rotated. Furthermore, the first rotating body 570 has multiple protrusions 571 radially formed along an outer circumferential surface thereof. The shapes of the protrusions 571 are not limited but it is preferable that each may be provided on a surface thereof with a blade for easy crushing of ice cubes.

The first rotating body 570 may have the first insertion protrusion 573 disposed on a front surface and a rear surface thereof and serves as a rotary shaft. For example, the front surface-side first insertion protrusion 573 may have a male thread formed on an outer surface thereof for insertion into the female screw shaft 553a.

The second rotating body 590 having a cylindrical shape rotates in the same direction as the direction in which the crushing lever 510 rotates and is spaced apart from the first rotating body 570 by a predetermined distance. Furthermore, like the first rotating body 570, the second rotating body may have multiple protrusions 591 radially disposed along an outer circumferential surface thereof and each may be provided with a blade. It is preferable that the distance of the second rotating body 590 to the first rotating body 570 be shorter than a horizontal maximum length and a vertical maximum length of each of the recesses 110 of the ice tray 10. This is because when the distance is longer than the above-described length, fed ice cubes may fall downward without being brought into contact with the first and second rotating bodies 570 and 590.

The second rotating body 590 may have the second insertion protrusion 593 serving as a rotary shaft, and a front side thereof may be inserted into the female screw shaft 557a.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the first rotating body 570 be positioned at the right side while the second rotating body 590 is positioned at the left side (when viewed from the front), such that when the user rotates the crushing lever 510 in one direction, for example, in the clockwise direction, both the first and second rotating bodies 570 and 590 rotate in a fashion from upward to downward toward the distance space. This is because, for example, when the crushing lever is rotated in the direction opposite to the above-described direction, fed ice into the distance space may rise upward and escape after being brought into contact with the first and/or second rotating bodies 570 and 590.

Referring to FIG. 9, the ice bank 70 is a storage room for storing ice supplied from above and has a coupling recess 710 disposed on an upper surface thereof into a complementary shape with respect to opposite sides of a lower surface of either of the cover 310 or the body portion 510 such that the opposite sides of the lower surface of either of the cover or the body portion are partially inserted into the coupling recess.

The above detailed description is illustrative of the present disclosure. In addition, the above-described content is for explaining exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure may be used in other various combinations, changes, and environments. That is, the present disclosure may be changed or modified within the scope of the concept of the disclosure disclosed in the present specification, an equivalent scope to the described disclosure, and/or the scope of technology or knowledge in the art. The embodiments are illustrative of a best mode for implementing the technical spirit of the present disclosure, and various modifications required in a specific application field and purpose of the present disclosure are possible. Thus, the above detailed description of the disclosure is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed.

Claims

1. An ice maker for a refrigerator appliance, the ice maker comprising:

an ice tray secured to a tray securing part and comprising a plurality of recesses for making ice;
the tray securing part operable to secure the ice tray and configured to cause the ice tray to rotate in conjunction with rotation thereof, wherein ice formed in the plurality of recesses is discharged in a downward direction; and
an ice crushing part coupled to a lower surface of the tray securing part and configured to produce crushed ice by crushing ice cubes supplied by rotation of the ice tray.

2. The ice maker of claim 1, wherein the ice crushing part comprises:

a body portion having a quadrangular plate-shaped driver housing disposed at a front side thereof;
a crushing lever positioned on a front surface of the driver housing;
an ice crushing part driver configured to cause first and second rotating bodies to rotate in conjunction with rotation of the crushing lever; and
the first and second rotating bodies having a cylindrical shape and configured to be rotated by the ice crushing part driver.

3. The ice maker of claim 2, wherein the first rotating body rotates in a direction opposite to a direction in which the crushing lever rotates, and wherein further

the second rotating body rotates in a same direction as the direction in which the crushing lever rotates.

4. The ice maker of claim 2, wherein the tray securing part includes a quadrangular plate-shaped cover configured wherein opposite sides of a lower surface thereof are formed into a quadrangular pillar shape, and wherein

the driver housing comprises an attachment/detachment recess disposed on an upper surface thereof in a complementary shape with respect to the opposite sides of the lower surface of the cover wherein the opposite sides of the lower surface of the cover are partially inserted into the attachment/detachment recess.

5. The ice maker of claim 2, wherein the body portion further comprises:

a guide portion provided at one side surface of the driver housing and extending downward in an inclined fashion toward the first or second rotating bodies.

6. The ice maker of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second rotating bodies comprises multiple protrusions radially disposed along an outer circumferential surface thereof.

7. The ice maker of claim 6, wherein each of the protrusions is associated with a blade.

8. The ice maker of claim 7, wherein the guide portion is positioned above the ice crushing part driver and extends wherein an end portion thereof does not cover a distance space, wherein the distance space is defined between the first and second rotating bodies.

9. The ice maker of claim 3, wherein the second rotating body is spaced apart from the first rotating body by a predetermined distance, and wherein the predetermined distance is shorter than a horizontal maximum length and a vertical maximum length of each of the recesses of the ice tray.

10. The ice maker of claim 3, wherein the first rotating body is positioned at a right side with respect to a front orientation while the second rotating body is positioned at a left side with respect to a front orientation, and wherein

when the crushing lever is rotated in a clockwise direction, the first and second rotating bodies rotate in a fashion from upward to downward toward a distance space defined therebetween.

11. The ice maker of claim 3, wherein the ice crushing part driver comprises:

a central gear positioned on a rear surface of the crushing lever wherein a rotational center thereof is coupled to the crushing lever, wherein the central gear rotates in conjunction with rotation of the crushing lever rotated in one direction wherein the central gear and the crushing lever rotate in a same direction;
a first rotary gear positioned at a first side of the central gear to engage with the central gear;
a second rotary gear positioned at a second side of the central gear to engage with the central gear; and
a third rotary gear positioned at a side of the second rotary gear which is free of engagement with the central gear to engage with the second rotary gear.

12. The ice maker of claim 11, wherein each of the first to third rotary gears is disposed at a center thereof with a female screw shaft having a female thread formed on an inner surface thereof, wherein

the first rotating body having a first insertion protrusion disposed on a front surface thereof and operable to serve as a rotary shaft, wherein the first insertion protrusion has a male thread formed on an outer surface thereof for insertion into the female screw shaft of the first rotary gear, and wherein
the second rotating body having a second insertion protrusion disposed on a front surface thereof and operable to serve as a rotary shaft, wherein the second insertion protrusion having a male thread formed on an outer surface thereof for insertion into the female screw shaft of the third rotary gear.

13. The ice maker of claim 6, further comprising:

an ice bank operable for storing ice supplied from above and having a coupling recess formed on an upper surface thereof into a complementary shape to opposite sides of a lower surface of either of the cover and the body portion wherein the opposite sides of the lower surface of either of the cover and the body portion are partially inserted into the coupling recess, wherein
the driver housing has a predetermined-shaped bank insertion portion disposed at each side of a lower surface thereof to be partially inserted into the coupling recess of the ice bank.

14. An ice maker for a refrigerator appliance, the ice maker comprising:

an ice tray secured to a tray securing part and having a plurality of recesses for ice making;
the tray securing part operable for securing the ice tray and configured to rotate the ice tray in conjunction with a rotation thereof, wherein ice formed in the recesses is discharged in a downward direction; and
an ice crushing part coupled to a lower surface of the tray securing part and configured to produce crushed ice by crushing ice cubes supplied by rotation of the ice tray,
wherein the ice crushing part comprises:
a body portion having a quadrangular plate-shaped driver housing disposed at a front side thereof;
a crushing lever positioned on a front surface of the driver housing; and
an ice crushing part driver configured to rotate first and second rotating bodies in opposite directions when the crushing lever is rotated in one direction, wherein the first and second rotating bodies are positioned at a rear surface of the driver housing and extend rearward therefrom.

15. The ice maker of claim 14, wherein the second rotating body is spaced apart from the first rotating body by a predetermined distance, and the predetermined distance is shorter than a horizontal maximum length and a vertical maximum length of each of the recesses of the ice tray.

16. The ice maker of claim 15, wherein when the crushing lever is rotated in a clockwise direction, the first and second rotating bodies rotate in a fashion from upward to downward toward a distance space defined between the first and second rotating bodies.

17. The ice maker of claim 14, wherein the tray securing part is configured wherein a side of a lower surface thereof is formed into a complementary shape to a side of an upper surface of the ice crushing part, enabling the tray securing part to be readily attachable to, and detachable from, the ice crushing part.

18. The ice maker of claim 17, further comprising:

an ice bank operable for storing ice supplied from above and having a coupling recess disposed on an upper surface thereof into a same shape as the side of the lower surface of the tray securing part wherein a side of either of the tray securing part and the ice crushing part is partially inserted into the coupling recess, and wherein
the ice crushing part has a bank insertion portion formed at a side of a lower surface thereof into a complementary shape to a side of the upper surface of the ice bank.

19. A refrigerator appliance comprising:

a plurality of components for performing a refrigeration cycle;
at least one compartment for storing food items therein;
an opening and closing device for selectively opening and closing the compartment; and
an ice maker, the ice maker comprising: an ice tray secured to a tray securing part and having a plurality of recesses for ice making; the tray securing part operable for securing the ice tray and configured to rotate the ice tray in conjunction with a rotation thereof, wherein ice formed in the recesses is discharged in a downward direction; and an ice crushing part coupled to a lower surface of the tray securing part and configured to produce crushed ice by crushing ice cubes supplied by rotation of the ice tray, wherein the ice crushing part comprises: a body portion having a quadrangular plate-shaped driver housing disposed at a front side thereof; a crushing lever positioned on a front surface of the driver housing; and an ice crushing part driver configured to rotate first and second rotating bodies in opposite directions when the crushing lever is rotated in one direction, wherein the first and second rotating bodies are positioned at a rear surface of the driver housing and extend rearward therefrom.

20. The refrigerator appliance of claim 19, wherein the second rotating body is spaced apart from the first rotating body by a predetermined distance, and the predetermined distance is shorter than a horizontal maximum length and a vertical maximum length of each of the recesses of the ice tray.

Patent History
Publication number: 20190331385
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 6, 2018
Publication Date: Oct 31, 2019
Inventor: Hyeong-Doo JEONG (Gwangju)
Application Number: 16/212,527
Classifications
International Classification: F25C 5/04 (20060101); F25C 5/20 (20060101); F25C 1/10 (20060101); F25C 1/246 (20060101);