Refrigerator

Abstract

This invention provides a refrigerator, including a refrigeration compartment and an ice maker and an ice storage unit located within the refrigeration compartment. The ice maker includes a body, an ice probe and an ice guide connected to the body, and a transmission mechanism that links the ice probe and the ice guide. The body includes an ice-making box, and the ice guide has a first state in which it guides ice blocks in the ice-making box to fall into the ice storage unit. By providing the ice guide, the ice blocks in the ice-making box are guided to fall into the ice storage unit in the first state, thus eliminating the need to fix the relative position between the ice maker and the ice storage unit, thereby improving the installation flexibility of the ice maker and / or the ice storage unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of refrigeration equipment, and more particularly to a refrigerator. Background Technology

[0002] To facilitate user convenience, many refrigerators are equipped with ice makers. After making ice, the ice maker pours the ice into the ice storage compartment below. As the ice falls into the storage compartment, it begins to accumulate at the point of impact, forming an ice pile. When the highest point of the ice pile is detected by the ice detection rod, the ice storage compartment is considered full.

[0003] In related technologies, in order to increase the amount of ice stored in the ice storage container when it is full of ice, the ice drop point of the ice maker is usually controlled at the center of the ice storage container, that is, the ice maker is set directly above the center of the ice storage container. This results in a fixed relative position between the ice maker and the ice storage container, which restricts the installation of the ice maker and / or the ice storage container. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a refrigerator that improves the installation flexibility of the ice maker and / or ice storage components.

[0005] To achieve one of the above-mentioned objectives, one embodiment of the present invention provides a refrigerator, including a refrigeration compartment and an ice maker and an ice storage unit located in the refrigeration compartment. The ice maker includes a body, an ice probe and an ice guide connected to the body, and a transmission mechanism that enables the ice probe and the ice guide to work together. The body includes an ice-making box, and the ice guide has a first state in which the ice guide guides ice blocks in the ice-making box to fall into the ice storage unit.

[0006] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, in the first state, the horizontal height of the ice guide gradually decreases from the side closer to the ice maker box toward the side away from the ice maker box.

[0007] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker includes an ice-making tray, and the ice guide has a second state in which the ice guide covers one side of the ice-making tray.

[0008] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the ice maker further includes an elastic member that abuts against the ice guide and the machine body, wherein in the second state, the ice guide abuts against the ice maker box.

[0009] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation axis of the ice guide is set at a certain angle to the rotation axis of the ice probe.

[0010] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the transmission mechanism includes a first transmission member connected to the ice-detecting member and a second transmission member abutting against the ice-guiding member, wherein the rotation axis of the first transmission member and the rotation axis of the second transmission member extend in the same direction.

[0011] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the first transmission member and the second transmission member abut against each other.

[0012] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the first transmission member is configured as a cam, and the second transmission member is configured as a connecting rod that cooperates with the first transmission member.

[0013] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the ice guide has a plurality of vent holes arranged along the rotation axis of the ice guide.

[0014] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, at least one end of the second transmission member is provided with a roller.

[0015] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator further includes an inner liner forming a refrigeration compartment and a fixed bracket, the fixed bracket connecting the ice maker and the rear wall of the inner liner.

[0016] As a further improvement of one embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator further includes an air inlet communicating with the refrigeration compartment, and the ice maker further includes a cover, the cover having an ice-making space and an air inlet communicating with the bottom of the ice-making space, the air inlet being opposite to the air outlet.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, in the embodiments of the present invention, by setting an ice guide, the ice cubes in the ice maker box are guided to fall into the ice storage container in the first state, thereby eliminating the need to fix the relative position between the ice maker and the ice storage container, and improving the installation flexibility of the ice maker and / or the ice storage container. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the refrigerator's ice maker section;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional diagram of the refrigerator at the ice maker, where the ice guide is in the first state;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the refrigerator at the ice maker, where the ice guide is in the second state;

[0022] Figure 5This is another cross-sectional diagram of the refrigerator at the ice maker, where the ice guide is in the second state;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of an ice maker, in which the ice guide is in the first state. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, these embodiments do not limit the present invention, and any structural, methodological, or functional modifications made by those skilled in the art based on these embodiments are included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] It should be understood that terms such as “having,” “comprising,” and “including” as used herein do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements or combinations thereof.

[0026] It should be understood that terms such as "upper," "lower," "outer," and "inner," used herein to indicate spatial relative position, are for illustrative purposes to describe the relationship of one unit or feature relative to another unit or feature as shown in the accompanying drawings. The terms "spatial relative position" may be intended to include different orientations of the equipment in use or operation other than those shown in the figures.

[0027] The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or otherwise), and the spatially related descriptive terms used herein shall be interpreted accordingly. For ease of description, in the present invention, when the refrigerator is in normal use, the direction facing the ground is downward, and the direction away from the ground is upward; the direction parallel to the ground is horizontal, and the direction perpendicular to the ground is vertical; the side closer to the user is the front side, and the side farther from the user is the rear side.

[0028] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0029] A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a door, and a refrigeration system, with the door pivotally connected to the cabinet. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, an evaporator, etc., which are connected by pipes to form a refrigeration circuit.

[0030] Reference Figure 1As shown, a refrigerator includes a refrigeration compartment and an ice maker 20 and an ice storage unit 30 located within the refrigeration compartment. In this embodiment, the refrigeration compartment is supplied with cooling capacity by a refrigeration system. By placing the ice maker 20 and the ice storage unit 30 within the refrigeration compartment and exchanging heat with the interior of the refrigeration compartment, cooling capacity is obtained to meet the needs of ice making and ice storage. The refrigeration compartment can be a freezer compartment, a variable temperature compartment, or other functional compartments (such as an ice maker compartment).

[0031] For example, the ice storage component 30 can be an ice storage drawer, such as a sliding inner liner, to enable sliding ice retrieval.

[0032] In some embodiments, in conjunction with reference Figure 2 As shown, the ice maker 20 includes a body 201, an ice-detecting component 202 and an ice-guiding component 203 connected to the body 201, and a transmission mechanism that enables the ice-detecting component 202 and the ice-guiding component 203 to work together. In this embodiment, the ice-detecting component 202 and the ice-guiding component 203 can be movably connected to the body 201, such as through a rotary connection or a sliding connection, so that the ice-detecting component 202 and the ice-guiding component 203 can work together. The transmission mechanism is used to achieve the working together between the ice-detecting component 202 and the ice-guiding component 203, such as through a rotary connection or a sliding connection.

[0033] For example, after the ice probe 202 and the ice guide 203 are linked and cooperated, a single drive motor can drive the ice probe 202 and the ice guide 203 to move simultaneously, such as driving the ice probe 202 and the ice guide 203 to rotate simultaneously, thereby simplifying the design of the ice maker 20 and reducing the manufacturing cost of the ice maker 20.

[0034] In some embodiments, in conjunction with reference Figure 3 As shown, the body 201 includes an ice-making container 2011. In this embodiment, liquid (e.g., water) injected into the ice-making container 2011 can form ice cubes after obtaining cold energy.

[0035] In some embodiments, the ice guide 203 has a first state. In this embodiment, since the ice probe 202 and the ice guide 203 are linked and cooperate, the ice probe 202 has a working state corresponding to the ice guide 203, realizing synchronous switching between the ice probe 202 and the ice guide 203. For example, as Figure 3 When the ice guide 203 is in the first state, the ice detector 202 is in the retracted state to avoid interfering with the falling ice.

[0036] In some embodiments, in the first state, the ice guide 203 guides the ice cubes in the ice maker 2011 to fall into the ice storage container 30. In this embodiment, by providing the ice guide 203, the ice cubes in the ice maker 2011 are guided to fall into the ice storage container 30 in the first state, thereby eliminating the need to fix the relative position between the ice maker 20 and the ice storage container 30, and improving the installation flexibility of the ice maker 20 and / or the ice storage container 30.

[0037] In some embodiments, in the first state, the horizontal height of the ice guide 203 gradually decreases from the side closer to the ice container 2011 toward the side away from the ice container 2011. In this embodiment, as... Figure 3 When the ice guide 203 is in the first state, the ice cubes after the ice in the ice box 2011 are de-iced can fall along the upper surface of the ice guide 203 into the ice storage container 30, thereby storing the ice cubes in the ice box 2011 in the ice storage container 30 for the user to take.

[0038] It should be noted that the horizontal height of the ice guide 203 (e.g., along the front-to-back direction) gradually decreases, which can be... Figure 3 The ice guide 203 can be reduced at a moderate ratio, for example, the change in height of the ice guide 203 and the change in the distance between its front and rear ends are linear functions, meaning the cross-section of the ice guide 203 changes linearly. Alternatively, the ice guide 203 can be reduced at an unequal ratio, for example, the change in height of the ice guide 203 and the change in the distance between its front and rear ends are quadratic functions, meaning the cross-section of the ice guide 203 changes in an arc shape.

[0039] In other embodiments, in the first state, the horizontal height of the ice guide 203 decreases from the side closer to the ice container 2011 toward the side away from the ice container 2011. For example, when the horizontal height of the ice guide 203 decreases along the front-back direction, at least one section is parallel to the horizontal direction, that is, at least one section does not change in horizontal height, i.e., the cross-section of the ice guide 203 changes in a step.

[0040] In some embodiments, in conjunction with reference Figure 4 As shown, the ice maker 2011 includes an ice tray 20111. In this embodiment, the ice tray 2011 has multiple ice compartments.

[0041] In some embodiments, the ice guide 203 has a second state. In this embodiment, since the ice probe 202 has a working state corresponding to the ice guide 203, such as... Figure 4 When the ice guide 203 is in the second state, the ice detector 202 is in the ice detector state, which can detect the full ice state of the ice in the ice storage container 30.

[0042] In some embodiments, in the second state, the ice guide 203 covers one side of the ice-making tray 20111. In this embodiment, when the ice guide 203 is in the second state, it covers one side of the ice-making tray 20111, for example, the front side of the ice-making tray 20111, which restricts the airflow around the ice-making tray 2011 and improves the ice-making efficiency of the ice maker 20.

[0043] Furthermore, when the ice guide 203 is switched to the second state, it can be stored away, improving the appearance of the ice maker 20 and saving space.

[0044] For example, when the ice guide 203 is in the second state, the ice guide 203 extends in the vertical direction, that is, the ice guide 203 is in a vertical state so as to cover one side of the ice making tray 20111.

[0045] In some embodiments, when the ice probe 202 switches from the ice probe state to the storage state, the ice guide 203 switches from the second state to the first state after being linked by the transmission mechanism. Conversely, when the ice probe 202 switches from the storage state to the ice probe state, the force exerted by the transmission mechanism on the ice guide 203 disappears, and the ice guide 203 is restored from the first state to the second state by an external force, which may be the weight of the ice guide 203 itself or the deformation force of the elastic element, etc.

[0046] In some embodiments, the ice maker 20 further includes an elastic member 204 abutting against the ice guide 203 and the body 201. In this embodiment, the elastic member 204 can drive the ice guide 203 to switch from a first state to a second state. The deformation force provided by the elastic member 204 causes the ice guide 203 to return from the first state to the second state. That is, when switching from the first state to the second state, the transmission mechanism needs to overcome the deformation force of the elastic member 204.

[0047] For example, the elastic element 204 is a torsion spring. After the elastic element 204 is sleeved on the ice guide element 203, it is limited to the body 201.

[0048] In some embodiments, in the second state, the ice guide 203 abuts against the ice maker 2011. In this embodiment, the ice guide 203 is in a vertical state under the action of the elastic member 204 (e.g., a torsion spring) and abuts against the ice maker 2011. Compared to a solution where the ice guide 203 abuts against the ice maker 2011 using its own weight, this ensures the stability of the ice guide 203. That is, it prevents the ice guide 203 from shaking due to external forces, such as the shaking of the refrigerator when opening and closing the door, or shaking caused by airflow at the air inlet.

[0049] Furthermore, the elastic element 204 (e.g., a torsion spring) ensures that the transmission mechanism remains engaged at all times. For example, it ensures that the connecting rod always abuts against the cam, preventing the connecting rod from wobbling and improving the stability of the transmission mechanism when it achieves linkage.

[0050] In other embodiments, in the second state, the transmission mechanism (e.g., the second transmission member) may also not be in contact with the ice guide 203. For example, as Figure 5 By providing a stop block 20113 on the ice container 2011, in the second state, the ice guide 203 abuts against the stop block 20113 of the ice container 2011. The ice container 2011 includes an ice tray cover 20112 that connects to the ice tray 20111, and the stop block 20113 can be provided on the ice tray cover 20112.

[0051] In some embodiments, the rotation axis of the ice guide 203 is set at a certain angle to the rotation axis of the ice probe 202. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the ice guide 203 and the rotation axis of the ice probe 202 may be perpendicular to each other. Both the ice probe 202 and the ice guide 203 switch their working states by rotation; for example, the ice guide 203 switches between a first state and a second state by rotation.

[0052] In other embodiments, the rotation axis of the ice guide 203 and the rotation axis of the ice probe 202 may extend in the same direction (e.g., parallel or collinear). The ice probe 202 and the ice guide 203 may also switch their operating states by translation or other means of movement.

[0053] For example, the rotation axis of the ice guide 203 is parallel to the left-right direction, and the rotation axis of the ice probe 202 is parallel to the up-down direction.

[0054] For example, both the ice guide 203 and the ice probe 202 are rotatably connected to the body 201. The body 201 includes a base 2012 that connects to the ice-making box 2011. One end (e.g., the left end) of the ice guide 203 is pivotally engaged with the base 2012, and the other end (e.g., the right end) is pivotally engaged with the ice tray cover 20112. The ice probe 202 includes an ice probe rod 2022 and an ice probe shaft 2021 that connects to the ice probe rod 2022. The ice probe 202 is pivotally engaged with the base 2012 via the ice probe shaft 2021.

[0055] When the drive motor rotates the ice probe 202, the ice guide 203 rotates along with the ice probe 202 due to the linkage between the ice guide 203 and the ice probe 202. Compared to the scheme where the rotation axis of the ice guide 203 is parallel to the rotation axis of the ice probe 202, this simplifies the design of the ice maker 20 and meets the usage requirements of the ice guide 203 in two working states.

[0056] For example, the ice maker 20 also includes an ice-flipping component 208 that is rotatably connected to the ice container 2011. By using the ice-flipping component 208 that cooperates with the ice container 2011 (e.g., rotatably), it is possible to de-ice the ice blocks made in the ice container 2011.

[0057] For example, the rotation axis of the ice probe 202 is at a certain angle to the rotation axis of the ice turner 208 (e.g., perpendicular to each other). The rotation axis of the ice guide 203 extends in the same direction as the rotation axis of the ice turner 208 (e.g., parallel or collinear), and the rotation axis of the ice guide 203 is set at a certain angle to the rotation axis of the ice probe 202 (e.g., perpendicular to each other), thereby simplifying the design of the ice maker 20.

[0058] In some embodiments, in conjunction with reference Figure 6 As shown, the ice maker 20 includes a docking mechanism that enables the ice probe 202 and the ice turner 208 to engage in transmission. Thus, a single drive motor can simultaneously drive the ice turner 208, the ice probe 202, and the ice guide 203 to rotate, simplifying the design of the ice maker 20 and reducing its manufacturing cost.

[0059] For example, the docking mechanism includes a spiral groove 2051 disposed on the ice-turning component 208 and an abutment block 2052 connecting the ice-finding rod 202 (e.g., connected to the ice-finding shaft 2021), and the transmission engagement is achieved by the mutual cooperation between the abutment block 2052 and the spiral groove 2051.

[0060] In some embodiments, the transmission mechanism includes a first transmission member 2061 connected to the ice probe 202 and a second transmission member 2062 abutting against the ice guide 203. In this embodiment, the first transmission member 2061 is fixedly connected to the ice probe 202, thereby rotating together with the ice probe 202. When the ice guide 203 switches from the second state to the first state, the second transmission member 2062 abuts against the ice guide 203, so that the second transmission member 2062, driven by the first transmission member 2061, can push the ice guide 203 to rotate over the deformation force of the elastic member 204 or the weight of the ice guide 203.

[0061] In some embodiments, the rotation axis of the first transmission member 2061 and the rotation axis of the second transmission member 2062 extend in the same direction. In this embodiment, the rotation axis of the first transmission member 2061 and the rotation axis of the second transmission member 2062 may be parallel to each other or collinear. Compared with the scheme where "the rotation axis of the first transmission member 2061 and the rotation axis of the second transmission member 2062 are set at a certain angle", the design of the transmission mechanism is simplified.

[0062] In other embodiments, the rotation axis of the first transmission member 2061 is set at a certain angle to the rotation axis of the second transmission member 2062, for example, by using a bevel gear or worm gear transmission method to achieve transmission.

[0063] For example, the rotation axis of the first transmission member 2061 and the rotation axis of the second transmission member 2062 are both parallel to the vertical direction. The rotation axis of the first transmission member 2061 and the rotation axis of the second transmission member 2062 are parallel to each other.

[0064] In some embodiments, the first transmission member 2061 and the second transmission member 2062 abut against each other. In this embodiment, the first transmission member 2061 and the second transmission member 2062 achieve transmission cooperation by abutting against each other. Compared with the scheme in which the first transmission member 2061 and the second transmission member 2062 are connected to each other, such as the scheme in which the two transmission members are hinged to each other, the transmission mechanism is simple to design and easy to manufacture.

[0065] In other embodiments, the transmission mechanism may also be a first transmission member 2061 and a second transmission member 2062 connected to each other, such as belt drive, chain drive, linkage drive and other transmission cooperation methods, as long as the rotation axis of the first transmission member 2061 and the rotation axis of the second transmission member 2062 extend in the same direction.

[0066] In some embodiments, the first transmission member 2061 is configured as a cam, and the second transmission member 2062 is configured as a connecting rod that cooperates with the first transmission member 2061. In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism is achieved by utilizing the mutual abutment between the cam and the connecting rod, making the transmission mechanism simple to design and easy to manufacture.

[0067] In other embodiments, the transmission mechanism can also be a gear transmission, as long as the first transmission member 2061 and the second transmission member 2062 achieve transmission cooperation through mutual contact.

[0068] For example, the first transmission member 2061 (i.e., the cam) is fixed to the ice-probing shaft 2021, and the axis of the first transmission member 2061 is collinear with the axis of the ice-probing shaft 2021. The transmission mechanism includes a mounting shaft 2063, and a second transmission member 2062 (i.e., the connecting rod) is connected to the base 2012 via the mounting shaft 2063. The second transmission member 2062 is rotatably mounted on the mounting shaft 2063. Both the first transmission member 2061 (i.e., the cam) and the second transmission member 2062 (i.e., the connecting rod) can only rotate and cannot translate.

[0069] In some embodiments, the ice guide 203 has a plurality of vent holes 2031. In this embodiment, when the ice guide 203 is in the first state, the vent holes 2031 ensure that cold air can form a smooth flow path when the ice maker 20 is making ice, effectively improving the ice-making rate while preventing frost from forming on the ice guide 203.

[0070] For example, the vent 2031 can be an oblong hole, with its length direction perpendicular to the rotation axis of the ice guide 203. The width of the vent 2031 is at least smaller than the maximum external dimensions of the ice block to prevent ice from leaking out of the vent 2031.

[0071] In some embodiments, a plurality of vent holes 2031 are arranged along the rotation axis of the ice guide 203. In this embodiment, when the ice guide 203 is in the first state, the vent holes 2031 can guide the ice blocks, allowing them to fall smoothly into the ice storage container 30. Furthermore, this prevents the ice blocks from sticking to the ice guide 203.

[0072] For example, multiple vent holes 2031 are evenly arranged along the left-right direction.

[0073] In some embodiments, the ice guide 203 further includes a venting portion 2032 forming a vent hole 2031 and an abutment portion 2033 connecting the venting portion 2032, wherein the abutment portion 2033 is not provided with a vent hole 2031. When switching from the second state to the first state, the second transmission member 2062 (e.g., a connecting rod) abuts against the abutment portion 2033 to prevent the second transmission member 2062 from extending into the vent hole 2031 and affecting the linkage between the ice probe 202 and the ice guide 203.

[0074] In some embodiments, at least one end of the second transmission member 2062 is provided with a roller 2064. In this embodiment, providing a roller 2064 at the end of the second transmission member 2062 reduces the friction between the second transmission member 2062 and the ice guide member 203 and / or the first transmission member 2061, resulting in smoother linkage between the ice probe member 202 and the ice guide member 203. That is, when the second transmission member 2062 and the ice guide member 203 and / or the first transmission member 2061 cooperate, the friction changes from sliding friction to rolling friction, improving the smoothness of the contact and making the linkage between the ice probe member 202 and the ice guide member 203 smoother. Furthermore, it also reduces the noise generated during the cooperation between the second transmission member 2062 and the ice guide member 203 and / or the first transmission member 2061.

[0075] For example, rollers 2064 are provided at both ends of the second transmission member 2062 to reduce the friction between the second transmission member 2062 and the ice guide member 203 and the first transmission member 2061. This further reduces noise during contact.

[0076] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes an inner liner forming a cooling compartment and a fixing bracket 40. In this embodiment, the inner liner is disposed on the cabinet body or the door body, that is, the cooling compartment can be formed inside the cabinet body or the door body.

[0077] In some embodiments, the fixed bracket 40 connects the ice maker 20 to the rear wall of the inner liner. In this embodiment, the ice maker 20 is fitted tightly against the rear wall of the inner liner using the fixed bracket 40, saving space occupied by the ice maker 20 in the front-to-back direction and increasing the usable space of the refrigeration compartment in the front-to-back direction.

[0078] In the design without an ice guide, the ice from the ice maker 2011 falls directly into the ice storage container 30. The ice tends to accumulate at the rear of the container, requiring manual adjustment to increase the ice capacity when full, such as shaking the container or manually moving the ice forward. However, this design incorporates an ice guide 203, which directs the ice towards the center of the ice storage container 30 (shifting the landing point forward). This increases the ice capacity when the container is full, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and meeting the user's need for large quantities of ice.

[0079] For example, when the ice guide 203 is in the first state, the ice guide 203 is inclined downward along the front-back direction, thereby guiding the ice in the ice box 2011 to fall to the middle position of the ice storage component 30, thereby increasing the ice storage capacity of the ice storage component 30 when it is full of ice.

[0080] In some embodiments, the refrigerator further includes an air inlet 50 communicating with the cooling compartment. In this embodiment, the refrigerator further includes an air duct 60 forming the air inlet 50, and the air duct 60 also has a return air inlet communicating with the cooling compartment. The cooling capacity generated by the refrigeration system (e.g., the cooling capacity generated by the evaporator chamber) is transferred to the cooling compartment through the air duct 60. The cold air in the air duct 60 flows into the cooling compartment through the air inlet 50. After exchanging heat with the interior of the cooling compartment, the cold air flows back into the air duct 60 through the return air inlet, realizing airflow circulation between the air duct 60 and the cooling compartment, and completing the exchange of cooling capacity between the air duct 60 and the cooling compartment, for example, completing the exchange of cooling capacity between the evaporator chamber and the cooling compartment.

[0081] In some embodiments, the ice maker 20 further includes a cover 207, which has an ice-making space 2071 and an air inlet 2072 communicating with the bottom of the ice-making space 2071. In this embodiment, cold air in the refrigeration chamber flows into the ice-making space 2071 through the air inlet 2072. After the cold air exchanges heat with the interior of the ice-making space 2071, it flows back into the refrigeration chamber from the gap between the cover 207 and the inner liner (e.g., the top of the cover 207), thereby forming a bottom air intake and top air outlet, realizing airflow circulation between the ice-making space 2071 and the refrigeration chamber, and completing the cold exchange between the ice-making space 2071 and the refrigeration chamber.

[0082] In some embodiments, the air inlet 50 is opposite to the air inlet 2072. In this embodiment, cold air flowing into the refrigeration chamber through the air inlet 50 flows into the ice-making space 2071 through the air inlet 2072 and undergoes heat exchange. Then, it flows back into the refrigeration chamber through the gap between the cover 207 and the inner liner (e.g., the gap between the cover 207 and the left wall of the inner liner). Because the air inlet 50 is directly opposite the air inlet 2072, the cold air in the air duct 60 can enter the ice-making space 2071 first, meaning the ice-making space 2071 cools before the refrigeration chamber, thereby accelerating ice making and improving the ice-making efficiency of the ice maker 20. Specifically, after the cold air fills the ice-making space 2071 and undergoes sufficient heat exchange with the ice container 2011, it flows into the refrigeration chamber, exchanges heat with the interior of the refrigeration chamber, and then flows back into the air duct 60.

[0083] For example, the air inlet 2072 is opposite to the bottom of the ice maker 2011, that is, the air inlet 2072 is located below the ice maker 2011, so that the cold air flowing in from the air inlet 2072 blows directly onto the ice maker 2011, thereby accelerating the freezing of water in the ice maker 2011.

[0084] For example, the air duct 60 is disposed on the rear wall of the inner liner, and the ice maker 20 is disposed above the air duct 60 and close to the rear wall of the inner liner. The ice maker 20 is located above the air inlet 50 and close to the rear wall of the inner liner. By utilizing the thickness of the air duct 60 in the front-to-back direction, the internal space of the refrigeration compartment can be fully utilized, increasing the effective usable volume of the refrigerator. It also ensures that the air inlet 50 is directly opposite the air inlet 2072.

[0085] It should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, not every embodiment contains only one independent technical solution. This way of describing the specification is only for clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment can also be appropriately combined to form other embodiments that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0086] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent embodiments or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerator, characterized in that, The system includes a refrigeration room and an ice maker (20) and an ice storage unit (30) located within the refrigeration room. The ice maker (20) includes a body (201), an ice probe (202) and an ice guide (203) connected to the body (201), and a transmission mechanism that enables the ice probe (202) and the ice guide (203) to work together. The body (201) includes an ice box (2011). The ice guide (203) has a first state in which the ice guide (203) guides the ice blocks in the ice box (2011) to fall into the ice storage unit (30).

2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein, In the first state, the horizontal height of the ice guide (203) gradually decreases from the side closer to the ice box (2011) toward the side away from the ice box (2011).

3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The ice maker (2011) includes an ice tray (20111), and the ice guide (203) has a second state in which the ice guide (203) covers one side of the ice tray (20111).

4. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein The ice maker (20) also includes an elastic member (204) that abuts against the ice guide (203) and the body (201). In the second state, the ice guide (203) abuts against the ice container (2011).

5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The rotation axis of the ice guide (203) is set at a certain angle to the rotation axis of the ice probe (202).

6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The transmission mechanism includes a first transmission member (2061) connected to the ice probe (202) and a second transmission member (2062) abutting against the ice guide (203), wherein the rotation axis of the first transmission member (2061) and the rotation axis of the second transmission member (2062) extend in the same direction.

7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein The first transmission component (2061) and the second transmission component (2062) abut against each other.

8. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein The first transmission member (2061) is configured as a cam, and the second transmission member (2062) is configured as a connecting rod that cooperates with the first transmission member (2061).

9. The refrigerator as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ice guide (203) has a plurality of vent holes (2031) arranged along the rotation axis of the ice guide (203).

10. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein At least one end of the second transmission member (2062) is provided with a roller (2064).

11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The refrigerator also includes an inner liner forming a refrigeration compartment and a fixing bracket (40) that connects the ice maker (20) to the rear wall of the inner liner.

12. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein The refrigerator also includes an air inlet (50) connecting to the refrigeration compartment, and the ice maker (20) also includes a cover (207), the cover (207) having an ice-making space (2071) and an air inlet (2072) connected to the bottom of the ice-making space (2071), the air inlet (50) being opposite to the air inlet (2072).

Images