Patent Application
20250155181
This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0155323, filed Nov. 10, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. 119, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by reference.
The present disclosure relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same.
A refrigerator is an electrical appliance that supplies cold air made by circulating refrigerant to a storage compartment to keep various types of objects fresh for a long period of time in the storage compartment.
The refrigerator may include an ice maker that makes ice using cold air.
The ice maker may make ice by receiving water supplied from a water source or a water tank into an ice tray.
Ice made in the ice maker may be removed from the ice maker using various schemes, such as a heating scheme of heating the ice tray or a twisting scheme of changing a shape of the ice tray.
The ice tray may include one or more ice chambers configured to have a shape corresponding to a desired shape of ice to be made.
In order to effectively remove ice from the ice chamber during the ice-removal process, a separate mechanism such as an ejector may be used to change a shape of the ice chamber.
However, when the ice chamber is deformed while the ice tray is not properly fixed, other structures other than the ice chamber that should be deformed may also be deformed.
When other structures other than the ice chamber that should be deformed are unintendedly deformed, this unintended deformation may cause the ice chamber to be inaccurately deformed during the ice removal process, resulting in ice-removal failure.
Furthermore, the ice tray may include multiple ice chambers to make multiple ices at once. In this case, when deformation amounts of the ice chambers are not equal to each other, the ice-removal failure may occur.
Furthermore, the ice tray may be made of a soft material such that the ice tray may be easily deformed. Thus, a fixing structure that may provide the most uniform fixing force to an entire area of the ice tray made of the soft material may be required.
A separate fastening member such as a screw may be used to secure the ice tray.
However, when the fastening member is loosened during long-term use of the ice maker, the user recognizes the loosened fastening member together with the removed ice.
A purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an ice maker having various fixing structures that may reduce an ice tray included in a lower assembly from being displaced from its correct position during repeated ice-removal processes, and a refrigerator including the same.
Furthermore, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an ice maker having a fixing structure that may provide the most uniform fixing force across an entire area of the ice tray, and a refrigerator including the same.
Furthermore, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide an ice maker having a fixing structure that may strongly fix the ice tray without a separate fastening member, and a refrigerator including the same.
An ice maker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure for achieving the purpose as described above includes an upper tray including a plurality of upper chambers; a lower tray including a plurality of lower chambers; a lower supporter supporting a lower portion of the lower tray; and a lower cover restraining the lower tray and the lower supporter, wherein the lower cover has a first fixing structure constructed to fix both the lower tray and the lower supporter thereto.
The first fixing structure may include a front portion located in front of the lower chambers and a rear portion located in rear of the lower chambers.
The first fixing structure may be constructed to prevent each of the lower tray and the lower supporter from being vertically removed from the lower cover.
The first fixing structure may include: a front wall of the lower cover including a first front stopping step portion pressing a lower portion of a front surface of the lower supporter and a second front stopping step portion pressing an upper portion of a front surface of the lower tray; and a rear wall of the lower cover including a first rear stopping step portion pressing a lower portion of a rear surface of the lower supporter and a second rear stopping step portion pressing an upper portion of a rear surface of the lower tray.
The ice maker further may include a second fixing structure constructed to prevent the lower tray and the lower supporter from being removed from each other in a vertical direction.
The second fixing structure may be disposed between lower chambers adjacent to each other in a front-back direction of the lower assembly.
The second fixing structure may include: an insertion protrusion formed on the lower tray so as to protrude downwardly of the lower tray; and an elongate slot defined in the lower supporter, wherein the insertion protrusion passes through the slot.
The lower tray further may include a third fixing structure constructed to prevent the lower tray and the lower cover from being removed from each other in a frontward/backward direction and a left/right direction.
The third fixing structure may be located on a side of the lower chamber.
The third fixing structure may include: a first upper protrusion formed on the lower tray so as to protrude upwardly of the lower tray; and a first receiving groove defined in a lower portion of the lower cover so as to receive therein the first upper protrusion.
The third fixing structure may be located in front of the lower chamber.
The third fixing structure may include: a second upper protrusion formed on the lower tray so as to protrude upwardly of the lower tray; and a depression defined in a lower portion of the lower cover so that the second upper protrusion may be inserted into the depression.
The lower tray further may include a fourth fixing structure constructed prevents the lower supporter and the lower cover from being removed from each other in a left-right direction.
The fourth fixing structure may include a side limiter disposed at each of both opposing sides of the lower tray and extending vertically so as to overlap an outer side surface of each of the lower supporter and of the lower cover in a horizontal direction.
The side limiter may be located outwardly of the outer side surface of each of the lower supporter and the lower cover overlapping therewith in the horizontal direction.
The plurality of lower chambers may be arranged in a plurality of rows including a first row and a second row.
A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present disclosure for achieving the purpose as described above includes at least one storage compartment; at least one door for opening and closing the storage compartment; and an ice maker mounted into the storage compartment or the door, wherein the ice maker includes: an upper tray including a plurality of upper chambers; a lower tray including a plurality of lower chambers; a lower supporter supporting a lower portion of the lower tray; and a lower cover restraining the lower tray and the lower supporter, wherein the lower cover has a first fixing structure constructed to fix both the lower tray and the lower supporter thereto.
The first fixing structure may include a front portion located in front of the lower chambers and a rear portion located in rear of the lower chambers, wherein the first fixing structure may be constructed to prevent each of the lower tray and the lower supporter from being vertically removed from the lower cover.
The ice maker further may include a second fixing structure constructed to prevent the lower tray and the lower supporter from being removed from each other in a vertical direction, wherein the second fixing structure may be disposed between lower chambers adjacent to each other in a front-back direction of the ice maker.
The ice maker further may include a third fixing structure disposed on a side and/or in front of the lower chamber and configured to prevent the lower tray and the lower cover from being removed from each other in a frontward/backward direction and a left/right direction.
The ice maker and the refrigerator according to the present disclosure may have the lower cover having the first fixing structure that fixes both the lower tray and the lower supporter thereto, thereby preventing the lower tray and the lower supporter from being removed from the lower cover in the vertical direction.
Furthermore, the ice maker and refrigerator according to the present disclosure may include the assembly of the lower tray and the lower supporter having the second fixing structure positioned between the lower chambers adjacent to each other in the front-back direction of the assembly, thereby preventing the lower tray and the lower supporter from being removed from each other in the vertical direction.
Furthermore, the ice maker and refrigerator according to the present disclosure may include the lower tray having the third fixing structure positioned on a side and/or in front of the lower chamber, thereby preventing the lower tray and the lower cover from being removed from each other in the forward and backward directions and left and right directions.
Furthermore, the ice maker and refrigerator according to the present disclosure may have the first fixing structure which is positioned between the adjacent lower chambers, and fastens the lower tray and the lower supporter to each other. Using the first fixing structure, the lower cover presses the lower tray and the lower supporter in opposite directions, respectively so as to restrain the lower tray and the lower supporter, thereby applying the most uniform fastening force across the entire area of the ice tray.
Furthermore, the ice maker and refrigerator according to the present disclosure may have the first fixing structure which is positioned between the adjacent lower chambers, and fastens the lower tray and the lower supporter to each other. Using the first fixing structure, the lower cover presses the lower tray and the lower supporter in opposite directions, respectively so as to restrain the lower tray and the lower supporter. Thus, the fixing structure capable of strongly fixing the ice tray without a separate fastening member may be provided.
Hereinafter, an ice maker according to some embodiments of the present disclosure and a refrigerator including the same will be described.
First, with reference to
With reference to
The present disclosure describes a refrigerator of a type in which the refrigerating compartment is disposed on top of the freezing compartment. However, the concept of the present disclosure may also be applied to a refrigerator of a type in which the refrigerating compartment is disposed under the freezing compartment, or a refrigerator including only the freezing compartment, or a refrigerator of a type in which the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment are arranged in a horizontal direction. Furthermore, the present disclosure describes an example in which the ice maker 30 is mounted into the first door 11. However, the concept of the present disclosure may also be applied to a case in which the ice maker 30 is disposed in the storage compartment such as the freezing compartment or the refrigerating compartment.
A dispenser 13 capable of dispensing water and/or ice may be disposed at a front surface of either the first door 11 or the second door 12.
The first door 11 may include an outer casing 21 and a door liner 22 coupled to the outer casing 21. The door liner 22 may define a back surface of the first door 11 and may define an ice-making compartment 14 in which an ice maker 30 is disposed. The ice-making compartment 14 may be opened and closed by an ice-making compartment door 24 that is pivotably connected to the door liner 22 via a hinge 23.
The cabinet 2 may include a cold air supply duct hole 2a that communicates with an evaporator (not shown) and supplies cold air to the ice-making compartment 14, and a cold air collection duct hole 2b that collects the cold air from the ice-making compartment 14. A door supply duct 25 and a door collection duct 26 may be mounted on the first door 11. The door supply duct 25 may have a cold air inlet hole 25a positioned at one end thereof and a door supply duct hole 25h positioned at the other end thereof and communicating with the ice-making compartment 14. The door collection duct 26 may have a cold air outlet hole 26a positioned at one end thereof and a door collection duct hole 26h positioned at the other end thereof and communicating with the ice-making compartment 14. When the first door 11 has closed the refrigerating compartment, the cold air inlet hole 25a of the door supply duct 25 may be aligned with and communicate with the cold air supply duct hole 2a, while the cold air outlet hole 26a of the door collection duct 26 may be aligned with and communicate with the cold air collection duct hole 2b. Each of the door supply duct 25 and the door collection duct 26 may extend from an outer sidewall 28 of the door liner 22 to an inner sidewall 27 thereof defining the ice-making compartment 14.
The ice maker 30, an ice bin 20 in which ice discharged from the ice maker 30 is stored, and a support mechanism 40 may be disposed within the ice-making compartment 14. The support mechanism 40 may include a support body 41 that supports and fixes the ice maker 30, and an ice opening 40h through which ice from the ice bin 20 is discharged. The ice opening 40h may communicate with an ice duct hole 15h formed in the inner sidewall 27. For example, when a user manipulates the dispenser 13 to withdraw the ice, the ice removed from the ice maker 30 and stored in the ice bin 20 may pass through the ice duct 15 communicating with the ice opening 40h and the ice duct hole 15 h and be discharged to an outside through an ice chute 16 of the dispenser 13. Furthermore, the user may open the first door 11 to directly obtain ice from the ice bin 20. An ice discharge module 50 that guides the stored ice to be easily discharged and crushes the ice may be additionally disposed in the ice bin 20.
Referring to
The lower assembly 32 may be pivotably connected to the upper assembly 31 via a connection shaft 850 so as to pivot about one axis. The lower assembly 32 together with the upper assembly 31 may make a spherical ice while being in contact with the upper assembly 31. The upper assembly 31 has hemispherical upper chambers 220, and the lower assembly 32 has hemispherical lower chambers 420. The lower assembly 32 and the upper assembly 31 may be combined with each other to constitute ice chambers 33, wherein each ice chamber is composed of each hemispherical upper and lower chambers. Thus, a spherical ice may be made in each ice chamber 33. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which the ice chambers 33 are arranged in a matrix manner including a first row and a second row, wherein five ice chambers 33 are arranged in the first row and six ice chambers 33 are arranged in the second row. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
When the upper assembly 31 and the lower assembly 32 have been combined with each other to constitute the ice chamber 33, water may be supplied to the ice chamber 33 through a water supply 130 formed in the upper cover 100. When the lower assembly 32 pivots after the ice is made, the spherical ice made between the upper assembly 31 and the lower assembly 32 may be removed from the ice chamber 33. The lower assembly 32 may be pivotable in both directions under an operation of a driving unit 800 connected to one side of the upper tray 200.
An upper ejector 600 including upper ejecting pins 620 may be disposed on top of the upper assembly 31 so that the ice may be removed from the upper assembly 31 using the upper ejector 600. The number of the upper ejecting pins 620 may be equal to the number of the ice chambers 33. When the upper ejecting pin 620 extends through the upper assembly 31 and is inserted into the ice chamber 33 to press the ice therein, the pressed ice may be removed from the upper assembly 31.
Furthermore, a lower ejector 700 including lower ejecting pins 720 may be further included so that ice closely contacting the lower assembly 32 may be removed therefrom using the lower ejector. The number of the lower ejecting pins 720 may be equal to the number of the ice chambers 33. For example, the lower ejector 700 may be fixed to the upper assembly 31. When the lower assembly 32 pivots, the lower ejector 700 may press a lower surface of the lower chamber 420 to deform the lower chamber to remove the ice from the lower chamber 420.
During a pivot movement of the lower assembly 32 for the ice removal, the pivotal force of the lower assembly 32 may be transmitted to the upper ejector 600. For this purpose, the ice maker 30 may further include a connection unit 830 that connects the lower assembly 32 and the upper ejector 600 to each other.
In one example, when the lower assembly 32 pivots in one direction, the upper ejector 600 may be lowered by the connection unit 830 connected to the lower assembly so that the upper ejecting pin 620 may press the ice. When the lower assembly 32 pivots in an opposite direction, the upper ejector 600 may be raised by the connection unit 830 so as to return to an original position.
Hereinafter, each of the components constituting the ice maker 30 will be described in more detail.
The upper cover 100 may include a cover body 110 including a front portion 111 extending in the vertical direction and sidewalls 112 respectively formed on both opposing sides of the front portion 111, an inclined portion 113 disposed in rear of the cover body 110, and a rear portion 114 extending from a rear end of the inclined portion 113. A unit guide 140 as an opening extending in the vertical direction may be formed in the sidewall 112 to guide vertical movement of the upper ejector 600. An air guide 120 including an air guide hole 120h that communicates with the door supply duct hole 25h and receive the cold air may be formed in one side of the cover body 110. The air guide 120 may communicate with a bottom of the water supply 130. The cold air supplied through the air guide 120 may flow along a lower surface of the inclined portion 113 toward the front portion 111. Since the cover body 110, the air guide 120, and the water supply 130 of the upper cover 100 are integrated into an integral body, not only the number of parts may be reduced, but also the occurrence of assembly tolerances may be reduced.
The upper ejector 600 may be disposed on top of the upper cover 100. The upper ejector 600 may include an upper ejector body 610 extending in one direction and the plurality of upper ejecting pins 620 protruding in a downward direction from the upper ejector body 610. An upper rib 611 extending in one direction may be formed on a top of the upper ejector body 610. An upper ejector guide 640 may be formed on each of both opposing side surfaces of the upper ejector body 610 so that the upper ejector 600 may move up and down along the unit guide 140 of the upper cover 100. Furthermore, a removal prevention protrusion 630 may be disposed on each of both opposing side surfaces of the upper ejector body 610. The removal prevention protrusion 630 may prevent the connection unit 830 from being removed from the upper ejector body 610 while the upper ejector body 610 is coupled to the connection unit 830.
The upper tray 200 may be disposed under the upper cover 100. The upper tray 200 may include a plurality of upper chambers 220 extending downwardly from the upper plate 210. Each inlet guide 230 having a pin inlet opening 230h defined therein into which each upper ejecting pin 620 is inserted may extend upwardly from each upper chamber 220. One inlet guide 230 among the plurality of inlet guides 230 may include a water-supply guide 231. That is, a partial area of one inlet guide 230 may be cut away so as to be open toward the water supply 130 to form the water-supply guide 231 so that water having flowed through the water supply 130 may flow through the water-supply guide 231 into the ice chamber 33. One or more pin guides 150 that extend upwardly and are disposed around an inlet guide 230 of the upper tray 200 may be formed on the upper cover 100. The pin guide 150 may guide the upper ejecting pin 620 so as to be correctly inserted into the inlet guide 230.
A heating wire receiving groove 250 may be recessed in the upper surface of the upper tray 200 and may extend so as to surround the upper chambers 220. A heating wire (not shown) is received in the heating wire receiving groove 250, so that the ice may be more easily removed from the upper chamber 220 during the ice-removal process. A heating wire cover 900 may be disposed on a top of the heating wire (not shown). The heating wire cover 900 incudes a heating wire cover body 910 having a closed curve shape and composed of a flat body 912 and a curved body 911, and may be formed to have a shape similar to a shape of a circumference of a combination of the plurality of upper chambers 220.
A driving unit support 260 that supports and is coupled to the driving unit 800 may be formed at one side of the upper tray 200. The driving unit support 260 may include a bent portion 261 that extends upwardly and outwardly from one side of the upper plate 210 and a coupling portion 262 that is coupled to the driving unit 800.
A pair of inserts 805 formed in an upper area of the driving unit 800 so as to protrude toward the coupling portion 262 may be respectively inserted into a pair of receiving holes 262h formed in the coupling portion 262, thereby guiding the driving unit 800 to be easily coupled to the coupling portion 262. A fixing portion 804 may protrude upwardly from a top of the driving unit 800 and include a fixing hole 804h defined therein. The driving unit 800 may be fixed to the coupling portion 262 via a separate fastening member that passes through the fixing hole 804h of the fixing portion 804 and is fastened to a coupling portion 263 formed in an upper area of the coupling portion 262. The driving unit 800 may include a first rotating shaft 801 that provides a driving force to pivot the lower assembly 32 and a second rotating shaft 802 that provides a driving force to pivot a full-ice detection lever 870.
A pair of coupling portions 240 that extend rearwardly and are bent upwardly may be respectively formed on both opposing sides of a rear portion of the upper plate 210 of the upper tray 200. A pair of coupling holes 240h may be respectively formed in the pair of coupling portions 240. The ice maker 30 may be fixed to the support mechanism 40 via the pair of coupling portions 240 of the upper tray 200. Referring to
A pair of protrusions 280 protruding in a frontward direction may be formed on a front surface of the upper plate 210 of the upper tray 200. The pair of protrusions 280 may secure a spacing of the ice maker 30 from a structure located in front of the ice maker 30. A pair of hinge supporters 270 protruding downwardly and respectively having hinge holes 270h extending in a left-right direction may be respectively disposed on both opposing sides of a lower surface of the upper plate 210 of the upper tray 200. A tray bushing 840 may be coupled to each hinge supporter 270.
The upper tray 200 may be made of a metal material. For example, the upper tray 200 may being manufactured using a die casting scheme using a metal material and thus be formed to have high rigidity. In this way, the upper tray 200 may be made of a material having high rigidity and thus may minimize deformation of the upper chamber 220, and may also serve as a supporting member supporting the driving unit 800.
The lower assembly 32 may include a lower tray 400 including a plurality of lower chambers 420, a lower supporter 500 supporting a bottom of the lower tray 400, and a lower cover 300 that fixes the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500.
A pair of hinge bodies 530 may be disposed on both opposing sides of the lower supporter 500 and may be respectively connected to the pair of hinge supporters 270 of the upper cover 100. A hinge hole 531 of the hinge body 530 may be connected to the hinge hole 270h of the hinge supporter 270. Respective shaft connection portions 811 and 821 of a first link 810 and a second link 820 may pass through the hinge holes 531 of the pair of hinge bodies 530, respectively. A connection shaft 850 extending in one direction may be disposed between the shaft connection portion 811 of the first link 810 and the shaft connection portion 821 of the second link 820 which are arranged to face each other. A rotation shaft connection portion 813 may be formed on one side of the first link 810 disposed adjacent to the driving unit 800, and may be connected to a rotation protrusion portion 803 formed on the first rotating shaft 801 of the driving unit 800, thereby transmitting the driving force of the driving unit 800 to the lower assembly 32.
A pair of coupling shafts 512 protruding outwardly may be respectively formed on both opposing sides of the lower supporter 500. Each coupling shaft 512 may be coupled to a supporter connection hole 832 defined in one side surface of each of a pair of connection units 830. An ejector connection hole 831 coupled to the removal prevention protrusion 630 of the upper ejector 600 may be formed in the other side of each connection unit 830. The removal prevention protrusion 630 of the upper ejector 600 may be connected to the ejector connection hole 831 of the connection unit 830 while being located out of the unit guide 140 of the upper cover 100. When the lower assembly 32 pivots, the pivot force of the lower assembly 32 is transmitted to the upper ejector 600 via the connection unit 830, such that the upper ejector 600 may move up and down along the unit guide 140 of the upper cover 100.
The first link 810 and the second link 820 may be connected to the lower supporter 500 via a pair of elastic members 860, respectively. For example, the elastic member 860 may be embodied as a coil spring. One end of each of the elastic members 860 may be connected to each of respective spring connection holes 812 and 822 of the first link 810 and the second link 820, while the other end of each of the elastic members 860 may be connected to an elastic member coupling portion 513 formed on each of both opposing sides of the lower supporter 500. For example, a catcher groove 514 may be recessed into a bottom of the elastic member coupling portion 513 such that the other end of the elastic member is caught with the catcher groove. The elastic members 860 may provide an elastic force to the lower supporter 500 so that a state in which the upper tray 200 and the lower tray 400 are in contact with each other is maintained.
The lower ejector 700 may be disposed under the lower assembly 32. The lower ejector 700 may press the lower assembly 32 so that the ice closely contacting the lower assembly 32 is removed from the lower assembly 32. The lower ejector 700 may include a lower ejector body 710 and a plurality of lower ejecting pins 720 protruding from the lower ejector body 710. The number of the lower ejecting pins 720 may be equal to the number of the ice chambers 33. The lower ejector 700 may be fixed to the upper assembly 31. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the lower ejector 700 may be fixed to the support mechanism 40. In the ice-removal process, when the lower assembly 32 pivots toward the lower ejector 700, a lower surface of the lower chamber 420 formed in the lower tray 400 of the lower assembly 32 is pressed and deformed by the lower ejector 700, so that the ice closely contacting the lower chamber 420 may be removed therefrom.
Each protrusion 750 protruding outwardly may be formed on each of both opposing side surfaces of the lower ejector body 710. Each protrusion 750 may be fixed by a support holder 43 formed on a front surface of the support mechanism 40. Furthermore, a groove 751 may be formed in one side surface of each protrusion 750. A protrusion formed on the support mechanism 40 may be inserted into the groove 751 so that the movement of the lower ejector 700 in the left-right direction may be more strongly restricted. Furthermore, a fastening boss 740 extending from a rear surface of the lower ejector body 710 backwardly may be formed. The fastening boss 740 may be fastened to a coupling hole formed in the support mechanism 40 via a separate fastening member such as a screw. Accordingly, the lower ejector body 710 may be fixed so that the movement in the frontward and backward directions of the lower ejector body 710 is restricted by the support mechanism 40.
A pair of coupling portions 730, each having a coupling hole 730h defined therein, may be respectively formed on both opposing sides of a top of the lower ejector body 710. A pair of ejector connection portions 290 may be formed on a rear surface of the upper tray 200 and may extend outwardly and be bent so as to respectively cover the coupling portions 730 of the lower ejector body 710. Each ejector connection portion 290 has a coupling hole 290h defined therein. The coupling hole 290h may be coupled to the coupling hole 730h formed in the coupling portion 730 of the lower ejector body 710 via a separate fastening member such as a screw. Accordingly, the lower ejector 700 may be fixed to the upper assembly 31. A pair of ejector connection guides may be disposed on a rear surface of the upper cover 100 and may extend in a downward direction to be positioned in front of an upper area of the lower ejector 700 so as to guide a fixing position of the lower ejector 700.
An amount of ices stored in the ice bin 20 may be detected using the full-ice detection lever 870. The full-ice detection lever 870 may include a detection portion 871 that extends in an elongate manner in one direction and is bent at both ends thereof, and a pair of hooks 872 respectively formed at both ends of the bent detection portion 871. The hook 872 formed at one end may be connected to the first rotation shaft 801 of the driving unit 800 and may receive the driving force from the driving unit 800. The hook 872 formed at the other end may be inserted into and caught with a lever through-hole 121h of a lever receiving portion 121 extending downwardly from the air guide 120 of the upper cover 100. However, the lever receiving portion 121 may be formed as a separate structure from the upper cover 100 rather than being integral with the upper cover 100, and may be mounted on the inner sidewall 27 of the first door 11. Alternatively, a through hole may be defined in the inner sidewall 27 of the first door 11 itself such that the hook 872 may be caught with the through hole.
Hereinafter, the lower cover 300, the lower tray 400, and the lower supporter 500 constituting the lower assembly 32 will be described in more detail with reference to
Referring to
The lower tray 400 may include the plurality of lower chambers 420. The lower chambers 420 may be connected to each other via a chamber connection portion 421. Therefore, the plurality of lower chambers 420 connected to each other via the chamber connection portion 421 and the chamber connection portion 421may substantially constitute a significant portion of a body of the lower tray 400.
The plurality of lower chambers 420 may be arranged in a plurality of rows. Each row extends in the first direction. The plurality of rows may be arranged in the second direction intersecting the first direction. For example, a plurality of first-row lower chambers 420a may be arranged along a first row, and a plurality of second-row lower chambers 420b may be arranged along a second row. The lower chambers 420 arranged in the same row may be arranged so that side surfaces thereof contact each other. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and one lower chamber 420 may be spaced, by a predetermined spacing, from an adjacent lower chamber 420 thereto. The first-row lower chamber 420a and the second-row lower chamber 420b are arranged in the left-right direction corresponding to the long sides of the lower tray 400, respectively. The first-row lower chambers 420a and the second-row lower chambers 420b may be arranged alternatively in in the left-right direction to increase space efficiency. That is, the first-row lower chambers 420a and the second-row lower chambers 420b may be arranged in a zigzag manner in the plan view. In the present disclosure, an example in which the lower chambers 420 are arranged in the first row and the second row is described. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the rows in which the lower chambers 420 are arranged may further include a third row, a fourth row, etc.
A pressed portion 423 may be formed on a bottom of each lower chamber 420. The pressed portion 423 may be an area that comes into contact with the lower ejecting pin 720 when the lower tray 400 is deformed by the lower ejector 700. The pressed portion 423 is formed at a center of the lower chamber 420 so that when the lower chamber 420 is deformed by the lower ejecting pin 720, the lower chamber 420 may be deformed as in a uniform manner as possible. Furthermore, the pressed portion 423 is formed in a flat shape having a larger area size in a plan view than an area size thereof in contact with the lower ejecting pin 720. The pressed portion 423 is formed to have a predetermined thickness so as to reduce wear of the bottom of the lower chamber 420 due to repeated deformation thereof.
Referring to
The insertion protrusion 440 may be disposed between lower chambers 420 adjacent to each other in the front-back direction, and may extend in a curved manner along a curved arc of a circumference of the lower chamber 420. As the insertion protrusion 440 extends in the curved manner in this way, a contact area between the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 may be increased, thereby more effectively preventing the lower tray 400 from being removed from the lower supporter 500.
Furthermore, as the insertion protrusion 440 extends in the curved manner along a curved arc of a circumference of the lower chamber 420, a distance from the insertion protrusion 440 to a center of each lower chamber 420 may be constant as the insertion protrusion 440 extends in the curved manner along the curved arc of the circumference of the lower chamber 420. Accordingly, even when the lower ejector 700 presses the lower chamber 420, each lower chamber 420 may secure a deformation amount thereof such that each lower chamber 420 may be deformed as uniformly as possible without being affected by a shape of the insertion protrusion 440. However, the shape of the insertion protrusion 440 is not limited thereto. In another example, the insertion protrusion 440 may extend in a straight shape while being disposed between the lower chambers 420 adjacent to each other in the front-back direction.
The insertion protrusion 440 may include a protrusion body 446 extending downwardly so as to pass through the slot 540 of the lower supporter 500, and a hook 441 connected to a bottom of the protrusion body 446. The hook 441 may be formed to have a width that decreases as the hook extends downwardly. Accordingly, the hook 441 of the insertion protrusion 440 may easily pass through the slot 540 of the lower supporter 500. A width of the protrusion body 446 may be smaller than the largest width of the hook 441. For example, at a connection position between the protrusion body 446 and the hook 441, the protrusion body 446 may include a recess that is recessed inwardly beyond a top of the hook 441. The width of the protrusion body 446 may be smaller than the largest width of the hook 441 by the recess formed in the above manner, such that a step portion 445 may be formed at a boundary between the protrusion body 446 and the hook 441. The step portion 445 of the hook 441 formed in this manner may allow the hook 441 having passed through the slot 540 of the lower supporter 500 to be hook-coupled to the slot 540 prevent the lower tray 400 from being detached from the lower supporter.
The insertion protrusion 440 as described above may extend generally along a center line passing through a center in a short side of the lower tray 400. As the insertion protrusion 440 extends generally along the center line in this way, a fixing force between the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 in a center area in the front-rear direction of each of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 may be effectively secured.
Furthermore, the insertion protrusion 440 is disposed between the lower chambers 420 adjacent to each other in the front-back direction. Thus, even when the lower chamber 420 is deformed by the lower ejector 700, the lower tray 400 may be prevented from being removed from the lower supporter 500 and a uniform deformation amount may be applied to the lower chambers 420.
A direction in which the fixing structure connecting the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 to each other extends so as to be engaged with the slot of the lower supporter is parallel to a direction in which the lower ejector 700 presses the lower chamber 420. Thus, even when the lower ejector 700 presses the lower chamber 420, the lower tray 400 may be more effectively prevented from being removed from the lower supporter 500.
The lower tray 400 may further include a perimeter wall 410 that protrudes upwardly and extends along a shape of the outer edge of the arrangement of the plurality of lower chambers 420. The perimeter wall 410 may be formed in a shape that surrounds the plurality of lower chambers 420. The perimeter wall 410 may include a first wall 411 having a curved surface and a second wall 412 having a flat surface. For example, the first walls 411 and the second walls 412 may be arranged alternately with each other along a direction in which the perimeter wall 410 extends. The arrangement of the first walls 411 and the second walls 412 may surround the plurality of lower chambers 420. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The first wall 411 may protrude further outwardly beyond the second wall 412. Therefore, the adjacent first walls 411 may be connected to each other via a wall connection portion 413 extending outwardly from an upper end of the second wall 412.
A portion of the perimeter wall 410 located at the front side of the lower tray 400 may be named a front wall 414, and a portion of the perimeter wall 410 located at the rear side of the lower tray 400 may be named a rear wall 415. For example, the front wall 414 may be a vertical wall extending vertically in an upward direction, and the rear wall 415 may be a curved wall that extends upwardly in a curved manner so as to be away from the lower chamber 420. Furthermore, the uppermost level of the front wall 414 may be higher than the uppermost level of the rear wall 415. For example, a height of the perimeter wall 410 may increases as the perimeter wall 410 extends from a rear surface to a front surface thereof.
A lower cover plate 430 may be formed so as to extend horizontally outwardly of the perimeter wall 410. A pair of first upper protrusions 431 may be respectively disposed on upper surfaces of both opposing side portions of the perimeter wall 410 so as to protrude upwardly from the lower cover plate 430.
Furthermore, one or more second upper protrusions 432 protruding in an upward direction from the lower cover plate 430 may be disposed in front of the perimeter wall 410. When a plurality of second upper protrusions 432 are present, the second upper protrusions 432 adjacent to each other may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. For example, each second upper protrusion 432 may be disposed between the lower chambers 420 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction.
A pair of side limiters 433 protruding in an outward direction from the lower cover plate 430 and extending vertically may be disposed on both opposing sides of the perimeter wall 410. Each side limiter 433 may be disposed between the first upper protrusion 431 and each second upper protrusion 432. The side limiters 433 may limit the movement of the lower tray 400 in the left-right direction, i.e., the horizontal direction in a state in which the lower tray 400 is combined with the lower cover 300 and the lower supporter 500. The side limiter 433 protrudes from a side surface of the lower cover plate 430, and a vertical dimension of the side limiter 433 may be greater than a thickness of the lower cover plate 430. For example, a portion of the side limiter 433 may be positioned at a higher vertical level than a vertical level of the upper surface of the lower cover plate 430, while another portion thereof may be positioned at a lower vertical level than a vertical level of a lower surface of the lower cover plate 430. Therefore, a portion of the side limiter 433 may contact a side surface of the lower cover 300, and another portion thereof may contact a side surface of the lower supporter 500.
One or more lower protrusions 450 protruding in a downward direction may be disposed on a bottom of a rear area of the lower tray 400. When a plurality of lower protrusions 450 are present, adjacent lower protrusions 450 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. For example, each lower protrusion 450 may be disposed between the lower chambers 420 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction.
A lower extension 460 extending in a downward direction may be formed at a rear side of the lower tray 400. The lower extension 460 may be formed to extend in the left-right direction of the lower tray 400. The lower extension 460 may be seated on a step portion 570 of the lower supporter 500 as described below. Therefore, the lower extension 460 may guide a coupling position of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500. Furthermore, a plurality of rear protrusions 461 protruding outwardly may be formed on a rear surface of the lower extension 460. The plurality of rear protrusions 461 may be arranged along the left-right direction of the lower extension 460 while being spaced apart from each other. Each rear protrusion 461 may be positioned in a corresponding manner to each first-row lower chamber 420a. Each rear protrusion 461 may be inserted into each protrusion receiving hole 323 of the lower cover 300 as described below.
The lower supporter 500 may include a supporter body 523 that supports the lower tray 400. The supporter body 523 may include a plurality of chamber receiving portions 520 for respectively accommodating therein the plurality of lower chambers 420 of the lower tray 400. Each chamber receiving portion 520 may be formed in a shape corresponding to a shape of the lower surface of the lower chamber 420. A lower opening 521 may be formed in an inner center area of the chamber receiving portion 520 such that the lower ejector 700 passes through the lower opening 521 during the ice-removal process. Therefore, the lower opening 521 may be formed in each chamber receiving portion 520. The lower surface of the lower chamber 420 of the lower tray 400 may be exposed to the outside through the lower opening 521. In this case, an outer diameter of the pressed portion 423 located on the lower surface of the lower chamber 420 may be smaller than an inner diameter of the lower opening 521. Accordingly, a spacing 526 may extend along an outer circumference of the pressed portion 423 and may be defined between the pressed portion 423 and the lower opening 521. As the spacing 526 is formed between the pressed portion 423 and the lower opening 521 in this way, the pressed portion 423 may be uniformly deformed even when the lower ejector 700 pressed and deforms the pressed portion 423.
A reinforcing body 524 may be formed along a circumference of a lower surface of the lower opening 521. Furthermore, a connection rib 525 may be formed on a lower surface of the lower supporter 500 to connect the adjacent reinforcing bodies 524 to each other to reinforce a strength of the lower supporter.
The lower supporter 500 may further include a supporter plate 510 extending horizontally from a top of the supporter body 523. The slot 540 extending in an elongate manner in the left-right direction may be defined in a center area in the front-back direction of the supporter plate 510. Thus, the insertion protrusion 440 of the lower tray 400 may be inserted into the slot 540. The hook 441 of the insertion protrusion 440 may pass through the slot 540 such that the protrusion body 446 of the insertion protrusion 440 may be received in the slot 540. Therefore, a width of the slot 540 may be substantially similar to that of the protrusion body 446. The slot 540 may be positioned at a position corresponding to the position of the insertion protrusion 440, and thus may overlap the insertion protrusion 440 vertically, and may be formed in an opening shape so that the insertion protrusion 440 may be fixedly inserted into the opening.
One or more depressed grooves 555 depressed in a downward direction may be defined in an upper surface of a rear area of the supporter plate 510. When a plurality of depressed grooves 555 are present, adjacent depressed grooves 555 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. For example, each depressed groove 555 may be disposed between the chamber receiving portions 520 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. When the lower tray 400 is combined with the lower supporter 500, the lower protrusion 450 of the lower supporter 500 may be fixedly inserted into the depressed groove 555 of the supporter plate 510. Therefore, the depressed groove 555 may have a shape corresponding to that of the lower protrusion 450 and be disposed at a position corresponding to a position of the lower protrusion 450 and thus may overlap with the lower protrusion 450 vertically.
One or more stopping step receiving grooves 550 may be formed in a lower surface of a front area of the lower supporter 500. When the stopping step receiving groove 550 includes a plurality of stopping step receiving grooves, the adjacent stopping step receiving grooves 550 may be arranged to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance. For example, each stopping step receiving groove 550 may be positioned at a position corresponding to a position of a center of each chamber receiving portion 520, and that is, may overlap the center of each chamber receiving portion 520 in the front-back direction. The stopping step receiving groove 550 may be upwardly recessed in the lower surface of the front area of the supporter plate 510 having a predetermined thickness. A first front stopping step portion 311 of the lower cover 300 which will be described later may be hooked and engaged with the stopping step receiving groove 550 of the lower supporter 500.
A pair of hinge bodies 530 which protrude rearwardly and respectively include hinge holes 531 passing therethrough may be respectively disposed on both opposing sides in the left-right direction of the lower supporter 500. Both opposing sides of the lower supporter 500 may be respectively finished with both opposing outer walls 511. A pair of coupling shafts 512 may be respectively disposed on both opposing outer walls 511 so as to protrude outwardly therefrom. Further, a pair of elastic member coupling portions 513 may be respectively disposed on both opposing outer walls 511 so as to protrude outwardly therefrom. Furthermore, a pair of side protrusions 560 may be respectively disposed on lower ends of both opposing outer walls 511 so as to protrude outwardly therefrom.
The step portion 570 may be formed on the rear surface of the lower supporter 500 so as to support the lower extension 460 of the lower tray 400 thereon. The step portion 570 may be formed to extend in the left-right direction of the lower supporter 500 so as to have a shape corresponding to a shape of the lower extension 460 of the lower supporter 500. A vertical level of an upper end of the step portion 570 may be lower than a vertical level of an upper end of the supporter plate 510, so that a step may be formed on the rear area of the supporter plate 510.
In one example, the lower cover 300 may include a lower cover plate 303 for fixing the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500. A portion of the lower tray 400 may contact a lower surface of the lower cover plate 303 such that that the lower tray is fixed to the lower cover plate. A hollow 305 may be defined in the lower cover plate 303. A partial area including the lower chamber 420 of the lower tray 400 may pass through the hollow 305 and may be exposed to the outside therethrough. For example, when the lower tray 400 is fixed to the lower cover plate 303 while the lower tray 400 is positioned under the lower plate 211, a portion of the lower tray 400 may protrude upwardly beyond the lower cover plate 303 through the hollow 305.
The lower cover 300 may further include an inner wall 340 surrounding a portion of the lower tray 400 passing through the lower cover plate 303. The inner wall 340 may be formed in a shape that surrounds the lower chamber 420 and extends along a shape of a portion of a circumference of the lower chamber 420 of the lower tray 400.
A front wall 310 extending in a downward direction may be formed on a front surface of the lower cover plate 303, a rear wall 320 extending in a downward direction may be formed on a rear surface thereof, and a pair of side walls 330 may be formed between the front wall 310 and the rear wall 320. Each curved finishing wall 319 that surrounds each of corners of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 may be disposed between the front wall 310 and each side wall 330.
The side wall 330 may be formed as a short side having a length smaller than a length of each of the rear wall 320 and the front wall 310, while each of the rear wall 320 and the front wall 310 may be formed as a long side having a relatively larger length than the length of the side wall 330. Furthermore, the rear wall 320 may be relatively shorter in length than the front wall 310. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
A first rear stopping step portion 321 may be formed on a lower area of an inner surface of the rear wall 320 and may extend in one direction in which the rear wall 320 extends. A second rear stopping step portion 322 may be formed on an upper area of the inner surface of the rear wall 320 and may extend in one direction in which the rear wall 320 extends. Each of the first rear stopping step portion 321 and the second rear stopping step portion 322 may be formed to protrude inwardly of the lower cover 300. The first rear stopping step portion 321 may be formed to protrude further inwardly beyond the second rear stopping step portion 322.
The first rear stopping step portion 321 may be formed to be bent inwardly of the lower cover 300 from a lower end of the rear wall 320 which extends in a downward direction. An upper surface of a distal end of the first rear stopping step portion 321 may be a curved surface, so that when the lower cover is coupled to the lower supporter 500 as described later, coupling and contacting therebetween may be facilitated. The first rear stopping step portion 321 may be in contact with a lower surface of the lower supporter 500.
The second rear stopping step portion 322 is formed on the upper area of the rear wall 320 extending in the downward direction. However, a position of the second rear stopping step portion 322 is not limited to the uppermost end of the rear wall 320. For example, the second rear stopping step portion 322 may be positioned so as to be spaced apart from the uppermost end of the rear wall 320 by a predetermined distance in the downward direction. However, the second rear stopping step portion 322 may be located on an upper area in the vertical direction of the rear wall 320. Both opposing ends of the second rear stopping step portion 322 may be connected to the inner wall 340 extending downwardly of the lower cover plate 303. Accordingly, even when a strong load is applied to the second rear stopping step portion 322, the deformation of the rear wall 320 may be minimized. The second rear stopping step portion 322 and the rear wall 320 may support an outer surface of the rear wall 415 of the lower tray 400.
A plurality of protrusion receiving holes 323 may be formed in the rear wall 320. For example, the plurality of protrusion receiving holes 323 may be arranged in one direction and may be positioned between the first rear stopping step portion 321 and the second rear stopping step portion 322. The protrusion receiving holes 323 may be formed so as to extend through the lower cover 300 in the front-rear direction. Each rear protrusion 461 of the lower tray 400 may be fixedly inserted into each protrusion receiving hole 323.
One or more first front stopping step portions 311 may be formed to protrude from a lower area of an inner surface of the front wall 310 inwardly of the lower cover 300. When the lower cover 300 is coupled to the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500, the first front stopping step portion 311 may be inserted into and may be fixedly hook-coupled to or engaged with the stopping step receiving groove 550 of the lower supporter 500. When a plurality of first front stopping step portions 311 are present, the adjacent first front stopping step portions 311 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. For example, each first front stopping step portion 311 may be positioned in a corresponding manner to each lower chamber 420, and that overlap therewith in the front-back direction.
One or more second front stopping step portions 312 may be formed to protrude from an upper area of the inner surface of the front wall 310 inwardly of the lower cover 300. The second front stopping step portion 312 may be formed to extend in one direction along the left-right direction of the front wall 310. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second front stopping step portion 312 may include a plurality of second front stopping step portions 312. When the plurality of second front stopping step portions 312 are present, the second front stopping step portions 312 adjacent to each other may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. For example, each second front stopping step portion 312 may be positioned on top of the first front stopping step portion 311 and may positionally correspond to each first front stopping step portion 311 and thus overlap therewith vertically.
Between the front wall 310 and the inner wall 340 of the lower cover 300, a receiving portion 313 may be formed. When the lower cover 300 covers the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500, the receiving portion 313 may surround and accommodate the front area of each of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500. A depression 314 may be formed in the receiving portion 313 of the lower cover 300, such that the second upper protrusion 432 formed on the front surface of the lower tray 400 is seated in the depression 314. The depression 314 may be formed in a shape corresponding to that of the second upper protrusion 432 and may be disposed at a corresponding position to a position of the second upper protrusion 432. Therefore, the depression 341 may include a plurality of depressions. Each depression 341 may be disposed between the lower chambers 420 that are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction.
A pair of first receiving grooves 331 may be respectively formed in lower areas of both opposing side walls 330 of the lower cover 300. The first receiving groove 331 may be formed in a recessed shape in an upward direction to have a predetermined recess space. The first upper protrusion 431 of the lower tray 400 may be fixedly inserted into the first receiving groove 331. Therefore, the first receiving groove 331 may be formed in a corresponding shape to a shape of the first upper protrusion 431.
The lower cover 300 may be formed as an integral closed curved frame including the hollow 305 defined therein. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the lower cover 300 may be formed in separate structures which may be assembled with each other. For example, referring to
The lower assembly 32 may be assembled by first coupling the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 to each other, and then coupling the lower cover 300 to the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 in a swing scheme. When assembling the lower cover 300 with the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 in the swing scheme, the rear wall 320 of the lower cover 300 may first come into contact with the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500, and then the rear area of each of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 may be pressed into an area between the first rear stopping step portion 321 and the second rear stopping step portion 322 and may be engaged therewith. Afterwards, the front wall 310 of the lower cover 300 may pivot in a downward direction using the rear wall 320 of the lower cover 300 as a pivot axis, and then the front area of each of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 may be pressed into an area between the first front stopping step portion 311 and the second front stopping step portion 312 formed on the front wall 310 of the lower cover 300 and may be engaged therewith.
The lower cover 300 assembled into the lower assembly 32 may surround the front surface and the rear surface of each of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500, and may press the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 in opposite directions, respectively. so that the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 may be restrained. That is, the front wall 310 of the lower cover 300 may include the first front stopping step portion 311 pressing the lower supporter 500 upwardly and the second front stopping step portion 312 pressing the lower tray 400 downwardly. The rear wall 320 of the lower cover 300 may include the first rear stopping step portion 321 pressing the lower supporter 500 upwardly and the second rear stopping step portion 322 pressing the lower tray 400 downwardly.
Specifically, the first front stopping step portion 311 and the second front stopping step portion 312 of the lower cover 300 may press the lower surface of the supporter plate 510 of the lower supporter 500 and the upper surface of the lower cover plate 430 of the lower tray 400, respectively. Furthermore, the first rear stopping step portion 321 and the second rear stopping step portion 322 of the lower cover 300 may press the lower surface of the step portion 570 of the lower supporter 500 and the upper surface of the lower extension 460 of the lower tray 400, respectively.
The lower cover 300 presses both the front and rear surfaces of each of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500. However, it is preferable that a supporting force of a portion thereof that provides the pivot axis during the assembly be greater. For example, after the lower cover 300 has been assembled into the lower assembly, the deformation of the lower cover 300 should be minimized so that the hook coupling or fitting coupling of the lower cover 300 is not easily released. Therefore, the rear wall 320 of the lower cover 300 may be subjected to minimized deformation so as to maintain a strong coupling force thereof. The front wall 310 of the lower cover 300 may be deformed relatively in a larger amount than the deformation amount of the rear wall 320 so that the front wall 310 may be easily couped to the lower tray and the lower supporter in the swing scheme. That is, the hook coupling achieved using the front wall 310 of the lower cover 300 may be achieved using the plastic deformation of the lower cover 300 or a deformation amount below a deformation amount at which the lower cover 300 is broken. The fitting coupling achieved using the rear wall 320 of the lower cover 300 may be achieved using strong fixation and support using substantially non-deformation.
An area where the first rear stopping step portion 321 contacts the lower supporter 500 may be larger than an area where the first front stopping step portion 311 contacts the lower supporter 500. Further, the first rear stopping step portion 321 may extend inwardly of the lower supporter 500 beyond the first front stopping step portion 311. Accordingly, the rear wall 320 on which the first rear stopping step portion 321 has been formed may be deformed in a relatively smaller amount than the deformation amount of the front wall 310 on which the first front stopping step portion 311 has been formed.
The first rear stopping step portion 321 may extend continuously along the arrangement of the plurality of lower chambers 420 arranged in one direction. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, referring to
The lower assembly may be configured such that the pivot direction in which the lower cover 300 is assembled into the lower assembly 32, and the vertical direction in which the lower tray 400 receives the force from the lower ejector 700 during the ice removal after the lower cover 300 has been assembled into the lower assembly may be different from each other. Thus, a strength for maintaining the workability and the fastening force for the assembly into the lower assembly may be secured.
In one example, after the lower assembly 32 has been assembled, a partial area of the perimeter wall 410 of the lower tray 400 may be formed to protrude upwardly beyond the inner wall 340 of the lower cover 300. In this case, the uppermost end of the perimeter wall 410 of the lower tray 400 may further protrude upwardly so as to be spaced from the uppermost end of the inner wall 340 of the lower cover 300 by a predetermined distance. When a spacing between the top of the perimeter wall 410 of the lower tray 400 and the top of the inner wall 340 of the lower cover 300 is defined, the lower tray 400 made of the soft material may be prevented from folding or rolling during the assembly process.
Each of the ice maker 30 and the refrigerator 1 according to the present disclosure as described above may include the fixing structure that may prevent the components of the lower assembly 32 from being removed from each other in various directions.
The lower cover 300 of the lower assembly 32 may have a first fixing structure that fixes both the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 thereto, so that removal in the vertical direction of each of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 from the lower cover may be prevented.
For example, the first fixing structure of the lower cover 300 may be composed of the front wall 310 including the first front stopping step portion 311 pressing the lower portion of the lower supporter 500, the second front stopping step portion 312 pressing the upper portion of the lower tray, and the rear wall 320 including the first rear stopping step portion 321 pressing the lower portion of the lower supporter 500 and the second rear stopping step portion 322 pressing the upper portion of the lower tray 400.
The first fixing structure may include a front portion located in front of the lower chambers 420 and a rear portion located in rear of the lower chambers 420. Therefore, the first fixing structure may mainly strengthen the coupling strength between the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 in an edge area of the lower assembly 32.
In addition, the lower cover 300 having the first fixing structure is formed so as to surround the front surface, the rear surface, and the side surface of each of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500, and may prevent the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 from being removed from the lower cover in all of the frontward, backward, left, and right directions.
In the present disclosure, an example in which the lower cover 300 is formed as an integral body or is divided into two separate left and right portions or front and rear portions assembled to each other is described above. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of lower covers 300 may be provided, in which the plurality of lower covers 300 may not be coupled to each other, and each of the plurality of lower covers 300 may function as each separate fixing member that fixes the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 thereto. In this case, an edge area of each of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 may not be entirely surrounded with the plurality of lower covers 300, but only a portion of the edge area of each of the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 may be surrounded with the plurality of lower covers 300.
Furthermore, the lower assembly 32 may include a second fixing structure disposed between the lower chambers 420 adjacent to each other in the front-back direction, thereby preventing the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 from being removed from each other in the vertical direction.
For example, the second fixing structure may be composed of the insertion protrusion 440 formed on the lower tray 400 so as to protrude downwardly of the lower tray 400, and the slot 540 formed in the lower supporter 500 so that the insertion protrusion 440 passes through the slot.
The second fixing structure may be disposed between the lower chambers 420 adjacent to each other in the front-back direction, and may be located in the center area in the front-back direction of the lower assembly 32. Therefore, the second fixing structure may mainly strengthen the coupling strength between the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 in the center area in the front-back direction of the lower assembly 32.
In this way, the lower assembly 32 includes the first fixing structure that strengthens the coupling strength in the edge area and the second fixing structure that strengthens the coupling strength in the center area in the front-back direction, such that the most uniform fixing strength over the entire area of the lower tray 400 of the lower assembly 32 may be applied to the lower tray.
Therefore, in each of the ice maker 30 and the refrigerator 1 according to the present disclosure, even when the ice chamber is deformed, unintended deformation of structures other than the ice chamber may be reduced, and the ice chambers may be deformed in the uniform amount, thereby reduce the ice-removal failure.
Furthermore, the lower assembly 32 may include a third fixing structure located on the side of and/or in front of the lower chamber 420, thereby preventing the lower tray 400 and the lower cover 300 from being removed from each other in the frontward/backward direction and the left/right direction.
For example, the third fixing structure may be located on both opposing sides of the lower assembly 32, that is, on both opposing sides of the lower chamber 420. In this case, the third fixing structure may be composed of the first upper protrusion 431 formed on the lower tray 400 so as to protrude upwardly of the lower tray 400, and the first receiving groove 331 formed in the lower portion of the lower cover 300 such that the first upper protrusion 431 is inserted into the first receiving groove 331.
Furthermore, the third fixing structure may be located in front of the lower assembly 32, that is, in front of the lower chamber 420. In this case, the third fixing structure may be composed of the second upper protrusion 432 formed on the lower tray 400 so as to protrude upwardly of the lower tray 400, and the depression 314 formed in the lower portion of the lower cover 300 so as to receive therein the second upper protrusion 432.
Therefore, the third fixing structure may mainly strengthen the coupling strength between the lower tray 400 and the lower cover 300 in the front area and the side area of the lower assembly 32.
Furthermore, the lower tray 400 of the lower assembly 32 may include a fourth fixing structure that prevents the lower supporter 500 and the lower cover 300 from being removed from each other in the left-right direction.
For example, the fourth fixing structure may include the side limiter 433 disposed at each of both opposing sides of the lower tray 400, and extending in the vertical direction so as to overlap the side surface of each of the lower supporter 500 and the lower cover 300 in the horizontal direction. In this case, the side limiter 433 may be located outwardly of the side surface of each of the lower supporter 500 and the lower cover 300.
The side limiter 433 may also be positioned at the rear and/or front surface of the lower assembly 32. For example, the side limiter 433 may be positioned at the front and/or rear surface of the lower tray 400 and may extend in the vertical direction so as to overlap the front surface and/or the rear surface of each of the lower supporter 500 and the lower cover 300 in the horizontal direction. In this case, the side limiter 433 may be positioned outwardly of the front surface and/or the rear surface of each of the lower supporter 500 and the lower cover 300.
Accordingly, the fourth fixing structure may prevent the lower supporter 500 and the lower cover 300 from being removed from each other in the left-right direction, as well as may prevent the lower supporter 500 and the lower cover 300 from being removed from each other in the front-back direction.
Furthermore, the lower assembly 32 may include a fifth fixing structure that prevents the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 from being removed from each other in the up-down and left-right directions.
For example, the fifth fixing structure may include a combination of the rear protrusion 461 protruding outwardly from the lower extension 460 located at the rear side of the lower tray 400, and the protrusion receiving hole 323 formed in the rear wall 320 of the lower cover 300 into which the rear protrusion 461 is inserted.
The lower assembly 32 as described above may provide various schemes of fixing structures that may prevent the components of the lower assembly 32 from being removed from each other in the up-down, front-back, and left-right directions, thereby strongly fixing the ice tray without a separate fastening member.
An example in which the lower assembly 32 described above has the coupling structure of the lower tray 400, the lower supporter 500, and the lower cover 300 is described above. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, with reference to
One or more coupling protrusions 480 may be formed on an outer side surface of a front portion of the perimeter wall 410 of the lower tray 400. For example, the coupling protrusion 480 protruding frontwards may be formed on the outer side surface of the front portion of the perimeter wall 410 and at a position corresponding to each lower chamber 420. In one example, a coupling wall 590 extending upwardly may be formed at the front side of the supporter plate 510 of the lower tray 500. The coupling wall 590 may be formed to extend upwardly by a length sized such that the coupling wall may be coupled to the coupling protrusion 480 of the lower tray 400 when the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 are coupled to each other. Therefore, when the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 are coupled to each other, at least a partial area of the front portion of the perimeter wall 410 of the lower tray 400 may be screened with the coupling wall 590. For example, the coupling wall 590 may be formed to have a plurality of coupling slits 591, each being recessed, by a predetermined distance, downwardly in an upper end of the coupling wall. Each of the coupling slits 591 may be positioned at a position corresponding to that of the coupling protrusion 480 of the lower tray 400. When the lower tray 400 is displaced downwardly from a position on top of the lower supporter 500 and is coupled to the lower supporter, the coupling protrusion 480 may be inserted into the coupling slit 591 in a sliding scheme and may be coupled thereto in a hook manner. However, this coupling scheme between the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 is only an example and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A coupling structure that may be coupled to the coupling protrusion 480 may be formed on an inner side surface of the coupling wall 590 of the lower supporter 500. Thus, the coupling structure may be fastened to the coupling protrusion 480, such that the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 may be fixed to each other. Furthermore, in
Furthermore, with reference to
A coupling protrusion extension 481 may be formed on an outer side surface of the front portion of the perimeter wall 410 of the lower tray 400. For example, the coupling protrusion extension 481 may be formed to protrude frontwards from the outer side surface of the front portion of the perimeter wall 410 and may be disposed at a position corresponding to a position of each of the plurality of lower chambers 420. In this case, the coupling protrusion extension 481 may be formed to extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the long side of the perimeter wall and corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of lower chambers 420 in the left-right direction. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the coupling protrusion extension 481 may extend discontinuously and thus may be divided to a plurality of portions arranged so as to be spaced from each other. For example, one coupling protrusion extension 481 may be formed to extend by a length corresponding to a length of the arrangement of three lower chambers 420 in the left-right direction, and another coupling protrusion extension 481 may be formed to extend by a length corresponding to a length of the arrangement of further three lower chambers 420 in the left-right direction. The coupling protrusion extension 481 may include a body portion 482 extending outwardly from the outer side surface of the perimeter wall 410, and a hook protrusion 483 protruding upwardly and downwardly from an outer distal end of the body portion 482. Although
In one example, a coupling wall 592 extending upwardly may be formed at a front side of the supporter plate 510 of the lower tray 500. The coupling wall 592 may be formed to extend upwardly by a length sized such that the coupling wall may be coupled to the coupling protrusion extension 481 of the lower tray 400 when the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 are coupled to each other. Therefore, when the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500 are coupled to each other, at least a partial area of the perimeter wall 410 of the lower tray 400 may be screened with the coupling wall 592. For example, a coupling slit extension hole 592h may be formed in the coupling wall 592 so as to extend continuously in the longitudinal direction of the long side of the perimeter wall. The coupling slit extension hole 592h may be defined in the coupling wall 592 and may have a form of an elongate hole extending in one direction, that is, the left-right direction of the lower supporter. A vertical dimension of the coupling slit extension hole 292h may be similar to or slightly larger than a vertical dimension of the body portion 482 of the coupling protrusion extension 481, and may be smaller than a vertical dimension of the hook protrusion 483 of the coupling protrusion extension 481. Accordingly, when the lower tray 400 is coupled to the lower supporter 500, the coupling protrusion extension 481 passes through the coupling slit extension hole 592h, and thus is located outwardly of the coupling wall 592. Thus, the coupling protrusion extension 481 is coupled to the coupling slit extension hole 292h in a hook manner, thereby improving a fastening force between the lower tray 400 and the lower supporter 500. A coupling wall 593 extending upwardly and a coupling slit extension hole 593h defined therein may be formed at a rear side of the supporter plate 510 of the lower tray 500, and may be fastened to the coupling protrusion extension 481 formed on the rear portion of the perimeter wall 410 of the lower tray 400.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0155323 | Nov 2023 | KR | national |
