Refrigerator ice maker

Abstract

A refrigerator using a bidirectional ice maker capable of overlapping a plurality of ice making cycles in time to speed up ice making and / or deliver ice to a plurality of storage bins.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of China, filed on June 18, 2020, application number 202080077927.9, entitled "Two-way refrigerator ice maker". Background Technology

[0002] Household refrigerators typically include a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment. The former is kept at a temperature above freezing to store fresh food and liquids, while the latter is kept at a temperature below freezing to store frozen food for extended periods. Various refrigerator designs have been used, including: top-mounted refrigerators, which include a freezer compartment near the top of the refrigerator and can be accessed through a separate outer door from the refrigerator compartment's outer door, or through an inner door within the refrigerator compartment; side-by-side refrigerators where the freezer and refrigerator compartments are adjacent to each other and extend roughly along most of the refrigerator's height; and bottom-mounted refrigerators, where the freezer compartment is located below the refrigerator compartment and includes sliding and / or hinged doors for access to both the freezer and refrigerator compartments.

[0003] Regardless of the refrigerator design, many refrigerator designs also include an ice dispensing system with an externally accessible dispenser positioned at a convenient height at the front of the refrigerator, typically on a surface within one of the doors providing access to one of the refrigerator compartments. The ice dispensing system usually also includes an ice maker capable of producing ice and storing it in a storage tank for later dispensing by the consumer as needed.

[0004] Some ice maker designs used in refrigerators include a fixed, upward-facing mold in which ice is formed, and a rotating ejector for popping the ice out of the mold after it has formed. Some designs also include a heater that is activated before the ice is ejected to release it from the mold, creating a layer of water on the outer surface of the ice. Therefore, in many such designs, once the ice has been ejected from the mold, it can be temporarily supported by an additional structure adjacent to the mold, allowing the water on the surface of the ice to refreeze before it falls into the storage compartment, where it might otherwise freeze together while remaining in the compartment.

[0005] One limitation of conventional fixed-mold ice makers is the potentially long time between ice-making cycles. Because each batch of ice is produced using the same mold, production of one batch typically cannot begin until the previous batch is finished. Therefore, if a consumer completely empties the storage tank, such as when refilling the ice bucket, it can take a considerable amount of time to refill it. Consequently, there has always been a need in the existing technology for a way to accelerate ice-making in refrigerator ice makers.

[0006] Furthermore, some conventional ice distribution systems utilize multiple storage tanks to, for example, increase overall ice storage capacity. However, transferring ice from the ice maker to multiple storage tanks can be complex, requiring specialized doors or other mechanisms to correctly deliver ice to different tanks. Therefore, there remains a need in the art for another simple and efficient method to transfer ice to different storage tanks. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The embodiments described herein address these and other problems related to this technology by providing a bidirectional ice maker capable of overlapping multiple ice-making cycles in a timely manner to accelerate ice making and / or delivering ice to multiple storage tanks.

[0008] Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, the refrigerator ice maker may include: a mold comprising a plurality of mold cavities; a first drying surface and a second drying surface disposed on opposite sides of the mold; and a rotatable discharger configured to discharge ice blocks formed in the plurality of mold cavities onto either the first drying surface or the second drying surface.

[0009] In some embodiments, the mold is upward-facing and fixed. Additionally, in some embodiments, the rotatable ejector includes a plurality of levers extending generally transversely to the axis of rotation of the rotatable ejector and configured to sweep across a plurality of mold cavities, and at least one of a first drying surface and a second drying surface includes a plurality of slots configured to allow the plurality of levers to pass through at least one of the first and second drying surfaces. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the rotatable ejector is bidirectional and configured to rotate in a first direction to eject ice onto the first drying surface and in a second direction to eject ice onto the second drying surface.

[0010] In some embodiments, the rotatable ejector is configured to rotate in a first direction to eject a first set of partially frozen ice cubes formed in a plurality of mold cavities onto a first dry surface, wherein the refrigerator ice maker is configured to fill the mold with water before the first set of ice cubes is fully frozen, so as to begin forming a second set of ice cubes in the mold while the first set of ice cubes is arranged on the first dry surface.

[0011] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the rotatable ejector is configured to rotate after the mold is filled with water and push the first set of ice blocks away from the first drying surface. In some embodiments, the rotatable ejector is configured to rotate the first set of ice blocks and push them away from the first drying surface by rotating in a second direction to bring ice blocks from the second set of ice blocks into contact with ice blocks from the first set of ice blocks. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the rotatable ejector is configured to rotate in a second direction after the first set of ice blocks has been pushed away from the first drying surface to eject the second set of ice blocks onto a second drying surface.

[0012] Furthermore, some embodiments may include a first ice-distributing surface and a second ice-distributing surface, which are generally located above the axis of rotation of the rotatable ejector and between the first and second drying surfaces, and are respectively configured to divert ice formed in the plurality of mold cavities to the first and second drying surfaces. In some embodiments, a first storage container and a second storage container are respectively located below the first and second drying surfaces, such that ice pushed off the first and second drying surfaces falls into the first and second storage containers, respectively. Some embodiments may also include a heater coupled to the mold and configured to heat the mold, thereby releasing ice in conjunction with the rotatable ejector ejecting the ice.

[0013] Consistent with another aspect of the invention, a refrigerator ice maker may include: a mold having a plurality of mold cavities; a drying surface arranged adjacent to the mold; and a rotatable ejector configured to eject ice blocks formed in the plurality of mold cavities onto the drying surface, the rotatable ejector also configured to push the ice blocks away from the drying surface after the mold is filled with water.

[0014] Additionally, in some embodiments, the rotatable ejector is bidirectional and configured to rotate in a first direction to eject ice cubes onto a dry surface, and in a second direction to push the ice cubes away from the dry surface after the mold has been filled with water. In some embodiments, the ice cubes comprise a first set of ice cubes, wherein the rotatable ejector is configured to rotate in the first direction to eject a first set of partially frozen ice cubes formed in a plurality of mold cavities onto the dry surface, and wherein the refrigerator ice maker is configured to fill the mold with water before the first set of ice cubes is completely frozen, so as to begin forming a second set of ice cubes in the mold while the first set of ice cubes is arranged on the dry surface.

[0015] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the rotatable ejector is configured to rotate and push the first set of ice blocks away from the first drying surface by rotating in a second direction to bring ice blocks from the second set of ice blocks into contact with ice blocks from the first set of ice blocks. In some embodiments, the drying surface is the first drying surface, wherein the refrigerator ice maker further includes a second drying surface extending from the first drying surface along opposite sides of the mold, and wherein the rotatable ejector is configured to rotate in the second direction after the first set of ice blocks is pushed away from the first drying surface to eject the second set of ice blocks onto the second drying surface.

[0016] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first storage container and the second storage container are located below the first drying surface and the second drying surface, respectively, such that ice blocks pushed off the first drying surface and the second drying surface fall into the first storage container and the second storage container, respectively. Additionally, some embodiments may also include an ice block diversion surface located generally above the axis of rotation of the rotatable ejector and configured to divert ice blocks formed in the plurality of mold cavities toward the drying surface.

[0017] In some embodiments, the ice distribution surface is a first ice distribution surface, and the drying surface is a first drying surface, wherein the refrigerator ice maker further includes: a second drying surface extending from the first drying surface along opposite sides of the mold; and a second ice distribution surface located generally above the rotation axis of the rotatable ejector and configured to divert ice formed in the plurality of mold cavities to the second drying surface.

[0018] Consistent with another aspect of the invention, a refrigerator ice maker may include: a mold comprising a plurality of mold cavities; a drying surface arranged adjacent to the mold; and a rotatable ejector configured to eject a first set of ice blocks formed in the plurality of mold cavities onto the drying surface, the rotatable ejector also being configured to: push the first set of ice blocks away from the drying surface by ejecting a second set of ice blocks subsequently formed in the plurality of mold cavities.

[0019] Consistent with another aspect of the invention, a refrigerator may include: a cabinet including one or more food compartments and one or more doors for closing the one or more food compartments; and an ice-making system disposed in the cabinet. The ice-making system includes: an ice maker having a plurality of mold cavities and a rotatable ejector configured to eject ice blocks formed in the plurality of mold cavities; and a first storage container and a second storage container respectively disposed below a first side and a second side of the molds, wherein the rotatable ejector of the ice maker is configured to: rotate in a first direction to eject ice blocks for dispensing into the first storage container, and rotate in a second direction to eject ice blocks for dispensing into the second storage container.

[0020] Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more food compartments include a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, the refrigerator compartment being arranged in a cabinet above the freezer compartment and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a first side wall and a second side wall, the bottom wall separating the refrigerator compartment from the freezer compartment; wherein, the refrigerator also includes a control console extending upward from the bottom wall of the refrigerator compartment only a portion of the height of the refrigerator compartment and spaced apart from each of the top wall, the first side wall and the second side wall, the control console including one or more walls separating the internal compartment of the control console from the refrigerator compartment, and wherein an ice maker and a first storage container are arranged in the control console.

[0021] Consistent with another aspect of the invention, a method of making ice may include: forming ice blocks in a mold of a refrigerator ice maker; discharging the ice blocks from the mold onto a dry surface of the refrigerator ice maker; filling the mold with water after discharging the ice blocks; and pushing the ice blocks away from the dry surface after the mold is filled with water.

[0022] These and other advantages and features characterizing the invention have been set forth in the appended claims and form another part of this document. However, for a better understanding of the invention and the advantages and objectives obtained through its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are described. The summary section is intended only to introduce a series of concepts further described in the following detailed description and is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to serve as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator consistent with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 It is used for Figure 1 A block diagram of an example control system for a refrigerator.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an ice and water system consistent with some embodiments of the present invention, wherein a portion is cut off.

[0026] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The line 4-4 shows a cross-sectional view of the ice and water system.

[0027] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 Line 5-5 shows a cross-sectional view of the ice maker in the ice and water system.

[0028] Figures 6A to 6G yes Figure 5 The diagram shows a simplified view of the ice maker and illustrates the various operations performed during multiple ice-making cycles.

[0029] Figures 7A to 7G Figure 5 is a simplified view of the alternative ice maker design shown, and illustrates the various operations performed during multiple ice-making cycles.

[0030] Figures 8A to 8H yes Figure 5 The diagram shows a simplified view of another alternative ice maker design, and illustrates various operations performed during multiple ice-making cycles. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in all views, the same numbers represent the same parts. Figure 1 An example refrigerator 10 is shown, in which various technologies and processes described herein can be implemented. Refrigerator 10 is a household refrigerator and therefore includes a cabinet or enclosure 12 comprising one or more food storage compartments (e.g., a refrigerator compartment 14 and a freezer compartment 16) and one or more refrigerator compartment doors 18, 20 and one or more freezer compartment doors 22, 24, which are arranged adjacent to the respective openings of the food storage compartments 14, 16 and configured to isolate the respective food storage compartments 14, 16 from the external environment when the doors are closed.

[0032] The refrigerator compartment 14 is typically maintained at a temperature above freezing for storing fresh foods such as produce, beverages, eggs, condiments, luncheon meat, cheese, etc. Various shelves, drawers, and / or sub-compartments may be provided within the refrigerator compartment 14 for organizing food. It is understood that some refrigerator designs may include multiple refrigerator compartments and / or zones maintained at different temperatures and / or different humidity levels to optimize environmental conditions for different types of food. The freezer compartment 16 is typically maintained at a temperature below freezing for long-term storage of frozen foods and may also include various shelves, drawers, and / or sub-compartments for organizing the food within.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, refrigerator 10 is a bottom-mounted refrigerator, commonly referred to as a French door refrigerator. The refrigerator doors 18 and 20 are side-by-side refrigerator doors hinged along the left and right sides of the refrigerator, providing a wide opening for accessing the refrigerator compartment. The freezer doors 22 and 24 are drawer-like sliding freezer doors that, when pulled out, allow access to items in the freezer compartment. Both the refrigerator and freezer compartments can be considered full-width, as they essentially extend across the entire width of the cabinet 12. However, it is understood that other door designs may be used in other embodiments, including designs for various combinations and numbers of hinges and / or sliding doors for each of the refrigerator and freezer compartments (e.g., a pair of French door freezer doors, a single sliding freezer door, or a single hinged refrigerator and / or freezer door). Furthermore, although refrigerator 10 is a bottom-mounted refrigerator with the freezer compartment 16 positioned below the refrigerator compartment 14, the invention is not limited to this, and therefore, in other embodiments, these principles and techniques may be combined with other types of refrigerators, such as top-mounted refrigerators, side-by-side refrigerators, etc.

[0034] Refrigerator 10 also includes a cabinet-mounted dispenser 26 for dispensing ice and / or water. Dispenser 26 may include one or more external user controls and / or displays, including, for example, a water dispenser control 28 and an ice dispenser control 30. In the illustrated embodiment, dispenser 26 is an ice and water dispenser capable of dispensing both ice and cold water, while in other embodiments, dispenser 26 may be a dispenser that dispenses only ice cubes and / or crushed ice. In other embodiments, dispenser 26 may additionally dispense hot water, sparkling water, coffee, beverages, or other liquids, and may have variable and / or rapid dispensing capabilities. In some cases, ice and water may be dispensed from the same location, while in other cases, separate locations may be provided in the dispenser for dispensing ice and water. Furthermore, although dispenser 26 is shown mounted on cabinet 12 and thus separate from either door, in other embodiments, dispenser 26 may be mounted on a door, so dispenser 26 may be arranged on a refrigerator door or a freezer door. In other embodiments, dispenser 26 may be arranged within a compartment of the refrigerator and is only accessible after the door is opened. Additionally, in some embodiments, ice dispensers and / or water dispensers may not be used because in some refrigerator designs, the ice maker can be located inside the refrigerator and is only accessible after opening the outer door of the refrigerator.

[0035] Refrigerators consistent with this invention typically also include one or more controllers configured to control the refrigeration system and manage interaction with the user. For example, Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator 10 is shown, which includes a controller 40 that receives input from several components and drives those components in response to the input. For example, the controller 40 may include one or more processors 42 and a memory 44, in which program code executable by the one or more processors may be stored. The memory may be embedded in the controller 40, but may also include volatile and / or non-volatile memory, cache memory, flash memory, programmable read-only memory, read-only memory, etc., as well as memory storage physically located outside the controller 40, such as in a mass storage device or on a remote computer connected to the controller 40.

[0036] like Figure 2As shown, the controller 40 can be connected to various components, including a cooling or refrigeration system 46, an ice and water system 48, one or more user controls 50 for receiving user input (e.g., various combinations of switches, knobs, buttons, sliders, touchscreens or touch-sensitive displays, microphones or audio input devices, image capturing devices, etc.), and one or more user displays 52 (including various indicators, graphic displays, text displays, speakers, etc.), as well as various additional components suitable for the refrigerator, such as internal and / or external lighting 54, etc. The user controls and / or user displays 50, 52 can be arranged, for example, on one or more control panels located inside the refrigerator and / or on the refrigerator door and / or other external surfaces of the refrigerator. Additionally, in some embodiments, audio feedback can be provided to the user via one or more speakers, and in some embodiments, user input can be received via a voice- or gesture-based interface. Additional user controls can also be arranged elsewhere in the refrigerator 10, for example, within the refrigerator compartment and / or freezer compartments 14, 16. In addition, the refrigerator 10 can be remotely controlled, for example via a smartphone, tablet, personal digital assistant, or other networked computing device, such as using a network interface or a dedicated application.

[0037] The controller 40 can also connect to various sensors 56 (e.g., one or more temperature sensors, humidity sensors, etc.) located inside and / or outside the refrigerator 10. In some embodiments, such sensors may be located inside or outside the refrigerator 10 and may be wirelessly connected to the controller 40. The sensors 56 may also include other types of sensors, such as door switches, switches that sense when a portion of the ice dispenser has been removed, and other status sensors, which will be further described below.

[0038] In some embodiments, the controller 40 may also be connected to one or more network interfaces 58, for example, for connecting to external devices via wired and / or wireless networks (such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, cellular, and other suitable networks), which together enable... Figure 2 The symbol 60 is indicated at position 60. In some embodiments, network 60 may include a home automation network and may support various communication protocols, including various types of home automation communication protocols. In other embodiments, other wireless protocols, such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, may be used.

[0039] In some embodiments, the refrigerator 10 can be connected to one or more user devices 62 (e.g., computers, tablets, smartphones, wearable devices, etc.) via a network 60, and the refrigerator 10 can be controlled and / or the refrigerator 10 can provide user feedback through these devices.

[0040] In some embodiments, controller 40 may operate under the control of an operating system and may execute or otherwise depend on various computer software applications, components, programs, objects, modules, data structures, etc. Furthermore, controller 40 may also incorporate hardware logic to implement some or all of the functions disclosed herein. Additionally, in some embodiments, the sequence of operations executed by controller 40 to implement the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented using program code comprising one or more instructions residing at various times in various memories and storage devices, and which, when read and executed by one or more hardware-based processors, perform operations embodying the desired functionality. Furthermore, in some embodiments, such program code may be distributed as a program product in various forms, and this invention is equally applicable regardless of the specific type of computer-readable medium used for actual execution of the distribution, including, for example, non-transitory computer-readable storage media. Moreover, it is understood that the various operations described herein may be combined, split, reordered, reversed, altered, omitted, parallelized, and / or supplemented with other techniques known in the art; therefore, this invention is not limited to the specific sequence of operations described herein.

[0041] For those skilled in the art, Figure 1-2 Many variations and modifications of the refrigerator shown are obvious, as will become apparent from the following description. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments discussed herein.

[0042] Two-way ice maker

[0043] In some embodiments discussed below, the refrigerator may include a bidirectional ice maker, which is adapted to increase ice production in several different ways in various embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the bidirectional ice maker may be used to overlap multiple ice-making cycles in time to accelerate the overall ice production rate, as will become more apparent below. Additionally, in some embodiments, instead of accelerating the overall ice production rate, or in addition to accelerating the overall ice production rate, the bidirectional ice maker may be used to streamline the path of ice to multiple storage compartments arranged within the refrigerator. It is understood that control of the ice maker for implementing the various techniques disclosed herein may be managed by one or more controllers of the refrigerator, one or more separate controllers dedicated to the ice and water system or the ice maker, or a combination thereof.

[0044] For example, Figures 3 to 5 An exemplary embodiment of an ice and water system 100 is shown, which includes a bidirectional ice maker 102 consistent with the present invention, and can be used, for example, to implement... Figure 2The refrigerator 10 shown has an ice and water system 48. In addition to the ice maker 102, the system 100 also includes a pair of tandem ice storage tanks arranged below the ice maker 102, referred to herein as upper storage tank 104 and lower storage tank 106. In some embodiments, ice storage and ice and water distribution aspects of the system 100 may be implemented in a manner similar to that shown in U.S. Publications 2019 / 0178556 and 2019 / 0178552, which are assigned to the same assignee as this invention and are incorporated herein by reference.

[0045] Each of the storage tanks 104, 106 is removable, for example, by sliding outward from the front of the refrigerator, and the upper storage tank 104 includes an ice outlet 108 disposed at a first end 110 of the upper storage tank and above a dispenser recess 112 defined by the front of the lower storage tank 106. Ice cubes disposed in the upper storage tank 104 fall through the ice outlet 108 as it moves toward the first end 110. Ice dispensing can be controlled, for example, using an ice dispenser control 114 (e.g., a control paddle, button, or other suitable control) disposed within the dispenser recess 112. Water dispensing can also be controlled by a water dispenser control 116 located below a water outlet 118. It is understood that although the ice outlet 108 and the water outlet 118 are disposed at different locations in the ice and water system 100, in other embodiments, ice and water dispensing can occur from substantially the same location, for example, within the dispenser recess 112. Furthermore, although controls 114 and 116 are respectively located on the front of the lower storage box 106 and the upper storage box 104, in other embodiments, the ice control and / or water control may be arranged on any one of the storage boxes 104 and 106 or on other structures within the refrigerator, such as on a fixed and non-removable surface of the cabinet or chassis, on a compartment door, etc. Additionally, in some embodiments, water dispensing functionality may not be supported. Moreover, as will become more apparent below, embodiments conforming to the present invention do not require the use of multiple storage boxes. Therefore, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to... Figure 3 The specific ice and water system shown.

[0046] For further reference Figure 4The upper storage tank also includes an ice propeller, here an ice auger 120, which is implemented using a metal rod formed in a helical shape, although other ice helical designs may be used in other embodiments. The ice auger 120 is controlled by an ice propeller drive 122 (e.g., an electric motor) arranged near the second end 124 of the upper storage tank 104. Due to the removability of the upper storage tank 104, the ice auger 120 is preferably mechanically coupled to the upper storage tank 104 via a removable coupling 126 (e.g., a keyed coupling that interlocks the ice auger 120 with the ice propeller drive 122 when the upper storage tank 104 is pushed back to the operating position of the ice and water system 100). However, in embodiments where the ice propeller is arranged in a non-removable container, a non-removable coupling may be used.

[0047] The ice and water system 100 may also include an ice crusher assembly 128, which can be selectively activated during dispensing operations to crush ice before it is dispensed through the ice outlet 108. The ice crusher assembly 128 can be deactivated during dispensing operations when ice is needed. Various known ice crusher designs can be used in different embodiments, as will be understood by those skilled in the art who benefit from this invention.

[0048] For further reference Figure 5 The ice maker 102 includes a mold 130 comprising a plurality of mold cavities 132 adapted to produce individual ice cubes. In the illustrated embodiment, the mold 130 is upward-facing and fixed, so that when filled with water, the water freezes into individual ice cubes having the shape of each individual mold cavity 132. Because the mold 130 is upward-facing and fixed, removing ice cubes from the mold 130 generally requires one or more mechanisms to eject the ice cubes from the mold. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a rotatable ejector 134 may extend along the longitudinal axis of the mold 130 and be driven by a motor 136 about an axis of rotation. The ejector 134 may include a shaft (about which the ejector rotates) and a plurality of levers 140 extending generally transversely to the shaft, wherein each lever 140 is positioned to sweep across an individual mold cavity 132 to “push” the ice cube in the mold cavity, thereby ejecting the ice cube from the mold.

[0049] In some embodiments, the mold 130 may include a curved bottom wall with a radius of curvature similar to the length of the lever 140, such that the lever maintains a relatively constant separation from the mold surface as it sweeps across the mold cavity, although the invention is not limited thereto. The resulting ice cubes form circular segments, although other ice cube shapes may be used in other embodiments. It is understood that the ice maker 102 also includes one or more water inlets, for example controlled by one or more valves, for filling the mold cavity 132, but... Figures 3 to 5Not shown in the document. In different embodiments, water can be injected into the mold in various ways, as will be understood by those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure.

[0050] The discharger 134 in the illustrated embodiment is bidirectional and can therefore rotate in two opposite directions. Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more position sensors can be used to determine the rotational position of the discharger, for example, using a stepper motor for motor 136, an encoder, or by using one or more sensors capable of detecting a predetermined position about the axis of rotation (e.g., using a mechanical switch, a magnet / Hall effect sensor, an optical sensor, etc.), or other position sensor designs, as will be understood by those skilled in the art upon which this disclosure is made. In some embodiments, the rotational position of the discharger 134 can also be controlled at least in part based on a predetermined time for driving motor 136 at a known rate of rotation. In some embodiments, the discharger 134 may rotate in only a single direction.

[0051] The ice maker 102 also includes a pair of drying surfaces 142, 144 extending along each side of the mold 130. In some embodiments, the drying surfaces 142, 144 may include grooves 146, 148 formed therein to allow the lever 140 to pass through the drying surfaces when the ejector is rotated to a rotational position where the lever 140 extends above the drying surfaces. A heater 150 may also be provided on the mold 130 to heat at least a portion of the mold to assist in separating or releasing ice from the mold.

[0052] As will be discussed in detail below, each drying surface 142, 144 is configured to temporarily support the ice block before it is dropped into the storage tank. In some embodiments, the drying surface is used to support the ice block for a sufficient period of time to allow any moisture on the surface of the ice block (e.g., generated by heating the ice block by the heater 150) to refreeze, thereby inhibiting the ice block from clumping in the storage tank. However, in other embodiments, the drying surface is used to support the ice block, which is only partially frozen in the mold for a sufficient period of time to be fully frozen, or at least frozen to a sufficiently robust state to withstand being dropped into the storage tank without breaking or cracking.

[0053] It is understood that the drying surfaces 142, 144 can take various forms in different embodiments and may include one or more flat, planar, curved, and / or inclined solid or perforated surfaces, or alternatively, may include a rack-like structure (e.g., an array of lines, strips, etc.) capable of supporting ice cubes in a manner similar to a solid surface. The drying surfaces 142, 144 may be formed of plastic, metal, or other materials and may have varying degrees of friction and / or inclination to control the ease with which ice cubes are allowed to slide off the drying surface and into the storage tank. The drying surfaces 142, 144 may also be prismatic and / or concave to increase airflow around the ice cubes, thereby increasing the rate of drying and / or freezing.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 The drying surface 142 is located above the upper storage tank 104, such that ice blocks falling from the drying surface 142 will fall into the upper storage tank 104. Conversely, the drying surface 144 is located outside the opposite edge of the upper storage tank 104, such that ice blocks falling from the drying surface 144 will not fall into the upper storage tank 104, but will fall into the gap or channel leading to the lower storage tank 106. Figure 4 (As indicated by the crosshairs). Therefore, ice blocks delivered to the drying surface 142 may eventually fall into the upper storage tank 104, while ice blocks delivered to the drying surface 144 may eventually fall into the lower storage tank 106.

[0055] It is understood that in various embodiments of the present invention, different arrangements of holes, channels, channels, gaps, etc., can be used to transport ice blocks to different storage tanks associated with the drying surfaces 142, 144. Furthermore, if only a single storage tank is used, in some embodiments, ice blocks falling from the drying surfaces 142, 144 can all be routed to the same storage tank.

[0056] Turn now Figures 6A to 6G These figures illustrate the operation of an ice maker 102 consistent with some embodiments of the invention. As described above, in some embodiments, the ice maker 102 may be used solely to produce ice for multiple storage tanks, thereby allowing the ice to be fully frozen in the mold 130 before being discharged onto one of the drying surfaces 142, 144. However, in Figures 6A to 6G In the illustrated embodiment, the ice maker 102 is used to overlap multiple ice-making cycles in time to increase the overall ice-making rate of the ice maker 102, in part by discharging ice from the mold 130 onto one of the dry surfaces 142, 144 before it is fully frozen, thereby starting the next ice-making cycle while the ice is still supported on one or both of the dry surfaces 142, 144.

[0057] For example, Figure 6AThe image shows a first ice block 152 that begins to freeze in mold 130 during the first ice-making cycle. When the first ice block 152 is partially frozen to a level where the risk of it breaking if ejected from mold 130 and falling onto dry surface 142 is low, heater 150 (see image) is activated. Figure 5 ) is activated to partially melt the surface of the first ice block 152 and release the first ice block from the mold, as Figure 6B As shown, the ejector 134 rotates clockwise, causing the lever 140 to begin pushing the first ice block 152 out of the mold.

[0058] like Figure 6C As shown, once the ejector 134 has rotated past the fulcrum, the first ice block 152 will fall onto the ejector 134 and onto the dry surface 142. It should be noted that at this point, the first ice block 152 is still partially frozen.

[0059] Next, as Figure 6D As shown, the discharge device 134 can continue to rotate to the position shown in the figure and then stop. Then, the second ice-making cycle may begin, and the mold 130 is refilled with water. After a period of time, the second ice block 154 forms in the mold 130, while the first ice block 152 is completely frozen, or at least frozen to a degree sufficient to withstand falling into the storage tank.

[0060] Next, as Figure 6E As shown, heater 150 (see...) Figure 5 The first ice block 152 is activated to partially melt the surface of the second ice block 154 and release it from the mold. The ejector 134 rotates counterclockwise, causing the lever 140 to begin pushing the second ice block 154 out of the mold. Furthermore, since the first ice block 152 is in the path of the second ice block 154, the second ice block 154 will contact the first ice block 152 as it is pushed out of the mold 130, causing the first ice block 152 to flip off the dry surface 142 and enter the upper storage tank 104.

[0061] Then, as Figure 6F As shown, once the ejector 134 has rotated past the fulcrum, the second ice block 154 will fall onto the ejector 134 and onto the dry surface 144. It should be noted that at this point, the second ice block 154 is still partially frozen. Therefore, as... Figure 6GAs shown, the ejector 134 can continue rotating to the position shown in the figure and then stop. Subsequently, the third ice-making cycle can begin, and the mold 130 is refilled with water. After a period of time, a third ice block 156 forms in the mold 130, while the second ice block 154 is completely frozen, or at least frozen to a degree sufficient to withstand falling into the storage tank. Therefore, when the second ice block 154 is pushed by rotating the ejector 134 clockwise, the process may repeatedly cause the second ice block 154 to fall off the dry surface 144 due to contact with the third ice block 156.

[0062] Therefore, it can be seen that multiple ice-making cycles can overlap in time, with some ice from a single batch freezing in mold 130 and others freezing under the support of the drying surfaces 142 and 144. Thus, by starting subsequent ice-making cycles before the ice is fully frozen in earlier ice-making cycles, the overall time required to produce multiple batches of ice is reduced.

[0063] Turn now Figures 7A to 7G In some embodiments, a bidirectional ice maker may use only a single dry surface, but can still accelerate ice making by overlapping ice-making cycles in time. For example, Figure 7A An ice maker 160 is shown, including a mold 162, a rotatable ejector 164 including a lever 166, and a single drying surface 168 running along one side of the mold 162. The figure also shows a first portion of frozen ice 170 produced in a first ice-making cycle.

[0064] When the first ice block 170 has been partially frozen to a level where the risk of it breaking if ejected from mold 162 and falling onto dry surface 168 is low, the heater can be activated to partially melt the surface of the first ice block 170 and release the first ice block from the mold, as follows: Figure 7B As shown, the ejector 164 rotates clockwise, causing the lever 166 to begin pushing the first ice block 170 out of the mold. Then, as... Figure 7C As shown, once the ejector 164 has rotated past the fulcrum, the first ice block 170 will fall onto the ejector 164 and onto the dry surface 168. It should be noted that at this point, the first ice block 170 is still partially frozen.

[0065] Next, as Figure 7D As shown, unlike the cycle of the ice maker 102 discussed above, the discharge device 164 can be reversed and rotated counterclockwise back to its original position. Figure 7AThe original rotation position is shown. Then, the second ice-making cycle may begin, and the mold 162 is refilled with water. Although in this embodiment, the drain 164 is returned to its original position before the mold 162 is refilled with water, it is understood that in other embodiments, the drain 164 may be returned to its original position after the mold 162 is refilled with water (but before new ice blocks are formed), and the lever 166 simply passes through the unfrozen water in the mold.

[0066] Next, as Figure 7E As shown, at some point thereafter, a second ice block 172 forms in mold 162, while the first ice block 170 is completely frozen, or at least frozen enough to withstand being dropped into the storage tank. Then, as... Figure 7F As shown, the discharge device 164 rotates counterclockwise by a relatively short amount of rotation, causing the lever 166 to contact the first ice block 170, causing it to fall off the dry surface 168 and into the storage tank. At this time, as... Figure 7G As shown, the ice maker 160 is in a position with Figure 7A In the same configuration shown, this can be repeated Figures 7B to 7F In the sequence shown, push the second ice block 172 onto the dry surface 168, and begin the third ice-making operation if necessary.

[0067] Therefore, multiple ice-making cycles can be overlapped in time, with individual batches of ice partially frozen in mold 162 and partially frozen under the support of the drying surface 168. Thus, by starting subsequent ice-making cycles before the ice is fully frozen in an earlier cycle, the overall time required to produce multiple batches of ice is reduced.

[0068] Now go to Figures 8A to 8H The desired approach is to use a structure referred to in this disclosure as an ice diversion surface to divert ice blocks ejected by the ejector onto a dry surface before the ice blocks are essentially “flipped” onto the top of the ejector, as is the case with ice makers 102 and 160.

[0069] For example, Figure 8A An ice maker 180 is shown, comprising a mold 182, a rotatable ejector 184 including a lever 186, and a pair of drying surfaces 190, 192 running along each side of the mold 182 (in other embodiments, a single drying surface may also be used). Furthermore, a pair of ice-distributing surfaces 194, 196 are located approximately on the axis of rotation of the ejector 184 and between the drying surfaces 190, 192, and are configured to distribute ice formed in the mold 182 to the drying surfaces 190, 192 as ice is ejected by the ejector 184. A first portion of frozen ice 200 produced in a first ice-making cycle is also shown in the figure.

[0070] When the first ice block 200 has partially frozen to a level where the risk of it breaking if it pops out of the mold 182 and falls onto the dry surface 192 is low, the heater can be activated to partially melt the surface of the first ice block 200 and release the first ice block from the mold, and as... Figure 8B As shown, the ejector 184 rotates clockwise, causing the lever 186 to begin pushing the first ice block 200 out of the mold. Then, as... Figure 8C As shown, once the discharger 184 has rotated past the predetermined point, the first ice block 200 will be diverted from the ice block diversion surface 196 to the dry surface 192. It should be noted that at this point, the first ice block 200 is still partially frozen.

[0071] Next, as Figure 8D As shown, the discharge device 184 can continue rotating to the position shown in the figure and then stop. Subsequently, the second ice-making cycle can begin, and the mold 182 is refilled with water. After a period of time, a second ice block 202 forms in the mold 182, while the first ice block 200 is completely frozen or at least frozen enough to withstand being dropped into the storage tank. Then, as... Figure 8E As shown, the discharge device 184 rotates clockwise by a relatively short amount of rotation, causing the lever 186 to touch the first ice block 200, causing it to fall off the dry surface 192 and into the storage tank.

[0072] Next, as Figure 8F As shown, heater 150 (see Figure 5 The mechanism is activated to partially melt the surface of the second ice block 202 and release it from the mold, and the ejector 184 rotates counterclockwise, causing the lever 186 to begin pushing the second ice block 202 away from the mold. Then, as... Figure 8G As shown, once the discharge device 184 rotates past the predetermined point, the second ice block 202 will be diverted from the ice distribution surface 194 to the dry surface 190. It should be noted that at this point, the second ice block 202 is still partially frozen. Then, the third ice-making cycle can begin, and the mold 182 is refilled with water. After a period of time, as... Figure 8H As shown, a third ice block 204 is formed in mold 182, while the second ice block 202 is completely frozen or at least frozen enough to withstand falling into the storage tank. Therefore, this process can be repeated, with the second ice block 202 falling from the dry surface 190 due to the counter-clockwise rotation of the ejector 184, and subsequently, the third ice block 204 being ejected onto the dry surface 192 due to the clockwise rotation of the ejector 184.

[0073] Therefore, it can be seen that multiple ice-making cycles can overlap in time again, with some ice from a single batch freezing in mold 182 and others freezing simultaneously under the support of drying surfaces 190 and 192. Thus, by starting subsequent ice-making cycles before the ice is fully frozen in an earlier cycle, the overall time required to produce multiple batches of ice is reduced.

[0074] It is understood that various geometries of the ice distribution surface can be used in other embodiments, including different curvatures, different lengths, different positions, etc. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to... Figures 8A to 8H The specific configuration shown.

[0075] It should also be understood that the various embodiments discussed herein provide numerous unique features that facilitate overlapping ice production cycles and / or simplified pathways for transporting ice to multiple storage compartments within a refrigerator. For example, in some embodiments, the ejector is capable of ejecting ice onto any one of a plurality of dry surfaces arranged along opposite sides of the mold. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the ejector can push ice formed in the mold and ejected onto a dry surface away from the dry surface after the mold is refilled with water. Additionally, in some embodiments, the ejector can push a set of ice formed in the mold and ejected onto a dry surface away from the dry surface by pushing a second set of ice that subsequently forms in the mold, effectively contacting and pushing the first set away from the dry surface. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the ejector can be bidirectional, allowing ice to be ejected into different storage compartments depending on the direction of rotation of the ejector.

[0076] Additionally, in various embodiments that include multiple drying surfaces and multiple storage tanks, it is understood that the sequence of operations performed during the ice-making cycle can vary, for example, by delivering multiple batches of ice to specific storage tanks instead of alternating between different storage tanks.

[0077] Other variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art who possess the interest of this invention. For example, other mechanisms for ejecting ice cubes from a mold can be used, and the various techniques disclosed herein can be applied to other types of molds, such as rotatable and / or torsion molds, to eject ice cubes therefrom. It is understood that various additional modifications can be made to the embodiments discussed herein, and the several concepts disclosed herein can be used in combination with each other or individually. Therefore, the invention is contained in the claims appended below.

Claims

1. A refrigerator ice maker, comprising: The mold includes multiple mold cavities; A drying surface arranged adjacent to the mold; as well as A rotatable ejector is configured to eject ice blocks formed in the plurality of mold cavities onto the drying surface, and the rotatable ejector is also configured to push the ice blocks away from the drying surface after the mold is filled with water; The ice blocks include a first set of ice blocks, wherein the rotatable ejector is configured to rotate in a first direction to eject the first set of ice blocks, which are partially frozen and formed in the plurality of mold cavities, onto the dry surface, and wherein the refrigerator ice maker is configured to fill the mold with water before the first set of ice blocks are completely frozen, so as to begin forming a second set of ice blocks in the mold while the first set of ice blocks are arranged on the dry surface.

2. The refrigerator ice maker according to claim 1, wherein, The rotatable ejector is bidirectional and is configured to rotate in a first direction to eject the ice onto the dry surface, and to rotate in a second direction to push the ice away from the dry surface after the mold is filled with water.

3. The refrigerator ice maker according to claim 1, wherein, The rotatable ejector is configured to rotate in a second direction to push ice blocks from the second group of ice blocks into contact with ice blocks from the first group of ice blocks, thereby rotating the first group of ice blocks and pushing them away from the dry surface.

4. The refrigerator ice maker according to claim 3, wherein, The drying surface is a first drying surface, wherein the refrigerator ice maker further includes a second drying surface extending from the first drying surface along opposite sides of the mold, and wherein the rotatable ejector is configured to rotate in a second direction after the first group of ice cubes is pushed away from the first drying surface to eject the second group of ice cubes onto the second drying surface; wherein the first storage container and the second storage container are respectively located below the first drying surface and the second drying surface, such that ice cubes pushed away from the first drying surface and the second drying surface fall into the first storage container and the second storage container, respectively.

5. The refrigerator ice maker of claim 1 further includes an ice distribution surface, the distribution surface being generally located above the axis of rotation of the rotatable ejector and configured to distribute ice formed in the plurality of mold cavities to the drying surface.

6. The refrigerator ice maker according to claim 5, wherein, The ice distribution surface is a first ice distribution surface, and the drying surface is a first drying surface, wherein the refrigerator ice maker further includes: A second drying surface, the second drying surface extending from the first drying surface along opposite sides of the mold; and A second ice distribution surface is located approximately above the axis of rotation of the rotatable ejector and is configured to divert ice formed in the plurality of mold cavities to the second drying surface.

7. A refrigerator, comprising: The refrigerator ice maker as described in any one of claims 1-6; A cabinet, the cabinet including one or more food compartments and one or more doors for closing the one or more food compartments; and An ice-making system disposed in the cabinet, the ice-making system comprising: The first storage container and the second storage container are respectively disposed below the first side and the second side of the mold. The rotatable ejector of the ice maker is configured to rotate in a first direction to eject the ice blocks for dispensing into the first storage container, and to rotate in a second direction to eject the ice blocks for dispensing into the second storage container.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 7, wherein, The one or more food compartments include a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, the refrigerator compartment being arranged above the freezer compartment in the cabinet and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a first side wall and a second side wall, the bottom wall separating the refrigerator compartment from the freezer compartment; wherein, the refrigerator also includes a control console extending upward from the bottom wall of the refrigerator compartment only a portion of the height of the refrigerator compartment and spaced apart from each of the top wall, the first side wall and the second side wall, the control console including one or more walls separating the internal compartment of the control console from the refrigerator compartment, and wherein the ice maker and the first storage container are arranged in the control console.

9. A method for making ice, the method comprising: Ice blocks are formed in the mold of the refrigerator ice maker as described in any one of claims 1-6; The ice cubes are ejected from the mold onto the dry surface of the refrigerator ice maker; After the ice is removed, the mold is filled with water; as well as After filling the mold with water, push the ice block away from the dry surface.

Images