Ice maker and refrigerator comprising same

Abstract

The invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same. The ice maker includes: an upper tray including a plurality of upper chambers including a hot wire insertion portion; the lower tray comprises a plurality of lower chambers; a heat wire inserted into the heat wire insertion part; a heat wire cover disposed on the heat wire insertion portion to cover the heat wire; and an upper cover disposed on the upper tray and including one or more pressing portions for pressing the heat wire cover. As a result, it is possible to improve the heat transfer efficiency of the heat generated by the hot wire to the ice tray.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an ice maker and a refrigerator comprising the same. Background Art

[0002] A refrigerator is a household appliance that supplies generated cold air to a storage compartment by circulating a refrigerant, thereby storing a variety of storage objects in the storage compartment in a fresh state for a long period of time.

[0003] The refrigerator may include an ice maker for making ice using cold air.

[0004] The ice maker may make ice by receiving water supplied from a water supply source or a water tank into an ice tray.

[0005] The ice tray may include one or more ice chambers configured to have a shape corresponding to ice for forming a desired shape.

[0006] As the water introduced into the ice chamber is cooled by the cold air passing through the ice tray, ice may be generated.

[0007] The ice made in the ice maker can be moved in various ways, such as a heating method of heating the ice tray or a twisting method of deforming the shape of the ice tray.

[0008] For example, in the case of removing ice by heating the ice tray, the manufactured ice may be removed from the ice tray by heating the outer surface of the ice tray with a hot wire.

[0009] On the other hand, when there are a plurality of ice chambers, if the heat applied to each ice chamber by the heat wire is not uniform, the time difference for moving ice in each ice chamber may be large.

[0010] Furthermore, when there are a plurality of ice chambers, if the heating wire is not in close contact with each ice chamber accurately or the degree of close contact with each ice chamber is different, ice transfer failure may occur in some of the ice chambers.

[0011] Furthermore, during the assembly process of the ice maker formed by assembling a plurality of parts, there may be a problem that whether the ice tray and the heating wire are fixed or not is disturbed by the assembly process. Summary of the invention

[0012] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker capable of bringing an ice tray and a heat wire into close contact with each other and a refrigerator including the same.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same, which can provide heat applied to each ice chamber by a hot wire as uniformly as possible by bringing a plurality of ice chambers and the hot wire into close contact with each other.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same, which can prevent the temporarily fixed heating wire cover from being disturbed by external work by keeping the heating wire cover temporarily fixed before being completely closely assembled with the ice tray.

[0016] Technical solutions to the problem

[0017] An ice maker according to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems comprises: an upper tray including a plurality of upper chambers including a hot wire insertion portion; a lower tray including a plurality of lower chambers; a hot wire inserted into the hot wire insertion portion; a hot wire cover disposed on the hot wire insertion portion to cover the hot wire; and an upper cover disposed on the upper tray and comprising one or more pressurizing portions for pressing the hot wire cover.

[0018] The upper tray may further include an upper plate forming a cold air flow path between the upper plate and the upper cover.

[0019] The heating wire insertion portion may be recessed in a downward direction relative to the uppermost surface of the upper plate.

[0020] The upper chamber may protrude in a downward direction than a topmost surface of the upper plate.

[0021] The heating wire inserted into the heating wire insertion portion may be located lower than the uppermost surface of the upper plate.

[0022] At least a portion of the heating wire insertion portion may be formed along at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge portion of each of the upper chambers.

[0023] The ice maker further comprises a plurality of inflow guides connected to the upper chambers and extending toward the upper part of the upper chambers; at least a portion of the heating wire insertion portion may be formed along at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge of each of the inflow guides.

[0024] One of the plurality of inflow guides may be a water supply guide forming a water supply path; and the heating wire insertion portion may be formed along an inner side direction of the water supply guide in a region corresponding to the water supply guide.

[0025] The heat wire cover may include: a heat wire cover body having a closed curve shape to include a hollow inside; and one or more side extensions protruding from the side of the heat wire cover body toward the outside direction; and the upper tray may include one or more fixing hooks to fix the side extensions.

[0026] The fixing hook may temporarily fix the heating wire cover to the heating wire insertion portion.

[0027] The heating wire cover may include: a heating wire cover body having a closed curve shape to include a hollow inside; an upper protrusion protruding from a side surface of the heating wire cover body and extending upward along the heating wire cover body; and a lower protrusion protruding from the other side surface of the heating wire cover body and extending downward along the heating wire cover body; the heating wire cover body may be arranged on the outside of the heating wire insertion part, and the lower protrusion may be inserted into the heating wire insertion part.

[0028] A width of each of the upper protrusion and the lower protrusion may be narrower than a width of the heating wire cover body.

[0029] The upper protrusion and the lower protrusion may be formed to have continuous patterns on one side and the other side of the heating wire cover body, respectively.

[0030] The upper protrusion may be formed to have a discontinuous pattern on one side of the heating wire cover body.

[0031] The upper protrusions may be arranged so as to overlap with the inflow guide in a front-rear direction.

[0032] The pressurizing portion may press the upper protruding portion in a downward direction, and the lower protruding portion may press the heating wire in a downward direction.

[0033] The pressurizing portion may protrude downward from a bottom surface of the upper cover.

[0034] There are a plurality of pressurizing parts; the plurality of pressurizing parts adjacent to each other may be separated from each other.

[0035] The ice maker further includes a plurality of inflow guides communicating with the respective upper chambers and extending toward the upper direction of the upper chambers; and the respective pressurizing portions may be arranged to overlap with the inflow guides in the front-rear direction.

[0036] An outer diameter of the pressurizing portion may be smaller than an outer diameter of the inflow guide.

[0037] A refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: one or more storage chambers; one or more doors for opening and closing the storage chambers; and an ice maker installed in the storage chambers or the doors; the ice maker includes: an ice tray including a plurality of chambers including a hot wire insertion portion; a hot wire inserted into the hot wire insertion portion; a hot wire cover placed on the hot wire insertion portion to cover the hot wire; and an ice cover arranged on the ice tray, including one or more pressurizing portions for pressing the hot wire cover.

[0038] Effects of the Invention

[0039] In the ice maker and refrigerator of the present invention, the heat wire cover covering the heat wire placed on the ice tray is pressed by the pressurizing part of the ice cover, so that the ice tray and the heat wire can be closely attached to each other, thereby improving the heat transfer efficiency of the heat generated by the heat wire to the ice tray.

[0040] In addition, in the ice maker and refrigerator of the present invention, the lower protrusion of the heat wire cover including the lower protrusion extending downward along the main body of the heat wire cover presses the heat wire, so that the plurality of ice chambers and the heat wire can be closely attached to each other, so that the heat applied by the heat wire to each ice chamber can be provided as evenly as possible. Thus, the occurrence of time difference in ice transfer in each ice chamber can be reduced, and the occurrence of poor ice transfer in some ice chambers can be reduced.

[0041] In addition, in the ice maker and refrigerator of the present invention, since the ice tray on which the heating wire cover is placed includes one or more fixing hooks to temporarily fix the heating wire cover, the heating wire temporarily fixed to the ice tray can be prevented from being separated from the original position during the assembly operation of other components, so that the heating wire cover can be kept in a temporarily fixed state before being completely and tightly assembled with the ice tray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figure 1 This is a front view of the refrigerator with the door closed.

[0043] Figure 2 This is the front view of the refrigerator with the door open.

[0044] Figure 3 It is an exploded perspective view of the door when the ice maker is installed on the door.

[0045] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view in the back direction of the door when the ice maker is installed in the door.

[0046] Figure 5 and Figure 6 They are the front and rear perspective views of the ice maker respectively.

[0047] Figure 7 and Figure 8 They are side sectional views of the ice maker before and after ice removal.

[0048] Fig. 9 It is an exploded perspective view of the ice maker.

[0049] Fig.10 This is a perspective view of the upper tray from above.

[0050] Fig.11 is a top view of the upper tray.

[0051] Fig.12 is a diagram showing the placement of a heat wire on the upper tray.

[0052] Fig.13 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing another embodiment in which a heating wire is disposed on an upper tray.

[0053] Fig.14 and Fig.15 These are three-dimensional views of the heat wire cover from the upper direction and the lower direction respectively.

[0054] Fig.16 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a heat wire cover according to another embodiment.

[0055] Fig.17 2 is a diagram showing a heating wire cover disposed on an upper tray incorporating a heating wire.

[0056] Fig.18 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a heating wire cover according to another embodiment being placed on an upper tray.

[0057] Fig.19 This is an enlarged view of the heating wire cover temporarily fixed by the fixing hook of the upper tray.

[0058] Fig. 20 It is a side cross-sectional view of the ice maker in a state where the lower tray, the upper tray, the heating wire cover and the upper cover are combined.

[0059] Fig.21 This is a perspective view of the upper cover from the bottom.

[0060] Fig. 22 This is a perspective view of an upper cover according to another embodiment, viewed from below.

[0061] Fig.23 This is a cross-sectional view of an enlarged portion of a region where a pressurizing portion of an upper cover presses a heating wire according to another embodiment.

[0062] Fig.24 and Fig.25 2 are diagrams respectively showing various embodiments capable of pressing a hot wire without an additional hot wire cover.

[0063] Figure 26 to Figure 28 are diagrams showing various embodiments of heat line covers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] Hereinafter, an ice maker and a refrigerator according to some embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0065] First, refer to Figures 1 to 9 , the connection relationship between the ice maker, the refrigerator and the main components constituting the same according to an embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0066] Reference Figures 1 to 4The refrigerator 1 may be formed of a body 2 including one or more storage rooms inside, one or more first doors 11 located on the front of the body 2 and opening and closing the refrigerating room, and a second door 12 opening and closing the freezing room to form an appearance.

[0067] In this specification, a refrigerator in which a refrigerator compartment is disposed above a freezer compartment is described as an embodiment, but the concept of this embodiment can also be applied to a refrigerator in which a refrigerator compartment is disposed below a freezer compartment, or a refrigerator including only a freezer compartment, or a refrigerator in which a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment are disposed on the left and right. In addition, in this specification, an embodiment in which the ice maker 30 is installed on the first door 11 is described, but the concept of this embodiment can also be applied to a case in which the ice maker 30 is disposed in a storage compartment such as a freezer compartment or a refrigerator compartment.

[0068] A dispenser portion 13 for dispensing water and / or ice may be disposed on the front side of at least one of the first door 11 and the second door 12 .

[0069] The first door 11 may include an outer shell 21 and a door liner 22 coupled to the outer shell 21. The door liner 22 may form a back side of the first door 11, and may form an ice-making chamber 14 in which an ice maker 30 is disposed. The ice-making chamber 14 may be opened and closed by an ice-making chamber door 24 rotatably connected by a hinge 23 of the door liner 22.

[0070] The cabinet 2 may include: a cold air supply duct hole 2a, which is connected to an evaporator (not shown) and supplies cold air to the ice-making chamber 14; and a cold air recovery duct hole 2b, which recovers cold air from the ice-making chamber 14. The first door 11 may be installed with: a door supply duct 25, which is provided with a cold air inflow hole 25a on one side and a door supply duct hole 25h connected to the ice-making chamber 14 on the other side; and a door recovery duct 26, which is provided with a cold air outflow hole 26a on one side and a door recovery duct hole 26h connected to the ice-making chamber 14 on the other side. In a state where the first door 11 closes the refrigerating chamber, the cold air inflow hole 25a of the door supply duct 25 may be aligned with and connected to the cold air supply duct hole 2a, and the cold air outflow hole 26a of the door recovery duct 26 may be aligned with and connected to the cold air recovery duct hole 2b. The door supply duct 25 and the door recovery duct 26 may extend from the outer side wall 28 of the door liner 22 to the inner side wall 27 forming the ice-making chamber 14.

[0071] The ice maker 30, the ice box 20 storing the ice ejected from the ice maker 30, and the support mechanism 40 may be arranged in the ice making chamber 14. The support mechanism 40 may include a support body 41 supporting and fixing the ice maker 30 and an ice opening 40h for the ice box 20 to be discharged. The ice opening 40h may be connected to the ice duct hole 15h formed on the inner side wall 27. For example, when the user operates the dispenser part 13 to take out ice, the ice removed from the ice maker 30 and stored in the ice box 20 may be discharged to the outside through the ice duct 15 communicating with the opening 40h and the ice duct hole 15h, and through the ice trough of the dispenser part 13. In addition, the user may also directly obtain ice from the ice box 20 by opening the first door 11. An ice discharge module may be additionally arranged in the ice box 20, and the ice discharge module 50 has the function of guiding the stored ice to be easily discharged and crushing the ice.

[0072] Reference Figures 5 to 9 , the ice maker 30 may include an upper assembly 31 and a lower assembly 32. The upper assembly 31 may include an upper cover 100 and an upper tray 200. The lower assembly 32 may include a lower cover 300, a lower tray 400, and a lower support 500.

[0073] The lower assembly 32 can be rotatably connected to the upper assembly 31 with the connection shaft 850 as a reference. The lower assembly 32 can generate spherical ice together with the upper assembly 31 in a state of contacting the upper assembly 31. The upper assembly 31 and the lower assembly 32, which respectively have the upper chamber 220 and the lower chamber 420 of the hemispherical shape, can form an ice chamber 33 capable of generating spherical ice by matching each other in shape. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the ice chambers 33 are arranged in the first column and the second column, and five ice chambers are arranged in the first column and six ice chambers 33 are arranged in the second column is described, but it is not limited thereto.

[0074] In a state where the upper assembly 31 and the lower assembly 32 form the ice chamber 33, water may be supplied to the ice chamber 33 through the water supply part 130 formed at the upper cover 100. If the lower assembly 32 rotates after ice is generated, the spherical ice formed between the upper assembly 31 and the lower assembly 32 may be separated from the ice chamber 33. The lower assembly 32 can be rotated in both directions by the driving unit 800 connected to one side of the upper tray 200.

[0075] An upper ejector 600 including upper ejecting pins 620 may be included on the upper assembly 31 to be able to separate ice from the upper assembly 31. The upper ejecting pins 620 may have the same number as the ice chambers 33. If the upper ejecting pins 620 are introduced into the ice chambers 33 through the upper assembly 31 and press the ice, the pressed ice may be separated from the upper assembly 31.

[0076] In addition, a lower ejector 700 may be further included, and the lower ejector 700 includes a lower ejector pin 720 to separate ice closely attached to the lower component 32. The lower ejector pin 720 may have the same number as the ice chamber 33. As an example, the lower ejector 700 may be fixed to the upper component 31. When the lower component 32 rotates, the lower ejector 700 may deform the shape of the bottom surface of the lower chamber 420 by pressing the bottom surface of the lower chamber 420, thereby separating the ice from the lower chamber 420.

[0077] During the rotation of the lower assembly 32 for moving ice, the rotation force of the lower assembly 32 may be transmitted to the upper ejector 600. To this end, the ice maker 30 may further include a connection unit 830 connecting the lower assembly 32 and the upper ejector 600.

[0078] For example, when the lower assembly 32 rotates in one direction, the upper ejector 600 descends by the connection unit 830, so that the upper ejector pin 620 can press the ice. Also, when the lower assembly 32 rotates in the other direction, the upper ejector 600 can ascend by the connection unit 830 and return to the initial position.

[0079] Hereinafter, each component constituting the ice maker 30 will be described in further detail.

[0080] The upper cover 100 may include: a cover body 110 including a front portion 111 extending in the up-down direction and sidewall portions 112 formed on both sides of the front portion 111; an inclined portion 113 disposed at the rear of the cover body 110; and a rear portion 114 that cuts off the rear of the inclined portion 113. A unit guide 140 may be formed on the sidewall portion 112, which is open in the up-down direction and can guide the up-down movement of the upper ejector 600. An air guide portion 120 may be formed on one side of the cover body 110, and the air guide portion 120 includes an air guide hole 120h that is connected to the door supply duct hole 25h to receive cold air. The air guide portion 120 is connected to the lower part of the water supply portion 130, and the cold air supplied through the air guide portion 120 can flow toward the front portion 111 along the bottom surface of the inclined portion 113. The cover body 110 , the air guide part 120 , and the water supply part 130 of the upper cover 100 are integrally formed, so that not only the number of parts can be reduced, but also the occurrence of assembly tolerance can be reduced.

[0081] An upper ejector 600 may be disposed on the upper cover 100. The upper ejector 600 may include: an upper ejector body 610 extending in one direction; and a plurality of upper ejector pins 620 protruding in the lower direction of the upper ejector body 610. An upper rib 611 extending in one direction may be formed on the upper portion of the upper ejector body 610. Upper ejector guides 640 may be formed on both sides of the upper ejector body 610 so that the upper ejector 600 can move in the up-down direction along the unit guide 140 of the upper cover 100. In addition, anti-separation protrusions 630 may be provided on both sides of the upper ejector body 610, and the anti-separation protrusions 630 are used to prevent separation from the connection unit 830 in a state of being combined with the connection unit 830. One or more pin guides 150 extending in the upper direction and disposed at the peripheral portion of the inflow guide 230 of the upper tray 200 may be formed on the upper cover 100. The pin guide 150 may guide the upper push-out pin 620 to be accurately inserted into the inflow guide 230 .

[0082] An upper tray 200 may be disposed at the lower portion of the upper cover 100. The upper tray 200 may include a plurality of upper chambers 220 formed toward the lower direction of the upper plate 210. A drive unit support portion 260 that supports and is coupled to the drive unit 800 may be formed at one side of the upper tray 200. The drive unit support portion 260 may include a bending portion 261 that extends from one side of the upper plate 210 in a bent manner toward the upper direction and the outer direction, and a coupling portion 262 that is coupled to the drive unit 800.

[0083] A pair of insertion portions 805 protruding in the upper region toward the coupling portion 262 are formed on the driving unit 800, and the pair of insertion portions 805 are inserted into a pair of insertion holes 262h formed in the coupling portion 262, so that the driving unit 800 can be guided to be easily coupled to the coupling portion 262. A fixing portion 804 protruding in the upper direction and including a fixing hole 804h may be formed in the upper region of the driving unit 800. The driving unit 800 may be fixed to the coupling portion 262 by an additional fastening member passing through the fixing hole 804h of the fixing portion 804 and fastened to the fastening portion 263 formed in the upper region of the coupling portion 262. The driving unit 800 may include: a first rotating shaft 801 providing a driving force to rotate the lower assembly 32; and a second rotating shaft 802 providing a driving force to rotate the full ice lever 870.

[0084] A pair of fastening parts 240 extending backward and bent upward may be formed on both sides of the rear of the upper plate 210 of the upper tray 200. A pair of fastening holes 240h may be formed in the fastening parts 240. The ice maker 30 may be fixed to the support mechanism 40 through the pair of fastening parts 240 of the upper tray 200. Figure 3The support mechanism 40 includes a support body 41 extending in the up-down direction, and a pair of insertion openings 42 through which the fastening portion 240 of the upper tray 200 can pass to the rear can be formed on the back of the support body 41. For example, when the ice maker 30 is to be mounted on the support mechanism 40, it can be mounted by the following method: after the fastening portion 240 of the bent upper tray 200 is inserted through the insertion opening 42 of the support mechanism 40, it is pushed from the bottom to the top. The ice maker 30 can be fixed to the support mechanism 40 by an additional fastening member that penetrates the fastening hole 240h of the fastening portion 240 and is fastened to the support mechanism 40.

[0085] A pair of protrusions 280 protruding forward may be formed on the front surface of the upper plate 210 of the upper tray 200. The pair of protrusions 280 can ensure a distance from a structure located in front of the ice maker 30. A pair of hinge support members 270 protruding downward and having hinge holes 270h formed in the left-right direction may be provided on both sides of the bottom surface of the upper plate 210 of the upper tray 200. A tray bushing 840 may be combined with each hinge support member 270.

[0086] The upper tray 200 may be formed of a metal material. For example, the upper tray 200 may be formed by die-casting using a metal material, and thus has high rigidity. As described above, the upper tray 200 is formed of a material having high rigidity, and thus can not only minimize deformation of the upper chamber 220, but also function as a supporting member for supporting the driving unit 800.

[0087] The lower assembly 32 may include a lower tray 400 including a plurality of lower chambers 420 , a lower support 500 supporting a lower portion of the lower tray 400 , and a lower cover 300 fixing the lower tray 400 and the lower support 500 .

[0088] Further references Fig. 20 , the lower tray 400 may be formed of a flexible material that can be restored to its original shape after being deformed by an external force. For example, the lower tray 400 may be formed of a silicone material. If the lower tray 400 is formed of a silicone material, even if an external force is applied to the lower tray 400 during the ice removal process and the shape of the lower tray 400 is deformed, the lower tray 400 can be restored to its original shape again. Therefore, when the ice generation process is repeated, ball-shaped ice can be generated.

[0089] The lower tray 400 may include a plurality of lower chambers 420. The plurality of lower chambers 420 may be arranged in a plurality of columns. For example, the first column of lower chambers may be arranged in a plurality along the first column, and the second column of lower chambers may be arranged in a plurality along the second column.

[0090] An insertion protrusion 440 protruding in the downward direction may be formed between the plurality of lower chambers 420 adjacent to each other. The insertion protrusion 440 may be formed between the first column of lower chambers and the second column of lower chambers. The insertion protrusion 440 may be formed to extend long in the left-right direction. The insertion protrusion 440 is fastened in a manner of penetrating the groove 540 of the lower support member 500, thereby constituting a fixing structure that fastens the lower tray 400 and the lower support member 500 to each other. The insertion protrusion 440 is fastened to the groove 540 of the lower support member 500 in a hook-combination manner, thereby enabling the lower tray 400 and the lower support member 500 to be fixed to each other without an additional fastening member.

[0091] On the other hand, the lower support member 500 may include a plurality of chamber accommodating parts 520 for accommodating the plurality of lower chambers 420 of the lower tray 400. Each chamber accommodating part 520 may be formed in a shape corresponding to the bottom surface shape of the lower chamber 420. A lower opening 521 for the lower pusher 700 to pass through during the ice removal process may be formed in the inner center area of ​​the chamber accommodating part 520. Therefore, a lower opening 521 may be formed in each chamber accommodating part 520. The bottom surface of the lower chamber 420 of the lower tray 400 may be exposed to the outside through the lower opening 521. The lower support member 500 may be formed with a groove 540 extending in the left-right direction in the center area. The insertion protrusion 440 of the lower tray 400 may be inserted into the groove 540. The groove 540 may be configured to correspond to the position of the insertion protrusion 440, and formed in an open shape so that the insertion protrusion 440 can be inserted and fixed.

[0092] A front wall 310 extending downward may be formed on the front of the lower cover 300, and a rear wall 320 extending downward may be formed on the rear. A first rear stopper may be formed at the inner lower region of the rear wall 320, the first rear stopper extending in a direction in which the rear wall 320 extends and protruding inwardly of the lower cover 300, and a second rear stopper may be formed at the inner upper region of the rear wall 320, the second rear stopper extending in a direction in which the rear wall 320 extends and protruding inwardly of the lower cover 300. When the lower cover 300 is combined with the lower tray 400 and the lower support member 500, the rear surface of the lower support member 500 may be fixed by being locked or hooked between the first rear stopper and the second rear stopper.

[0093] At the inner lower region of the front wall 310, one or more first front stopper portions may be formed to protrude toward the inner side of the lower cover 300, and at the inner upper region of the front wall 310, one or more second front stopper portions may be formed to protrude toward the inner side of the lower cover 300. When the lower cover 300 is combined with the lower tray 400 and the lower support member 500, the front side of the lower support member 500 may be fixed by being engaged or hooked between the first front stopper portions and the second front stopper portions.

[0094] The lower assembly 32 can be assembled to the lower tray 400 and the lower support 500 in a swinging manner after the lower tray 400 and the lower support 500 are first combined. When the lower cover 300 is assembled in a swinging manner, the back wall 320 of the lower cover 300 can first contact the lower tray 400 and the lower support 500, so that the rear area of ​​the lower tray 400 and the lower support 500 can be pressed between the first back locking platform and the second back locking platform to be locked and combined. Then, the front wall 310 of the lower cover 300 is rotated in the downward direction with the back wall 320 of the lower cover 300 as an axis, so that the front area of ​​the lower tray 400 and the lower support 500 can be pressed between the first front locking platform and the second front locking platform formed on the front wall 310 of the lower cover 300 to be hooked and combined.

[0095] The shaft connection part 811 of the first link 810 and the shaft connection part 821 of the second link 820 may be respectively passed through the two sides of the lower support member 500. A connecting shaft 850 extending in one direction may be arranged between the shaft connection part 811 of the first link 810 and the shaft connection part 821 of the second link 820 facing each other. A rotating shaft connection part 813 is formed on one side of the first link 810 adjacent to the driving unit 800, and is connected to the rotating protrusion 803 of the first rotating shaft 801 formed on the driving unit 800, so that the driving force of the driving unit 800 can be transmitted to the lower assembly 32.

[0096] Both sides of the lower support member 500 may be respectively coupled to the support member coupling holes 832 formed on one side of a pair of coupling units 830. An ejector coupling hole 831 coupled to the anti-separation protrusion 630 of the upper ejector 600 may be formed on the other side of each coupling unit 830. The anti-separation protrusion 630 of the upper ejector 600 may be coupled to the ejector coupling hole 831 of the coupling unit 830 while being located outside the unit guide 140 of the upper cover 100. If the rotational force is transmitted from the coupling unit 830 to the upper ejector 600 when the lower assembly 32 rotates, the upper ejector 600 may move in the up-down direction along the unit guide 140 of the upper cover 100.

[0097] The first link 810 and the second link 820 may be connected to the lower support 500 by a pair of elastic members 860. As an example, the elastic member 860 may be a coil spring. One end of each elastic member 860 may be connected to the spring connection holes 812 and 822 of the first link 810 and the second link 820, and the other end may be connected to both sides of the lower support 500. The elastic member 860 may provide elastic force to the lower support 500 to maintain the contact state between the upper tray 200 and the lower tray 400.

[0098] A lower ejector 700 may be disposed at the lower portion of the lower assembly 32. The lower ejector 700 may separate the ice adhering to the lower assembly 32 from the lower assembly 32 by pressing the lower assembly 32. The lower ejector 700 may include a lower ejector body 710 and a plurality of lower ejector pins 720 protruding from the lower ejector body 710. The lower ejector pins 720 may have the same number as the ice chambers 33. The lower ejector 700 may be fixed to the upper assembly 31, but is not limited thereto, and the lower ejector 700 may also be fixed to the support mechanism 40. During the ice removal process, when the lower assembly 32 rotates in the direction in which the lower ejector 700 is disposed, the bottom surfaces of the lower chambers 420 of the lower tray 400 formed in the lower assembly 32 may be pressed and deformed by the lower ejectors 700, respectively, so that the ice adhering to the lower chambers 420 may be separated.

[0099] Protrusions 750 protruding outward may be formed on both sides of the lower ejector body 710. Each protrusion 750 may be fixed by a support retainer 43 formed on the front of the support mechanism 40. In addition, a groove 751 is formed on one side of each protrusion 750, and is combined with a protrusion formed on the support mechanism 40, so that the movement of the lower ejector 700 in the left and right direction can be more strongly restricted. In addition, a fastening boss 740 extending toward the rear may be formed at the rear of the lower ejector body 710, and the fastening boss 740 may be fastened to a fastening hole formed in the support mechanism 40 by an additional fastening member such as a screw. Thus, the lower ejector body 710 can be fixed so that the movement in the front-back direction is restricted by the support mechanism 40.

[0100] A pair of fastening parts 730 including fastening holes 730h may be formed on both sides of the upper region of the lower ejector body 710. A pair of ejector connecting parts 290 extending and bent outward may be formed at the rear of the upper tray 200 to cover the fastening parts 730 of the lower ejector body 710. A fastening hole 290h may be formed in each ejector connecting part 290, and an additional fastening member such as a screw may be fastened to the fastening hole 730h of the fastening part 730 formed in the lower ejector body 710. Thus, the lower ejector 700 may be fixed to the upper assembly 31.

[0101] The amount of ice stored in the ice box 20 can be sensed by the full ice lever 870. The full ice lever 870 may include: a sensing portion 871 extending long in one direction, with both ends bent and extending; and a pair of hooks 872 formed at both ends of the bent sensing portion 871. The hook 872 formed on one side is connected to the first rotating shaft 801 of the driving unit 800, thereby receiving the driving force from the driving unit 800, and the hook 872 formed on the other side is inserted into the lever receiving portion 121 extending from the air guide portion 120 of the upper cover 100 toward the lower direction and is locked and combined. However, the lever receiving portion 121 may also be formed as not being integrated with the upper cover 100 but being formed by an additional structure and mounted on the inner side wall 27 of the first door 11, or the inner side wall 27 of the first door 11 itself has a through hole for the hook 872 to be locked and combined.

[0102] Below, refer to Figures 10 to 13 , the upper tray 200 of the present invention is described in more detail.

[0103] The upper tray 200 may include an upper plate 210 forming a main body. The upper plate 210 may be formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape having a long side and a short side, but is not limited thereto. The long side of the upper plate 210 may extend in a first direction, and the short side of the upper plate 210 may extend in a second direction. The first direction described in this specification may refer to the x-axis direction, and the second direction may refer to the y-axis direction. In addition, the left and right directions of the ice maker 30 and the upper tray 200 described in this specification may refer to the first direction and the x-axis direction, the front and rear directions may refer to the second direction and the y-axis direction, and the up and down directions may refer to the z-axis direction. In addition, the rear of the ice maker 30 and the upper tray 200 described in this specification may refer to a direction adjacent to the position where the support mechanism 40 is configured or the position where cold air flows in, and the front may refer to a direction adjacent to the position where cold air flows out of the ice box 20.

[0104] Based on the first direction, cold air may flow in from one side of the upper plate 210. For example, cold air flowing into the ice maker 30 through the air guide 120 disposed on one side of the upper cover 100 may pass through a cold air flow path formed between the upper cover 100 and the upper plate 210. Therefore, the cold air flowing into the ice maker 30 may flow through the top surface of the upper plate 210 of the upper tray 200. A drive unit support 260 may be formed on the other side of the upper plate 210 based on the first direction.

[0105] The upper plate 210 may be formed with a plurality of upper chambers 220 arranged in a plurality of rows along a first direction. In the present specification, an example in which the upper chambers 220 are arranged in two rows, such as the first row and the second row, is described, but the upper chambers 220 are not limited thereto, and may be arranged in three or more rows. The upper chambers 220 may be formed to extend in the lower direction of the upper plate 210. The plurality of upper chambers 220 arranged in the same row may be configured so that the sides are in contact with each other, but the upper chambers 220 are not limited thereto, and one upper chamber 220 may be formed to be separated from an adjacent upper chamber 220 by a predetermined distance.

[0106] For example, the upper chamber 220 may be recessed in a downward direction relative to the topmost surface of the upper plate 210. Thus, the entire volume of the upper tray 200 to be cooled may be reduced, thereby improving the cooling efficiency. The top surface of the upper chamber 220 may include a curved surface. Therefore, the upper chamber 220 may not only conform to the shape of the lower chamber 420 to form a spherical ice chamber, but also increase the contact surface that can contact the cold air, thereby improving the cooling efficiency. The plurality of upper chambers 220 may be located closer to the front than the rear of the upper plate 210.

[0107] A plurality of inflow guides 230 may be formed on each upper chamber 220, which are connected to the upper chamber 220 and extend toward the upper direction of the upper plate 210. Each inflow guide 230 may have an inflow opening 230h for inserting the upper ejection pin 620. In addition, the inflow guide 230 is formed in a shape extending long in the upper direction, so that when water is supplied to the ice maker 30, it is possible to prevent water from flowing in through the inflow opening 230h of the inflow guide 230. The plurality of inflow guides 230 may include a plurality of first-column inflow guides 230a arranged in a first column and a plurality of second-column inflow guides 230b arranged in a second column. Therefore, the plurality of first-column inflow guides 230a arranged along the first column and the plurality of second-column inflow guides 230b arranged along the second column may be arranged in the first direction. And, the first-column inflow guides 230a and the second-column inflow guides 230b may be arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The inflow guides 230 a in the first row adjacent to each other may be arranged at a predetermined distance, and the inflow guides 230 b in the second row adjacent to each other may be arranged at a predetermined distance.

[0108] The plurality of inflow guides 230 may be arranged crosswise in a zigzag pattern. For example, when viewed from the front of the upper tray 200, a second column inflow guide 230b may be arranged between a plurality of first column inflow guides 230a adjacent to each other based on the first direction. Similarly, a first column inflow guide 230a may be arranged between a plurality of second column inflow guides 230b adjacent to each other based on the first direction. As described above, the first column inflow guides 230a and the second column inflow guides 230b are staggered in the front-to-back direction, thereby improving space efficiency.

[0109] One of the plurality of inflow guides 230 may be formed with a water supply guide 231 formed such that a portion of the area is cut in the direction toward the water supply portion 130 so as to guide the water passing through the water supply portion 130 to flow into the ice chamber 33. For example, the water supply guide 231 may generally have a shape of a substantially semi-cylindrical shape and a shape including a substantially quadrangular prism-shaped water supply input portion 232 behind the semi-cylindrical shape, but the shape is not limited thereto. The water supply guide 231 including the water supply input portion 232 may be one of the second column inflow guides 230b. Therefore, the water supply guide 231 may be formed so as to protrude further rearward than other second column inflow guides 230b arranged in the same second column. The water supply guide 231 may be formed so as to be opened at the upper portion, thereby including a water supply path 231h for achieving water supply.

[0110] As described above, the cold air flowing into the ice maker 30 may flow into one side of the ice maker 30 and be discharged to the front of the ice maker 30 through the cold air flow path formed between the upper cover 100 and the upper tray 200. For example, the cold air flowing in from the air guide 120 of the upper cover 100 may pass between the plurality of inflow guides 230 and be discharged to the outside through the cold air outflow partition 170 formed between the upper tray 200 and the upper cover 100 on the front. Specifically, the cold air flowing into the ice maker 30 may flow in from the rear of the second column inflow guide 230b, pass between the plurality of second column inflow guides 230b adjacent to each other, and then be discharged to the outside through the first column inflow guide 230a adjacent to each other. As described above, the cold air flow path formed between the upper tray 200 and the upper cover 100 passes between the plurality of second column inflow guides 230b adjacent to each other and between the plurality of first column inflow guides 230a adjacent to each other. Therefore, the cold air flowing into the ice maker can flow in along the first direction and be discharged to the outside along the second direction intersecting the first direction. However, in this specification, the cold air flowing along the first direction and the second direction means that the cold air flows roughly along the directions described above, and there may also be cold air flowing in directions other than the first direction and the second direction.

[0111] Thus, the paths between the plurality of second-row inflow guides 230b and the plurality of first-row inflow guides 230a adjacent to each other can become paths with a large amount of cold air, thereby improving the cooling efficiency in the paths with a large amount of cold air. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the contact area between the cold air and the upper tray 200 can be increased by configuring more than one cooling fin, so as to further improve the cooling efficiency in the paths with a large amount of cold air.

[0112] For example, a plurality of first cooling fins 251 may be arranged between the first row inflow guide 230a arranged in the first row and the second row inflow guide 230b arranged in the second row. Each first cooling fin 251 may extend from the first row inflow guide 230a along a second direction intersecting the first direction in which the plurality of inflow guides 230 are arranged. The first cooling fin 251 may be formed integrally with the upper tray 200. The first cooling fin 251 may be arranged between a plurality of second row inflow guides 230b adjacent to each other based on the first direction. The first cooling fin 251 may extend backward from the back side of the first row inflow guide 230a. As described above, the first cooling fin 251 is located in a path with a large amount of cold air, so that the contact area between the cold air and the upper tray 200 can be increased. In addition, the first cooling fin 251 extends along the second direction as the direction in which the cold air flows, so that the resistance effect of the first cooling fin 251 on the flow of cold air can be minimized.

[0113] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in order to further improve the cooling efficiency, a plurality of second cooling fins 252 may be further included between the plurality of first-row inflow guides 230a adjacent to each other. For example, the second cooling fins 252 may be arranged alternately with the first cooling fins 251 along the first direction. Therefore, the cold air passing through the first cooling fins 251 arranged between the plurality of second-row inflow guides 230b adjacent to each other may be discharged to the outside after passing through the second cooling fins 252 arranged between the plurality of first-row inflow guides 230a adjacent to each other. At least a portion of the plurality of second cooling fins 252 may extend to the front of the second-row inflow guides 230b. The height of the second cooling fins 252 may be lower than the height of the first cooling fins 251, and may protrude in the upper direction not exceeding the topmost surface of the upper plate 210 of the upper tray 200. Thus, the second cooling fins 252 can minimize the cold air flow resistance and increase the contact area between the second cooling fins 252 and the cold air in the region where the cold air flows more, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the upper chamber 220 .

[0114] A concave heat wire insertion portion 250 may be formed at the upper portion of the upper tray 200 to surround the peripheral portions of the plurality of upper chambers 220. Fig.12, a hot wire 990 is inserted into the hot wire insertion portion 250, so that ice can be more easily separated from the upper chamber 220 during ice removal. The hot wire 990 may have a shape corresponding to the hot wire insertion portion 250, so that it can be inserted into the hot wire insertion portion 250. The hot wire insertion portion 250 may be formed to be recessed in a downward direction from the topmost surface of the upper plate 210. Further reference is made to Fig. 20 , the hot wire 990 inserted into the hot wire insertion portion 250 is located below the topmost surface of the upper plate 210, thereby reducing the cold air flow resistance caused by the hot wire 990. At least a portion of the hot wire insertion portion 250 may be formed along at least a portion of the outer peripheral portion of each upper chamber 220. Therefore, at least a portion of the hot wire insertion portion 250 may be formed along at least a portion of the outer peripheral portion of each inflow guide 230. The hot wire insertion portion 250 may be formed in an area corresponding to the water supply guide 231 in the plurality of inflow guides 230, along the inner direction of the water supply guide 231. For example, the hot wire insertion portion 250 may extend to surround the outer peripheral portion of the area where the plurality of inflow guides 230 are configured, and surround the inner peripheral portion in the area passing through the water supply guide 231. Since the water supply guide 231 protrudes further rearward than other inflow guides 230, the flow resistance of cold air in the corresponding area may increase when the hot wire insertion portion 250 also extends along the outer peripheral portion in the area where the hot wire insertion portion 250 passes through the water supply guide 231. Therefore, according to the present invention, the inner peripheral portion is surrounded in the area where the hot wire insertion portion 250 passes through the water supply guide 231, thereby reducing the flow resistance of cold air in the corresponding area.

[0115] The hot wire insertion portion 250 can also be described as follows. Fig.11, the virtual center line extending along the first direction of the plurality of first-column inflow guides 230a arranged in the first column can be defined as the first-column center line 233a, and the virtual center line extending along the first direction of the plurality of second-column inflow guides 230b arranged in the second column can be defined as the second-column center line 233b. In addition, the peripheral surfaces of the first-column inflow guides 230a and the second-column inflow guides 230b located between the first-column inflow guides 230a and the second-column inflow guides 230b and located on the surfaces facing each other can be defined as their respective inner peripheral portions. Furthermore, the peripheral surface of the first-column inflow guide 230a located in the opposite direction to the second-column inflow guide 230b and the peripheral surface of the second-column inflow guide 230b located in the opposite direction to the first-column inflow guide 230a can be defined as the outer peripheral portions, respectively. That is, with the first row center line 233a as a reference, the first row inflow guide 230a may include: an outer peripheral portion, facing the opposite direction of the second row inflow guide 230b; and an inner peripheral portion, facing the direction of the second row inflow guide 230b. In addition, with the second row center line 233b as a reference, the second row inflow guide 230b may include: an outer peripheral portion, facing the opposite direction of the first row inflow guide 230a; and an inner peripheral portion, facing the direction of the first row inflow guide 230a.

[0116] As an example, the hot wire insertion portion 250 may be formed to surround the outer peripheral portion of the first column inflow guide 230a based on the first column center line 233a. However, not limited to this, the hot wire insertion portion 250 may also be formed to surround the inner peripheral portion of the first column inflow guide 230a based on the first column center line 233a. In addition, the hot wire insertion portion 250 may also be formed to alternately surround the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion of the first column inflow guide 230a based on the first column center line 233a. In addition, it may also be formed in various forms, such as surrounding the inner peripheral portion of more than one inflow guide 230 constituting the first column inflow guide 230a and surrounding the outer peripheral portion of the remaining inflow guide 230, or surrounding the outer peripheral portion of more than one inflow guide 230 constituting the first column inflow guide 230a and surrounding the inner peripheral portion of the remaining inflow guide 230. That is, the heat wire insertion portion 250 surrounding the plurality of inflow guides 230 constituting the first row of inflow guides 230a can be arranged on the same side of the first row center line 233a with the first row center line 233a as the reference, but is not limited thereto. A portion of the heat wire insertion portion 250 surrounding the plurality of inflow guides 230 constituting the first row of inflow guides 230a can also be arranged on the other side of the first row center line 233a with the first row center line 233a as the reference. Figures 11 to 13Based on the illustrated plan view, at least a portion of the heat wire insertion portion 250 surrounding the plurality of inflow guides 230 constituting the first row of inflow guides 230 a may be located in a lower direction or an upper direction of the first row center line 233 a .

[0117] In addition, the hot wire insertion portion 250 can be formed to surround the outer peripheral portion of the second column inflow guide 230b based on the second column center line 233b. However, not limited to this, the hot wire insertion portion 250 can also be formed to surround the inner peripheral portion of the second column inflow guide 230b based on the second column center line 233b. In addition, the hot wire insertion portion 250 can also alternately surround the inner peripheral portion and the outer peripheral portion of the second column inflow guide 230b based on the second column center line 233b. In addition, it can also be formed in various forms, such as surrounding the inner peripheral portion of more than one inflow guide 230 constituting the second column inflow guide 230b and surrounding the outer peripheral portion of the remaining inflow guide 230, or surrounding the outer peripheral portion of more than one inflow guide 230 constituting the second column inflow guide 230b and surrounding the inner peripheral portion of the remaining inflow guide 230. That is, the heat wire insertion portion 250 surrounding the plurality of inflow guides 230 constituting the second row of inflow guides 230b may be arranged on the same side of the second row center line 233b with the second row center line 233b as a reference, but is not limited thereto. A portion of the heat wire insertion portion 250 surrounding the plurality of inflow guides 230 constituting the second row of inflow guides 230b may also be arranged on the other side of the second row center line 233b with the second row center line 233b as a reference. Figures 11 to 13 Based on the top view shown, at least a portion of the hot wire insertion portion 250 surrounding the plurality of inflow guides 230 constituting the second row of inflow guides 230b may be located in the lower direction or the upper direction of the second row center line 233b. For example, in the area corresponding to the water supply guide 231 in the second row of inflow guides 230b, the hot wire insertion portion 250 may be located in a direction different from that of the other inflow guides 230 except the water supply guide 231. That is, in the area corresponding to the water supply guide 231 in the second row of inflow guides 230b, the hot wire insertion portion 250 may surround the inner peripheral portion of the second row of inflow guides 230b.

[0118] The hot wire 990 inserted and placed in the hot wire insertion part 250 can surround the peripheral surfaces of the first column inflow guide 230a and the second column inflow guide 230b in a shape substantially corresponding to the hot wire insertion part 250. The shape of the hot wire insertion part 250 can be similarly applicable to the shape of the hot wire 990, so detailed description is omitted.

[0119] The hot wire insertion portion 250 may be formed into a concave shape by an outer side wall 255 and an inner side wall 254 extending along the outer side and the inner side of the hot wire insertion portion 250, respectively. Thus, one side of the aforementioned first cooling fin 251 may be connected to the inner side wall 254, and the other side of the first cooling fin 251 may be connected to the first row of inflow guides 230a. In addition, one side of the second cooling fin 252 may be connected to the inner side wall 254, and the other side of the second cooling fin 252 may be connected to the second row of inflow guides 230b. In addition, the second cooling fin 252 may be formed to be the same height as the inner side wall, thereby reducing the flow resistance of cold air.

[0120] On the other hand, the upper tray 200 may further include a recessed pattern portion 211 formed behind the plurality of inflow guides 230. The recessed pattern portion may be recessed in the lower direction than the upper plate 210. Each recessed pattern portion 211 may be configured to overlap with the adjacent inflow guides 230 in the second direction. The recessed pattern portion 211 may have a shape in which the width decreases as it moves away from the inflow guide 230. For example, the width of the recessed pattern portion 211 decreases as it approaches the direction in which the cold air flows in, thereby adjusting the path of the cold air movement only by the pattern of the recessed pattern portion 211. As described above, the upper tray 200 of the present invention includes a recessed pattern portion 211 formed behind the plurality of inflow guides 230 and recessed in the lower direction than the upper plate 210, thereby increasing the contact area with the cold air while reducing the volume of the upper tray 200 itself, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the upper chamber 220.

[0121] A first receiving portion 257 recessed toward the lower direction of the upper plate 210 may be formed between the plurality of inflow guides 230. For example, the first receiving portion 257 may be extended and formed between the plurality of second-column inflow guides 230b adjacent to each other and between the plurality of first-column inflow guides 230a adjacent to each other. Therefore, the spacing distance between the plurality of second-column inflow guides 230b having the first receiving portion 257 therebetween may be longer than the spacing distance between the other plurality of second-column inflow guides 230b not having the first receiving portion 257 therebetween. Similarly, the spacing distance between the plurality of first-column inflow guides 230a having the first receiving portion 257 therebetween may be longer than the spacing distance between the other plurality of first-column inflow guides 230a not having the first receiving portion 257 therebetween. A sensor may be accommodated in the first receiving portion 257, and as an example, a temperature sensor may be accommodated. The first receiving portion 257 may be configured to be biased toward one side of the upper plate 210, such as the left side.

[0122] A second receiving portion 259 recessed toward the lower direction of the upper plate 210 may be formed at the rear of the upper plate 210. The second receiving portion 259 may be configured to be biased toward one side of the upper plate 210, such as the left side. Therefore, the first receiving portion 257 and the second receiving portion 259 may overlap each other in the front-to-back direction. A first connector 991 and a second connector 992 as a pair of connectors connected to the hot wire 990 and a portion of the first wire 993 and the second wire 994 as a pair of wires may be accommodated in the second receiving portion 259. A pair of fixed guides 243 for fixing the connectors 991, 992 and the wires 993, 994 may be formed in the second receiving portion 259. In addition, a separation guide 241 may be formed in the recessed pattern portion 211 provided at the rear of the second column inflow guide 230b located at the outermost contour on the left side. A pair of wires connected to the hot wire 990 may be separated and extended by the separation guide 241 to prevent contact with each other.

[0123] In addition, a guide wall 242 that protrudes at a predetermined height and surrounds at least a portion of the rear area may be formed at the rear of the upper plate 210. The guide wall 242 may prevent the cold air flowing into the inner side of the upper tray 200 from being discharged to the rear. One or more fastening bosses 258 that protrude upward may be formed between the plurality of inflow guides 230. For example, a pair of fastening bosses 258 may be formed between the first row of inflow guides 230a and the second row of inflow guides 230b located at the outermost contours on the left and right sides, respectively.

[0124] Reference Fig.13, a diagram showing another embodiment of placing a heat wire 990 on the upper tray 200. A portion of the heat wire 990 located in front of the upper tray 200 may be formed along the inner peripheral edge of the plurality of first inflow guides 230a. For example, in the region overlapping with the first receiving portion 257 in the front-to-back direction, the heat wire 990 located in front may be formed along the outer peripheral edge of the plurality of first inflow guides 230a. Also, in the region not overlapping with the first receiving portion 257 in the front-to-back direction, the heat wire 990 located in front may be formed along the inner peripheral edge of the first inflow guide 230a. That is, in the region not overlapping with the first receiving portion 257 in the front-to-back direction, the heat wire 990 located in front may pass between the first inflow guide 230a and the second inflow guide 230b. Also, the heat wire 990 located in the rear may be formed along the outer peripheral edge of the plurality of second inflow guides 230b and the plurality of water supply guides 231. The first cooling fin 251 in the area where the hot wire 990 passes between the first inflow guide 230a and the second inflow guide 230b may be removed or the first cooling fin 251 includes a groove with a part of the area removed, so that the hot wire 990 can also be inserted and fixed to the groove of the first cooling fin 251. Thus, the hot wire insertion portion 250 of the upper tray 200 into which the hot wire 990 is inserted can also be formed in a shape corresponding to the above-mentioned hot wire 990, and the hot wire cover 900 covering the hot wire 990 can also be formed in a shape corresponding to the above-mentioned hot wire 990.

[0125] Below, refer to Figures 14 to 20 , the heat line cover 900 of the present invention is described in more detail.

[0126] A heat wire cover 900 covering the upper portion of the heat wire 990 may be disposed on the upper tray 200 to fix the heat wire 990. The heat wire cover 900 is composed of a heat wire cover body 910, which is formed of a planar body 912 and a curved body 911, and is in the shape of a closed curve having a hollow portion 910h inside. The heat wire cover 900 as a whole has a shape similar to the shape of the peripheral portion of the plurality of upper chambers 220. The heat wire cover 900 may be formed in a shape having substantially planar body 912 and curved body 911 alternately disposed. However, this is not limiting, and in a part of the region, it may have a shape that is more recessed inwardly than the planar body 912 and the curved body 911 of the heat wire cover 900, such as an introduction body 913. For example, referring to Fig.18The curved body portion 911 may be a region formed corresponding to a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the inflow guide 230, the introduction body portion 913 may be a region formed corresponding to a portion of the inner peripheral portion of the water supply guide 231 of the plurality of inflow guides 230, and the planar body portion 912 may be a region formed corresponding to a region between the plurality of inflow guides 230 adjacent to each other. Fig.18 , the heat line cover 900 may also have a shape including a protruding body portion 914 instead of the introduction body portion 913. In this case, the protruding body portion 914 may be a region correspondingly formed along a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the water supply guide 231. Therefore, the protruding body portion 914 may be correspondingly formed along a portion of the outer peripheral portion of the water supply input portion 232 of the water supply guide 231.

[0127] The heat line cover 900 may include an upper protrusion 930 protruding upward from one surface of the heat line cover body 910 and a lower protrusion 940 protruding downward from another surface of the heat line cover body 910. The upper protrusion 930 may be formed along the top circumference of the heat line cover body 910.

[0128] In this case, the upper protrusion 930 may be formed continuously along the periphery of the heat line cover main body 910, but is not limited thereto, and the upper protrusion 930 may also be formed discontinuously. Fig.16 , the upper protrusion 930 disposed on the heat wire cover main body 910 may have a plurality of them, and the plurality of upper protrusions 930 adjacent to each other may be configured to be separated by a predetermined distance by providing a separation portion 930h between each other. In the case where the heat wire cover 900 is placed on the heat wire insertion portion 250 of the upper tray 200, the upper protrusion 930 of the heat wire cover 900 may be formed to protrude in an upper direction more than the upper plate 210. Therefore, in the case where the upper protrusion 930 is disposed in the flow path of cold air, the upper protrusion 930 may also play a role in hindering the flow of cold air. Therefore, an area where the upper protrusion 930 is removed is formed on the heat wire cover main body 910 corresponding to the path of cold air flow, and the upper protrusion 930 is not formed, so that the obstruction of the flow of cold air can be reduced. As an example, the discontinuous pattern of the upper protrusion 930 may be formed in a region corresponding to the curved main body 911, and may be formed in a pattern in which the upper protrusion 930 is removed in a region corresponding to the planar main body 912. In addition, when the heat wire cover 900 is placed on the upper tray 200, the discontinuous pattern of the upper protrusion 930 may be formed in a region where the inflow guide 230 adjacent to the heat wire cover 900 overlaps in the front-to-back direction, and may be formed in a pattern in which the upper protrusion 930 is removed in a region where the inflow guide 230 adjacent to the heat wire cover 900 does not overlap in the front-to-back direction.

[0129] The lower protrusion 940 may be formed along the periphery of the bottom surface of the heat wire cover main body 910. In this case, the lower protrusion 940 may be formed continuously along the periphery of the heat wire cover main body 910. When the heat wire cover 900 is placed on the heat wire insertion portion 250 of the upper tray 200, the lower protrusion 940 of the heat wire cover 900 is inserted into the inner side of the heat wire insertion portion 250, so the lower protrusion 940 may not protrude outward beyond the upper plate 210 of the upper tray 200. Therefore, even if the lower protrusion 940 is formed continuously, the flow path of the cold air is not obstructed. In addition, the lower protrusion 940 can contact with the heat wire 990 to directly press the heat wire 990, so in order to apply pressure to the entire area of ​​the heat wire 990 as evenly as possible, it is preferably formed continuously. As described above, as the lower protrusion 940 applies uniform pressure to the entire area of ​​the heat wire 990, the plurality of upper chambers 220 and the heat wire 990 can be brought into close contact. As a result, the heat transfer efficiency of the heat generated by the heat wire 990 to the upper chamber 220 can be improved. However, the pattern of the lower protrusion 940 is not limited thereto, and the lower protrusion 940 can also be formed discontinuously. For example, the lower protrusion 940 can also be formed in a discontinuous pattern corresponding to the discontinuous pattern of the upper protrusion 930.

[0130] The width of each of the upper protrusion 930 and the lower protrusion 940 may be formed to be narrower than the width of the heat wire cover body 910. Thus, when the heat wire cover 900 is seated in the heat wire insertion portion 250, the heat wire cover body 910 may function as a seating portion that enables the heat wire cover 900 to be seated on the upper plate 210 without being inserted into the heat wire insertion portion 250. As described above, since the heat wire cover body 910 seats the heat wire cover 900 on the upper plate 210, the lower protrusion 940 may be inserted into the heat wire insertion portion 250, and the upper protrusion 930 may protrude to the outside of the heat wire insertion portion 250.

[0131] The heat wire cover body 910 may include an inner placement portion 951 extending inwardly and an outer placement portion 952 extending inwardly, so as to be placed in the heat wire insertion portion 250. For example, the upper protrusion 930 may be formed along the center of the top surface of the heat wire cover body 910, but is not limited thereto, and may be biased toward one side of the heat wire cover body 910 in at least a portion of the region. As an example, in the case where the upper protrusion 930 is formed along the center of the top surface of the heat wire cover body 910, the inner side of the heat wire cover body 910 where the upper protrusion 930 is not formed may become the inner placement portion 951, and the outer side may become the outer placement portion 952. Furthermore, in the case where the upper protrusion 930 is biased toward one side of the top surface of the heat wire cover body 910, i.e., connected to one side, the inner side of the heat wire cover body 910 where the upper protrusion 930 is not formed may become the inner placement portion 951. Similarly, the lower protrusion 940 may be formed along the center of the bottom surface of the heat wire cover body 910, but is not limited thereto, and may be biased toward one side of the heat wire cover body 910 in at least a portion of the region. As an example, when the lower protrusion 940 is formed along the center of the top surface of the heat wire cover body 910, the inner side of the heat wire cover body 910 where the lower protrusion 940 is not formed may become the inner placement portion 951, and the outer side may become the outer placement portion 952. Furthermore, when the lower protrusion 940 is biased toward one side of the top surface of the heat wire cover body 910, that is, in contact with one side, the inner side of the heat wire cover body 910 where the lower protrusion 940 is not formed may become the inner placement portion 951. Therefore, the heat wire cover body 910 may include a region where both the outer placement portion 952 and the inner placement portion 951 are formed, or may include a region where only the inner placement portion 951 is formed in a portion of the region. The area where only the inner placement part 951 is formed in the heat wire cover body 910 may be the front direction of the upper tray 200, which is the direction in which the cold air flows out. Thus, even in a relatively narrow space compared to the rear area, the heat wire cover 900 can be stably placed only by the inner placement part 951.

[0132] A shielding portion 980 having a partially cut-out shape may be formed on one side of the heat wire cover 900. When the heat wire cover 900 is disposed on the upper tray 200, the shielding portion 980 can make the heat wire cover 900 and the area adjacent to the driving unit support portion 260 closely adhere and fix, thereby improving the space utilization of the structure configuration of the upper tray 200.

[0133] One or more side extensions 920 extending from the side of the heat wire cover main body 910 of the heat wire cover 900 toward the outside direction may be formed. An extension protrusion 921 extending from the upper protrusion 930 and protruding toward the upper direction may be formed on the side extension 920, and an extension protrusion 921 extending from the lower protrusion 940 and protruding toward the lower direction may also be formed at the lower part of the side extension 920. The side extension 920 formed in this way can be temporarily fixed by a pair of fixing hooks 281 arranged on both sides of the heat wire insertion part 250 of the upper tray 200. Therefore, the heat wire cover 900 can be temporarily fixed by a pair of fixing hooks 281 arranged on both sides of the heat wire insertion part 250 of the upper tray 200 and including hook stoppers 282. However, the position of the pair of fixing hooks 281 is not limited thereto, and may also be located in the top surface or bottom surface direction of the heat wire insertion part 250.

[0134] For example, the fixing hook 281 may be formed to protrude from the upper plate 210 in the upper direction and include a hook stopper 282 protruding in the direction in which the heating wire cover 900 is arranged. The fixing hook 281 may have a height higher than the height of the side extension 920 disposed in the heating wire insertion portion 250, and may be formed with the hook stopper 282 overlapping the side extension 920 in the up-down direction. The hook stopper 282 is formed to be spaced a predetermined height from the upper plate 210 so that the side extension 920 of the heating wire cover 900 can be inserted and fixed to the space between the hook stopper 282 and the upper plate 210. By forming the hole 283 in the region of the upper plate 210 corresponding to the hook stopper 282, it is possible to assist in easy insertion of the side extension 920, thereby improving the workability during temporary fixing.

[0135] As described above, according to the present invention, the upper tray 200 on which the heat wire cover 900 is placed includes one or more fixing hooks 281, thereby temporarily fixing the heat wire cover 900, thereby preventing the heat wire 990 temporarily fixed to the upper tray 200 from being separated from the original position during the assembly operation of other components, so that the heat wire cover 900 can be kept in a temporarily fixed state before being completely closely assembled to the upper tray 200. The temporary fixing described in the present invention means that the heat wire cover 900 is quickly and easily fixed to the upper tray 200 without using an additional fastening member by the operator, and the close fixing of the heat wire cover 900 and the upper tray 200 can be performed after the temporary fixing assembly step by an additional structure or an additional assembly step.

[0136] Reference Fig.17The heating wire cover 900 may be placed on the upper tray 200 to cover the heating wire 990 inserted into the heating wire insertion portion 250 of the upper tray 200, and may be temporarily fixed by the fixing hook 281 formed on the upper tray 200. As described above, the heating wire cover 900 temporarily fixed on the upper tray 200 may be fixed by the pressing portion 160 formed on the upper cover 100 to be further closely attached to the heating wire 990.

[0137] Reference Fig.21 The upper cover 100 disposed on the upper tray 200 may include an upper cover plate 101 corresponding to the upper plate 210 of the upper tray 200. A plurality of insertion bosses 180 corresponding to the respective inflow guides 230 of the upper tray 200 may be formed on the upper cover plate 101. Fig. 20 , the upper end of the inflow guide 230 can be inserted into the insertion boss 180. The boss guide 181 can be formed along the top surface edge of the insertion boss 180. The boss guide 181 can protrude toward the top surface direction of the insertion boss 180 to have a specified height. The boss guide 181 can guide the insertion of the upper end of the inflow guide 230 inserted into the insertion boss 180. The top surface of the boss guide 181 and the terminal end of the inflow guide 230 can be substantially aligned to have the same height. As described above, since the boss guide 181 protrudes toward the upper direction of the upper cover 100 instead of the lower direction of the upper cover 100, the cold air flow path formed between the upper tray 200 and the upper cover 100 will not be hindered by the boss guide 181, and the cold air flow into the space can be fully ensured.

[0138] A pressurizing portion 160 may be formed adjacent to each insertion boss 180 and protruding toward the lower direction of the upper cover plate 101. There may be a plurality of pressurizing portions 160, each of which is spaced a predetermined distance from the other. The pressurizing portion 160 may press the upper protruding portion 930 of the heating wire cover 900 downward, and this pressurizing force may be transmitted to the lower protruding portion 940 of the heating wire cover 900, and the lower protruding portion 940 may press the heating wire 990 downward. Thus, the pressurizing portion 160 of the upper cover 100 may press the heating wire 990 through the heating wire cover 900 to fix the heating wire 990.

[0139] The plurality of pressurizing parts 160 may be spaced apart from each other along the shape of the heat line cover 900. In this case, each pressurizing part 160 may overlap with the adjacent inflow guides 230 in the front-rear direction. Thus, the pressurizing part 160 may be configured so as not to obstruct the cold air flow path formed between the plurality of inflow guides 230 adjacent to each other. In addition, the outer diameter of each pressurizing part 160 is preferably formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of each inflow guide 230. Thus, the pressurizing part 160 may have a shape that does not obstruct the cold air flow path formed between the adjacent inflow guides 230.

[0140] As described above, according to the present invention, the heating wire cover 900 covering the heating wire 990 placed on the upper tray 200 is pressed by the pressing part 160 of the upper cover 100, so that the upper tray 200 and the heating wire 990 can be closely attached. Thus, the heat transfer efficiency of the heat generated by the heating wire 990 to the upper tray 200 can be improved.

[0141] In addition, according to the present invention, the lower protrusion 940 of the heat wire cover 900 including the lower protrusion 940 extending downward along the heat wire cover body 910 presses the heat wire, so that the plurality of upper chambers 220 and the heat wire 990 can be brought into close contact, and the heat applied by the heat wire 990 to each upper chamber 220 can be provided as uniformly as possible. Thus, the occurrence of a time difference in ice removal in each upper chamber 220 can be reduced, and the occurrence of poor ice removal in a part of the upper chamber 220 can be reduced.

[0142] A fastening hole 163 may be formed at a position of the upper cover plate 101 corresponding to the fastening boss 258 of the upper tray 200. The fastening hole 163 and the fastening boss 258 are fastened by fastening members such as screws, so that the upper cover 100 and the upper tray 200 can be closely fixed. In addition, a receiving portion guide 161 may be formed at a position of the upper cover plate 101 corresponding to the first receiving portion 257 of the upper tray 200. In the lower area of ​​the front portion 111 of the upper cover 100, a cold air outflow partition 170 as a region cut into a predetermined height may be formed extending in the left-right direction. Thus, in a state where the upper cover 100 and the upper tray 200 are combined, a cold air outflow partition 170 that enables cold air to be discharged to the outside may be provided on the front of the upper cover 100. In this case, the front guide 182 may be formed along the top surface of the cold air outflow partition 170 of the upper cover 100. The front guide portion 182 may be formed to protrude further forward than the cold air outflow partition portion 170 , and a distal end portion of the front guide portion 182 may be formed to be inclined in a downward direction.

[0143] Below, refer to Fig. 22 and Fig.23 , describing another embodiment of the present invention.

[0144] Each of the pressurizing parts 160 formed on the bottom surface of the upper cover 100 may extend longer toward the lower direction.

[0145] In this case, the pressurizing portion 160 of the upper cover 100 may be long extended toward the lower direction so that the pressurizing portion 160 can directly and sufficiently press and fix the heating wire 990 .

[0146] For example, the lower end portion of the pressurizing portion 160 may be inserted into a portion of an upper region of the heating wire insertion portion 250 formed on the upper tray 200 .

[0147] As an example, the pressurizing portion 160 is formed so that the width of the left and right peripheral edges decreases toward the lower end, so that the lower end of the pressurizing portion 160 can be inserted into a partial area of ​​the upper portion of the heating wire insertion portion 250 .

[0148] In this case, the left and right peripheral widths of the pressurizing portion 160 may be continuously reduced, but are not limited thereto, and may be discontinuously reduced to have a step near a middle region.

[0149] As described above, according to another embodiment of the present invention, even without the additional heating wire cover 900 for fixing the heating wire 990, the pressing portion 160 of the upper cover 100 can directly press the heating wire 990, thereby having the advantages of reducing the number of parts of the additional heating wire fixing member such as the heating wire cover and reducing the man-hours.

[0150] On the other hand, refer to Fig.24 Describing still another embodiment of the present invention, a heating wire locking member 250 a may be formed in the heating wire insertion portion 250 formed in the upper tray 200 .

[0151] The heating wire insertion portion 250 may be formed to have a sufficient inner groove space to accommodate the heating wire 990 , and an upper area to be opened to allow the heating wire 990 to be inserted.

[0152] As described above, at least one heating wire locking member 250 a may be formed at the upper end of the heating wire insertion portion 250 having an open upper region.

[0153] For example, the heating wire locking member 250 a may be formed at an upper region of the heating wire insertion portion 250 and extend in a horizontal direction to cover a portion of the upper region.

[0154] That is, the heating wire locking member 250 a is formed to extend from one side of the heating wire insertion portion 250 to cover a portion of the open upper region of the heating wire insertion portion 250 , thereby being overlapped with the heating wire insertion portion 250 in the vertical direction.

[0155] Therefore, the open area in the upper region of the hot wire insertion portion 250 where the hot wire locking member 250 a is formed may be smaller than the open area in the upper region of the hot wire insertion portion 250 where the hot wire locking member 250 a is not formed.

[0156] As described above, in the upper region of the hot wire insertion portion 250 where the hot wire locking member 250 a is formed, the hot wire 990 can be inserted into the hot wire insertion portion 250 through the upper region which is not blocked by the hot wire locking member 250 a and is partially open.

[0157] As an example, the heating wire locking member 250a may be formed to have a thickness with a thin vertical width so as to have a predetermined elasticity.

[0158] The upper surface of the heating wire 990 inserted and set in the heating wire insertion portion 250 is pressed by the heating wire locking member 250 a , and can be fixed in the heating wire insertion portion 250 .

[0159] The heating wire locking member 250 a may be formed integrally with the upper tray 200 .

[0160] Therefore, the heating wire locking member 250a may be formed of a metal material.

[0161] In addition, one heat wire locking member 250 a may be formed in each inflow guide 230 to correspond to each inflow guide 230 , but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a plurality of heat wire locking members 250 a may be formed in one inflow guide 230 .

[0162] In this case, the plurality of heating wire locking members 250 a adjacent to each other may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and thus the heating wire locking members 250 a may be formed discontinuously.

[0163] The plurality of heating wire locking members 250 a adjacent to each other may be arranged at equal intervals, but the present invention is not limited thereto and the heating wire locking members 250 a may be arranged at irregular intervals.

[0164] In addition, as another embodiment, the heating wire locking member 250 a may be formed continuously along the shape of the heating wire insertion portion 250 , so that the fixing force of the heating wire 990 by the heating wire locking member 250 a can be increased.

[0165] Thus, according to another embodiment of the present invention, even without an additional heating wire cover 900 for fixing the heating wire 990 , the heating wire locking member 250 a can directly press the heating wire 990 , thereby having the advantage of reducing the number of parts of additional heating wire fixing members such as the heating wire cover and reducing the man-hours.

[0166] On the other hand, refer to Fig.25 , illustrating another embodiment of the present invention, a portion of the upper surface of the hot wire 990 is pressed by the pressurizing portion 160 of the upper cover 100, and another portion of the upper surface of the hot wire 990 can be pressed and fixed by a hot wire locking member 250a formed on the upper tray 200.

[0167] For example, based on the state in which the upper tray 200 and the upper cover 100 are combined, the pressurizing parts 160 and the heating wire locking members 250 a may be alternately arranged to be spaced a predetermined distance apart along the heating wire insertion part 250 , but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0168] The pressurizing portion 160 and the heating wire locking member 250 a may be alternately arranged in a regular arrangement order, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be alternately arranged in an irregular arrangement order.

[0169] As described above, just as the heating wire 990 is pressed by the pressing portion 160 formed on the upper cover 100 and the heating wire locking member 250 a formed on the upper tray 200 , the heating wire 990 may be pressed by pressing members formed on different structures.

[0170] Thus, even if a failure occurs in a pressurizing member formed in a part of the structure, the hot wire 990 can be pressed and fixed by a pressurizing member formed in another structure, so that the failure in fixing the hot wire 990 can be reduced.

[0171] On the other hand, referring to Figure 26 to Figure 28 , further illustrating various embodiments of the heat line cover 900.

[0172] Reference Fig.26 and Fig. 27 The heat line cover 900 may be formed in a form in which a first heat line cover 901 and a second heat line cover 902 are separated.

[0173] As an example, refer to Fig.26 The first heat line cover 901 and the second heat line cover 902 may be formed separately in a state of being cut along a direction in which the width is relatively narrow.

[0174] In this case, the first heat wire cover 901 and the second heat wire cover 902 may have a form that matches each other in shape to form a closed loop when the cut portions are connected to each other, but are not limited thereto.

[0175] As another example, the first heating wire cover 901 and the second heating wire cover 902 may be arranged so that the cut portions thereof are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance when the first heating wire cover 901 and the second heating wire cover 902 are respectively placed in the heating wire insertion portion 250 .

[0176] In this case, the first heating wire cover 901 and the second heating wire cover 902 may be disposed in a discontinuous form without forming a closed loop in a state where each is placed in the heating wire insertion portion 250 .

[0177] The first heat line cover 901 and the second heat line cover 902 may be respectively formed with a side extension portion 920 including an extension protrusion 921 .

[0178] Thus, the first heating wire cover 901 and the second heating wire cover 902 may be temporarily fixed by a pair of fixing hooks 281 disposed on both side surfaces of the heating wire insertion portion 250 of the upper tray 200 .

[0179] As another example, refer to Fig. 27 The first heat line cover 901 and the second heat line cover 902 may be formed separately in a state of being cut along a direction in which the width is relatively wide.

[0180] In this case, the first heat wire cover 901 and the second heat wire cover 902 may have a form that matches each other in shape to form a closed loop when the cut portions are connected to each other, but are not limited thereto.

[0181] As another example, the first heating wire cover 901 and the second heating wire cover 902 may be arranged so that the cut portions thereof are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance when the first heating wire cover 901 and the second heating wire cover 902 are respectively placed in the heating wire insertion portion 250 .

[0182] In this case, the first heating wire cover 901 and the second heating wire cover 902 may be disposed in a discontinuous form without forming a closed loop in a state where each is placed in the heating wire insertion portion 250 .

[0183] The first heat line cover 901 and the second heat line cover 902 may be respectively formed with a side extension portion 920 including an extension protrusion 921 .

[0184] Thus, the first heating wire cover 901 and the second heating wire cover 902 may be temporarily fixed by a pair of fixing hooks 281 disposed on both side surfaces of the heating wire insertion portion 250 of the upper tray 200 .

[0185] As another example, see Fig.28 , the heat line cover 900 may be formed to have a disconnection portion 903 in which a part of the area is disconnected.

[0186] For example, the heat line cover 900 may be formed to have a substantially continuous form, and may have a discontinuous form as a whole as the disconnection portion 903 is formed in a partial region.

[0187] As described above, the heat wire cover 900 includes the disconnection portion 903 that is partially disconnected, so that the heat wire cover 900 can have elasticity, and thus can be easily inserted into the heat wire insertion portion 250 even if the heat wire cover 900 has a predetermined design error.

[0188] On the other hand, the ice maker 30 as described above may include an upper assembly 31 and a lower assembly 32 , in which case the upper assembly 31 may be named a first assembly 31 and the lower assembly 32 may be named a second assembly 32 .

[0189] Likewise, the upper cover 100 and the upper tray 200 may be respectively named as a first cover 100 and a first tray 200 , and the lower cover 300 and the lower tray 400 may be respectively named as a second cover 300 and a second tray 400 .

[0190] In addition, the ice maker 30 may perform the ice removal process in a rotating manner in which the second tray 400 rotates around a single axis while the first tray 200 is fixed, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0191] As another embodiment, the ice maker 30 may also perform the ice moving process by reciprocating the first tray 200 or the second tray 400 along a straight line.

[0192] For example, the second tray 400 may be driven to reciprocate linearly in the vertical direction while the first tray 200 is fixed, or vice versa. The first tray 200 may be driven to reciprocate linearly in the vertical direction while the second tray 400 is fixed.

[0193] That is, the first tray 200 or the second tray 400 may reciprocate in the vertical direction.

[0194] In addition, as another example, the second tray 400 can be driven in a manner that allows it to reciprocate linearly in the left-right direction or the front-back direction while the first tray 200 is fixed. Conversely, the first tray 200 can be driven in a manner that allows it to reciprocate linearly in the left-right direction or the front-back direction while the second tray 400 is fixed.

[0195] That is, the first tray 200 or the second tray 400 may reciprocate in a horizontal direction.

[0196] The various embodiments of the heat wire cover 900 described above may also be similarly applied to the ice maker 30 that performs an ice moving process by reciprocating the first tray 200 or the second tray 400 in a linear direction.

Claims

1. An ice maker, characterized in that: include: an upper tray including a plurality of upper chambers including a hot wire insertion portion; a lower tray including a plurality of lower chambers; A hot wire is inserted into the hot wire insertion portion; A heating wire cover, disposed on the heating wire insertion portion to cover the heating wire; as well as The upper cover is arranged on the upper tray and includes one or more pressing parts for pressing the heating wire cover.

2. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper tray further includes an upper plate, and a cold air flow path is formed between the upper plate and the upper cover.

3. The ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating wire insertion portion is recessed downward from the uppermost surface of the upper plate.

4. The ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper chamber protrudes downward from the uppermost surface of the upper plate.

5. The ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heating wire inserted into the heating wire insertion portion is located below the uppermost surface of the upper plate.

6. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least a portion of the heating wire insertion portion is formed along at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge portion of each of the upper chambers.

7. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also included are a plurality of inflow guides communicating with each of the upper chambers and extending toward the upper direction of the upper chambers; At least a portion of the heating wire insertion portion is formed along at least a portion of the outer peripheral edge portion of each of the inflow guides.

8. The ice maker according to claim 7, characterized in that: One of the plurality of inflow guides is a water supply guide that forms a water supply path; The heating wire insertion portion is formed along an inner side direction of the water supply guide in a region corresponding to the water supply guide.

9. The ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hot wire cover comprises: a heat wire cover body portion having a closed curve shape to include a hollow inside; and One or more side extensions protrude outward from the side of the heating wire cover main body; The upper tray includes one or more fixing hooks for fixing the side extension portion.

10. A refrigerator, characterized in that: include: More than one storage room; one or more doors to open and close the storage room; as well as an ice maker installed in the storage room or the door; The ice maker comprises: an ice tray including a plurality of chambers including a hot wire insertion portion; A hot wire is inserted into the hot wire insertion portion; A heating wire cover, disposed on the heating wire insertion portion to cover the heating wire; and The ice cover is arranged on the ice tray and includes one or more pressurizing parts for pressing the heating wire cover.

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