Refrigerator

Abstract

A refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes: an outer housing for forming an exterior of the refrigerator; an inner housing disposed in the outer housing, and including a first inner wall and a second inner wall facing the first inner wall; and an ice-making device installed in the inner case to make ice, and including an ice-making case supported by the first inner wall and the second inner wall, and an ice-making cover for covering an upper side of the ice-making case, in which the ice-making case is supported by the first inner wall and the second inner wall, and the ice-making cover is configured to cover an upper side of the ice-making case. And the ice making cover can be coupled to and separated from the ice making housing, and the ice making cover supports an article positioned on the ice making cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator including an ice maker. Background Art

[0002] A refrigerator is a device for keeping food fresh, and includes a main body including a storage compartment and a cold air supply system configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment. The storage compartment includes a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, the refrigerating compartment is maintained at about 0 degrees Celsius to 5 degrees Celsius to refrigerate food, and the freezing compartment is maintained at about 0 degrees Celsius to -30 degrees Celsius to freeze and store food. Generally, the storage compartment is arranged to allow the front surface to be opened to put in or take out food, and the open front surface of the storage compartment is opened and closed by a door.

[0003] The refrigerator repeats a refrigeration cycle in which a compressor, a condenser, an expander, and an evaporator are used to compress, condense, expand, and evaporate a refrigerant. At this time, a single evaporator arranged in the freezing compartment can cool both the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment, or evaporators can be respectively provided in the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment so that cooling can be performed independently of each other.

[0004] The refrigerator may include an ice maker configured to produce ice. The ice maker automatically produces ice by including an ice tray configured to produce ice, an ejector configured to eject ice from the ice tray, an ice bucket configured to store ice ejected from the ice tray, and a controller configured to control the ice making process. Summary of the invention

[0005] Technical Solution

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes: an outer shell, which forms the exterior of the refrigerator; an inner shell, which is arranged in the outer shell and includes a first inner wall and a second inner wall opposite to the first inner wall; and an ice maker, which is installed on the inner shell and is configured to produce ice, the ice maker including an ice-making shell and an ice-making cover covering the upper side of the ice-making shell, wherein the ice-making shell is supported by the first inner wall and the second inner wall, and the ice-making cover is detachably connected to the ice-making shell, and the ice-making cover is configured to support items on the upper side of the ice-making cover.

[0007] The ice-making cover may include a shelf member covering the ice-making housing and a fixing protrusion protruding from the shelf member toward the ice-making housing, and the ice-making housing may include an insertion hole into which the fixing protrusion is inserted.

[0008] The ice-making housing may further include a locking protrusion at an edge of the insertion hole, and the fixing protrusion may include a hooking member configured to be locked to the locking protrusion.

[0009] The fixing protrusion may further include an insertion member protruding downward from the shelf member and configured to be inserted into the insertion hole, and the hooking member protrudes from the insertion member.

[0010] The locking protrusion may be provided on a front portion of the edge of the insertion hole, the hooking member protruding from the insertion member in a forward direction, and the forward direction is a direction from the interior of the refrigerator toward a door of the refrigerator.

[0011] The locking protrusion is provided on a rear portion of the edge of the insertion hole, the hooking member protrudes from the insertion member in a rearward direction, and the rearward direction is a direction away from the door of the refrigerator from the interior of the refrigerator.

[0012] The shelf member may be spaced apart from the ice-making housing.

[0013] The shelf member may include a support surface configured to support the item placed on the upper side, and an edge surface on an edge of the support surface and recessed from the edge surface.

[0014] The shelf member may further include a step member between the support surface and the edge surface.

[0015] The shelf member may further include a guide rib protruding upward from the edge surface and disposed in front of the support surface.

[0016] The inner housing may include a rear wall, and the ice-making cover may further include a rear inclined member extending from the shelf member toward the rear wall and inclined upward, the rear inclined member covering a water supplier of the refrigerator, and the water supplier is configured to supply water into the ice-making housing.

[0017] The ice making cover may further include a front inclined member extending from the shelf member toward the front side and inclined downward.

[0018] The inner shell body may further include a rear wall, the fixing protrusion is a first fixing protrusion, and the ice-making cover may further include a second fixing protrusion, the second fixing protrusion is parallel to the first fixing protrusion and is spaced apart in a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction along which the ice-making cover is inserted toward the rear wall; the insertion hole is a first insertion hole, and the ice-making shell body may further include a second insertion hole, the second insertion hole is arranged to be parallel to the first insertion hole and spaced apart in the second direction, and the second insertion hole is configured to receive the second fixing protrusion inserted into the second insertion hole.

[0019] The ice-making shell may further include a first locking protrusion arranged on an edge adjacent to the first inner wall, and the first fixing protrusion may include a first insertion member and a first hooking member, the first insertion member extending downward from the shelf member, the first insertion member being configured to be inserted into the first insertion hole, the first hooking member being configured to be locked to the first locking protrusion, and the first hooking member protruding from the first insertion member toward the first inner wall.

[0020] The ice-making shell may further include a first locking protrusion arranged on an edge adjacent to the second inner wall, and the first fixing protrusion may include a first insertion member and a first hooking member, the first insertion member extending downward from the shelf member, the first insertion member being configured to be inserted into the first insertion hole, the first hooking member being configured to be locked to the first locking protrusion, and the first hooking member protruding from the first insertion member toward the first inner wall.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes: an outer shell forming the exterior of the refrigerator; an inner shell including a first side wall and a second side wall facing the first side wall; and an ice maker, which is mounted on the inner shell, is configured to produce ice, and includes an ice-making shell and an ice-making cover covering an upper side of the ice-making shell, wherein the ice-making shell may include an insertion hole configured for connecting the ice-making shell to the ice-making cover, and the ice-making cover is configured to support items in the inner shell, and the ice-making cover may include a fixing protrusion inserted into the insertion hole.

[0022] The ice-making housing may include a locking protrusion located at the front of the edge of the insertion hole, and the fixing protrusion may include an insertion member and a hooking member, the insertion member is inserted into the insertion hole, the hooking member protrudes from the insertion member in a forward direction and is locked to the locking protrusion, and the forward direction is a direction from the interior of the refrigerator toward the door of the refrigerator.

[0023] The ice-making housing may include a locking protrusion located at the rear of the edge of the insertion hole, and the fixing protrusion may include an insertion member and a hooking member, the insertion member is inserted into the insertion hole, the hooking member protrudes from the insertion member in a rearward direction and is locked to the locking protrusion, and the rearward direction is a direction away from the door of the refrigerator from the interior of the refrigerator.

[0024] The ice making cover may further include a shelf member having a rectangular shape and configured to support items placed on an upper side, and the shelf member may include a guide rib protruding from the upper side.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes: an outer shell, which is at the outside of the refrigerator; an inner shell, which includes a first side wall and a second side wall facing the first side wall; an ice-making shell, which is installed on the inner shell, supports an ice-making unit configured to produce ice, and is supported by the first side wall and the second side wall, the ice-making shell includes a fixing protrusion protruding upward; and an ice-making cover, which is configured to support items placed on the upper side of the ice-making cover, and the ice-making cover covers the upper side of the ice-making shell, the ice-making cover includes an insertion hole, and the fixing protrusion is inserted into the insertion hole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent through the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 4 It is a diagram of Figure 3 A view of a refrigerator in which some parts are disassembled;

[0031] Figure 5 is an exploded view of an ice maker of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 6 It is a graphic Figure 5 A view of the ice making machine when viewed from another angle;

[0033] Figure 7is an exploded view of a first ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 8 is an exploded view of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Fig. 9 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Fig.10 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Fig.11 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Fig.12 is a perspective view of an ice-making cover of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Fig.13 is a bottom perspective view of an ice-making cover and a perspective view of an ice-making housing, illustrating a coupling between the ice-making cover and the ice-making housing of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Fig.14 yes Fig.13 A bottom view of an ice-making housing;

[0041] Fig.15 is a side cross-sectional view of an ice-making cover coupled to an ice-making housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Fig.16 yes Fig.15 an enlarged view of portion A shown;

[0043] Fig.17 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view illustrating the coupling of the ice-making cover and the ice-making housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Fig.18 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the coupling of the ice-making cover and the ice-making housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] Fig.19 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the coupling of the ice-making cover and the ice-making housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] Fig. 20 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view illustrating the coupling of the ice-making cover and the ice-making housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] Fig.21 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which an ice-making cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is inserted into an inner case of a refrigerator;

[0048] Fig. 22 It is a graphic Fig.21 An enlarged side cross-sectional view of a state in which a fixing protrusion of an ice-making cover inserted into an inner housing of a refrigerator is inserted toward a coupling groove;

[0049] Fig.23 It is a graphic Fig. 22 An enlarged view of a fixing protrusion inserted into the coupling groove and locked to the locking protrusion; and

[0050] Fig.24 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The embodiments described in the present disclosure and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the present disclosure and may be modified in various ways to replace the embodiments and drawings of the present disclosure at the time of filing the present application.

[0052] Furthermore, the same reference numerals or symbols shown in the drawings of the present disclosure represent elements or components that perform substantially the same function.

[0053] In addition, the terms used herein are used to describe embodiments and are not intended to limit and / or constrain the present disclosure. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "one", "a", "said", "the" are also intended to include plural forms. In the present disclosure, the terms "including", "having", etc. are used to specify features, quantities, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more features, elements, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof.

[0054] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and a second element may be referred to as a first element. The term "and / or" includes multiple combinations of related items or any one item in multiple related items.

[0055] In the following detailed description, terms such as “up and down direction”, “lower side”, and “front and rear direction” may be defined by the drawings, but the shapes and positions of components are not limited by these terms.

[0056] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0057] Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator including an improved structure of an ice-making cover capable of allowing an ice-making machine to be detached from an ice-making housing.

[0058] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator including an improved structure capable of supporting items on an upper side of an ice-making housing.

[0059] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

[0060] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The refrigerator 1 may include a main body 10 , a storage compartment 20 formed inside the main body 10 , a door 30 configured to open and close the storage compartment 20 , and a cooling system configured to supply cool air to the storage compartment 20 .

[0062] The main body 10 may have an open front surface to allow a user to put food into or take food out of the storage compartment 20. That is, the main body 10 may include an opening 10a formed on the front surface of the main body 10. The opening 10a of the main body 10 may be opened and closed by the door 30. The opening 10a of the main body 10 may be referred to as an opening 10a of the outer shell 12 and an opening 10a of the inner shell 11, which will be described later.

[0063] The body 10 may include an inner case 11 forming the storage compartment 20 , an outer case 12 forming the exterior of the refrigerator 1 , and a body insulator 13 disposed between the inner case 11 and the outer case 12 .

[0064] The outer shell 12 may be formed to have a general shape of a box having a front side with an opening. The outer shell 12 may form upper and lower surfaces, left and right surfaces, and a rear surface of the refrigerator 1 .

[0065] The outer shell 12 may be configured to include a metal material. For example, the outer shell 12 may be manufactured by processing a steel plate material.

[0066] The front surface of the inner case 11 may be opened. The storage compartment 20 may be disposed inside the inner case 11, and the inner case 11 may be disposed inside the outer case 12. The inner wall of the inner case 11 may form the inner wall of the storage compartment 20.

[0067] The inner wall of the inner housing 11 may include: a first inner wall 11a, a second inner wall 11b opposite to the first inner wall 11a, a rear wall 11c disposed between the first inner wall 11a and the second inner wall 11b, an upper wall, and a lower wall. For example, the first inner wall 11a may refer to an inner wall of the inner housing 11 disposed on the right side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 1. The second inner wall 11b may refer to an inner wall of the inner housing 11 facing the first inner wall 11a and disposed on the left side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 1.

[0068] However, the positions of the first inner wall 11a and the second inner wall 11b are not limited thereto. Alternatively, the inner wall of the inner shell 11 disposed on the left side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 1 can be referred to as the first inner wall 11a, and the inner wall of the inner shell 11 disposed on the right side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 1 can be referred to as the second inner wall 11b.

[0069] The inner housing 11 may be configured to include a plastic material. For example, the inner housing 11 may be manufactured by a vacuum forming process. For example, the inner housing 11 may be manufactured by an injection molding process.

[0070] A body insulation 13 may be provided to insulate the outer shell 12 and the inner shell 11 from each other. Since the body insulation 13 may be foamed between the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12, the inner shell 11 and the outer shell 12 may be coupled to each other. The body insulation 13 may prevent heat exchange between the inside of the storage compartment 20 and the outside of the body 10, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the storage compartment 20.

[0071] A polyurethane foam insulation panel, an expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation panel, or a vacuum insulation panel may be used as the body insulation 13. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the body insulation 13 may include various other materials.

[0072] The storage compartment 20 may be formed inside the body 10. For example, the storage compartment 20 may include a freezing compartment maintained at approximately 0 degrees Celsius to -30 degrees Celsius to freeze and store food.

[0073] The storage compartment 20 may be arranged with: a shelf 16 on which food may be placed; a movable shelf 17 which is configured to allow food to be placed on the movable shelf 17 and which is configured to be inserted into or pulled out of the inner shell 11; and a drawer 18 which is configured to store food and which is configured to be inserted into or pulled out of the inner shell 11.

[0074] The inner housing 11 may include an inclined wall 11f. The inclined wall 11f may be arranged in the front portion of the main body 10 so as to be adjacent to the door 30. As the inclined wall 11f is inclined from one side adjacent to the door 30 to the other side toward the rear wall 11c, the inclined wall 11f may protrude toward the inside of the storage compartment 20 relative to the left and right directions. The other side of the inclined wall 11f may be a portion in contact with the first inner wall 11a or the second inner wall 11b. The inclined wall 11f may be arranged along at least a portion of the opening 10a.

[0075] The inclined protruding wall 11g may be arranged below the inclined wall 11f. The inclined protruding wall 11g may be formed to protrude further toward the inside of the storage compartment 20 than the inclined wall 11f with respect to the left-right direction. In addition, the inclined protruding wall 11g may be formed to protrude further forward than the inclined wall 11f. The inclined protruding wall 11g may include a protruding upper surface 11ga. The protruding upper surface 11ga may be arranged adjacent to the front inclined member 1130. The inclined protruding wall 11g may be arranged along at least a portion of the opening 10a.

[0076] When the user observes the inside of the storage compartment 20 through the opening 10 a of the body 10 , the inclined wall 11 f and the inclined protruding wall 11 g may make the volume of the storage compartment 20 look wider, which may make the user feel improved aesthetics.

[0077] The ice making cover 1100 of the ice making machine 1000 may be provided with a front tilting member 1130 (see Fig.12 ), the front inclined member 1130 is formed to correspond to the inclined shape of the inclined protruding wall 11g. Since the inclined shape of the front inclined member 1130 is inclined upward toward the rear side, the inclined shape of the front inclined member 1130 can form a harmonious aesthetic feeling together with the inclined protruding wall 11g. The ice making cover 1100 will be described below.

[0078] The refrigerator 1 may include a cooling system configured to generate cool air using a cooling cycle and supply the generated cool air to the storage compartment 20 .

[0079] The cooling system may generate cold air using the latent heat of evaporation of the refrigerant in the cooling cycle. The cooling system may include a compressor 73, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator 71, a blower fan 72, and the like.

[0080] The main body 10 may be provided with a cooling chamber 50 and a machine chamber 60 for arranging a cooling system. For example, components such as an evaporator 71 configured to generate cold air and a blower fan 72 configured to move the cold air generated by the evaporator 71 may be arranged in the cooling chamber 50. Components such as a compressor 73 and a condenser may be arranged in the machine chamber 50.

[0081] The cooling room 50 may be arranged behind the storage compartment 20. The machine room 60 may be arranged behind the storage compartment 20.

[0082] The components forming the cooling system of the refrigerator 1 may have a relatively heavy weight. Therefore, the cooling chamber 50 and the machine chamber 60 may be disposed at the lower portion of the main body 10. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the cooling chamber 50 and the machine chamber 60 may be arranged in various ways, and the components forming the cooling system may be arranged in various ways corresponding to the positions of the cooling chamber 50 and the machine chamber 60.

[0083] Since cold air is generated by the evaporator 71 in the cooling chamber 50, the cooling chamber 50 can be maintained at a relatively low temperature. However, since heat is generated by the compressor 73 and the condenser in the machine room 60, the machine room 60 may be maintained at a relatively high temperature. Therefore, the cooling chamber 50 and the machine room 60 may be formed in a space separated from each other and insulated from each other. For example, the main body insulation 13 may be formed by foaming between the cooling chamber 50 and the machine room 60.

[0084] like Figure 2 As shown, the evaporator 71 arranged in the cooling chamber 50 can generate cold air by evaporating the refrigerant, and the cold air generated by the evaporator 71 can be moved by the blower fan 72. The cold air moved by the blower fan 72 can flow from the cooling chamber 50 to the storage compartment 20. The cooling chamber 50 can be arranged to communicate with the storage compartment 20.

[0085] For example, the cold air generated by the evaporator 71 may flow upward through the cooling chamber 50 due to the blower fan 72. The cold air moved by the blower fan 72 may flow toward the upper side of the main body 10 along the cold air supply duct 14. The cold air may be discharged toward the front side from the cold air supply duct 14, and may eventually be introduced into the storage compartment 20. Alternatively, the cold air generated by the evaporator 71 may flow to the lower side of the main body 10 due to the blower fan 72, and may be introduced into the storage compartment 20.

[0086] In other words, Figure 2 As shown, the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be an indirect cooling refrigerator. Hereinafter, for the convenience of description, it will be assumed that the refrigerator 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is an indirect cooling refrigerator for description, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and can also be applied to a direct cooling refrigerator.

[0087] The evaporator 71 and the blower fan 72 disposed in the cooling chamber 50 may be referred to as a cool air supply device because the evaporator 71 and the blower fan 72 generate cool air and supply the cool air to the storage compartment 20 .

[0088] The body 10 may include a cool air supply duct 14. The cool air supply duct 14 may form a cool air flow path through which cool air generated by the cool air supply device flows from the cooling chamber 50 to the storage compartment 20. The storage compartment 20 may be provided to communicate with the cool air supply duct 14.

[0089] The cool air supply duct 14 may be formed inside the inner case 11. The cool air supply duct 14 may be formed at the rear of the inner case 11. In particular, the cool air supply duct 14 may be provided at the rear of the storage compartment 20.

[0090] The door 30 may be configured to open and close the storage compartment 20. The door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 10. In particular, the door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the main body 10 by hinges 40 respectively connected to the door 30 and the main body 10. The door 30 may be rotatably coupled to the outer shell 12.

[0091] The outer surface of the door 30 may form a portion of the exterior of the refrigerator 1. The outer surface of the door 30 may form a front surface of the door 30 when the door 30 is closed.

[0092] The inner surface of the door 30 may be formed on a side opposite to the outer surface of the door 30. When the door 30 is closed, the inner surface of the door 30 may form a rear surface of the door 30. When the door 30 is closed, the inner surface of the door 30 may be disposed to face the inside of the body 10. When the door 30 is closed, the inner surface of the door 30 may be disposed to cover the front of the storage compartment 20.

[0093] A foaming space may be formed between the outer surface of the door 30 and the inner surface of the door 30, and the door insulator 31 may be foamed in the foaming space. The door insulator 31 may prevent heat exchange between the outer surface and the inner surface of the door 30. The door insulator 31 may improve the thermal insulation performance between the inside of the storage compartment 20 and the outside of the door 20.

[0094] A polyurethane foam insulation panel, an expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation panel, or a vacuum insulation panel may be used as the door insulator 31. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the door insulator 31 may include various materials.

[0095] For example, the door insulator 31 may be formed of the same material as the main body insulator 13. Alternatively, the door insulator 31 may be formed of a material different from that of the main body insulator 13.

[0096] A door gasket 33 may be disposed on the inner surface of the door 30 to seal a gap between the door 30 and the body 10, thereby preventing cold air from leaking from the storage compartment 20. The door gasket 33 may be provided along the periphery of the inner surface of the door 30. The door gasket 33 may be disposed to be parallel to the opening 10a of the body 10 when the door 30 is closed. The door gasket 33 may include an elastic material such as rubber.

[0097] A door shelf 32 configured to store food may be disposed on an inner surface of the door 30 .

[0098] The refrigerator 1 may include an ice maker 1000 configured to produce ice using cold air in the storage compartment 20. The ice maker 1000 may include an ice making unit 1300 and an ice making unit 1400 configured to produce ice (see FIG. Figure 5 etc.) and an ice-making housing 1200 configured to support the ice-making unit 1300 and the ice-making unit 1400 (see Figure 3 wait).

[0099] The ice maker 1000 may be arranged in the storage compartment 20. The ice maker 1000 may be mounted on the inner housing 11. In particular, the inner housing 11 may include a retainer 11aa and a retainer 11bb provided on the inner wall 11a and the inner wall 11b of the inner housing 11. The ice maker 1000 may be supported by the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb (see Figure 5 For example, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may be formed to protrude from the inner wall 11a and the inner wall 11b of the inner case 11. For example, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may be formed to have a shape concavely recessed on the inner wall 11a and the inner wall 11b of the inner case 11.

[0100] The refrigerator 1 may further include a water supplier 80 configured to receive water from an external water supply source. The water supplier 80 may be configured to supply water supplied from the external water supply source to the ice maker 1000. The ice maker 1000 may produce ice using the water supplied from the water supplier 80.

[0101] The water supplier 80 may be formed to have a tube shape in which a water supply flow path through which water flows is formed.

[0102] The number of water suppliers including the water supplier 80 may be set according to the number of the ice making units 1300 and the ice making units 1400. For example, the ice making units 1300 and the ice making units 1400 may include a first ice making unit as the ice making unit 1300 and a second ice making unit as the ice making unit 1400 (see Figure 5 The water supplier 80 may be provided in plural so as to supply water to each of the ice making unit 1400 and the ice making unit 1300 .

[0103] The water supplier 80 may be arranged to penetrate the main body 10. The water supplier 80 may be arranged to pass through the outer shell 12 and the inner shell 11. In particular, the water supplier 80 may penetrate the rear surface of the outer shell 12 and the rear surface of the inner shell 11. The rear surface of the outer shell 12 and the rear surface of the inner shell 11 may be penetrated by the water supplier 80 relative to the front-to-back direction. The rear surface of the inner shell 11 may refer to the rear wall 11c of the inner shell 11.

[0104] The refrigerator 1 may include an ice bucket 100 configured to contain ice produced by the ice maker 1000. The ice bucket 100 may be disposed in the storage compartment 20.

[0105] The ice bucket 100 may be mounted on the inner case 11. The ice bucket 100 may be supported by the first inner wall 11a and the second inner wall 11b of the inner case 11.

[0106] The ice bucket 100 may be disposed below the ice maker 1000. The ice bucket 100 may be provided to receive ice discharged from the ice making units 1300 and 1400 and moved downward.

[0107] The tub rack 15 configured to support the ice bucket 100 may be disposed in the storage compartment 20. The ice bucket 100 may be seated on the tub rack 15. The tub rack 15 may be supported by the first inner wall 11a and the second inner wall 11b.

[0108] The ice maker 1000 and the ice bucket 100 will be further described below.

[0109] References Figure 1 and Figure 2 The configuration of the described refrigerator 1 is merely an example for describing the refrigerator according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The refrigerator according to the present disclosure may be provided to include various configurations for performing a function of supplying cold air to a storage compartment for storing food.

[0110] In the above-mentioned description, for the convenience of description, a refrigerator 1 including a main body 10 and a single door 30 has been described as an example of the present disclosure, the main body 10 including a single storage compartment 20 formed therein, the single door 30 being configured to open and close the storage compartment 20. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the configuration of the present disclosure may be applied to refrigerators of various types. The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a side-by-side (SBS) type, in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment are arranged on the left or right side (refer to FIG. 1 ). Fig.24). Alternatively, the refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a bottom mounted freezer compartment (BMF) type in which a refrigerating compartment is formed on an upper side and a freezing compartment is formed on a lower side. The refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a top mounted freezer compartment (TMF) type in which a freezing compartment is formed on an upper side and a refrigerating compartment is formed on a lower side.

[0111] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 It is a diagram of Figure 3 A view of a refrigerator in a disassembled state with some parts. Figure 5 is an exploded view of an ice maker of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 It is a graphic Figure 5 A view of the ice machine when viewed from another angle.

[0112] refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the ice maker 1000 of the refrigerator 1 may be provided in the storage compartment 20. The ice maker 1000 may be mounted on the inner case 11.

[0113] The ice maker 1000 may be supported by the first inner wall 11a and the second inner wall 11b of the inner case 11. The ice maker 1000 may be disposed between the first inner wall 11a and the second inner wall 11b.

[0114] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first inner wall 11a may be an inner wall of the inner case 11 disposed on the right side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 1, and the second inner wall 11b may be an inner wall of the inner case 11 disposed to face the first inner wall 11a and disposed on the left side when viewed from the front of the refrigerator 1. That is, the ice maker 1000 may be mounted on the inner case 11 to be supported by the left and right inner walls of the inner case 11, respectively. The first inner wall 11a and the second inner wall 11b on which the ice maker 1000 is supported may face each other with respect to the left-right direction of the refrigerator 1.

[0115] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and when the refrigerator according to the embodiments of the present disclosure is a side-by-side (SBS) type refrigerator in which the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment are arranged left and right, a vertical partition may be arranged between the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment, the vertical partition being configured to separate the refrigerating compartment from the freezing compartment. In this case, the first inner wall may be one of the left inner wall and the right inner wall of the inner case, and the second inner wall may be a side wall of the vertical partition facing the first inner wall.

[0116] In the following, for the convenience of description, based on Figure 3and Figure 4 etc. define and describe the first inner wall 11a and the second inner wall 11b.

[0117] The ice making machine 1000 may include ice making units 1300 and 1400 configured to produce ice, and an ice making housing 1200 configured to support the ice making units 1300 and 1400 .

[0118] The ice-making housing 1200 may be mounted on the inner housing 11. The ice-making housing 1200 may be supported by the inner housing 11. The ice-making housing 1200 may be supported by the inner wall 11a and the inner wall 11b of the inner housing 11.

[0119] In particular, the ice making housing 1200 may include ice making housing walls 1210a and 1210b supported by the inner walls 11a and 11b of the inner housing 11. The ice making housing walls 1210a and 1210b may be outer walls of the ice making housing 1200 facing the inner walls 11a and 11b of the inner housing 11.

[0120] The ice-making housing wall 1210a and the ice-making housing wall 1210b may include a first ice-making housing wall as the ice-making housing wall 1210a supported by the first inner wall 11a and a second ice-making housing wall as the ice-making housing wall 1210b supported by the second inner wall 11b. The ice-making housing wall 1210a may be an outer wall of the ice-making housing 1200 facing the first inner wall 11a. Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the ice-making housing wall 1210a may be a right outer wall of the ice-making housing 1200 arranged on the right side when viewed from the front. The ice-making housing wall 1210b may be an outer wall of the ice-making housing 1200 facing the second inner wall 11b. Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the ice-making housing wall 1210b may be opposite to the ice-making housing wall 1210a, and may be a left outer wall of the ice-making housing 1200 disposed on the left side when viewed from the front.

[0121] The ice-making housing wall 1210a may be arranged substantially parallel to the first inner wall 11a. The ice-making housing wall 1210b may be arranged substantially parallel to the second inner wall 11b.

[0122] The ice making housing wall 1210a and the ice making housing wall 1210b may be formed to be parallel to each other. The ice making housing wall 1210a and the ice making housing wall 1210b may be formed to have shapes substantially corresponding to each other.

[0123] The inner case 11 may include a retainer 11aa and a retainer 11bb formed on the inner walls 11a and 11b of the inner case 11. The ice-making case 1200 may be supported by the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb.

[0124] The holder 11aa and the holder 11bb may be formed to have various shapes capable of supporting the ice-making housing wall 1210a and the ice-making housing wall 1210b.

[0125] For example, the holder 11aa and the holder 11bb may be formed to have a shape protruding from the inner wall 11a and the inner wall 11b of the inner case 11. The holder 11aa and the holder 11bb may protrude to support the ice-making housing wall 1210a and the ice-making housing wall 1210b. The holder 11aa and the holder 11bb may protrude toward the inside of the storage compartment 20. In this case, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb can be inserted into the concave member formed in the ice-making housing wall 1210a and the ice-making housing wall 1210b to support the ice-making housing wall 1210a and the ice-making housing wall 1210b. Alternatively, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb can support the lower side of the ice-making housing wall 1210a and the lower side of the ice-making housing wall 1210b.

[0126] For example, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may be formed to have a shape that is concavely recessed on the inner wall 11a and the inner wall 11b of the inner case 11. The ice-making case wall 1210a and the ice-making case wall 1210b may be provided with a protruding member protruding toward the inner wall 11a and the inner wall 11b of the inner case 11, and when the protruding member is inserted into the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb, the protruding member of the ice-making case wall 1210a and the protruding member of the ice-making case wall 1210b may be supported by the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb.

[0127] In the following, the following will describe Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 The embodiment in which the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb are formed to protrude to support the ice-making housing wall 1210a and the ice-making housing wall 1210b is shown. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and as described above, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb supporting the ice-making housing wall 1210a and the ice-making housing wall 1210b may be concavely recessed on the inner wall 11a and the inner wall 11b of the inner housing 11.

[0128] The retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may extend in a direction parallel to the front-rear direction of the inner case 11. The retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may extend in a direction parallel to the front-rear direction of the inner wall 11a and the inner wall 11b of the inner case 11. Therefore, the ice-making case wall 1210a and the ice-making case wall 1210b may be stably supported in the vertical direction of the inner case 11 by the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb.

[0129] For example, the ice-making housing 1200 may be slid from the front to the rear of the inner housing 11 along the holders 11aa and 11bb extending in a direction parallel to the front-rear direction of the inner housing 11, and then the ice-making housing 1200 may be mounted on the inner housing 11. In other words, the ice-making housing 1200 may be slid from the front to the rear of the inner housing 11 and mounted on the inner housing 11. When the ice-making housing 1200 is mounted on the inner housing 11, the ice-making housing 1200 may be inserted from the front to the rear of the inner housing 11.

[0130] When the ice-making housing 1200 is mounted on the inner housing 11 , the holder 11 aa and the holder 11 bb may guide the installation position of the ice-making housing 1200 in the inner housing 11 and in the installation direction of the ice-making housing 1200 to the inner housing 11 .

[0131] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the manner in which the ice-making housing 1200 is mounted on the inner housing 11 may be provided in various ways. For example, the ice-making housing 1200 may be mounted while sliding in a vertical direction relative to the inner housing 11. Even at this time, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may still extend in a direction parallel to the front-rear direction of the inner housing 11.

[0132] The retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb can be arranged to support the upper part of the ice-making housing wall 1210a and the upper part of the ice-making housing wall 1210b. For example, when the upper part of the ice-making housing wall 1210a and the upper part of the ice-making housing wall 1210b are placed on the upper surface of the retainer 11aa and the upper surface of the retainer 11bb, the ice-making housing wall 1210a and the ice-making housing wall 1210b can be supported by the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb. Therefore, the ice-making housing 1200 can be stably supported by the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the ice-making housing walls 1210a and 1210b can be supported by the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb in various ways.

[0133] The retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may be arranged at a position adjacent to the front of the inner shell 11. That is, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may be arranged closer to the opening 10a of the inner shell 11 than the rear wall 11c of the inner shell 11. Therefore, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may support at least the front of the ice-making housing 1200. In addition, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb are provided at a position adjacent to the front of the inner shell 11, and therefore when the ice-making housing 1200 is inserted into the inner shell 11 from the front to the rear and installed, the ice-making housing 1200 may be more easily guided by the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb.

[0134] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may be disposed at various positions. For example, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may be disposed at positions adjacent to the rear wall 11c of the inner housing 11. For example, the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb may be disposed at positions separated from the opening 10a of the inner housing 11 and the rear wall 11c by substantially equal distances.

[0135] A rear retainer 11e may also be provided in the inner housing 11, and the rear retainer 11e is provided to support the rear of the ice-making housing 1200. The ice-making housing wall 1210a and the ice-making housing wall 1210b may be supported not only by the retainer 11aa and the retainer 11bb, but also by the rear retainer 11e. For example, the rear retainer 11e may be provided on the first inner wall 11a and the second inner wall 11b of the inner housing 11. For example, the rear retainer 11e may be provided on the rear wall 11c of the inner housing 11. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the rear retainer 11e may not be provided in the inner housing 11.

[0136] The holder 11aa and the holder 11bb may include a first holder 11aa disposed on the first inner wall 11a and configured to support the first ice-making housing wall 1210a and a second holder 11aa disposed on the second inner wall 11b and configured to support the second ice-making housing wall 1210b.

[0137] The first retainer 11aa and the second retainer 11bb may be disposed to face each other. The first retainer 11aa and the second retainer 11bb may be disposed at positions corresponding to each other. The first retainer 11aa and the second retainer 11bb may have shapes corresponding to each other.

[0138] The first holder 11aa may have a shape that protrudes toward the storage compartment 20. The first holder 11aa may protrude from the first inner wall 11a toward the first ice-making housing wall 1210a.

[0139] The second holder 11bb may have a shape protruding toward the storage compartment 20. The second holder 11bb may have a shape protruding from the second inner wall 11b toward the second ice-making housing wall 1210b.

[0140] When the first holder 11aa is arranged closer to the opening 10a of the inner case 11 than the rear wall 11c of the inner case 11, the rear holder 11e may be arranged behind the first holder 11aa. The first holder 11aa and the rear holder 11e may support the first ice-making case wall 1210a.

[0141] When the second holder 11bb is arranged closer to the opening 10a of the inner case 11 than the rear wall 11c of the inner case 11, the rear holder 11e may be arranged behind the second holder 11bb. The second holder 11bb and the rear holder 11e may support the second ice-making case wall 1210b.

[0142] The rear retainer including the rear retainer 11e may be provided in plural to support the first ice-making housing wall 1210a and the second ice-making housing wall 1210b.

[0143] However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the first retainer 11aa may extend from the front to the rear of the inner housing 11 so as to be integrally formed with the rear retainer 11e. The first retainer 11aa may be formed to provide support for the entire area between the front and rear of the first ice-making housing wall 1210a. For example, the second retainer 11bb may extend from the front to the rear of the inner housing 11 so as to be integrally formed with the rear retainer 11e. The second retainer 11bb may be formed to provide support for the entire area between the front and rear of the second ice-making housing wall 1210b.

[0144] The ice-making housing 1200 may be fixed to the rear of the inner housing 11. The ice-making housing 1200 may include a rear fixing member 1260 fixed to the rear of the inner housing 11.

[0145] For example, the rear fixing member 1260 may be formed to face the cool air supply duct 14 disposed at the rear of the storage compartment 20. The rear fixing member 1260 may be fixed to the cool air supply duct 14, and may be fixed to the rear of the inner case 11.

[0146] For example, the rear fixing member 1260 may be formed to face the rear wall 11c of the inner case 11. The rear fixing member 1260 may be fixed to the rear wall 11c of the inner case 11, and may be fixed to the rear of the inner case 11.

[0147] For example, the rear fixing member 1260 may include a screw hole 1261, and a screw may penetrate the screw hole 1261 in the front-rear direction. The rear fixing member 1260 may be fixed to the cold air supply duct 14 or the rear wall 11c of the inner case 11 by screw coupling.

[0148] The ice-making housing 1200 may be more securely mounted on the inner housing 11 by the rear fixing member 1260. The configuration of the rear fixing member 1260 described above is merely one example of a configuration for fixing the ice-making housing 1200 to the inner housing 11. The ice-making housing 1200 may be fixed to the inner housing 11 by including various configurations.

[0149] The ice making housing 1200 may form the exterior of the ice making machine 1000. The ice making housing 1200 may include a front portion 1230 forming a front surface of the ice making housing 1200, and the front portion 1230 may form the front exterior of the ice making machine 1000. The front portion 1230 may be formed between the first ice making housing wall 1210a and the second ice making housing wall 1210b. The front portion 1230 may connect the first ice making housing wall 1210a and the second ice making housing wall 1210b.

[0150] The ice making housing 1200 may be formed to have a substantially box shape. The ice making housing 1200 may be formed to have a box shape having at least one open surface. For example, the ice making housing 1200 may have a shape in which a lower portion toward the ice bucket 100 is open. For example, the ice making housing 1200 may have a shape in which a rear portion is open. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the ice making housing 1200 may be formed to have various shapes.

[0151] The ice-making housing 1200 may include a water supplier penetration member 1250 through which the water supplier 80 passes. The water supplier 80 may supply water to the ice-making units 1300 and 1400.

[0152] The water supplier penetration member 1250 may be formed above the ice making housing 1200, but the position of the water supplier penetration member 1250 is not limited thereto.

[0153] The number of the water supplier penetration members 1250 may be set according to the number of water suppliers including the water supplier 80 , but is not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of water suppliers including the water supplier 80 may pass through a single water supplier penetration member 1250 .

[0154] The ice maker 1000 may include an ice making cover 1100. The ice making cover 1100 may be provided to cover an upper side of the ice making housing 1200. The ice making cover 1100 may be coupled to an upper portion of the ice making housing 1200.

[0155] For example, the ice-making cover 1100 may be detachably mounted on the ice-making housing 1200. Alternatively, the ice-making cover 1100 may be integrally formed with the ice-making housing 1200.

[0156] The ice making cover 1100 may form the exterior of the ice maker 1000. The ice making cover 1100 may form the upper surface of the ice maker 1000.

[0157] The ice-making cover 1100 may cover at least a portion of the water supplier 80. In particular, the ice-making cover 1100 may cover at least a portion of the water supplier 80 located inside the storage compartment 20. The ice-making cover 1100 may cover the water supplier penetration member 1250.

[0158] The ice making cover 1100 may be disposed above the ice making unit 1300 and the ice making unit 1400. The ice making cover 1100 may cover upper sides of the ice making unit 1300 and the ice making unit 1400.

[0159] The ice making unit 1300 and the ice making unit 1400 provided in the ice maker 1000 may be configured to produce various types of ice.

[0160] For example, the ice maker 1000 may include a first ice making unit 1300 configured to produce a first type of ice. The first ice making unit 1300 may be supported by a first ice making unit support portion 1241 of the ice making housing 1200.

[0161] For example, the ice maker 1000 may include a second ice making unit 1400 configured to produce a second type of ice. The second ice making unit 1400 may be supported by the second ice making unit support portion 1242 of the ice making housing 1200.

[0162] The first ice-making unit support part 1241 may be provided to support at least an upper portion of the first ice-making unit 1300. The second ice-making unit support part 1242 may be provided to support at least an upper portion of the second ice-making unit 1400.

[0163] The first ice-making unit support 1241 may be disposed under the ice-making cover 1100. An upper portion of the first ice-making unit support 1241 may be covered by the ice-making cover 1100. The second ice-making unit support 1242 may be disposed under the ice-making cover 1100. An upper portion of the second ice-making unit support 1242 may be covered by the ice-making cover 1100.

[0164] The first and second ice-making unit supports 1241 and 1242 may be disposed between the first and second ice-making housing walls 1210a and 1210b. The first and second ice-making unit supports 1241 and 1242 may be covered by the first and second ice-making housing walls 1210a and 1210b in the left-right direction.

[0165] The first ice-making unit support portion 1241 and the second ice-making unit support portion 1242 may be disposed behind the front portion 1230. The front of the first ice-making unit support portion 1241 and the front of the second ice-making unit support portion 1242 may be covered by the front portion 1230.

[0166] The first ice-making unit 1300 and the second ice-making unit 1400 may be arranged side by side with each other. Similarly, the first ice-making unit support portion 1241 and the second ice-making unit support portion 1242 may be arranged side by side with each other.

[0167] For example, the first and second ice-making units 1300 and 1400 may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the refrigerator 1 , and the first and second ice-making unit supports 1241 and 1242 may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction of the refrigerator 1 .

[0168] For example, the first ice-making unit support 1241 may include a hook structure, and the first ice-making unit 1300 may be supported by the first ice-making unit support 1241 through hook coupling. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the first ice-making unit support 1241 may include various structures for fixing the first ice-making unit 1300.

[0169] For example, the second ice-making unit support 1242 may include a hook structure, and the second ice-making unit 1400 may be supported by the second ice-making unit support 1242 through hook coupling. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the second ice-making unit support 1242 may include various structures for fixing the second ice-making unit 1400.

[0170] The configuration allowing the ice-making unit 1300 and the ice-making unit 1400 to be supported by the ice-making housing 1200 is not limited to the above description. The ice-making unit 1300 and the ice-making unit 1400 may be supported in various methods.

[0171] The first type of ice produced by the first ice-making unit 1300 and the second type of ice produced by the second ice-making unit 1400 may be different types of ice in terms of shape, size, and the like.

[0172] For example, the first type of ice may be ice having a generally cubic shape. For example, the second type of ice may be ice having a generally spherical shape. Alternatively, the first type of ice and the second type of ice may have similar shapes but different sizes.

[0173] However, unlike the above description, the ice maker 1000 may be configured to produce only one type of ice.

[0174] The configuration and operation of the first ice-making unit 1300 and the second ice-making unit 1400 will be described in further detail below.

[0175] The ice bucket 100 may be disposed in the storage compartment 20. The ice bucket 100 may be mounted on the inner case 11. In particular, the ice bucket 100 may be supported by the first inner wall 11a and the second inner wall 11b of the inner case 11.

[0176] The ice bucket 100 may be disposed below the ice maker 1000. The ice bucket 100 may be provided to receive ice discharged from the ice making units 1300 and 1400 and moved downward.

[0177] For example, the ice bucket 100 may include a first receiving member 110 configured to receive a first type of ice produced by the first ice-making unit 1300 and a second receiving member 120 configured to receive a second type of ice produced by the second ice-making unit 1400. The first receiving member 110 may be disposed below the first ice-making unit 1300. The second receiving member 1200 may be disposed below the second ice-making unit 1400.

[0178] The ice bucket 100 may be seated on the tub rack 15. The tub rack 15 may be supported by tub mounting members 11d provided on the first and second inner walls 11a and 11b of the inner case 11. The tub mounting members 11d may be formed to extend in the front-rear direction of the inner case 11.

[0179] For example, the ice bucket 100 may be inserted into or withdrawn from the storage compartment 20. That is, the ice bucket 100 may be slidably mounted relative to the inner housing 11. For example, the bucket rack 15 may be slidably moved along the bucket mounting member 11d. The bucket rack 15 may be inserted into or withdrawn from the storage compartment 20 along the bucket mounting member 11d, and the ice bucket 100 placed on the bucket rack 15 may be inserted into or withdrawn from the storage compartment 20 together with the bucket rack 15.

[0180] Figure 7 is an exploded view of a first ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0181] refer to Figure 7 , an example of the first ice-making unit 1300 included in the ice-making machine 1000 of the refrigerator 1 will be described.

[0182] refer to Figure 7 , the first ice-making unit 1300 may be configured to produce a first type of ice. For example, the first type of ice may be ice having a substantially cubic shape.

[0183] The first ice making unit 1300 may include a first ice making tray 1310 in which ice is produced. The first ice making tray 1310 may be disposed to receive water from the water supplier 80. The first ice making tray 1310 may be disposed to be supported by the first ice making unit support 1241.

[0184] The first ice making tray 1310 may include at least one first ice making chamber 1311 configured to store water supplied from the water supplier 80. The water stored in the first ice making chamber 1311 may be converted into ice by the cold air in the storage compartment 20. Figure 7 When a plurality of first ice-making chambers 1311 are provided as shown, the plurality of first ice-making chambers 1311 may be partitioned by partition walls.

[0185] The first ice making tray 1310 and the first ice making chamber 1311 may have a shape with one side open. When water is supplied to the first ice making tray 1310 or water is frozen, one open side of the first ice making tray 1310 and the first ice making chamber 1311 may be generally directed toward the upper side of the refrigerator 1. When ice produced in the first ice making tray 1310 moves toward the ice bucket 100, the open sides of the first ice making tray 1310 and the first ice making chamber 1311 may be generally directed toward the lower side of the refrigerator 1.

[0186] The first ice making unit 1300 may include a first driving part 1320 configured to move ice produced in the first ice making tray 1310 to the first receiving member 110 of the ice bucket 100. For example, the first driving part 1320 may allow the first ice making tray 1310 to rotate based on a rotation axis in the horizontal direction of the refrigerator 1 so as to allow ice in the first ice making tray 1310 to be transferred to the first receiving member 110.

[0187] The first driving part 1320 may be coupled to the first ice tray 1310. The first driving part 1320 may be coupled to one side of the first ice tray 1310 in the direction of the rotation axis. The first driving coupling part 1312 may be provided at one side of the first ice tray 1310 facing the first driving part 1320. The first driving coupling part 1312 may be provided on the rotation axis of the first ice tray 1310. The first driving part 1320 may be coupled to the first driving coupling part 1312.

[0188] The first driving part 1320 may include a motor, a power transmission member, etc. The motor of the first driving part 1320 may generate power, and the power transmission member may receive the power from the motor and transmit the power to the first ice making tray 1310. The power transmission member of the first driving part 1320 may be connected to the first driving coupling part 1312. The power transmission member of the first driving part 1320 may include at least one gear.

[0189] The first ice making tray 1310 may be connected to a rotation shaft support 1241a provided in the first ice making unit support 1241. The rotation shaft support 1241a may be provided on a rotation shaft of the first ice making tray 1310. The rotation shaft support 1241a may be arranged at a position opposite to the first driving coupling portion 1312 with respect to the first ice making tray 1310. The rotation shaft support 1241a may support the first ice making tray 1310 in such a manner that the first ice making tray 1310 can rotate.

[0190] Through the above configuration, the first ice making tray 1310 may receive power from the first driving part 1320 and then may rotate based on a rotation axis in the horizontal direction of the refrigerator 1. According to the rotation of the first ice making tray 1310, ice produced in the first ice making tray 1310 may be discharged from the first ice making chamber 1311 and then move to the first receiving member 110 of the ice bucket 100.

[0191] The first ice making unit 1300 may include an ice full detection lever 1330. The ice full detection lever 1330 may be configured to detect whether the first receiving member 110 of the ice bucket 100 disposed under the ice maker 1000 is full of ice.

[0192] The ice full detection lever 1330 may be coupled to the first driving part 1320. In particular, the ice full detection lever 1330 may be coupled to a lateral side of the first driving part 1320. The ice full detection lever 1330 may be rotatably coupled to the first driving part 1320.

[0193] When the ice full detection lever 1330 determines that the first receiving member 110 is full of ice, the controller controls the ice maker 1000 to not supply water any more. Therefore, it is possible to prevent more ice than necessary from being collected in the ice bucket 100.

[0194] The first ice making unit 1300 may further include a sensor module 1340. The sensor module 1340 may include a sensor, a housing configured to receive the sensor, and a heat insulator. The sensor module 1340 may be installed below the first ice tray 1310. The sensor of the sensor module 1340 may be a temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the first ice making tray 1310.

[0195] When the sensor module 1340 detects that the temperature of the first ice making tray 1310 is lower than or equal to the predetermined temperature, the controller may determine that the formation of ice is completed in the first ice making tray 1310. Based on the determination that the formation of ice is completed in the first ice making tray 1310, the controller may control the driving of the first driving part 1320 to rotate the first ice making tray 1310. Therefore, ice produced in the first ice making tray 1310 may be collected in the first receiving member 110 of the ice bucket 100 disposed below the first ice making tray 1310.

[0196] References Figure 7 The described configuration of the first ice-making unit 1300 is merely an example of an ice-making unit provided in an ice maker of a refrigerator according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0197] Figure 8 is an exploded view of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.10 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.11 is a view illustrating an operation of a second ice-making unit of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0198] Will refer to Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 An example of the second ice-making unit 1400 included in the ice-making machine 1000 of the refrigerator 1 is described.

[0199] refer to Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 , the second ice-making unit 1400 may be configured to produce a second type of ice having a substantially spherical shape.

[0200] The second ice-making unit 1400 may include a second ice-making tray 1410 in which ice is produced.

[0201] The second ice making tray 1410 may include a container configured to store water from the water supplier 80 (see Figure 2 ) at least one second ice-making chamber for water supplied by the storage compartment 20. The water stored in the second ice-making chamber may be converted into ice by the cold air in the storage compartment 20. The second ice-making chamber may be arranged inside the second ice-making tray 1410. The second ice-making chamber may include an elastic material. The second ice-making chamber may be arranged to be elastically deformable.

[0202] The second ice-making unit 1400 may include a cover frame 1450 covering the outer side of the second ice-making tray 1410. The cover frame 1450 may be supported by the second ice-making unit support part 1242. The second ice-making tray 1410 may be supported by the cover frame 1450.

[0203] The cover frame 1450 may include a water collector 1452 for receiving water from the water supplier 80. The water collector 1452 may be configured to collect water supplied from the water supplier 80 and supply the water to the second ice making tray 1410.

[0204] like Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown, the second ice making tray 1410 can be configured to produce multiple pieces of the second type of ice at the same time. A plurality of second ice making chambers can be arranged inside the second ice making tray 1410. For example, a plurality of water collectors 1452 can be arranged corresponding to the number of the plurality of second ice making chambers, and the plurality of water collectors 1452 can supply the collected water to each of the plurality of second ice making chambers. For example, the water collector 1452 can supply the collected water only to some of the plurality of second ice making chambers, and the interiors of the plurality of second ice making chambers can be communicated with each other so as to allow the collected water to be supplied to all the second ice making chambers.

[0205] The second ice making tray 1410 may include a fixed tray 1411 and a movable tray 1412. The fixed tray 1411 and the movable tray 1412 may be supported by the cover frame 1450.

[0206] The fixed tray 1411 may maintain a fixed position relative to the cover frame 1450. The movable tray 1412 may be configured to be movable relative to the cover frame 1450. In particular, the movable tray 1412 may be configured to be movable between the fixed tray 1411 and the ejector 1440.

[0207] A portion of the second ice-making chamber corresponding to approximately one half of the second ice-making chamber may be disposed in the fixed tray 1411. The remaining portion of the second ice-making chamber corresponding to approximately the other half may be disposed inside the movable tray 1412. A portion of the second ice-making chamber inside the fixed tray 1411 and another portion of the second ice-making chamber inside the movable tray 1412 may each have a substantially hemispherical shape.

[0208] The second ice-making unit 1400 may include a second driving portion 1420 and ejectors 1430 and 1440, wherein the second driving portion 1420 is configured to supply power to allow the movable tray 1412 to move relative to the cover frame 1450, and the ejectors 1430 and 1440 are configured to discharge ice produced in the second ice-making tray 1410 from the second ice-making tray 1410.

[0209] The second driving unit 1420 may include a motor configured to generate power, a motor housing 1421 configured to receive the motor, and a power transmission member 1422 configured to transmit power generated from the motor. For example, the motor of the second driving unit 1420 may generate power to rotate relative to a rotation axis along the horizontal direction of the refrigerator 1.

[0210] The motor housing 1421 may be coupled to the cover frame 1450. The motor housing 1421 may be coupled to a second drive coupling portion 1451 provided on the cover frame 1450. A hole provided to penetrate the cover frame 1450 may be formed in the second drive coupling portion 1451, and the hole of the second drive coupling portion 1451 may be arranged on a rotating shaft connected to the motor of the second drive portion 1420.

[0211] The power transmission member 1422 may be connected to the motor of the second driving part 1420 to receive the power generated by the motor. The power transmission member 1422 may transmit the power received from the motor to the movable tray 1412. For example, the power transmission member 1422 may include at least one gear.

[0212] The power transmission member 1422 may be configured to convert the rotational motion of the motor of the second driving portion 1420 into a linear motion and transmit the linear motion to the movable tray 1412. For example, the power transmission member 1422 may include a pinion and a rack. The pinion of the power transmission member 1422 may be connected to the rotating shaft of the motor of the second driving portion 1420. The pinion of the power transmission member 1422 may mesh with the rack, and the rotational motion of the pinion may be converted into the linear motion of the rack.

[0213] The rack gear of the power transmission member 1422 may be coupled to the movable tray 1412. The movable tray 1412 may be configured to perform a linear motion relative to the cover frame 1450 through the linear motion of the rack gear.

[0214] The power transmission member 1422 may further include an elastic member 1423. The elastic member 1423 may couple the rack of the power transmission member 1422 to the movable tray 1412. For example, the elastic member 1423 may be an elastic spring.

[0215] The ejector 1430 and the ejector 1440 of the second ice-making unit 1400 may include a first ejector as the ejector 1430 and a second ejector as the ejector 1440. The ejector 1430 may be disposed at a position adjacent to the fixed tray 1411. The ejector 1440 may be disposed at a position adjacent to the movable tray 1412. The second ice-making tray 1410 may be disposed between the ejector 1430 and the ejector 1440.

[0216] The ejector 1430 may be configured to be movable relative to the cover frame 1450. The ejector 1430 may be configured to be movable based on the movement of the movable tray 1412.

[0217] The ejector 1430 may include a first body 1431 , a first pressing member 1432 , and a leg 1433 .

[0218] The first body 1431 may be formed to extend in a direction parallel to the movable tray 1412. That is, the first body 1431 may extend in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the ejector 1430.

[0219] The first pressing member 1432 may be provided to extend from the first body 1431. The first body 1431 may be provided to support the first pressing member 1432. The first pressing member 1432 may be provided to press the second ice making chamber inside the fixed tray 1411 by penetrating the fixed tray 1411.

[0220] The legs 1433 may extend from opposite ends of the first body 1431 and be inserted into the lateral sides of the cover frame 1450. The legs 1433 may extend in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the first ejector 1430. The legs 1433 may be provided in symmetrical pairs.

[0221] When the movable tray 1412 moves in a direction away from the fixed tray 1411, the ejector 1430 may move in the moving direction of the movable tray 1412. That is, since the fixed tray 1411 is arranged between the first ejector 1430 and the movable tray 1412, the ejector 1430 may move in a direction approaching the fixed tray 1411.

[0222] When the movable tray 1412 moves in a direction approaching the fixed tray 1411, the ejector 1430 may also move in the moving direction of the movable tray 1412. That is, since the fixed tray 1411 is arranged between the ejector 1430 and the movable tray 1412, the ejector 1430 may move in a direction away from the fixed tray 1411.

[0223] For example, the movable tray 1412 may include an interference member configured to interfere with the legs 1433 of the ejector 1430. According to the movement of the movable tray 1412, the interference member and the legs 1433 of the movable bracket 1412 may interfere with each other, and thus the ejector 1430 may also move together.

[0224] When the ejector 1430 moves toward the fixed tray 1411 , the first pressing member 1432 of the ejector 1430 may pass through the fixed tray 1411 and press the second ice making chamber inside the fixed tray 1411 .

[0225] The ejector 1440 may be fixed to one side of the cover frame 1450 .

[0226] The ejector 1440 may include a second body 1441, a second pressing member 1442, and a frame coupling portion 1443. The second body 1441 may extend in a direction parallel to the movable tray 1412. The second pressing member 1442 may extend from the second body 1441 toward the movable tray 1412. The frame coupling portion 1443 may be formed at opposite ends of the second body 1441 and coupled to the cover frame 1450.

[0227] The ejector 1440 may maintain a fixed position relative to the cover frame 1450, and the ejector 1440 may be configured to press the movable tray 1412 when the movable tray 1412 moves toward the ejector 1440. In particular, the ejector 1440 may be configured to press the second ice making chamber inside the movable tray 1412 when the movable tray 1412 moves toward the ejector 1440.

[0228] like Fig. 9 As shown, when the second ice making tray 1410 produces ice using water supplied from the water supplier 80, the fixed tray 1411 and the movable tray 1412 may be positioned to be coupled to each other. At the position where the fixed tray 1411 and the movable tray 1412 are coupled, a portion of the second ice making chamber inside the fixed tray 1411 and another portion of the second ice making chamber inside the movable tray 1412 may be coupled to form an integrated second ice making chamber. Therefore, a second type of ice may be formed inside the second ice making chamber.

[0229] After the production of the second type of ice is completed, as Fig.11As shown, the controller may control the driving of the second driving part 1420 to allow the movable tray 1412 to move toward the ejector 1440. When power is generated by the motor of the second driving part 1420, the generated power may be transmitted to the movable tray 1412 through the power transmission member 1422. The movable tray 1412 may be separated from the fixed tray 1411 and move linearly toward the ejector 1440.

[0230] When the movable tray 1412 approaches, the second pressing member 1442 of the ejector 1440 may pass through the movable tray 1412 and press the portion of the second ice-making chamber inside the movable tray 1412. When the portion of the second ice-making chamber inside the movable tray 1412 is pressed by the second pressing member 1442, the portion of the second ice-making chamber inside the movable tray 1412 may be elastically deformed, and the second type of ice located in the portion may be discharged from the movable tray 1412. The second type of ice discharged from the movable tray 1412 may move to the second receiving member 120 of the ice bucket 100.

[0231] When the movable tray 1412 further moves in the same direction while the portion of the second ice making chamber inside the movable tray 1412 is pressed by the second pressing member 1442, the interference member of the movable tray 1412 may interfere with the leg 1433, and thus the first ejector 1430 may move toward the fixed tray 1411. Therefore, the first pressing member 1432 of the first ejector 1430 may pass through the fixed tray 1411 and press the other portion of the second ice making chamber inside the fixed tray 1411. The other portion of the second ice making chamber inside the fixed tray 1411 may be elastically deformed by being pressed by the second pressing unit 1432, and the second type of ice located in the other portion may be discharged from the fixed tray 1411. The second type of ice discharged from the fixed tray 1411 may move to the second receiving member 120 of the ice bucket 100.

[0232] Through the above configuration, ice produced in the second ice making tray 1410 may be discharged from the second ice making tray 1410 and moved to the second receiving member 120 of the ice bucket 100 .

[0233] References Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 The described configuration of the second ice-making unit 1400 is merely one example of an ice-making unit provided in an ice maker of a refrigerator according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0234] In addition, as an example of the ice maker of the refrigerator according to the embodiment, reference has been made to Figure 1 , Figure 2, Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 The structure of the indirect cooling type ice maker is described, in which the cold air generated in the storage compartment 20 is guided toward the ice maker 1000 to cool the water supplied to the first tray 1310 and the second tray 1410. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the present disclosure may be applied to the configuration of a direct cooling type ice maker, in which separate refrigerant pipes are arranged in the first ice tray 1310 and the second ice tray 1410 to directly supply cold air so as to cool the water supplied to the first ice tray 1310 and the second ice tray 1410.

[0235] Fig.12 is a perspective view of an ice-making cover of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.13 is a bottom perspective view of an ice-making cover and a perspective view of an ice-making housing, illustrating coupling between the ice-making cover and the ice-making housing of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.14 yes Fig.13 Bottom view of the ice-making housing.

[0236] refer to Fig.12 , Fig.13 and Fig.14 , the ice-making cover 1100 may cover the upper side of the ice-making housing 1200. The ice-making cover 1100 may include a shelf member 1110 provided to cover the ice-making housing 1200 while supporting items provided on the upper side of the shelf member 1110. The ice-making cover 1100 may include a front inclined member 1130 extending forward from the shelf member 1110 and a rear inclined member 1120 extending rearward from the shelf member 1110.

[0237] The shelf member 1110 may be formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape. The shelf member 1110 may have a predetermined thickness to allow items to be placed on the upper side. The shelf member 1110 may include a rectangular support surface 1111 on which items are supported and an edge surface 1113 arranged around the support surface 1111.

[0238] The rear surface 1112 of the support surface 1111 may be a surface facing the ice-making housing 1200. A reinforcing rib 1150 protruding from the rear surface 1112 toward the ice-making housing 1200 may be formed on the rear surface 1112 of the support surface 1112. The reinforcing rib 1150 may be provided to reinforce the rectangular shelf member 1110. The reinforcing rib 1150 may be provided in the left-right direction to form a frame shape.

[0239] The guide rib 1140 may be formed on the front side of the edge surface 1113. The guide rib 1140 may be formed to protrude upward from the edge surface 1113 adjacent to the front inclined member 1130. The guide rib 1140 may extend in the left-right direction.

[0240] The front inclined member 1130 may extend forward from the shelf member 1110. The front inclined member 1130 may have a shape that is inclined downward to the front side. The front inclined member 1130 may be arranged to be aligned with the inclined wall 11f (see Figure 1 )is adjacent. The front inclined member 1130 may be arranged adjacent to the protruding upper surface 11ga of the inclined protruding wall 11g. The front inclined member 1130 may be configured to be placed in the ice making housing 1200.

[0241] At the same time, the front inclined member 1130 may be provided to correspond to the inclined shape of the inclined protruding wall 11g. That is, since the inclined shape of the front inclined member 1130 is inclined upward toward the rear side, it can produce a harmonious aesthetic feeling together with the inclined protruding wall 11g.

[0242] The front inclined member 1130 may create a harmonious aesthetic sense together with the inclined protruding wall 11 g , and guide the user to prevent an object from being placed on the upper side of the front inclined member 1130 .

[0243] The rear inclined member 1120 may be connected to the cold air supply duct 14 (refer to Figure 2 ) portion in contact. The rear inclined member 1120 may have a shape that is inclined upward toward the rear side. This allows the rear inclined member 1120 to be supported by the cold air supply duct 14 and cover the water supplier 80, which is inclined downward as the water supplier 80 passes through the cold air supply duct 14 and extends forward.

[0244] That is, the ice making cover 1100 may be formed not only to support items and cover the ice making housing 1200, but also to improve the aesthetics of the front and rear sides of the storage compartment 20. The ice making cover 1100 may be detachably coupled to the ice making housing 1200.

[0245] A fixing protrusion 1170 for coupling to the ice-making housing 1200 may be provided on the bottom surface of the ice-making cover 1100. The fixing protrusion 1170 may be provided on the front side of the shelf member 1110 and may protrude downward. The fixing protrusion 1170 may include a first fixing protrusion 1170a and a second fixing protrusion 1170b spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The first fixing protrusion 1170a and the second fixing protrusion 1170b may be spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ice-making cover 1100 is inserted into the storage compartment 20.

[0246] The ice-making housing 1200 may include a front portion 1230 forming the front surface. The front portion 1230 may be disposed between the first ice-making housing wall 1210a and the second ice-making housing wall 1210b and formed in a rectangular shape.

[0247] The ice-making housing 1200 may include an opening member 1231 formed behind the front portion 1230. The ice-making housing 1200 may include a cover coupling portion 1232 formed to support and couple to the ice-making cover 1100. The ice-making housing 1200 may include an opening partition 1233 extending downward from the cover coupling portion 1232. The opening partition 1233 and the front portion 1230 may be spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction and arranged side by side.

[0248] The opening member 1231 may be formed between the opening partition 1233 and the front portion 1230. The cover coupling portion 1232 may be provided at an upper side of the opening member 1231, and thus the cover coupling portion 1232 may form an upper portion of the opening member 1231, and the opening member 1231 may be formed to open downward.

[0249] The ice-making housing 1200 may include a shelf support portion 1255 disposed between the first ice-making housing wall 1210a and the second ice-making housing wall 1210b. The shelf support portion 1255 may be disposed behind the cover coupling portion 1232 and spaced apart from the cover coupling portion 1232.

[0250] The shelf support 1255 may protrude upward to support the ice making cover 1100. In particular, the shelf member 1110 may be spaced apart from the shelf support 1255 in a vertical direction, but when the shelf member 1110 is bent due to the weight of items arranged on the upper side, the shelf member 1100 may be supported by the shelf support 1255.

[0251] Meanwhile, the ice-making housing 1200 may include an insertion hole 1270 formed in the cover coupling portion 1232 to allow the fixing protrusion 1170 to be inserted into the insertion hole 1270. The insertion hole 1270 may include a first insertion hole 1270a adjacent to the first ice-making housing wall 1210a and a second insertion hole 1270b adjacent to the second ice-making housing wall 1210b. The first insertion hole 1270a and the second insertion hole 1270b may be formed to be spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction.

[0252] Fig.15 is a side cross-sectional view of an ice-making cover coupled to an ice-making housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.16 is Fig.15 An enlarged view of portion A is shown in FIG.

[0253] refer to Fig.15 and Fig.16 , the ice-making cover 1100 may be provided to cover the upper side of the ice-making housing 1200, and the ice-making cover 1100 may be detachably coupled to the ice-making housing 1200.

[0254] The ice making cover 1100 may include a shelf member 1110 provided to cover the upper side of the ice making housing 1200 and a fixing protrusion 1170 protruding from the shelf member 1110 toward the ice making housing 1200. When the fixing protrusion 1170 is inserted into the insertion hole 1270, the ice making cover 1100 may be fixed to the ice making housing 1200.

[0255] Hereinafter, the configuration and coupling relationship between the first fixing protrusion 1170a and the first insertion hole 1270a may correspond to the configuration and coupling relationship between the second fixing protrusion 1170b and the second insertion hole 1270b. Therefore, the configuration of the first fixing protrusion 1170a and the first insertion hole 1270a will be described in detail, and the configuration of the second fixing protrusion 1170b and the second insertion hole 1270b may be understood similarly.

[0256] The first fixing protrusion 1170a may include a first insertion member 1171a extending in a vertical direction and formed to be inserted into the first insertion hole 1270a, and a hooking member 1172a extending forward from the first insertion member 1171a. The first insertion member 1171a may protrude downward from the shelf member 1110. Since the first insertion member 1171a supporting the first fixing protrusion 1170a has elasticity, the first insertion member 1170a may be bent in the front-rear direction and then return to its original position.

[0257] The edge 1271a of the first insertion hole 1270a may be formed around the first insertion hole 1270a. The edge 1271a may form the first insertion hole 1270a. The first locking protrusion 1272a may be formed on the front edge of the edge 1271a of the first insertion hole 1270a. The first locking protrusion 1272a may be formed to lock the first hooking member 1172a.

[0258] When the first fixing protrusion 1170a is inserted into the first insertion hole 1270a, the first insertion member 1171a and the first hooking member 1172a having elasticity may be pushed backward and inserted into the first insertion hole 1270a. After the first hooking member 1172a is inserted into the first insertion hole 1270a, the first insertion member 1171a and the first hooking member 1172a may move forward due to the property of returning to their original positions. Therefore, the first hooking member 1172a may be locked to the first locking protrusion 1272a.

[0259] The first insertion member 1171a may pass through the first insertion hole 1270a, and the first hooking member 1172a may be arranged below the first locking protrusion 1272a, and the upward movement of the first hooking member 1172a may be blocked by the first locking protrusion 1272a. Therefore, the first fixing protrusion 1170a may be inserted into the first insertion hole 1270a and blocked from being withdrawn upward again, and thus the ice-making cover 1100 may be fixed to the upper side of the ice-making housing 1200.

[0260] The guide rib 1140 may serve as a guide line to prevent interference with the door rack 32. The guide rib 1140 may protrude upward from the edge surface 1113. The guide rib 1140 may be disposed in front of the support surface 1111. The guide rib 1140 may be disposed in front of the support surface 1111.

[0261] Meanwhile, when the door 30 is closed, the door shelf 32 may be inserted into the storage compartment 20, and particularly inserted until the position of the guide rib 1140. When items are placed on the front side of the guide rib 1140, the items may be pushed backward and overflow due to the door shelf 32. To prevent this, the guide rib 1140 may protrude upward from the shelf member 1110 so as to be visually confirmed by the user, and thus the user may place the items on the rear side of the guide rib 1140 inside the storage compartment 20. That is, the guide rib 1140 may be a rib used as a guide to allow the user to place the items on the upper side of the ice making cover 1100 more safely.

[0262] The shelf member 1110 may include a support surface 1111 recessed downward from the edge surface 1113, and a step member 1115 may be formed between the support surface 1111 and the edge surface 1113. The step member 1115 may be formed between the support surface 1111 and the edge surface 1113 to correspond to the fixing protrusion 1170 relative to the inner case 11 (see Figure 2 ) in the front-rear direction. The step member 1115 may be provided to prevent the shelf member 1110 from shrinking when the fixing protrusion 1170 protrudes downward from the shelf member 1110. In addition, the support surface 1111 may shrink downward due to the configuration of the reinforcing rib 1150, but in order to prevent the user from losing the aesthetic feeling for this, a corrosion surface may be formed by applying friction to the support surface 1111 to prevent the reflection of light.

[0263] The reinforcing ribs including the reinforcing rib 1150 may be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the ice making housing 1200. The shelf member 1110 disposed above the reinforcing rib 1150 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the ice making housing 1200. This is to prevent an impact caused by the weight of items placed on the upper side of the shelf member 1110 from being applied to the first ice making unit 1300 (see FIG. 1 ) in which the shelf member 1110 is supported by the ice making housing 1200. Figure 5 ) and a second ice-making unit 1400.

[0264] Fig.17 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view illustrating the coupling of the ice-making cover and the ice-making housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.17 , the first hooking member 1182a according to the embodiment may be formed to protrude rearward from the first insertion member 1181a of the first fixing protrusion 1180a.

[0265] The first locking protrusion 1282a may be provided on an edge 1281a disposed at the rear side among edges 1281a of the first insertion hole 1280a of the ice-making housing 1200. The first hooking member 1182a can be inserted into the first insertion hole 1280a without interfering with the first locking protrusion 1282a due to elasticity, the first hooking member 1182a may be returned to the rear side, and then locked to the first locking protrusion 1282a, and thus the ice-making cover 1100 may be more stably coupled to the upper side of the ice-making housing 1200.

[0266] The first locking protrusion 1282a and the opening partition 1230 may be spaced apart from each other. This is because when the ice making cover 1100 (refer to Fig.15 ) is detached from the ice-making housing 1200, it is easier than otherwise to apply a force to allow the first insertion member 1181a supporting the first hooking member 1182a to be bent forward.

[0267] Fig.18 2 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating the coupling of the ice-making cover and the ice-making housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.18 , the fixing protrusion 1190 of the ice making cover 1100 may include a first fixing protrusion 1190 a and a second fixing protrusion 1190 b .

[0268] The first fixing protrusion 1190a may be spaced apart from the second fixing protrusion 1190b in the left-right direction, and the first fixing protrusion 1190a may be arranged adjacent to the first ice-making housing wall 1210a and inserted into the first insertion hole 1290a. The second fixing protrusion 1190b may be arranged adjacent to the second ice-making housing wall 1210b and inserted into the second insertion hole 1290b.

[0269] The first fixing protrusion 1190a may include a first insertion member 1191a inserted into the first insertion hole 1290a and a first hooking member 1192a protruding from the first insertion member 1191a toward the first ice-making housing wall 1210a.

[0270] The second fixing protrusion 1190b may include a second insertion member 1191b inserted into the second insertion hole 1290b and a second hooking member 1192b directed from the second insertion member 1191b toward the second ice-making housing wall 1210b. The second hooking member 1192b may extend in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the first hooking member 1192a.

[0271] The first locking protrusion 1292a may be formed on an edge 1291a of the first insertion hole 1290a adjacent to the first ice-making housing wall 1210a. Similarly, the second locking protrusion 1292b may be formed on an edge 1291b of the second insertion hole 1290b adjacent to the second ice-making housing wall 1210b.

[0272] The first locking protrusion 1292a can be engaged with the first inner wall 11a (see Figure 1 ) is adjacent to the second inner wall 11b, and the second locking protrusion 1292b may be adjacent to the second inner wall 11b.

[0273] Through this structure, the ice-making cover 1100 can be stably supported on the upper side of the ice-making shell 1200, and even when the ice-making cover 1100 is removed from the ice-making shell 1200, the first hooking member 1192a and the second hooking member 1192b can be squeezed in a direction approaching each other, and thus the first hooking member 1192a and the second hooking member 1192b can be pulled out from the first insertion hole 1290a and the second insertion hole 1290b.

[0274] Fig.19 is a front cross-sectional view illustrating coupling of an ice-making cover and an ice-making housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0275] refer to Fig.19 The first fixing protrusion 1190c may include a first hooking member 1192c protruding from the first insertion member 1191c toward the second ice-making housing wall 1210b. The first hooking member 1192c may protrude from the first insertion member 1191c toward the second inner wall 11b.

[0276] The second fixing protrusion 1190d may include a second hooking member 1192b protruding from the second inserting member 1191d toward the first ice-making housing wall 1210a or the first inner wall 11a.

[0277] The first locking protrusion 1292c may be formed on an edge 1291c of the first insertion hole 1290c adjacent to the second ice-making housing wall 1210b. Similarly, the second locking protrusion 1292d may be formed on an edge 1291d of the second insertion hole 1290d adjacent to the first ice-making housing wall 1210a.

[0278] Through this structure, the ice-making cover 1100 can be stably supported on the upper side of the ice-making shell 1200, and even when the ice-making cover 1100 is removed from the ice-making shell 1200, the first hooking member 1192c and the second hooking member 1192d can be squeezed in a direction away from each other, and thus the first hooking member 1192c and the second hooking member 1192d can be pulled out from the first insertion hole 1290c and the second insertion hole 1290d.

[0279] Fig. 20 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view illustrating coupling of an ice-making cover to an ice-making housing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0280] refer to Fig. 20 , the ice-making housing 1200 may include a fixing protrusion 1280. The fixing protrusion 1280 may include a first fixing protrusion 1280c and a second fixing protrusion.

[0281] The ice making cover 1100 may include a first insertion hole 1180c and a second insertion hole disposed in the front of the shelf member 1110. The first insertion hole 1180c may be disposed behind the front tilting member 1130 and may be formed to allow the first fixing protrusion 1280c to be inserted therein.

[0282] The first fixing protrusion 1280c may include a first insertion member 1281c protruding upward from the cover coupling portion 1232 to pass through the first insertion hole 1180c and a first hooking member 1282c protruding to the rear side from the first insertion member 1281c.

[0283] The first locking protrusion 1182c may be provided in an edge 1181c provided at a rear side among edges 1181c of the first insertion hole 1180c, and the first hooking member 1282c may be locked to the first locking protrusion 1182c.

[0284] By this structure, when the first fixing protrusion 1280c is inserted into the first insertion hole 1180c, the first fixing protrusion 1280c can fix the ice-making cover 1100 to the upper side of the ice-making housing 1200, and at the same time, the first fixing protrusion 1280c can serve as the guide rib 1140, which is similar to Fig.15 The structures shown are different.

[0285] Furthermore, not limited to those shown in the drawings, and the first hooking member 1282c may protrude forward from the first insertion member 1281c, and the first locking protrusion 1182c may be provided at a front edge in the edge 1181c of the first insertion hole 1180c.

[0286] Fig.21 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which an ice-making cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is inserted into an inner case of a refrigerator. Fig. 22 It is a graphic Fig.21 An enlarged side sectional view of a state in which a fixing protrusion of an ice-making cover inserted into an inner case of a refrigerator is inserted toward a coupling groove. Fig.23 It is a graphic Fig. 22 An enlarged view of a fixing protrusion inserted into a coupling groove and locked to a locking protrusion.

[0287] refer to Fig.21 , Fig. 22 and Fig.23 , at gate 30 (reference Figure 1 ) is opened, the ice making cover 1100 may be inserted into the storage compartment 20 toward the cold air supply duct 14. When the rear inclined member 1120 is disposed in the cold air supply duct 14, the front inclined member 1130 may be disposed toward the ice making housing 1200.

[0288] As the fixing protrusion 1170 moves downward, the insertion member 1171 inserted into the insertion hole 1270 and the hooking member 1172 extending forward from the insertion member 1171 may interfere with the locking protrusion 1272 and bend backward. As the hooking member 1172 bends backward, the hooking member 1172 may be inserted into the insertion hole 1270, and the hooking member 1172 may return to the front side position (direction C) due to the elastic property of returning to its original position. Since the hooking member 1172 returned to the front side is arranged below the locking protrusion 1272, the ice-making cover 1100 may be arranged on the upper side of the ice-making housing 1200, and the ice-making cover 1100 may be prevented from being detached from the upper side of the ice-making housing 1200.

[0289] When the ice-making cover 1100 is removed from the ice-making housing 1200 for replacement or repair of the first ice-making unit 1300 (refer to Figure 5) when the second ice-making unit 1400 is constructed, the insertion member 1171 may be pressed backward (direction U) to prevent interference between the hooking member 1172 and the locking protrusion 1272.

[0290] When the hooking member 1172 bent backward passes through the insertion hole 1270 and moves upward, the ice-making cover 1100 may be detached from the ice-making housing 1200 .

[0291] Fig.24 is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0292] refer to Fig.24 , the refrigerator 2001 according to the embodiment may be a side-by-side (SBS) type, in which a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment are arranged on the left and right sides. The refrigerator 1 may include: a main body 2010, a storage compartment 2020 disposed inside the main body 2010, a door 2030 configured to open and close the storage compartment 2020, and a cooling system configured to supply cold air to the storage compartment 2020.

[0293] The storage compartment 2020 may include a first storage compartment 2020a and a second storage compartment 2020b. The door 2030 may include a first door 2030a configured to open and close the first storage compartment 2020a and a second door 2030b configured to open and close the second storage compartment 2020b.

[0294] The first storage compartment 2020a may be a refrigerating compartment, and the second storage compartment 2020b may be a freezing compartment. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The first storage compartment 2020a and the second storage compartment 2020b may be partitioned left and right by a vertical partition 2019.

[0295] The refrigerator 2001 may include an ice maker 3000 configured to produce ice using cool air in the storage compartment 20. The ice maker 3000 may include an ice making cover and an ice making housing.

[0296] The ice-making housing may be supported by the second inner wall 2011b and the vertical partition 2019. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0297] The refrigerator 2001 may include an ice bucket 2100 disposed below the ice maker 3000. The ice bucket 2100 may receive ice discharged from the ice making unit and moved downward, and the ice bucket 2100 may be placed on the bucket rack. The bucket rack may be supported by the second inner wall 2011b and the vertical partition 2019, but is not limited thereto.

[0298] and Fig.12Unlike the ice-making cover shown in the figure, the ice-making cover may include a shelf member and a rear tilting member without a front tilting member. This is to prevent interference with items accommodated in the door shelf 2032. The connection between the ice-making cover and the ice-making housing may correspond to the above description. The fixing protrusion of the ice-making cover may be arranged at a position greater than Fig.15 The position shown in FIG. 1 is further forward, and the insertion groove and the opening partition can be more forward than in FIG. Fig.15 The insertion groove and the opening partition shown in FIG. 1 are relatively further apart from each other.

[0299] As is apparent from the above description, since the ice-making cover is easily coupled to and detached from the ice-making housing in the ice-making machine, it is easy to replace and repair internal components of the ice-making machine.

[0300] Furthermore, the ice making cover serves as a shelf, so relatively more items can be stored in the storage compartment.

[0301] Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

[0302] Although certain example embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, comprising: an outer shell forming an exterior of the refrigerator; an inner shell, the inner shell being disposed in the outer shell and comprising a first inner wall and a second inner wall opposite to the first inner wall; and an ice-making machine installed on the inner housing and configured to produce ice, the ice-making machine comprising an ice-making housing and an ice-making cover covering an upper side of the ice-making housing, Wherein, the ice-making housing is supported by the first inner wall and the second inner wall, and The ice-making cover is detachably coupled to the ice-making housing, and the ice-making cover is configured to support an object on an upper side of the ice-making cover.

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein: The ice-making cover comprises: a shelf member covering the ice-making housing; and a fixing protrusion protruding from the shelf member toward the ice-making housing, and The ice-making housing includes an insertion hole, and the fixing protrusion is inserted into the insertion hole.

3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The ice-making housing further includes a locking protrusion located at an edge of the insertion hole, and Wherein, the fixing protrusion includes a hooking member configured to be locked to the locking protrusion.

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein: The fixing protrusion further includes an insertion member that protrudes downward from the shelf member and is configured to be inserted into the insertion hole, and Wherein, the hooking member protrudes from the inserting member.

5. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein: The locking protrusion is provided on the front portion of the edge of the insertion hole, wherein the hook member protrudes forward from the insertion member, and Among them, the forward direction is the direction from the inside of the refrigerator toward the door of the refrigerator.

6. The refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein: The locking protrusion is provided on a rear portion of the edge of the insertion hole, wherein the hook member protrudes from the insertion member in a rearward direction, and The backward direction is a direction away from the door of the refrigerator from the inside of the refrigerator.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The shelf member is spaced apart from the ice-making housing.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The shelf member comprises: a support surface configured to support the item placed on the upper side; and an edge surface on an edge of the support surface, and Wherein, the support surface is recessed from the edge surface.

9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein: The shelf member also includes a step member between the support surface and the edge surface.

10. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein: The shelf member further includes a guide rib protruding upward from the edge surface and disposed in front of the support surface.

11. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The inner shell includes a rear wall, The ice-making cover further comprises a rear inclined member, which extends from the shelf member toward the rear wall and is inclined upward. wherein the rear tilting member covers the water supply device of the refrigerator, and The water supplier is configured to supply water into the ice-making housing.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The ice making cover further includes a front inclined member extending from the shelf member toward the front side and inclined downward.

13. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein: The inner shell further comprises a rear wall, wherein the fixing protrusion is a first fixing protrusion, The ice-making cover further comprises a second fixing protrusion, the second fixing protrusion is parallel to the first fixing protrusion and is spaced apart in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction along which the ice-making cover is inserted toward the rear wall, wherein the insertion hole is a first insertion hole, and The ice-making housing further includes a second insertion hole, which is arranged parallel to the first insertion hole and spaced apart in the second direction, and is configured to receive the second fixing protrusion inserted into the second insertion hole.

14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein: The ice-making housing further includes a first locking protrusion disposed on an edge adjacent to the first inner wall. wherein the first fixing protrusion comprises a first inserting member and a first hooking member, wherein the first insertion member extends downward from the shelf member, and the first insertion member is configured to be inserted into the first insertion hole, and The first hooking member is configured to be locked to the first locking protrusion, and the first hooking member protrudes from the first insertion member toward the first inner wall.

15. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein: The ice-making housing further includes a first locking protrusion located on an edge adjacent to the second inner wall. wherein the first fixing protrusion comprises a first inserting member and a first hooking member, wherein the first insertion member extends downward from the shelf member, and the first insertion member is configured to be inserted into the first insertion hole, and The first hooking member is configured to be locked to the first locking protrusion, and the first hooking member protrudes from the first insertion member toward the first inner wall.

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