Ice Maker and Refrigerator Having Same

Abstract

An ice maker and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. According to one aspect, a refrigerator may include a main body having a storage room therein; a door on the main body, configured to open and close the storage room; and an ice maker in the storage room. The ice maker includes a case; an ice making assembly in the case, configured to make ice; an ice tray configured to contain water; a discharge unit configured to discharge the ice in the ice making assembly; and a transfer unit configured to move the ice in the ice making assembly to the discharge unit. The discharge unit and the case are elastically coupled at one side or end and tension-coupled at another side or end.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator having the same.

BACKGROUND

A refrigerator is an apparatus for storing food at a low temperature. The refrigerator can be configured to store the food in a frozen or refrigerated state according to the type of food to be stored. The inside of the refrigerator is cooled down by continuously supplied cold air, and the cold air is continuously generated by the heat exchange action of a refrigerant by way of a refrigeration cycle going through the process of compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation. Since the cold air supplied to the inside of the refrigerator is evenly delivered inside the refrigerator owing to convection, the food inside the refrigerator can be stored at a desired temperature.

An ice maker may be provided in the refrigerator for the convenience of use. The ice maker may make ice by supplying cold air to water and storing a predetermined amount of ice. The ice maker may include an ice making tray for making ice, an ice storage unit for storing the ice made by the ice making tray, and a cover unit for protecting the ice making tray.

The ice storage unit may slide into the ice maker or be withdrawn through an open side of the ice maker. In addition, a locking device may be in the refrigerator to lock the ice storage unit and prevent its accidental withdrawal.

The locking device may include an open button or a magnet. However, the locking device may be inconvenient to use, as it may require both hands of the user to unlock, and it may lower productivity, as the structure may be relatively complicated.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker easy to put in and/or take out, and a refrigerator having the same.

In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker that is convenient to use, and a refrigerator having the same.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator comprising a main body having a storage room therein; a door on the main body, configured to open and close the storage room; and an ice maker in the storage room, wherein the ice maker includes a case; an ice making assembly in the case, configured to make ice; an ice tray configured to contain water; a discharge unit configured to discharge the ice in the ice making assembly (e.g., to a location outside the refrigerator); and a transfer unit configured to move the ice in the ice making assembly to the discharge unit. The discharge unit and the case are elastically coupled at one side or end and tension-coupled at another side or end.

The discharge unit may include a discharge unit housing having an open side; a discharge unit cover on the open side of the discharge unit housing; and a bar or strike (e.g., strike plate) at least partially between the discharge unit housing and the discharge unit cover.

The discharge unit housing may include an insertion hole through which part of the bar or strike passes; and a catch at a position that does not overlap with the insertion hole, wherein the catch includes an insertion guide unit that slopes toward the discharge unit housing; an insert-fixing unit between an end of the insertion guide unit and the discharge unit housing, comprising a recessed groove or depression; and an insert-latching unit on a side of the discharge unit housing, insert-latching unit protruding upwards.

The case may include a first latching unit corresponding to the insertion hole; a second latching unit corresponding to a protrusion groove; and another catch, configured to retain and deformably release the bar or strike, the other catch being connected to the first latching unit, wherein the bar or strike is retractable and extendable (e.g., reversibly attachable to and detachable from the other catch).

The discharge unit cover may include a resting groove containing at least part of the bar or strike, one or more uppermost surfaces of the bar or strike extend through the insertion hole, and the ice maker further includes an elastic member under the bar or strike wherein the elastic member contacts a bottom surface of the resting groove and/or applies a force to the bar or strike.

The elastic member may comprise one or more springs.

The other catch may include a first fixing unit at a front end of the other catch that slopes downwards from front to rear; and a second fixing unit adjacent to and/or behind the first fixing unit and corresponding to the one or more uppermost surfaces of the bar or strike.

The second latching unit may include a prominence unit of extending from a top to a bottom (e.g., of an end or side of the second latching unit); and a supporting unit in front of the prominence unit and sloping downwards as a function of distance from the discharge unit housing. When the other catch is in and/or coupled to the second latching unit, the insert-fixing unit is fixed to the prominence unit, and the insertion guide unit contacts a back side of the prominence unit.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ice maker for a refrigerator and/or configured to make ice, the ice maker comprising a case; an ice making assembly in the case, configured to make ice; an ice tray configured to contain water; a discharge unit configured to discharge the ice in the ice making assembly (e.g., to a location outside of the refrigerator); and a transfer unit configured to move the ice in the ice making assembly to the discharge unit, wherein the discharge unit includes a discharge unit housing having one open side; a discharge unit cover on the open side of the discharge unit housing; and a bar or strike and an elastic member, wherein the bar or strike is at or near a top of the discharge unit housing, a bent catch is at or near a bottom of the discharge unit housing, and the bent catch is insertable into and removeable from the case to detachably couple the bent catch therein or thereto.

At least part of the bar or strike is between the discharge unit housing and the discharge unit cover, and the ice maker further comprises another catch, coupled to the case, configured to engage with the bar or strike (or one or more uppermost surfaces thereof).

The ice maker may include a first latching unit on or at a top of the case, and/or a second latching unit on or at a bottom of the case. The other catch may be coupled to or part of the first latching unit, and the bent catch may be coupled to or part of the second latching unit.

The second latching unit may include a prominence unit extending from a top to a bottom (e.g., of an end or side of the second latching unit), forming a space behind the prominence unit. The bent catch may include an insertion guide unit that slopes (e.g., upwards) toward the discharge unit housing; an insert-fixing unit between an end of the insertion guide unit and the discharge unit housing, comprising a recessed groove or depression; and an insert-latching unit on a side of the discharge unit housing, the insert-latching unit protruding upwards.

The other catch may include a first fixing unit at a front end of the other catch that slopes downwards from front to rear; and a second fixing unit adjacent to and/or behind the first fixing unit, corresponding to one or more uppermost surfaces of the bar or strike. When the first fixing unit applies a force to the bar or strike, the uppermost surface(s) of the bar or strike at least partially retract into the discharge unit housing.

The ice maker may further comprise a gasket configured to seal a gap between the discharge unit housing and the case. The gasket may be coupled to the discharge unit cover.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an ice maker that is easy to put in or take out and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.

In addition, an ice maker that is easy to use and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary refrigerator according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an exemplary ice maker suitable for the refrigerator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice maker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the ice maker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an exemplary case and an exemplary discharge unit suitable for the ice maker of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the exemplary case of FIG. 5 from a different viewpoint;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosed embodiments may be modified in a variety of forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described below. The embodiments are provided to explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shapes of the elements in the drawing may be exaggerated to emphasize more clear descriptions.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a refrigerator 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention may include a main body 10 and one or more doors 20.

Hereinafter, the direction from the rear side to the front side of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a thickness direction, the direction from one side surface to another side surface of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a width direction, and the direction from the bottom surface to the top surface of the refrigerator 1 is referred to as a height direction. The door(s) 20 are at the front of the refrigerator 1, and the icemaker 30 is adjacent to the top surface of the refrigerator 1.

The main body 10 provides and/or defines the overall external shape of the refrigerator 1. At least one storage room 11 may be inside the main body 10. The storage room(s) 11 inside the main body 10 may be partitioned by a barrier 12. The storage room 11 may include a refrigeration room R and a freezer room F. For example, the refrigeration room R may be at or in the upper part of the main body 10, and the freezer room F may be at or in the lower part of the main body 10.

At least one door 20 is on the main body 10. The door 20 opens and closes the storage room 11. For example, the door 20 is hingedly or pivotally fixed to the main body 10 to rotate, and may open and close the storage room 11 as it rotates with respect to the main body 10. The number of doors 20 may correspond to the number of storage rooms 11. For example, doors 20 are provided in front of the refrigeration room(s) R and the freezer room(s) F, respectively, and may individually open and close a corresponding one of the refrigeration room(s) R and the freezer room(s) F. For example, two doors 20 may be provided in the refrigeration room Ron the left and right sides of the refrigerator 1. One or more shelves 21 may be provided on the inside surface of the door 20.

An ice maker 30 may be at or on one side of one storage room 11. For example, the ice maker 30 may be in one refrigeration room R and/or at the upper part of one of the storage rooms 11. Alternatively, the ice maker 30 may be in one door 20 or in the freezer room F.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an exemplary ice maker suitable for the refrigerator 1 of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the ice maker of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the ice maker of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the case and the discharge unit in the ice maker of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the case of FIG. 5 from a different viewpoint, FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 4, and FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 8, the ice maker 30 may include a case 100, an ice making assembly 200, an ice bucket 300, a discharge unit 400 and a transfer unit 500.

The ice maker 30 may make and store ice.

Hereinafter, the direction from a cold air duct 110 to the discharge unit 400 is referred to as a first direction X, a direction perpendicular to the first direction X (e.g., a horizontal direction and/or in a plane) is referred to as a second direction Y, and the vertical direction perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y is referred to as a third direction Z. In addition, a side on which the discharge unit 400 is located is referred to as a front side (e.g., of the ice maker), and a direction in which the cold air duct 110 is located is referred to as a rear side (e.g., of the ice maker).

The external shape of the ice maker 30 may be defined in part by the case 100. The case 100 may have a preset volume and a space for accommodating constitutional components of the ice maker 30 therein. The case 100 may be fixed at a point inside the storage room 11 or inside the door 20. In addition, a first latching unit (e.g., a first latch) 1100, a second latching unit (e.g., a second latch) 1200, and a catch 1300 configured to couple the case 100 and the discharge unit 400 may be in or on the case 100. The specific coupling of the case 100 and the discharge unit 400 will be described below.

The ice making assembly 200 may make ice by exchanging heat of or in the water in the ice making assembly 200 with cold air. The ice making assembly 200 may include an ice tray 2100, a guide unit 2200, a rotation unit 2300 and a cover unit 2400.

The ice tray 2100 is configured to contain water. The water in the ice tray 2100 is solidified (i.e., becomes ice) through heat exchange with cold air. The ice tray 2100 may comprise a container having a center portion is concave downwards (see, e.g., FIG. 3), and a space and/or preset volume for containing water may be on or in the ice tray 2100. For example, the ice tray 2100 may comprise a multi-compartment container, each compartment being configured to hold a predetermined volume of liquid water and optionally having a convex lower surface, in which the center of each compartment has a greater depth than along the sidewalls of each compartment. The ice tray 2100 may have a preset length along the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. For example, the ice tray 2100 may be rectangular as seen from the top (e.g., in a plan view).

A heater 2110 may be under the ice tray 2100. The heater 2110 may contact the bottom surface of the ice tray 2100 at least at one point. When the ice made in the ice tray 2100 is transferred to the ice bucket 300 by the rotation unit 2300, the heater 2110 may heat the bottom surface of the ice tray 2100 so that the ice may be effectively separated from the ice tray 2100.

The guide unit 2200 may be under the ice tray 2100. The guide unit 2200 forms a path for flowing cold air onto and/or around the ice tray 2100. The cold air flowing between the guide unit 2200 and the ice tray 2100 cools down the ice tray 2100 to freeze the water in the ice tray 2100. The guide unit 2200 may have a preset length in the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. The guide unit 2200 may contact the ice tray 2100 at least at a point and may support the ice tray 2100. The rear end of the guide unit 2200 in the first direction X may communicate with the cold air duct 110, which supplies the cold air. The guide unit 2200 may be fixed to the inside surface of the case 100 or to the cold air duct 110.

The rotation unit 2300 moves the ice in the ice tray 2100 to the ice bucket 300. The rotation unit 2300 may include an ice removing shaft 2310 and a drive housing 2320.

As the ice removing shaft 2310 rotates, the ice in the ice tray 2100 is moved to the outside of the ice tray 2100. The ice removing shaft 2310 has a preset length and may be in a space above the ice tray 2100. The length of the ice removing shaft 2310 may be in or along the first direction X. One or more ice removing prominences 2311 may be along the ice removing shaft 2310. The ice removing prominence(s) 2311 may extend from the outer surface of the ice removing shaft 2310 by a preset length. The ice removing prominence(s) 2311 may not contact the water in the ice tray 2100 when the rotation unit 2300 is in a standby state (i.e., not in an operational state). When the ice removing shaft 2310 rotates for transfer of the ice, the ice removing prominence(s) 2311 may push the ice out of the ice tray 2100.

A drive unit (e.g., motor) inside the drive housing 2320 provides power for rotating the ice removing shaft 2310. The drive housing 2320 may be located at one side of the ice tray 2100 along or with respect to the first direction X. The drive housing 2320 may be located on the opposite side of the ice removing shaft 2310 from the cold air duct 110. One end of the ice removing shaft 2310 may be inserted into the drive housing 2320 by a preset length and connected to the driving unit (e.g., motor) inside the drive housing 2320.

The cover unit 2400 may be on or over the ice tray 2100, in or along the third direction Z. The cover unit 2400 may cover part or all of the ice tray 2100. The cover unit 2400 may have a preset length in the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. The width of the cover unit 2400 may correspond to the width of the guide unit 2200, or may be larger than the width of the guide unit 2200 by a set width. Accordingly, the ice tray 2100 may be between the cold air guide unit 2200 and the cover unit 2400. The front end of the cover unit 2400 may contact the top of the drive housing 2320. The cover unit 2400 may be fixed to the inner surface of the case 2410 at least at one point.

A water supply unit 2410 may be at the rear end of the cover unit 2400. The water supply unit 2410 supplies water from an external source to the ice tray 2100. For example, a water supply hole 120 connected to a water supply pipe 121 may be at one side of the case 100. In addition, the water supply unit 2410 may be aligned with the water supply hole 120, and the water flowing through the water supply hole 120 may be supplied to the water supply unit 2410.

The ice bucket 300 is located under the ice making assembly 200 and contains ice from the ice making assembly 200. The ice bucket 300 may have a preset length along the first direction X and a preset width in the second direction Y. The ice bucket 300 may comprise a container having a center portion that is concave downwards (e.g., U-shaped), and the ice bucket 300 may include a preset volume for containing ice. As seen from the top along the third direction Z, at least part of the ice bucket 300 is positioned outside the ice tray 2100 in the width direction, and the ice supplied from the ice tray 2100 may be contained in the ice bucket 300.

The discharge unit 400 may be at an end of the ice bucket 300. The discharge unit 400 discharges the ice in the ice bucket 300 to the outside of the ice maker 30 (e.g., through the corresponding door 20; see FIG. 1). The discharge unit 400 may be coupled or connected to the front end of the ice bucket 300. The discharge unit 400 may be outside the case 100.

The discharge unit 400 has a width corresponding to the case 100 in the second direction Y and a height corresponding to the case 100 in the third direction Z and may shield the case 100. The discharge unit 400 may be detachable from the case 100. Accordingly, if the user separates the discharge unit 400 from the case 100 and moves the discharge unit 400 forward (e.g., out of the corresponding storage space), the ice bucket 300 may be exposed to the outside of the case 100.

Specifically, the discharge unit 400 includes a discharge unit housing 4100, a discharge unit cover 4200, a gasket 4300 and a retractable and extendable (e.g., spring-loaded) bar or strike (e.g., strike plate) 4400.

The discharge unit housing 4100 may form or define the external shape of the discharge unit 400, and may correspond to the size of the case 100. The discharge unit housing 4100 may be open on the back side and closed on the front side, and the open back side may be coupled to the front side of the case 100.

The discharge unit housing 4100 may include an insertion hole 4110 (FIG. 5) and a catch 4120 (FIGS. 4 and 8). Part of the bar or strike 4400 may extend through the insertion hole 4110. Specifically, the insertion hole 4110 may be at one side and/or end of the discharge unit housing 4100, and for example, the insertion hole 4110 may be on an upper or uppermost surface (e.g., the top) of the discharge unit housing 4100.

In addition, the catch 4120 may correspond to a second latching unit (e.g., a second latch) 1200 of the case 100. The catch 4120 may be at one side or end of the discharge unit housing 4100. For example, the catch 4120 may be on the bottom of the discharge unit housing 4100. The catch 4120 may be at a position that does not overlap with the insertion hole 4110.

The catch 4120 extends from or along one side or end of the discharge unit housing 4100, and may have a bent shape (e.g., a V, U, N, S, W, or N-, S- or W-like shape). Specifically, the catch 4120 may include an insertion guide unit 4121, an insert-fixing unit 4122 and an insert-latching unit 4123. The insertion guide unit 4121 may be at the opposite end or on an opposite side of the discharge unit housing 4100 from the insertion hole 4110. The insertion guide unit 4121 slopes upwards in the direction of the ice bucket 300 and/or the discharge unit housing 4100. Accordingly, when the discharge unit housing 4100 moves toward the case 100, the catch 4120 may be effectively and elastically deformed or deflected by the prominence unit 1210. The insert-fixing unit 4122 is located in the section between the end of the insertion guide unit 4121 and the discharge unit housing 4100. The insert-fixing unit 4122 may comprise a groove or depression (e.g., that may be recessed downwards, relative to the insertion guide unit 4121). If the prominence unit 1210 is positioned (e.g., correctly), the discharge unit 400 may be fixed to the case 100.

In addition, the insert-latching unit 4123 may be on a side of the discharge unit housing 4100 and may protrude upwards. Accordingly, the insert-latching unit 4123 may contact or be fixed to a supporting unit 1220 that will be described below (see FIG. 8).

The second latching unit 1200 of or on the case 100 may comprise a groove or depression having a size corresponding to the catch 4120, and the prominence unit 1210 and the supporting unit 1220 may be at or on one side (e.g., of the second latch 1200). The prominence unit 1210 may extend from the top to the bottom of the second latching unit 1200. In addition, a space may exist in the second latch 1200 to insert the other end (e.g., the insert-fixing unit 4122) of the catch 4120 behind the prominence unit 1210. Accordingly, if the catch 4120 is inserted into the second latching unit 1200 and coupled thereto, the insert-fixing unit 4122 of the catch 4120 may be fixed to the prominence unit 1210, and the insertion guide unit 4121 may contact and/or be coupled to the back side of the prominence unit 1210.

The supporting unit 1220 may be in front of the prominence unit 1210 (e.g., towards the discharge unit housing 4100 and/or the door 20). The bottom side of the supporting unit 1220 may slope downwards (e.g., from the outermost edge nearest the discharge unit housing 4100 and/or the door 20, towards the lowermost surface of the case 100) as a function of distance from the discharge unit housing 4100 and/or the (closed) door 20. Accordingly, the insert-latching unit 4123 of the catch 4120 may be supported.

The discharge unit cover 4200 may be on or fixed to the open back side of the discharge unit housing 4100. Specifically, the discharge unit cover 4200 may be on or covering the open side of the discharge unit housing 4100 and connected to the ice bucket 300. That is, the discharge unit cover 4200 may be between the discharge unit housing 4100 and the case 100. Constitutional components (e.g., of the discharge unit) may be accommodated between the discharge unit housing 4100 and the discharge unit cover 4200, and the ice bucket 300 may move together with the discharge unit cover 4200. In addition, the discharge unit housing 4100 and the discharge unit cover 4200 may be coupled and stay coupled through a separate coupling member (shown at least in part in FIGS. 3 and 5).

The discharge unit cover 4200 may include a resting groove (e.g., first latch housing) 4210 and an insertion unit (not shown). The discharge unit cover 4200 may have dimensions (e.g., an area) corresponding to the size or dimensions of the discharge unit housing 4100 and may cover the open side of the discharge unit housing 4100. In addition, the resting groove 4210 may extend toward the front side (e.g., into the discharge unit cover 4200).

A retractable and extendable (e.g., spring-loaded) bar or strike (e.g., strike plate) 4400 is housed in the resting groove 4210. The resting groove 4210 may correspond to the insertion hole 4110 of the discharge unit housing 4100. The specific shape of the resting groove 4210 will be described below.

The insertion unit may extend towards the back side of the discharge unit cover 4200. The insertion unit is along the outer edge or periphery of the discharge unit cover 4200 and may have edges or sidewalls that are spaced apart by a preset distance. A gasket 4300 may be inserted in the insertion unit. Accordingly, the gasket 4300 may tightly seal the gap between the discharge unit housing 4100 and the case 100. The ice bucket 300 (or a front end thereof) may pass through the insertion unit.

The bar or strike 4400 may be at one side of the discharge unit housing 4100 and the discharge unit cover 4200. The bar or strike 4400 couples the discharge unit 400 and the case 100, and releases and couples the discharge unit 400 and the case 100. The first latch may further include an elastic member (e.g., one or more springs) 4410. Specifically, the top (e.g., angled or pointed) surface of the bar or strike 4400 may extend through the insertion hole 4110, and the elastic member 4410 may support the bar or strike 4400 (e.g., from underneath). Accordingly, the elastic member 4410 rests on or is supported by the resting groove 4210 or a lowermost inner surface thereof. Part or all of the uppermost surface(s) of the bar or strike 4400 may protrude through the insertion hole 4110 of the case housing 4100. Alternatively, the bar or strike 4400 may not fully penetrate through the insertion hole 4110, and only the top section or portion (e.g., including the uppermost surface[s]) of the bar or strike 4400 may protrude through the insertion hole 4110. In addition, the uppermost surface(s) of the bar or strike 4400 may be sloped or angled (i.e., may have a slope of 10-80° when the ice bucket 300 is fully inserted into the ice maker and the discharge unit 400 is assembled and fixed to the ice bucket 300).

The bar or strike 4400 may fully extend through the insertion hole 4110 from the elastic force of the elastic member 4410, and accordingly, the bar or strike 4400 may be between the discharge unit housing 4100 and the discharge unit cover 4200.

The elastic member 4410 may be in the resting groove 4210 of the discharge unit cover 4200. Although a spring is an example of the elastic member 4410 in this embodiment, the elastic member 4410 is not limited thereto. For example, the elastic member 4410 may be or comprise a plate spring.

The bar or strike 4400 may be coupled to and detached from the catch 1300. The catch 1300 couples the discharge unit 400 and the case 100, and part of the catch 1300 may be above the bar or strike 4400 when the first latch is latched. Specifically, one side or end of the catch 1300 may be on or above the bar or strike 4400, and the other side or end may be on or attached to the first latching unit 1100 of the case 100. That is, the first latching unit 1100 may correspond to the catch 1300. The catch 1300 may be fixed to the case 100 through a separate coupling means. For example, the catch 1300 may be coupled to the case 100 through a bolt and nut, a screw, one or more rivets or other fasteners, etc.

The catch 1300 may apply pressure to the elastic member 4410 of the bar or strike 4400. The catch 1300 may include a first fixing unit 1310 and a second fixing unit 1320. The first fixing unit 1310 may be at the front end of the catch 1300. The first fixing unit 1310 may sloped downwards from the front to the rear. Accordingly, when the discharge unit 400 moves toward the case 100 while being aligned with the case 100 in the first direction X so as to insert the ice bucket into the case 100, the bar or strike 4400 is pressed downwards by the first fixing unit 1310, and at least part of the top section or portion of the bar or strike 4400 is temporarily forced or pushed into the discharge unit housing 4100 and/or the resting groove 4210.

The second fixing unit 1320 may be adjacent to and/or to the rear of the first fixing unit 1310. The second fixing unit 1320 may correspond to the top section and/or portion of the bar or strike 4400, and accordingly, when the discharge unit 400 moves further toward the case 100, the bar or strike 4400 may extend into the catch 1300 to be coupled therein (e.g., at, in or by the second fixing unit 1320).

Describing separation of the discharge unit 400 from the case 100 in detail, first, the user may apply pressure to the catch 1300, and accordingly, the elastic member 4410 below the bar or strike 4400 may temporarily compress and/or the bar or strike 4400 may retract into the resting groove 4210 below the insertion hole 4110, and the user may separate the discharge unit housing 4100 from the catch 1300. Separation of the bar or strike 4400 from the catch 1300 may be easily performed along the slope of the upper surfaces of the bar or strike 4400.

When the catch 1300 and the discharge unit housing 4100 are separated, the tops of the discharge unit 400 and the case 100 may be separated, but the bottoms may be coupled. At this point, the user may separate the catch 4120 from the second latching unit 1200 of the case 100 by applying an external force to the bottom side of the discharge unit housing 4100.

That is, since the case 100 and the discharge unit 400 are elastically coupled at one side and tension-coupled at the other side, insertion and withdrawal of the discharge unit 400 may be easy.

The transfer unit 500 moves the ice in the ice bucket 300 to the discharge unit 400. The transfer unit 500 includes a transfer shaft 510 and a transfer housing 520.

As the transfer shaft 510 rotates, the ice in the ice bucket 300 moves to the discharge unit 400. The transfer shaft 510 has a preset length and may be in lower part or portion of the ice bucket 300. The transfer shaft 510 may have a length or rotational axis in or along the first direction X. For example, the transfer shaft 510 may be or comprise an auger.

The transfer housing 520 houses a motor that provides power for rotating the transfer shaft 510. The transfer housing 520 may be at one side of the ice bucket 300 in or along the first direction X. The transfer housing 520 may be on the opposite side of the ice bucket 300 from the discharge unit 400. The transfer shaft 510 is coupled or connected to the transfer housing 520 or the motor therein, and may rotate by the power provided by the motor in the transfer housing 520.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, an ice maker that is easy to put in or take out and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.

In addition, an ice maker that is easy to use and a refrigerator having the same can be provided.

The above detailed description provides examples of the present invention. In addition, the above description explains by showing preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the present invention may be used in various different combinations, changes and environments. That is, the present invention may be modified or changed within the scope of the spirit of the present invention disclosed in this specification, within a scope equivalent to the disclosed contents, and/or within the scope of the technique(s) or knowledge of the prior art. The above embodiments describe the best conditions for implementing the technical spirit of the present invention, and various changes in the specific application fields and usages of the present invention also can be made. Accordingly, the detailed description of the present invention as described above shows disclosed embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, the appended claims should be interpreted as also including other embodiments.

Claims

1. A refrigerator comprising:

a main body having a storage room therein;

a door on the main body, configured to open and close the storage room; and

an ice maker in the storage room, wherein the ice maker includes: a case; an ice making assembly in the case, configured to make ice; an ice tray configured to contain water; a discharge unit configured to discharge the ice in the ice making assembly; and a transfer unit configured to move the ice in the ice making assembly to the discharge unit, wherein the discharge unit and the case are elastically coupled at one side or end and tension-coupled at another side or end.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the discharge unit includes:

a discharge unit housing having an open side;

a discharge unit cover on the open side of the discharge unit housing; and

a bar or strike, at least part of which is between the discharge unit housing and the discharge unit cover.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the discharge unit housing includes:

an insertion hole through which part of the bar or strike passes; and

a first catch at a position that does not overlap with the insertion hole, wherein the first catch includes: an insertion guide unit that slopes toward the discharge unit housing; an insert-fixing unit between an end of the insertion guide unit and the discharge unit housing, comprising a recessed groove or depression; and an insert-latching unit on a side of the discharge unit housing, the insert-latching unit protruding upwards.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the case includes:

a first latching unit corresponding to the insertion hole;

a second latching unit corresponding to a protrusion groove; and

a second catch configured to retain and deformably release the bar or strike, the second catch being connected to the first latching unit, wherein the bar or strike is retractable and extendable.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the discharge unit cover includes a resting groove containing at least part of the bar or strike,

one or more uppermost surfaces of the bar or strike extend through the insertion hole, and the ice maker further includes an elastic member under the bar or strike, and

the elastic member applies an elastic force to the bar or strike.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the elastic member comprises one or more springs.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the second catch includes:

a first fixing unit at a front end of the second catch that slopes downwards from front to rear; and

a second fixing unit adjacent to and/or behind the first fixing unit, corresponding to one or more uppermost surfaces of the bar or strike.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein the second latching unit includes:

a prominence unit extending from a top to a bottom of an end or side of the second latching unit; and

a supporting unit in front of or adjacent to the prominence unit and sloping downwards as a function of distance from the discharge unit housing, and

when the first catch is in and/or coupled to the second latching unit, the insert-fixing unit is fixed to the prominence unit, and the insertion guide unit contacts a back side of the prominence unit.

9. An ice maker for a refrigerator, the ice maker comprising:

a case;

an ice making assembly in the case, configured to make ice;

an ice tray configured to contain water;

a discharge unit configured to discharge the ice in the ice making assembly; and

a transfer unit configured to move the ice in the ice making assembly to the discharge unit, wherein the discharge unit includes: a discharge unit housing having one open side; a discharge unit cover on the open side of the discharge unit housing; a bar or strike and an elastic member, wherein the bar or strike is at or near a top of the discharge unit housing; and a bent catch is at or near a bottom of the discharge unit housing, and the bent catch is insertable into and removeable from the case to detachably couple the bent catch therein or thereto.

10. The ice maker according to claim 9, wherein at least part of the bar or strike is between the discharge unit housing and the discharge unit cover, and the ice maker further comprises a second catch coupled to the case, configured to engage with the bar or strike.

11. The ice maker according to claim 9, comprising a first latching unit on or at a top of the case, and a second latching unit on or at a bottom of the case, wherein the second catch is coupled to or part of the first latching unit, and the bent catch is coupled to or part of the second latching unit.

12. The ice maker according to claim 11, wherein the second latching unit includes a prominence unit extending from a top to a bottom of an end or side of the second latching unit, forming a space behind the prominence unit, wherein the bent catch includes:

an insertion guide unit that slopes toward the discharge unit housing;

an insert-fixing unit between an end of the insertion guide unit and the discharge unit housing, comprising a recessed groove or depression; and

an insert-latching unit on a side of the discharge unit housing, the insert-latching unit protruding upwards.

13. The ice maker according to claim 10, wherein the second catch includes:

a first fixing unit at a front end of the second catch that slopes downwards from front to rear; and

a second fixing unit to and/or behind the first fixing unit, corresponding to one or more uppermost surfaces of the bar or strike.

14. The ice maker according to claim 13, wherein when the first fixing unit applies a force to the bar or strike, the one or more uppermost surfaces of the bar or strike at least partially retract into the discharge unit housing.

15. The ice maker according to claim 9, further comprising a gasket configured to seal a gap between the discharge unit housing and the case.

16. The ice maker according to claim 15, wherein the gasket is coupled to the discharge unit cover.